Installation of Stromberg Carlson Electric A-Frame Trailer Tongue Jack, Part # JET-2500

Question:

Hello, Received the jack and it is just as described. I attached the jack to the trailer with 1inch 3/8inch grade 8 bolts and washers. Two Questions: 1. The trailer is already threaded, so do I need to add nuts to the bottom of the bolts or can I trust the existing threads on the trailer? 2. I removed the paint with a dermal tool from both the underside of the mounting plate of the jack and the top of the trailer for better metal to metal ground contact, and used the included spider washers sandwiched between the bottom of the mounting plate and the top of trailer. I then got a spare battery with a tested good charge and attempted to power the jack, but it was dead as a door nail. My question is: must the power source come from the mounted trailer battery only and or should I use the spider washers on top of the mounting plate instead of underneath? If they go on top however, it will only be grounded to the head of the bolts going through the trailer. Thank you for your response.

asked by: Larry B

Expert Reply:

Installation of the Stromberg Carlson Electric A-Frame Tongue Jack, Part # JET-2500, should be completed by following all of the manufacturer instructions.

You should install the jack using all three supplied star washers, bolts and nuts. The washers should be placed on the bolts first; they will dig through the paint on the top surface of the jack mounting plate to provide the essential solid ground connection between the jack and trailer frame. The nuts should be installed on the bolts even if your trailer mount is threaded; torque to 15-20 ft-lbs as per the manufacturer instructions. These bolts not only provide additional mechanical security but also help with making a secure ground connection. Removing the paint from the mating surfaces for better metal-to-metal contact is an excellent idea to promote a good ground connection; you may also want to apply a small amount of dielectric grease to those surfaces to inhibit entry of moisture and resist corrosion. You can use # 11755 or equivalent.

You will also want to double-check that there is a fuse in the in-line fuse holder.

A separate 12V battery with sufficient charge (to deliver the 24-25 amp current drawn by the motor) could power the jack but it would have to be connected with both the hot lead and a secure ground to the trailer frame in order to operate the jack motor.

expert reply by: Adam R