Atwood Mobile Products MPD 87083 User Manual

LITERATURE NUMBER MPD 87083

POWER JACK

9

RV and Marine Applications

ENGLISH, FRANCAIS (et Canada) •Installation •Operation •Maintenance

Effective 11/21/07

SAFETY ALERT SYMBOLS

Safety Symbols alerting you to potential personal safety hazards. Obey all safety
messages following these symbols.

 WARNING  CAUTION

avoid possible avoid possible
injury or death injury and/or property damage

FOR YOUR SAFETY READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS

Installer: Provide these instructions to the consumer.
Consumer: Keep documents for future reference.

The Atwood Power Jack is a 12-volt DC motor driven screw jack
intended for use on recreational type and marine trailers. Patent #
D349800. Jack is used to level trailer or raise and lower coupler for
hookup to tow vehicle.

BEFORE INSTALLATION AND OPERATION

 CAUTION

PERSONAL INJURY/PROPERTY DAMAGE

• Retract jack fully before towing.

• Do not use blocks to increase height of jack.

• Use 3500 lb. Heavy Duty Power Jack if you use equalizer bars
between the trailer and the tow vehicle.

LIGHT WT STANDARD DELUXE HEAVY DUTY MARINE

Max. Lifting Cap. LBS 1500 2500 2500 3500 1000

INSTALLATION

1. Block tires of trailer and securely support trailer tongue.

2. The Atwood RV Power Jack is designed to attach to the top
surface of an A-frame type tongue having mounting holes typical
of the Atwood A-frame couplers FIG 1. Use coupler installation
instructions (MPD 87984) if installing coupler. The Marine Power
Jack attaches to the side of a straight tongue trailer.

3. A lower support plate must be used for side support of the RV
jack on the lower surface of the A-frame

HOLE DIAMETERS: Light Weight 2.02˝ (MIN) 2.09˝ (MAX)

Standard / Short / Deluxe / Heavy Duty 2.20˝ 2.28˝

Hole in lower support plate must align with hole in coupler.

TO ORDER LOWER SUPPORT PLATE: Light Weight - Atwood MPD 80263

Standard / Short / Deluxe / Heavy Duty - Atwood MPD 80570

Using 1/8˝ fillet weld, No. E6011 AWS welding rod 1/8˝ diameter,
machine amps (AC or DCRP) at 160-180 with 50 volts, weld
plate full length on each side to underside of A-frame. The
maximum frame height is 6 inches.

4. Place RV jack through holes in coupler and lower support plate,

FIG 1-A. Attach with three (3) bolts (3/8˝ dia. x 5/8˝ long, grade 5,

(provided) FIG 1-B. NOTE: Torque bolts to 15 foot lbs. minimum
/20 foot lbs. max.

Note: There must be metal to metal contact between jack and coupler.

The three mounting bolts with attached star washers must be used.
The star washers are designed to remove paint on the surface of
jack flange. The bolts also should remove paint from the mounting
holes in coupler. If there is a grounding problem (i.e. no power) check
these two surfaces to be sure there is metal to metal contact between
jack and coupler. For wiring, see WIRING ILLUSTRATIONS

SHORT

FIG 1.

FIG 2 & 3.

5. Attach Marine Jack as shown.

6. Route wire lead from motor along trailer tongue to battery.
Secure lead to jack housing and trailer frame using cable ties or
equivalent.

7. Remove fuse from fuse holder. Connect the wire lead from the
jack directly to the positive (+) terminal of the battery. Replace
the fuse into the fuse holder.

For auxiliary battery, connect lead to auxiliary battery positive (+)
terminal so that jack may be used when connected to 115v. For
additional wire, use #10 stranded copper wire or larger.

8. After reinstalling fuse, check installation by pressing switch marked
“EXT” for jack extension or “RET” to retract the jack.

9. On the Short, Deluxe, Heavy Duty or Marine power jacks, check
utility light by moving switch to “ON” or “OFF”.

 CAUTION

HAND OR FINGER INJURY

• Hold foot pad near the bottom of the tube, when installing foot

pad or caster.

10. Place foot pad, or caster for Marine power jack, over the end of

jack, align holes, and place pin through holes. A cotter pin clip
goes through the hole in the pin, preventing pin from coming out.

OPERATION

1. To raise or lower jack, press switch marked “EXT” or “RET”.
“Extend” and “Retract” refer to the jack, not the trailer.

2. Release switch when jack nears full retraction or full extension to
prevent unnecessary wear on motor clutch.

a. When jack reaches its maximum extended or retracted length

or maximum load, a clicking noise will be heard. This is the
overriding clutch built into the motor to prevent overload.
Release switch immediately when clicking is heard. If the jack
has been over extended or retracted, it may bind. If so,
operate with the manual override handle, per
break it free.

b. When the heavy duty power jack is being retracted, there may

be some audible noise, coming from the brake area. This is
normal and is due to the high load for which this jack is rated.

3. In case of electrical failure- raise or lower jack as follows:

STANDARD & LIGHTWEIGHT POWER JACKS

a. Remove top cover by loosening the four screws.
b. Remove screws holding motor to mounting plate.
c. Lift motor off jack.
d. Turn hex drive nut with wrench or optional manual drive

handle, part # 87891 (

e. To reinstall electric motor on jack, rotate hex drive nut so the

pin in the hex drive nut aligns with slot in motor drive shaft.
f. Tighten hex nut to 25 inch lbs. torque.
g. Reinstall motor and fasten with screws.
h. Reinstall top cover and fasten with screws.

SHORT, DELUXE OR MARINE JACKS

Place manual override handle (
engage drive pin. Rotate handle clockwise to raise or counter­clockwise to lower the camper.

FIG 1-C).

FIG 1-C) into alignment tube and

1

STEP 3 below, to

HEAVY DUTY POWER JACKS

Place manual override handle (

FIG 1-C) into alignment tube and

engage drive pin. Rotate handle counterclockwise to raise or
clockwise to lower the camper.

MAINTENANCE

1. Before each use, inspect jack tubes and replace if bent or damaged.

2. If wiring is connected to battery terminal, inspect at least twice each
year for corrosion. Clean with a solution of baking soda and water,
then apply a thin coat of grease. NOTE: The motor ground screw

FIG 1-D) and mounting bolts (FIG 1-B) must be cleaned too if a ground

(
continuity problem occurs.

3. Once each year, extend jack as far as possible and clean inner ram
tube. Coat tube with light coat of silicone spray lubricant.

The Electric Drive Motor Landing Leg system is protected by a 30 amp
fuse. If replacement is necessary, replace only with a Buss Type AGC-30
fuse or equivalent, available in automotive supply stores.

9

Guides are only intended for use on Atwood®products by service
technicians who have successfully completed Atwood®training.
This guide should be used in conjunction with the appropriate
Instruction Manual provided with the product and any applicable
Industry Standards. This is not intended to be a complete list.
Please direct questions concerning service of Atwood
866-869-3118 before proceeding.

®

products to

 WARNING

PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR PRODUCT DAMAGE

• If any of the following conditions develop, the trailer must not be
used until proper corrective action is taken.

CONDITION WITH SOLUTIONS

MOTOR WILL NOT OPERATE

No or low voltage..........................Check battery & electrical connections.

Jack flange not making good ......Clean paint or dirt from coupler frame

contact to provide adequate

ground with coupler surface

Blown fuse ....................................Replace with 30 amp AWG fuse

Loose wires on ON/OFF switch ....Secure wire connections

ON/OFF switch faulty ....................Replace switch

Motor faulty ..................................Replace motor

POOR GROUND

WHEN BUTTON IS PRESSED ON JACK

Jack doesn’t operate ....................Inspect motor mounting bolt for Loctite

Jack operates only partially up
or down, or
Jack runs intermittently

Must have minimum of 10 VDC

-

®

If Loctite
x 3” screw and two lock washers. If bolt
unavailable, clean present bolt and hole
with wire buffing wheel. Inspect bolt

found, replace with new 1/4-20

Power Jack

TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE

Effective: 11/21/07

MOTOR CLUTCH ENGAGES

Normal if jack leg is at fully ..........None, but let go of switch when you hear

retracted or extended position the clutch

Worn worm gear ..........................Replace jack ram

Dirty inner ram tube......................Clean ram tube and coat with light coat

Bent inner ram ..............................Replace inner ram

Clutch faulty ..................................Replace motor

Jack at angle ................................Secure mounting bolts and ensure a

Excessive tongue weights ............Determine if jack is adequate for tongue

UTILITY LIGHT DOES NOT WORK

Loose wires on the ON/OFF ..........Secure wire connection

switch

Bad light bulb................................Replace bulb

AMP DRAW

Range of motor ............................8-45 amps

IMPORTANT CAUTION - If equalizer bars are attached to the tow
vehicle and the trailer while operating the power tongue jack,
you may experience the motor clutching the moment the jack
sees load. This will occur because you are lifting both the tongue

of the trailer and the rear of the tow vehicle. The 1500 lb. and

®

.

2500 lb. acme screw jacks cannot lift this excessive weight. To
overcome this excessive weight, you should upgrade to the 3500
lb. power jack. The ball screw mechanism utilized in this jack
should allow you to lift this load.

hole. If dirty, clean with a 1/4-20 tap.

of silicone spray

support plate is used.

weight.

2