Electric jacks for cabovers?

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The boss just informed me we are getting electric jacks for our 2000 Lance Lite 815 cause she's tired of crankin and crankin after we get home from trips. I priced them from Lance and nearly popped an artery :O !$ Happijac has them cheaper but they don't think they will fit the Lance brackets. Anyone tried to retrofit the Happijacs on a Lance? I don't want to remove the Lance factory brackets. What about other brands? Thanks...

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2001 HO 6 speed Regular Cab SLT 4x4 3. 54 anti spin 2500. Used for the daily grind and sneaking away to some secret Baja beaches toting a cabover

 

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Dane,
Being the energy conserver type that I am (some call it being lazy!), I use a 1/2 inch rechargable Bosch drill with the appropriate sized hex in the bit. The bonus is that I was able to talk the better-half into being able to buy the drill #ad

Doug

 

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I think it depends on if you have the standard jacks or the ball/screw jacks. I am pretty sure I recall that Camping World sells the motor part that goes onto the ball/screw jacks. But this time of day my memory isn't that reliable!

Any suspension upgrades to your truck? Hows it do with that Lance. I am on the verge of ordering the same camper, but with the short bed package.

 

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Dane, I did the same thing as Doug. Went down to my local Lance dealer and they have the adapter to fit a rechargable drill motor.

Just chuck it up in the drill motor and you can run the jacks up and down in a few seconds. Not quite as elegant as electric jacks but work well and you end up with a nice recharable drill for other projects.

 

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Hey Guys - Thanks! Great tip, I love the wealth of knowledge from the folks who frequent this board.

Vic - All I did was add air bags which only were needed for side to side sway. The camper is 1800+ wet and does not quite level the rear on the 4wd! I believe a Hellwig rear sway bar may have done the same, but off road folks recommend not using them as they can limit traction in the rear in "iffy" gully crossings and such. The truck is fantastic for toting the Lance. Great combo!
I have new shocks waiting to go (Edelbrock IAS)on and am considering the Active Suspension talked about in other posts to smooth out the unloaded ride quality.

Baja Pilot - Got any secret spots found from the air for a fellow Dodge/Cummins amigo? #ad
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I'll be at Plaskett Creek next weekend, Jalama in September and Alejandro's this January...

Thanks much guys #ad
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2001 HO 6 speed Regular Cab SLT 4x4 3. 54 anti spin 2500. Used for the daily grind and sneaking away to some secret Baja beaches toting a cabover

 

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how much of an impact do the airbags have? I have the sway bar but the teder tawder on these nova scotia roads is a p-i-t-a.

not sure the sway bar is help or hinderance.

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tedstruck 2500qc, no leather or abs
bigfoot & other travel pics 1500 bigfoot, no auto waterheater or microwave.
Cool Summit Pass Pics, & Alaska Journal
AMSOIL Battery Mounted Dual Remote

P. S. The electric jacks are a painful decision at time of purchase, but the thought of living without them now is incomprehensible.

[This message has been edited by ted kidd (edited 09-02-2000). ]

 

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Ted Kidd, With my Lance 1130 (about 3400 lbs), my experience with the AirLift 5000s have been nothing but positive. I've tried it with and without any pressure in the bags and prefer to run them at 70 psi when loaded with the camper. The effect is to eliminate any 'pogo' setup by driving over uneven pavement (like leaving a gas station) or, speed bumps... Additionally, I've used the dual inside controls to re-level the truck in high side winds (gusting or not). You can also use the bags to level the truck when overnight parking without having to use the jacks (Uh Wal-Mart).

It may be because the 4x4 3500 is already 3 feet off the ground + the center of gravity of the camper ( 49 inches ) that the load is top heavy. The bags just seem to quiet the suspension down and level off the ride.

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Y2K 3500, 4WD, Auto, 3. 54, Custom Brush Guard, Mopar nerf bars & rock guard, Camper package, Towing package, all options except leather, Air-Lift Air Bags, Hadley 'BULLY' air horns, Lance 1130 Camper

 

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Update - Bought a sturdy drill for $120 and used the Lance fitting. Worked GREAT! Thanks a bunch, the TDR crew is a wealth of knowledge. Saved me about $1200, I owe you guys a cold one of your choice #ad


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2001 HO 6 speed Regular Cab SLT 4x4 3. 54 anti spin 2500. Used for the daily grind and sneaking away to some secret Baja beaches toting a cabover

 

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Ted -- ditto what wCharlie said. You really want the air bags on a 2500. They really stop the wobble and also improve steering.

Dane -- I used the electric drill solution for the best part of a year until I wrecked my manual jacks for the 2nd time trying to use my camper as an off road vehicle. Since I now stick to more reasonable terrain, I spent the big bucks ($1400) for the Lance electric jacks. No comparison! Just put a 3 way level on the rear bumper, press the "all" button, then tweak the jacks one at at time and the rig is level in 1 - 2 min. I even leveled from inside once in the rain. I find that I unload and load the camper more often now (since it is easy) and save on fuel by running solo more. I'm pretty cheap and not too rich, but I think that next to the air bags, the electric jacks were the best money spent on the rig.

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1999 Quad cab 2500, SB, SLT, 4X4, 5-speed, 3. 54, tow and camper package, Lance 820 camper, Lance cabover stabilizers, Rancho 9000s, Airlift airbags

 

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wcharlie,

You convinced me. I'm going to Camping World and have a set installed ASAP--getting lazy in this 110 degree heat. #ad
I think they would help when dragging around the heavy 5th wheel too.

Bill

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Y2K 3500QC, 6 Speed, 4. 10, SLT+, Camper & Tow Pkg. , Westin Chrome Nerf Bars, Mopar Flaps, Reese 20K Hitch, EGT & Boost Gauges, RPM 45 Gallon Aux. Fuel Tank, Highway Products 5th Wheel Toolbox, ECM Controlled PacBrake, Painless Wiring Kit, Mag-Hytec Diff. Cover, Rancho 9000, 80% Towing Hitchhiker II 31', 2 slideouts, 19,750 GCW, Lance 990 Camper