Rear Electric Stabilizer Jack adjustment - help?

[Geronimo John]

9 hours ago, tallmandan said:

Today, I spoke with Mike Sharpe at OTT Service.  He said that the action OTT takes is up to "manufacturing" and not his call to make.  He agreed that he would like to send me a new one but had to wait for "manufacturing" to make a decision on my issue.  I asked him if there was someone else I should speak with and he said no - that he was the contact.  He went on to say that there is a meeting with "manufacturing" tomorrow where he will make sure my issue is discussed.  We agreed that I will call him back on Thursday.  I will update then...

Barker did the welding.  Problem could be there.

OTT likely drilled the holes in their bracket.  Problem could be there.  

.....Leaving you holding the bag. 

Seems like a joint discussion is between them.  

Regardless IF OTT Manufacturing has spare in stock, which they sometimes do not, they could ship you one.  If not then they would have to send Barker the bracket, if they have a bracket in stock.  Which last year they did not have as well.  

.......In which case you are still holding the bag.  So ...

 

OTT oh so rarely does not make things right.

If there is going to be a delay, I would consider shimming up the hatch with a ring of 3/4" X 1" trim.  If you have a foam pad over the OEM cushions you would not notice the difference while OTT/Barker sort it out.  

🙂

Edited June 4 by Geronimo John

[Rivernerd]

22 hours ago, tallmandan said:

He said that the action OTT takes is up to "manufacturing" and not his call to make.  He agreed that he would like to send me a new one but had to wait for "manufacturing" to make a decision on my issue. 

This is not the response I have come to expect from OTT when a manufacturing defect comes to light.  Hmmm...

[tallmandan]

23 hours ago, Rivernerd said:

This is not the response I have come to expect from OTT when a manufacturing defect comes to light.  Hmmm...

Not what I expected either.  Here is the response I received:

 

I responded to Mike with my dissapointment and asked for a contact at Barker if OTT was pushing it off on them.

I was also confused by the ask of measuring -- all LEII trailers are the same and I'm asking for a correctly welded one.

Mike responded  already with a contact at Barker, I forwarded the OTT service email chain and the photos.  Still hopefull for a reasonable resolution....

[Rivernerd]

1 hour ago, tallmandan said:

Not what I expected either.  Here is the response I received:

 

So, the OTT warranty is not honored unless the defect is discovered within the first year of ownership?  My opinion of Oliver's customer service just took a nosedive. 

This is not a wear and tear issue.  Oliver admits you were sold a trailer in 2020 that includes a defective rear jack.  Oliver should "step up to the plate" and send you a properly welded replacement jack, and pay to have it installed, at your option.  

I will now tell those who inquire about my Elite II to expect defensive post-sale customer service, like Oliver's competitors.  It appears that Oliver is no longer a unique, customer-oriented company.

  

 

[Jason Essary]

With regards to this issue, specifically the jack making contact to the underside of the access panel, it is something I have seen in the past and was a result of the bracket welded to the side of the Barker Jack being mounted too high. I was just recently brought into the know on this issue and advised Mike because manufacturing had not provided him with an answer.

The proper channel for issues that Mike or the new Jason do not fully know how to resolve, should be escalated to manufacturing so that the engineer & quality managers can review and see if there is specific information needed. I have a meeting scheduled between Service and Manufacturing on a weekly basis so that escalated issues can be resolved in a more timely manner or at least to request more pictures, more information or a service visit. I will address with the departments that this took a month as we should be in contact at minimum on a weekly basis.

Regarding the warranty of the jack, if that is the actual issue as I am making an assumption of what I have seen before, then it would fall under the Barker Manufacturing warranty which is for a 1-year warranty period. If we can verify that the issue is due to an improper placement of the bracket, Barker may still cover it under warranty but it would be something we would have to reach out to them about once we have the definite cause of the issue. In an out of warranty situation I also recommend the customer also reaching out to the vendor, in this case Barker, as they are more apt to cover out of warranty items for customers rather than when we ask. Also, please note that most warranties are only extended to the original purchaser of the product and they may require proof of purchase. 

 

 

[Geronimo John]

On 5/31/2025 at 12:24 PM, Geronimo John said:

With no response yet from OTT, I now suggest that you call Barker Mfg.

On 6/1/2025 at 6:43 AM, Geronimo John said:

Barker has built thousands of jacks using the OTT bracket.  They would have a jig fixture to weld the OTT provided bracket to the jack.  So this could be a new guy mistake.  

On 6/1/2025 at 6:43 AM, Geronimo John said:

Frankly it is time for you to just remove BOTH rear jacks from the trailer and bench inspect them side to side.  Photo what you find.  Doing so gives you the facts.  It also puts you in a position to say it is "Obvious"  and also if It is a Barker or OTT issue.  Then you can politely share your results. 

On 6/1/2025 at 6:43 AM, Geronimo John said:

I have found that with facts, both OTT and Barker are stand up and make it right teams.  Get them the facts and I'll wager you get a new jack and bracket free even though it is out of warranty.  Why?  That would be the stand up make it right answer.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ALL:  With the reorg at OTT, their experienced staff is taking on new and higher level roles.  This nearly always entails a transition period with learning curve opportunities such as the above.  I think this issue is a classic example of corporate change.  The above owner discussions went a bit off the tracks.  It is unfortunate that the "atmosphere" had gotten where it did during the delay.  I appreciate seeing Jason E. stepping in and calming the waters, as he has effectively done periodically over the years.    

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dan:

I think you missed an important point that Mike made.  He suggested you measure the distance between two points.  He then basically stated that if it was welded wrong, that it would be a Barker warranty claim.  In this regard he is factually and ethically correct.  Granted it could have been a bit better stated.  But it was a favorable suggestion to you.  Instead the burner under the pot was turned up.

In consideration of previous suggestions, and Jason E's post, there appear to be two paths open to you.

• Buy another jack.
• Bench check by comparison both jacks, and provide photo's of which clearly "side by side" show the defect you have.  

Then politely provide to both Barker and OTT Service the factual evidence of your situation.   

Personally I would chose the bench check route.  And I still believe that "the right thing" will be done.  

As I also previously stated:  Patience.  

In the mean time I would shim up the  bed cover plate and keep having fun while Barker and OTT review your Bench Check report.

GJ 

Edited June 6 by Geronimo John

[tallmandan]

Quick Update:  I received a reply email from Barker Manufacturing and then spoke on the phone in response to my email to them that included photos.  They are going to send me a new tube sleeve with the proper weld at no charge.  I will need to take the existing jack out and loosen the three set screws on the head.  I'm told this will allow me to replace the steel tube (where the bracket is welded) on the existing jack and then reinstall so that it will be at the proper height.

Happy that a resolution/fix is now hopefully in process...

 

[Geronimo John]

On 6/6/2025 at 9:43 AM, Geronimo John said:

I have found that with facts, both OTT and Barker are stand up and make it right teams.

Thanks for the update.  Certainly we are all glad that they continue to stand up and make it right!

[tallmandan]

Alright, time to close this out. 

I received the replacment jack post assembly from Barker which they shipped to me at no cost.  The picture below shows the new unit next to the old unit.  As I knew, the mounting bracket on my existing jack sleeve was welded the the incorrect location by about one inch.  The swap out was easier than I expected and I now have plenty of clearance under the hatch as it should be.

I want to thank Bob Asher at Barker for his help with the free replacement and with swap/install instructions!  Great customer service! 

I also want to thank everyone who responded in this thread in a effort to help!  The collective knowledge and experience of this group is really valuable.