I need HELP!!!: Using electric jack to remove WDH spring bars

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Using electric jack to remove WDH spring bars

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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
Forum Discription: Perplexed/need help with a problem - ask here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14136
Printed Date: 13 Jun 2025 at 8:06am
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Topic: Using electric jack to remove WDH spring bars

Posted By: mhfnet
Subject: Using electric jack to remove WDH spring bars
Date Posted: 19 Oct 2020 at 3:19pm

I understand I need to use my electric jack to release the stress my weight distribution hitch spring bars in order to remove them but am I over stressing it by raising it to the point I can remove them by hand without using the provided removal tool? It seems that to raise it that high tends to put a lot of stress on the electric jack and sounds like it is working pretty hard as it gets to the top or is it made to handle it?

Replies:

Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 19 Oct 2020 at 5:00pm

Remember it's the tongue weight plus the amount of weight lifting the tow vehicle rear end to reduce the spring bar tension. I would recommend at least a 3500-4000 pound jack for a 5000 pound vehicle.

My trailer is not an R-Pod, and tongue weight is about 600 pounds and the tow vehicle is a 5000 pound SUV. My electric jack is 4000 pound rating. It slows down, but gets it done, so installing and removing the spring bars is easier.

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2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler
2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD)
2013 VW Touareg TDI

Posted By: tcj
Date Posted: 19 Oct 2020 at 6:48pm

Our Rpod 180 electric jack is rated 3500 pounds. trailer tongue weight is about 500 pounds. To release the tension on the hitch spring bars it doesn't raise the hitch any higher than the truck sits without the trailer hitched up.

Measure the height of your trailer ball without the trailer hitched up. Then hitch the trailer up, tension the spring bars, Lift it with the jack until the tension comes off the spring bars, and measure the ball height again. That will tell you how much you are lifting the truck, if any at all.

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2018 R-pod 180 Hood River Edition

Posted By: mhfnet
Date Posted: 19 Oct 2020 at 9:23pm

I have a 179 so it's probably a rated for 3500 lbs like the 180. From what you guys are saying it should be ok to use an electric jack to lift the spring bars to the point it can lift them off by hand. It will slow down but I guess that's normal and won't hurt it.

Do you do any maintenance on your electric jack like lubrication? I couldn't find the manufacture and model on the jack that come with Rpods to see what they recommended? I took the top off and applied some grease on the gears but that as much I could figure out. Not sure how the post mechanism goes up and down and if that can also be lubricated?

Thanks for your help!

Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 20 Oct 2020 at 6:16am

Originally posted by mhfnet

I have a 179 so it's probably a rated for 3500 lbs like the 180. From what you guys are saying it should be ok to use an electric jack to lift the spring bars to the point it can lift them off by hand. It will slow down but I guess that's normal and won't hurt it.

Thanks for your help!

Most jacks are "sealed, lubricated for life". However usually it's not hard to lubricate the jack screw with a good quality lithium base grease after removing the jack cover.

All electric jacks will slow down under load. And how slow can also depend on your battery charge. A battery run down to 50% after a camping trip will run the jack a LOT slower.

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2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler
2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD)
2013 VW Touareg TDI