Mobile RV Stabilizer Jack Repair & Replacement - Florida
Coast to Coast RV Repair provides mobile stabilizer jack service service on-site at your campground or driveway across Florida - certified technicians, same-week scheduling.
Coast to Coast RV Repair provides mobile stabilizer jack service service on-site at your campground or driveway across Florida - certified technicians, same-week scheduling.
Certified technicians. $299 service call. Same-week scheduling. Call (866) 887-1199.
Electric Scissor Jack Drive System - What Goes Wrong and Why
Grand Design Solitude fifth wheels use Lippert electric scissor jacks with a 5 TPI acme-thread drive tube rated for 6,500 lbs static load per jack. The acme thread is steel; the drive nut is aluminum. In Florida's humidity, galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals seizes the thread interface when the jack sits extended for more than 72 hours without cycling. The fix is not penetrating oil - it is full drive tube replacement (P/N 679688) because the aluminum nut galling cannot be reversed once it begins. Lippert's spec for normal retract current is 7-9 amps at 12.6 VDC. Current above 11 amps with jack in mid-stroke indicates a partially seized thread. Current above 13 amps at any point is an overload condition that trips the internal thermal cutout in the 679781 motor within 60-90 seconds - exactly the symptom the Solitude owner described. Jesse Earl carries a clamp-style DC ammeter to make this measurement without cutting any wire.
Manual Swing-Down Stabilizer Jack Inspection and Service
Older trailers and many Class C motorhomes use manual swing-down stabilizers with a 1-inch square drive socket. The most common failure is a worn locking pin hole - the pin that holds the jack in the down position wears oval after 3-5 seasons, causing the jack to partially retract under load and allowing 1-2 inches of chassis bounce. Measurement is straightforward: the OEM pin diameter is 3/8 inch; a worn hole accepts a 7/16-inch pin without resistance. Replacement of the pivot weldment (Stromberg-Carlson P/N SC-3518) corrects the slop. The second common failure is a bent main tube from bottoming out on an angled site - tubes bent more than 3 degrees from straight will bind in the pivot bracket and must be replaced; straightening weakens the tube wall below the 4,000-lb load rating. Jesse Earl carries a digital angle gauge for this measurement. The third common failure mode is a stripped socket in the drive head - the 1-inch square opening that accepts a T-handle or drill socket rounds out after sustained use with an impact driver. The socket is part of the drive shaft assembly (Stromberg-Carlson P/N SC-3519) and can be replaced independently of the main tube. Jesse Earl inspects socket wear with a new 1-inch square bit - if the bit shows 1/32-inch of slop in any direction, the drive shaft is replaced to restore full load-transmission efficiency.
Also see: Leveling & Jacks Services
This page covers stabilizer jack service specifically. For the full range of leveling & jacks services we offer, visit our Leveling & Jacks service overview.
Case Study: Stabilizer Jack Service Repair
RV: 2018 Grand Design Solitude 379FL • Location: Hillsborough River State Park, Site 33 • City:
Symptom: Rear driver-side electric scissor stabilizer jack would extend but not retract; motor ran continuously for 90 seconds before customer cut 12V power; jack was stuck fully extended at 18 inches
Diagnosis: Jesse Earl removed the jack motor cover and measured motor current draw at full extension: 14.2 amps on a 10-amp rated Lippert P/N 679781 motor, indicating a jammed drive tube. Manual override with a 3/8-inch drive on the hex input shaft confirmed the drive tube's acme thread was cross-threaded at the 16-inch mark - the thread pitch measured 0.200 inches (5 TPI) but the nut showed visible galling consistent with aluminum-on-steel fretting. The motor winding checked at 1.8 ohms (spec: 1.6-2.0 ohms), so the motor was not damaged.
Outcome: Full retract and extend cycle completed in 38 seconds (spec: 30-45 seconds); current draw 8.6 amps at mid-stroke; no binding through 5 test cycles
Time on-site: • Total cost: • Dealer alternative:
RV Stabilizer Jack Types - Capacity, Drive, and Service Intervals
| Jack Type | Brand / Model | Rated Load (per jack) | Drive Type | Typical Failure Mode | Service Interval |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Scissor | Lippert P/N 679688 | 6,500 lbs static | Acme thread, 5 TPI | Drive tube seize / motor overload | Annual grease + cycle check |
| Electric Scissor | Husky Towing 30796 | 5,000 lbs static | Acme thread, 4 TPI | Nut strip on aluminum body | Annual grease + cycle check |
| Manual Swing-Down | Stromberg-Carlson SC-3518 | 4,000 lbs static | 1-in square drive | Locking pin hole wear | Inspect pin fit every season |
| Power Tongue Jack | Lippert 285320 | 3,500 lbs | Worm gear + acme | Worm gear strip, limit switch fail | Annual grease, switch test |
| Rear Hitch Stabilizer | Camco 44560 | 1,000 lbs static | Manual screw | Thread strip, swivel seize | Inspect and grease annually |
Signs You Need Stabilizer Jack Service
- ✓Measure motor current draw at mid-stroke with DC clamp meter (spec: 7-9 amps for Lippert 679781)
- ✓Cycle jack 3 full strokes and listen for thread bind noise (metallic clunk = seized acme thread)
- ✓Inspect acme thread for galling, cross-threading, or aluminum debris on steel screw
- ✓Test locking pin fit on swing-down jacks (pin should enter with hand pressure, not 0.5-inch gap)
- ✓Check pivot bracket welds for cracks - common on jacks that have bottomed out on asphalt
- ✓Measure main tube straightness with digital angle gauge (reject if > 3 degrees from axis)
- ✓Apply LPS 2 grease to acme thread and pivot points after service
- ✓Verify mounting bolt torque at frame rail (spec: 55 ft-lb for 1/2-inch grade-5 bolts)
Stabilizer Jack Service - Pricing
Typical price range: $175 - $650
All calls start with a $299 service-call fee that covers the technician's trip to your location and the first hour of diagnosis. That $299 applies toward any repair you authorize - it is not an additional charge on top of the repair. Pricing shown is a national average range; your exact quote is provided in writing on-site before any work begins.
Stabilizer Jack Service - Common Questions
Straight answers from our stabilizer jack service service call log.
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More Leveling & Jacks Services
Other specialized repairs under leveling & jacks - all done at your location, no tow required.
Where We Provide Stabilizer Jack Service in Florida
Coast to Coast RV Repair runs stabilizer jack service jobs across these cities. Click your closest one for local-specific info, response times, and campground coverage.