The team behind the blue diamond has created a simple and effective product to protect your Rieco-Titan Powerhead camper jacks. This is a no-brainer for Rieco-Titan electric jack owners.
In elementary school we learn that sunlight brings us warmth, empowers photosynthesis, and generally supports life as we know it. Unfortunately, it also yellows, dries, and breaks down the plastic covers on our beloved truck camper jacks. This can lead to cracks that allow water inside the gears and motors potentially causing damage. Why this isn’t taught in school is something we’ll never know.
Lucky for us, Rieco-Titan has created a solution with their new Powerhead Sleeve Covers. Made from robust weather resistant material, the Powerhead Sleeve Covers not only keep out the sun and its plastic eating UV rays, but also the rain, sleet, and snow. The idea is to extend the life of your jack Powerheads, reduce the need for jack maintenance, and maintain the original appearance.
When the team at Rieco-Titan asked if we thought this product would do well, we said, “Heck, yeah! And please sign us up for a set.” Our camper got a new set of Rieco-Titan jacks after our accident in 2018. They’re in good shape after seven years, but the sun has definitely done a job of yellowing the plastic. With the Powerhead covers, we can put a stop to that now.
At first blush, I thought the installation would be as simple as putting the covers on the Powerheads. Well, there’s a bit more to it.
First, you need to open the cord lock at the end of the strings found at the base of the cover. The instructions suggest using a tool as the cord lock is relatively small. I used a small flat head screwdriver. That made quick work of the task.
Next, you remove the cord lock and double barrel chord stopper from the strings. The cord lock comes right off. Removing the cord stopper is a matter of simply pinching open the spring-activated catch inside the cord lock, and pulling it off the strings. So far, so good.
With the sleeve cover now fully open, you line up the sleeve cover notch with the jack bracket and place the sleeve cover over the Powerheads. Rieco-Titan recommends pulling it down to make sure it’s covering the Powerhead and a few inches of the jack leg as well. This part is so easy a magazine publisher can do it.
With the Powerhead sleeve in place, you re-thread the cord stopper and snug the sleeve on. Getting the strings through the cord stopper is a straight shot as the cord-stopper openings are more than enough for the string diameter.
The next part is a bit finicky. Thread the strings through the cord lock and pinch the cord lock shut again. The strings are just thin enough to accommodate the cord lock opening, but it’s tight. Fortunately, the strings only need to go in a few millimeters before you close the lock.
Installing all four Powerhead sleeve covers took about ten minutes. That’s time well spent considering the protection our jacks now enjoy.
Above: Rieco-Titan Powerhead Sleeve Covers on our rear Rieco-Titan jacks
This is a no-brainer recommendation for so many reasons. Properly functioning camper jacks are required for any demountable truck camper. Anything that can help keep your jacks in good working order is something worth pursuing.
I only wish we had these covers the day we got our new Rieco-Titan jacks. If we were buying a new camper today, and had to keep it outside, these would be in our check out bag. It’s hard not to argue that they’re a good idea even for older campers like ours. Camper jacks aren’t cheap. If this keeps them going longer, they’ll pay for themselves many times over.
For more information about Rieco-Titan Powerheaed Sleeve Covers, visit their website at riecotitan.com. Click here to request a free Rieco-Titan brochure.
