Troubleshooting Bulldog Powered Drive Trailer Jack Switch Working Intermittently

Updated 10/29/2024 | Published 10/28/2024

Products Featured in This Question

Phoenix Electric Trailer Jack with Remote - A-Frame - 26" Lift - 5,500 lbs

(149)

$586.45

Question:

Hi e-trailer The extend / retract switch on my white bull dog 500200, 4000 pound electric tongue jack is intermittanlty working. when not working if i manually move the jack with the tool just a bit it works again. stored inside and covered when camping. does it appear to be the switch ? is the swtch replaceable ? loyal, faithfull, long time customer. Bill McHattie Rainier Wa

asked by: William B

Expert Reply:

Hi William; thank you for being a loyal, long time customer! There are a few things you can check on your Bulldog Powered Drive Trailer Jack # BD500200. The first thing I would do is check the ground and make sure it is still secure. It could be your ground connection is loose and manually cranking the jack is moving the wire enough for good contact allowing the switch to work.

After that, I would check for power. If you aren't getting full 12V power it could be the batteries are wearing down which happens from time to time. If it didn't have enough power and you gave it a boost with the manual crank that might be enough to get it to work again like you described. Also, you can also test along the wire to see if there is some kind of power loss from a short. If you can get the cover off you can test all the way up to the switch. If the switch is worn out, I'm sorry to say there is no replacement.

You got the jack from us just over 5 years ago and it has a 5-year warranty. I'm not sure how First Brands handles warranty claims but it would be worth asking if they would replace it since you're only a few months out from the end of the warranty. If they won't, I would either run it and continue to live with it until it dies or go ahead and replace it already with a new # BD500200 or # BD500199 to avoid a future headache.

expert reply by: Robin H

William

10/29/2024

Thanks Robin; that is what what i was looking for. Things i could check and a plan of action. I have a triple axle bumper pull thw weighs around 11,000 pds when loaded. what would be a recommendation for a stronger electric jack ? (if i decide it needs replaciing. The 4000 pd seems to struggle a bit even when it was new.) Thanks so very much. Bill McHattie Rainer Wa.

Robin H.

10/29/2024

@William for a higher rated A-frame jack I would get the Phoenix Electric Trailer Jack # UF38-944055. This has a 5,500 lb lift capacity and as long as you register it within 90 days you get a 10-year warranty.