Troubleshooting Lippert Electric Jack That Only Works After Hitting with Hammer

Question:

IT WAS WORKING THEN WENT TO RAISE IT UP AND WOULDNT WORK I HELD THE SWITCH ON AND A FREIND HIT THE FOOT PLATE WITH A HAMMER THEN IT STARTED TO RUN AGAIN BUT WHEN WE STOPPED AND TRYED TO START IT AGAIN IT DIDNT WORK UNTILL WE HIT AGAIN WITH THE HAMMER, IS THAT A GROUND ISSUE? I have a LCI181794 on a 2014 keystone travel trailer

asked by: HENRY T

Expert Reply:

It's certainly possible that a bad/weak ground is what is causing the issues on your Lippert 181794 (which is the current model # LC285318). This jack grounds through its mounting hardware so you will want to make sure that all the hardware and the trailer frame itself where it's mounted is free of any rust or corrosion.

If cleaning up the ground surface doesn't resolve the issue then there's likely an internal issue with the jack, specifically with the gears. The hammer strike might be knocking something back into place temporarily which is allowing it to work for a bit. Try and access the internal components to inspect them.

If you find a stripped gear or damaged tube then your only option will be to replace the jack itself as there aren't internal replacement parts available. If this ends up being the case the Lippert # LC285318 mentioned above will work perfectly.

expert reply by: Chris R