Electric Tongue Jack....??

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   Since I use an 18v drill with the right sized socket to run the stabilizer jacks up and down, I took the hand crank off the tongue jack and put a nut on the shaft the same size as the stabilizer jack shafts (and the tire lug nuts).  I had to drill a hole through the nut and drive a drift pin through, then grind off the ends of the pin.  Fifteen minutes or so and about $4 (not counting the cost of the drill), and I have an electric jack that zooms the pod up and down with ease.  

I've been meaning to pass this along for a while.  I've been using the drill for about a year with no troubles.  If the drill or the battery dies or disappears I can use a ratchet and socket or a lug wrench, but it's never come to that.

TT

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Tars Tarkas Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 14 Jan 2013 Location: Near Nashville Online Status: Offline Posts: 1454	Topic: Electric Tongue Jack....?? Posted: 04 May 2015 at 9:21pm
	Since I use an 18v drill with the right sized socket to run the stabilizer jacks up and down, I took the hand crank off the tongue jack and put a nut on the shaft the same size as the stabilizer jack shafts (and the tire lug nuts). I had to drill a hole through the nut and drive a drift pin through, then grind off the ends of the pin. Fifteen minutes or so and about $4 (not counting the cost of the drill), and I have an electric jack that zooms the pod up and down with ease. I've been meaning to pass this along for a while. I've been using the drill for about a year with no troubles. If the drill or the battery dies or disappears I can use a ratchet and socket or a lug wrench, but it's never come to that. TT
	2010 176 FJ Cruiser

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Posted: 04 May 2015 at 8:26pm
	Yes, when a WDH is involved the electric jack has the advantage. I'm considering one for my Salem... 800+ pound tongue with WDH....
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

Grandpa Hiker Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 Jan 2015 Location: Martinsville, V Online Status: Offline Posts: 143	Posted: 04 May 2015 at 6:39am
	The main reason I got the Husky HB4500 was that hooking up my WDH hitch requires the Pod tongue to be connected to the hitch ball then cranking up the tongue jack high enough for the spring arms to sit on the tongue brackets, then lowering the whole assembly back down. This means lifting the tongue of the Pod & the back of my TV at the same time. My 64 year old arm does not like doing that. So for me the electric tongue jack is a necessity that I highly recommend. After seeing the process done manually my DW suggested an electric tongue jack!! After 39 years I have learned to follow my DW's "suggections"!!
	Rob & Becky 2014 Ford Explorer 3.5 SOHC V6 2015 R-179 Pod aka Piddle Pod "Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass, it is about learning to dance in the rain!!"

M0tl3y Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 21 Sep 2014 Location: Utah Online Status: Offline Posts: 61	Posted: 04 May 2015 at 1:45am
	I've installed the Husky HB4500 and used it over about a dozen trips. I really like it, but it's a bit on the slow side. As far as "worth it" goes, I'm pleased with not having to hand crank it anymore, but I have to admit it's a luxury item to say the least and it's hard to justify. My wife thought I was being a bit overboard with such a luxury item when it really doesn't take a lot of effort to do it by hand. It's definitely a pamper. This isn't a heavy trailer and by no-means justifies having a 4500 lbs power jack. So you can't really "sell" it to your significant other that you need it.
	The 178 club

kymooses Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 01 Aug 2010 Location: Louisville, Ky Online Status: Offline Posts: 1807	Posted: 03 May 2015 at 9:47pm
	Lately on the Facebook side a lot of our owners have been installing the Husky 4500 jack. Amazon had a great sell on it just a day or so ago. Couple other owners have been using the Lippert version that Forest River uses on their Pods for a few seasons now and it's worked nicely for them.
	RPod Rallies RPod Owner Map

CFWARREN Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 12 Apr 2015 Location: Spokane, Wa Online Status: Offline Posts: 148	Posted: 03 May 2015 at 8:58pm
	Has anyone added an electric tongue jack to their Rpod? Is it worth the cost? Any suggestions on brands?
	2016 179 - Hood River Edition 2008 Nissan Xterra