Community Forums

astrocamper · 10-12-2020, 09:23 AM

I have an Artic Fox 22G with a powered Atwood tongue jack. I have an Equalizer hitch with 1000 pound bars and use the motor to raise the tongue high enough to slide the equalizer bars over the brackets. My Atwood tongue jack is starting to develop a clicking noise as the tongue gets high enough to mount the bars.

I would like to buy a quality 5000 pound jack that would hold up better than my 30 month old Atwood.

Anybody have some recommendations for replacement? I am probably done using the trailer until next spring so I have some time to order the replacement.

Agesilaus · 10-12-2020, 09:43 AM

I have a 2016 25Y and the jack was doing the same thing, plus it was refusing to lift the tongue up high enough. I had to use a bottle jack a few times.

Anyway when we got back home i asked around about a replacement and ended up with this Bulldog: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008JH6MJO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&

It has worked perfectly so far on our last 10,000 mile trip. I had to do some drilling to get it to fit on the AF tongue tho and I think I had to use a grinding stone to slightly enlarge the hole that the tube goes into.

After I already ordered the Bulldog a number of late recommendations came in for Barker jacks. I'm happy with the one we got tho.

You may want to join the Northwood forums for Arctic Fox owners if you haven't already.

astrocamper · 10-12-2020, 11:51 AM

I like the limit switch feature of the Barker Part #27452. I am a member of the Northwood forum but that forum is pretty quiet compared to IRV2.

Goodspike · 10-12-2020, 12:38 PM

Would just putting some jack pads underneath it give you the range you need? Sounds like it's more of a range issue than a weight issue.

astrocamper · 10-12-2020, 01:20 PM

No. Not a range issue. I put jack pads under the foot and the jack started clicking at the same point in the equilizer bar deflection. I have a 6 inch high wood block that I used with 2 addtional 1 inch pads. The clicking just started. I figure it won't get better down the road.

jnslprd · 10-13-2020, 09:07 PM

I unhitched my trailer on a huge hill, over 3 ft from front to back. I am still a new camper and thought I had it all figured out. I chocked the wheels and put the tongue jack on my Anderson bucket block, and the trailer fell off of the block. It slid the chocks like they weren't there. Finally after cleaning my underwear, don't forget My friend and I were in between the truck and the trailer. A helpful neighbor came over and we started to build up blockage under the stabilizers as we raised the front and this worked. We were scared to walk hard inside the trailer all weekend , and should have packed up after the accident. It was just as scary hitching up.
Anyhow, after this fiasco my tongue jack is visably bent and shakes and vibrates while going up or down. I promised myself after this season it would be replaced, so I will be definetly following this thread. My trailer is also an Arctic Fox but I am not sure what jack I have, I believe it is VP.

Tuquala · 10-16-2020, 10:59 PM

Replaced the orig Atwood jack on our ORV almost immediately with a 4 yr old Barker 3500 jack. Liked the Barker mucho better, quieter, smoother, maybe a little faster. Recently went with a new Barker, 24" shaft for easier hookup in sloped driveway. Just as nice as the old one (still working after 8.5yrs, gave to neighbor for his TT!!) but Barker has gone from limit switches to a clutch for limiting the extension and contraction. So a bit more noise when reaching the limits. No big deal, but hope the clutch lasts!!! Highly recommend Barker!

astrocamper · 10-19-2020, 09:19 AM

There is one barker that still has the limit switches.

https://www.barkermfg.com/hi-power-3500.html

I will probably install the barker hi-power-3500 this winter before I take another trip.

mokurt · 10-25-2020, 04:49 PM

I bought a Barker because they are made here.
Mine works great.

01tundra · 10-29-2020, 10:12 AM

I really like our Husky HB4500 Brute Power jack, the limit switches are a great feature. It will raise the back of our truck with ease.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

tpaul · 10-30-2020, 09:08 PM

2nd Husky. I got a Super Brute and it made putting on my WDH bars much easier. And quieter. Also gave me more extension than my original.

astrocamper · 04-24-2021, 04:22 PM

Today I installed the 3500 pound rated Barker jack with the limit switches. I like it. It doesn't strain when lifting the trailer and rear of the truck high enough for placing the equalizer bars.

It took a bit longer than I expected. On my Artic Fox 22G the lower plate on the tongue of the trailer needed the hole to be slightly expanded to fit the Barker jack. I used a dremell to grind open the diameter a bit. I painted the opening once I got the fit right.

I tested the limits switches. No grinding noise when the jack reaches the limit it just stops silently.

I am going to install the 3000 pound Atwood jack on my old 5x8 cargo trailer that I sold to a friend. It has a manual crank jack.