Can an Ultra-Fab Electric Trailer Jack that has Been Over Extended be Repaired

Question:

While trying to level my camper on a real unleveled spot, I raised the jack above the red line on shaft. Can it be repaired. I removed 4 bolts that hold the shaft to the electric motor housing, but it will not come apart. Ultra 3500 tongue jack

asked by: Allen

Expert Reply:

The way that the electric trailer jack # UF38-944017 works is using an ACME screw and a nut. The nut is fixed and the screw goes up and down in the nut. At the end of the screw the metal is twisted, smashed, or otherwise purposely cross threaded to prevent the screw from just coming out and the load dropping.

If you try to raise a jack with this type of design too far it damages that nut and the screw. Those parts cannot be replaced. You will need to replace the whole jack.

This is not necessarily a bad thing because there is a type of jack where this will not happen. I highly recommend the Stromberg Carlson # SC63VR which has a clutch that automatically prevents damage from over extension or retraction. Additionally it has 4500 pounds of lifting capacity. Should you find youself on a slopping site again, this jack also has a drop-foot capable of adding 5" more extention.

expert reply by: Michael H