I like the concept and positive reviews of the Straptek system and will likely include at some point, but just not in this year's upgrade plan. I currently use a breaker bar to engage/disengage the latches and that works well for me.

I have used two Husky and two Lippert power tongue jacks on three trailers (one jack failure from water intrusion, my fault) and never had an issue related to raising the tongue/ truck to ease bar connection. (On occasion, I have come close to lifting truck rear wheels off the ground given campsite geometry)... just my experience.

Mike

I guess it's just me? https://gdrvowners.com/forum/mainten...jack-leg-spins

Howard,

Have you ever operated your jack beyond its extended or retracted limits? Even for a second? The small dimples on the jack housing do not fail from too much vertical load (the loaded foot will prevent rotation), but rather will fail due to the jack trying to rotate the housing from the nut at the end of travel where the entire jack will try to rotate. Against the dimples on the housing by the way. Failure from overloading would be in the screw, nut and gears. So if you have not done this, somebody has IMO....dealer perhaps.

I'm not at all against the straptek but I'm also not against raising the trailer and TV high enough to install the bars with a jack that is designed to do so. Remember this method has been used to do so for decades where tongue jack manufacturers are aware of this method of use.

I think a survey could shed some light on this where folks that try to insinuate this method will cause tongue jack failure is presenting a poor argument.

Jim

Bob, same setup as you, I went with Reese Stait-line 66083. It has worked very well. It does creek/groan a bit when landing at campsite (if you don't remove bars) and the higher you jack up hitch the easier to put bars on. I wanted equalizer but I always wondered about that crazy loud thunk when putting bars on. I am happy with my Reese. There seems to be too many opinions about "lube up the contact surfaces, vs don't " wish there was some agreement.

Nope--never. Definitely a failure due to straining the jack over it's weight capability.

If we'd like to continue this conversation, let's do so in the failure thread I linked above so we don't go too far OT on this thread's OP intent for this thread, OK?

I'll respectfully disagree. However for GDRV to install the same 3500lb jack on a large rig towed with a one ton DRW as a light rig towed with a half ton I could see how you may doubt the jack was defective or misused by someone.

Jim

Joseph,
Took two measurements today since I was at the truck anyway (putting my camper back in the driveway). Also checked the tongue weight (which was no surprise).

howson Howard, Thanks. So the way I see it, 6" rise is 600 lbs of extra weight at the ball. So to the 1500, we add at lest 600, so now we are at 2100. Figure the jack multiplier, and that 3500 lb jack is starting to look like its approaching the limit quickly.

Thank you Howard,

So the results show the jack is not overloaded where it appears Lippert has designed the jack for worse case. Did you guys know that the Lippert jack has an overrunning clutch where if the jack is overloaded, the clutch will slip? This would result in a horrible sounding ratcheting noise. Same as operating the jack at it limits.

With the Goldwing in the back of the truck this would most likely overload the jack. The clutch should slip but stress could still be applied to components of the jack under this special case.

These results confirm that using an Equalizer style hitch where the rig is raised to install the bars under normal use is not an issue. Especially for a F150 and an Imagine 2600RB.

Howard, I believe a 5K jack would be best in your case.

Jim

One thing I learned when going to a longer trailer, that most do not think about or say anything about, Is how fare out the swing is from the axles to the back end of that trailer box when turning. I have the 2600RB and when I picked it up I had to stop and refuel and almost clipped a fence when turning into the gas station bay. Right then my towing game changed a bit.lol Good luck to you and happy camping.

For me, it was jumping a curb the first time I turned right. I have a lot of experience towing 20-25 foot boats, but this is a different animal, especially with the ProPride which makes the trailer act even longer.

We have the Propride 3P 1400 WDH. Extremely happy with it and customer support. No need to be concerned about backing up, just do it.