Jack-It Bike Rack experience

DukeHewett

Does anyone have good or bad experience with the Jack-It bike racks that bolt to the 3 bolt pattern of the tongues trailer jack?
My concern is that on a 320 T@B that the 3 bolts are only ⅜ bolts with a maximum torque stamped on the jacks pad of 15-20 lbs.
The nuts underneath are welded on, so not easy to replace.   Has anyone had any failures using the Jack-It rack with 2 medium weight bikes attached?

Bayliss

@DukeHewett, I have had the Jack-IT on my 2019 320S for about 2 1/2 years and have not had any issues.  This link includes photos and my comments:

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/11049/bike-rack-for-2015-t-b-320#latest

There was a post on the Facebook T@B Camping Trailers Group on August 4th of this year where one owner posted some pics of a weld failure, but that may have been an isolated situation with a poor welding job.  Just search that Facebook page for "Jack IT" and it should come right up.  I have kept an eye on mine and have seen no issues after four long trips carrying a pair of full-sized bikes, including on some rough roads.

Here is one photo of the weld failure that was posted on Facebook:

Dutch061

Difficult to tell but it appears that the metal tore rather than the weld breaking. If so, the weld quality was fine and the material should be thicker. Of course that is my opinion, but I overbuild everything that I do. 

Brad

AnOldUR

@Dutch061, I was thinking the same thing, but it could also be that the steel was not properly tempered after welding. I'm not a welder, so hopefully someone else will have a better explanation.

Bayliss

Now that you mention it @Dutch061 and @AnOldUR, I believe you are correct in your observation that the issue is a "steel" failure rather than a "weld" failure.  Unfortunately, the individual who originally posted the information about their experience has not posted an update on Lippert's response about what may have caused the break, or whether they replaced it under warranty.  Here is a better shot of it from that same Facebook post:

manyman297

We’ve gone a season with ours. While we didn’t bring bikes on every trip we did bring them on a 1700 mile trip and it did really well. I do recommend buying the aluminum spacer plate All Pro sells that mounts under the Jack It. I tried the stacked washers trick and the rack was extremely unstable. 

Dutch061

Steel definitely let go and not the weld. In my opinion, the steel needs to be heavier gauge.

Brad

TABNewbies

Less milage (500 miles) for us and going OK to date. I do agree with @manyman297 for peace of mind for the All Pro spacer despite both our washer attempts. I guess also need facts for the actual loading weights of individual situations for failures and I believe a lot of happy Jack-It users overall judging by YouTube.

swiftwave

I had a Jack-It on my T@B 400 for only a few months.  When two bikes were fastened to it, the forward bike would contact the canopy of my pickup truck during sharp turns.  I removed the Jack-It and sold it before I had a serious bike/canopy mishap.  I now carry bikes on the roof of the canopy.
I believe the Jack-It could work well, without any contact with the tow vehicle, if there were more clearance between the forward bike and the back of the tow vehicle.  My truck's canopy simply does not provide this clearance.
I used ratchet straps on either side of the Jack-It, down to the aluminum tubes on the T@B's front cargo rack, in order to reduce the Jack-It's sway.  This worked well and I imagine also reduced metal fatigue that would otherwise result from the bike rack swaying back and forth while loaded.

CharlieRN

My experience with the Jack-It on my 320 has generally been positive. While the washer-spacer method is probably OK, I opted to bite the bullet and buy the All-Pro aluminum plate. The installation is quite solid and there are not any significant clearance issues.

The reason for the quantifier about clearance is because I cannot open the rear hatch of my TV with the Jack-It in place. This was not always the case, and is because I sweiched TV's from a Volvo XC-90 with a split rear hatch to a Telluride that has one-piece. It's an inconvenience, but one I'd face if I used my Saris rack as well.

I've toyed with the idea of fabricating a rack to go across the top of the cargo box. While that solves one problem, it creates another since it will deny access to the cargo box with a bike in place. The Jack-It is probably the best solution for me at the moment.

CharlieRN

Bayliss said:

Now that you mention it @Dutch061 and @AnOldUR, I believe you are correct in your observation that the issue is a "steel" failure rather than a "weld" failure.  Unfortunately, the individual who originally posted the information about their experience has not posted an update on Lippert's response about what may have caused the break, or whether they replaced it under warranty.  Here is a better shot of it from that same Facebook post:

The fix is a pretty easy one that could be done by any competent welder. That said, in my view, it's clearly a manufacturing issue that I'd hope Lippert would own up to and send out a replacement. Will be interesting to see what Lippert does.

patandjeff

Dutch061

Now that is a poor quality weld!

Brad

manyman297

Yikes, gonna keep an eye on ours now. I take that extension off when the rack isn't in use. I noticed it was getting surface rust on the inside so I started stowing it in our shed.

DukeHewett

Thank you all for your experience and advise.  I had a source for ½" aluminum plate so decided to make my own adapter plate instead of paying $80 for one.  Actually, I was able to make mine wider and give a bigger footprint on the deck than the ones you can buy.  Making the adapter plate was actually pretty easy. My primary concern was using the ⅜ bolts to hold the tower down.   So I replaced the bolts provided with the rack with grade 5 bolts AND grade 5 washers.    While I was not able to remove the existing nuts that were welded on, I double-nutted the existing with grade 5.   I really appreciate the pictures you provided showing the very poor weld (I hate to even call it a weld).  I'll keep my eye peeled for the beginning of any failure at that point.   

manyman297

Glad you were able to make your own plate. I priced out some aluminum locally and by the time I bought the plate and put the time into it, it made sense to just pay the $70 (at the time). Not sure why aluminum was so expensive when I was sourcing it.

Bayliss

I am adding to this thread my recent (May 2024) experience with the failure of the Jack-IT, and the very poor response I received from both Let's Go Aero and Lippert Components.  I purchased the Jack-IT (model #429756) in 2019.  Prior to the recent failure, I had only carried our bikes using the Jack-IT on our trailer three times.  We did not travel during Covid-19, and also took two very long trips across the U.S. and Canada without the bikes in 2022 and 2023.  In May, we left on a two-week trip with the bikes installed on the Jack-IT.  After having driven only 150 miles on the Interstate, we stopped at a rest stop so I could stretch my legs.  Immediately after exiting my truck, I saw that my bikes were leaning back against the roof of our 2019 T@B 320 S.

Upon closer inspection, I discovered that the steel Y-shaped “Base” (aka “Stem”) failed to properly support our two 30 lb. bikes (60 lbs. total.)  The Jack-IT is advertised as capable of supporting up to 80 lbs.  The carrier was installed and solidly attached to the trailer, as per the manufacturer’s instructions.  Regardless, the failure of the steel "Base" caused the bikes to lean backward at an approximate 45-degree angle from their original vertical orientation, damaging the trailer's thin aluminum roof.  I have no idea why I did not notice the bikes banging against the trailer as I was driving, but they may have only actually been doing that for a relatively brief period (approximately 10 dents are visible), albeit obviously pretty violently (based on the damage caused.)  There previously had been a mirror inserted into the end of the handlebar, but it broke off when the bike hit the trailer.  After the mirror broke away, that exposed its mounting bolt, which resulted in the end of the bolt creating the dents.  Fortunately, the roof was not penetrated.  I have included several photos below, which depict what occurred.

Although I did not notice it until the next day, the bikes had apparently been rocking far enough backward and forward that the Jack-IT's angled "Stinger" was pushing against our spare tire, which is mounted to the front aluminum tub using nuCamp's spare tire bracket.  You can see damage to the spare tire cover, which evidences that the "Stinger" (depicted in the photo) was obviously moving back and forth.  That motion apparently provided sufficient flex to tweak the mounting plate of the tire carrier, which in turn caused the relatively thin aluminum tub wall (attached to the tire carrier) to crack on both sides.  I had to replace the tub ($1,146.00, including shipping.)  Definitely not happy about that.  I have decided to leave the aluminum roof as is, because it is primarily cosmetic damage.  Still, I am not a happy camper about that, either.  It definitely wasn't a great way to start a vacation, especially since we had to return home to drop off the bikes before resuming our trip.

I subsequently contacted Let’s Go Aero and Lippert Components.  Despite my view that the “Implied Warranty of Merchantability” applies to situations like this, neither company stood behind their product, both denying my request to be compensated for the damages (I only sought to be compensated for the aluminum tub.)  They did not even offer to replace the carrier, instead relying on their standard one-year warranty to deny culpability.  Worse, neither company could explain what caused the failure, nor did they express any intent to investigate the cause or warn past or future purchasers of a possible defect.  One of the Let’s Go Aero owners, and inventor of the Jack-IT, Marty Williams, told me it was my “problem.”  Significantly, both he and another Let's Go Aero rep admitted that there have been "prior failures" and "metal defects" with the Jack-IT (as evidenced by the earlier posts in this discussion thread.)

Needless to say, both Let's Go Aero and Lippert Components have demonstrated extremely poor customer service.  I definitely do not recommend the purchase or use of the Jack-IT based on my experience, and what I learned about other metal failures (which I did not become aware of until 2021.)  As I noted back then (see earlier post), I had not experienced similar issues, although I did keep an eye out for anything like that once I did become aware of them.  But, with my limited actual use of the Jack-IT, it is not surprising that I did not see any signs of potential failure.  I have not located any recall information or manufacturer warnings published online about the Jack-IT, which is surprising, even if the actual reported failures are limited in number.  It is not included above, but I did find a similar online report (with photos), of a total failure of the Jack-IT, which caused the attached bike to fall off the carrier along a highway.

I have reported this incident to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), because I believe the Jack-IT has hidden defects, which are a serious safety concern.  Sorry for all the photos, but as has been repeated more than once on this Forum, "Pics, or it didn't happen!" 

Yoshi_TAB

Yikes..that's terrible.  Sorry to hear this.  I have about 32K miles on my Jack It and  I am  always checking for cracks.  I carry 2  x 28 lbs mtn bikes.  What are the other options out there?

AnOldUR

Sorry to hear this. We sold the Jack-It rack that was on our (used) T@B to someone on this forum. Now I’m feeling guilty. 

Bayliss

@Yoshi_TAB, although some folks on this forum have found some other carrier options, many have gone with the Jack-IT.  The issues discussed here may only involve earlier versions of the Jack-IT (the "original Jack-IT"), but those are still being sold, despite Let's Go Aero and Lippert Components knowing, or "should have known," about the defects.

As I mentioned in my post, in my discussions with Let's Go Aero, they acknowledged their awareness of "prior failures" and "metal defects."  After presenting the facts and photos to a Let's Go Aero rep (Amanda Kennedy), she stated, "“That’s pretty crazy,” and admitted “I think there’s something going on here.  There’s some sort of defect.”   She even acknowledged, “There obviously is some damage.”   When she confirmed prior reports of defects, she simply stated, “Once in a while, there are metal defects, but we have immediately replaced them.”  Yet, as I already noted, they didn't even offer to replace the Jack-IT.  The owner told me I could purchase a new one from them.

My purpose in the post is not to discourage current Jack-IT owners from using it, but rather to make them aware of what occurred and to be vigilant, like you have been with yours.  However, I too was vigilant and was quite surprised when it failed to live up to my expectations as to its ability to safely carry two bikes that are well below the Jack-IT's maximum weight rating.    

manyman297

While we don’t use our rack very often it has gotten some decent usage early on. So far so good but knowing about past failures I’m always checking the welds on ours. We rarely carry two bikes on it which does help with weight but I even have to admit that the design of it does seem a bit flimsy. The problem is I couldn’t find a better alternative in this price range.

Yoshi_TAB

Hi,

 Just curious, when you say earlier version, what year did you buy the rack?  What years are considered the earlier version?  Also, did the rack twist because of failure at the welded joint (your green arrow) or the metal tubes just twisted (or both)?

It's unbelievable  they would not have at least offered to replace it.  

I keep looking at this rack...but it's so darn expensive.  Even though the Jack It has served us well to date, I really don't like it.  I find it really difficult to keep two bikes from moving on the rack and not banging into each other.  You have to get them mounted just right.  We have high end mountain bikes and they have gotten more beat up from the rack than on the trails.     

Bike rack kit for TAB/TAG with boondock – Arvika (arvikabikerack.com)

GatorEgg

Yes, many Jacks-It failures.  Do a Google “ Jack-It” failures.

Jay_and_Kat

Now I'm getting nervous about continuing to use OUR Jack-It rack!  We've got two bikes, one is about 30lbs or so, the other is an eBike and 50lbs, so we're RIGHT there at the max the Jack-IT is listed for.

Interestingly, the sticker on our Jack-IT lists a max of 100lbs, so then the question becomes, which to believe???

@Yoshi_TAB, I'm tempted to talk to the wife about springing for that Arvika rack now, especially as it's listed as "ebike supported," for her bike.

Bayliss

@Yoshi_TAB, we purchased the Jack-IT in June 2019.  As I mentioned in my original post, we had only used it to carry our bikes on the trailer three times before it failed.  The last time we had used it was in August 2021, so it still looks new (other than the wear marks of the metal rubbing from assembling the carrier and movement/vibration of the carrier while towing.)  My reference to "earlier versions" may have been inartful.  What I was referring to is my general impression that the reported failures I found online appear to have involved Jack-IT carriers purchased between 2018-2021.  I have seen reported failures on Amazon and some RV Owner forum sites.  However, I suspect that there are other failures that have never been posted online, so my assumption may be wrong.  It takes a lot of time and effort to document and pursue claims such as these, so many individuals do not expend that effort.

Here's a prior T@B Camping Trailers Facebook discussion concerning failures during that time period:

T@B Camping Trailers (North America) | Any of you considering the Jack it bike rack by Lippert reconsider | Facebook

In response to your specific question about what happened with the metal of the Y-Base (the part that failed), the welded joint (green arrow) had not failed, at least not yet.  I included a close-up photo of the weld only to show that the powder coating over that weld had begun to separate, exposing the silver metal below.  As you suggested, both metal arms of the Y-Base twisted inexplicably, which allowed the weight of the bikes to cause them to bend/lean back toward the trailer and repeatedly bang against the trailer roof.  I have no idea what actually occurred to allow that twisting of the metal, but read further below for what the owner at Let's Go Aero stated.  Honestly, when I first saw my bikes leaning as depicted in the photographs, it was a shocking sight.  I really didn't know what to think.  I am just glad that I happened to stop to stretch my legs, because had I not done that, something much worse would likely have occurred.  Timing is everything, I suppose, because the failure most likely had just started close in time prior to when I stopped at the rest area.

I have had multiple lengthy conversations with reps at Let's Go Aero and Lippert Components.  When I asked Amanda Kennedy (Let’s Go Aero) whether changes have been made to the Jack-IT to address prior failures, she responded that there were “not a lot of changes.”  However, she did tell me that “We definitely have a new model.”  She described it as “Beefed Up.”  She was referring to the Jack-IT “Plus” model.  She added that, “If you had one of our new carriers, you would be happy with it.”   At one point, she offered to sell me that version at a discount.  My response to her was that I did not feel I should pay anything to replace a product that obviously had a design/manufacturing defect that existed at the time I purchased the carrier in 2019. 

Kennedy asserted that Let’s Go Aero could not do anything to assist me, because it is “a Lippert issue,” repeatedly suggesting that I address my concerns to them.  During our discussion, I brought up the possibility that this might be a "recall" situation.  She said they would never entertain a recall associated with what I described to her.  She said there had been no similar reported failures, so it would not lead to a recall.  I told her that may very well be true, but I felt it should be reported to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.  I added that I should at least make others "aware" of my personal experience with the Jack-IT.  I explained that I am an active member of the T@B Forum, so at a minimum, I would share this information with other T@B owners, many of whom are currently using the Jack-IT.  Ultimately, Kennedy said she would share my concerns with the owners and that they would meet to discuss it further.

When I talked to a Lippert Components rep, he did not deny prior failures of the steel and welds.  He simply chose not to respond when I described the online posts I have read about those failures.  The most he would confirm is that there have been some changes, but those were to address subsequent design modifications of newer electric tongue jacks.  He did not respond to my questions regarding whether anything had been done to address the reports of the steel splitting, or broken welds.

Later, when I called Marty Williams (owner of Let's Go Aero, and the inventor of the Jack-IT), the conversation began with him claiming, “I really don’t know what’s up.”  I told him I found that hard to believe.  He responded that apparently something didn’t work out for me, but he really didn’t know what the problem was.  He then said, “I’m a problem solver……..I solve problems.”  He asked me to tell him what happened, so I briefly described what occurred.

Williams admitted, “I know of some failures.”  He described one case of a customer in Oregon whose “stinger” failed and they overnighted a new stinger to them.  He also admitted that there were incidents of the product rusting prematurely.  He said he is a “gear head” and that there are manufacturing issues that occur.  Specifically, he said that during welding, the metal can get too hot, and the metal can crystallize and flex over time.

He then said, “I will help you with a new product, for sure.  But, I’m sorry, I can’t give you money for anything else.”  In response, I reminded him of his statement that he is a “problem solver.”  I asked how his proposed resolution solved the problem.  He sarcastically responded, “Marty Williams does not have a problem.  (YOU have) a problem.  Go ahead and trash us.  I don’t care.  If you want to sue me, sue me.  I don’t care.”   Then, he said, “if you want to buy a product from us, send us the money.”  I responded that I never said I was going to trash anyone.  He then went on to say, “If you want to interpret this as some sort of a con job by a flim-flam man, or a scam, go right ahead.”  I repeated that I never made any such statement.  In an angry tone, he told me the conversation was over and hung up.  That conversation was a month ago (06-27-2024.)

So, more information than I intended to go into here, but I have provided the same information to the CPSC.  Regardless, it is fair for me to share how Let's Go Aero treats customers who have legitimate claims, and to provide some context to expand upon what I view as a total lack of concern on their part.  Although I received a less than adequate response from Lippert Components, I will say that my communications with their reps were civil.  There is much more I could add about the conversations I had with both companies, but my goal is not to attack them.  I certainly would be justified suing, because I suffered significant financial loss caused by their product.  But, for now, I can make better use of my time by making people aware of potential problems with the Jack-IT so they can make an informed choice.

Marceline

Bayliss said:

I have reported this incident to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), because I believe the Jack-IT has hidden defects, which are a serious safety concern. 

You might also see if there's a way to report it to NHTSA, as it would be a traffic safety concern if these things start failing and sending bikes flying into other moving vehicles.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/

manyman297

With all of the time they’ve spent trying to defend themselves they could’ve just sent you a replacement part, made you happy and saved themselves the time. 

 doesn’t have the best reputation (that’s an understatement) BUT when a plastic end cap on our Jack-it broke they did send a couple of new ones and it was effortless. That was three years ago and a much less problematic situation but maybe things have changed. 

Bayliss

@Marceline, thanks for the suggestion to also submit a report to NHTSA, which I did this afternoon.  I had previously considered contacting them, but assumed it was not within their jurisdiction.  However, I researched it today and found that they do investigate bike carrier safety issues.

Yoshi_TAB

Hi @Bayliss

Was think about you today..we are on the tail end of a trip to Canada and noticed our Jack It bouncing around a lot more than it usually does.  The road was very  choppy and it was very windy.  Got out to inspect multiple times and no damage to welds or any other issues.  But I was thinking about it the entire time :( .  Have traveled about 36k miles with it and never thought about all the bouncing of the rack til your post  We are finishing our  trip at the NE rally and there is an Avika bike rack demo on the schedule.  The only thing that may keep us from getting one is if there is no tow vehicle option like the Jack IT Bump it.  That is a must for us as many of our destinations are focused around mtn biking . Also I think there was another post where the front tub could not be fully opened.  Not a show stopper, but that would be a pain at times.