Stabilizer Jacks

[jimtesla]

Morning

I dont have any installed on my rig...

my questions is what type of jacks would be best on an older unit

i see some of the atwood jacks...not sure if they install to the frame or bumper

what options do i have for my 76 scamp

thanks

jim

[jimtesla]

i have been searching and i want to point out that my rig is slightly lower because of sagging

so i wanted to know what options i had for a lowered egg

i was looking at this unit...the ebay item is for two i was thinking i need just one but dont know how low its sits when its not used

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...RK%3AMEWAX%3AIT

[Raya]

what options do i have for my 76 scamp

I don't know if you are only looking for the "installed" type, or if you are also looking for other options.

I use a set of four of the "stack jacks." I like them because they are very lightweight (aluminum) and they stack together so they don't take up much space when not in use. I keep them in the Rubbermaid tub that holds all my "ground tackle," electrical stuff, etc.

I use them at all four corners - I don't like the rig to the feel "bouncy" when I'm set up. With them not being permanently attached in any one place, I do have some flexibility in their placement if the ground is irregular or etc.

Also - although I have not done any engineering type calculations - I feel that there is less "leverage" type stress on the frame with them not being way out on one end. Now, that might not be an issue at all if they are out on one end, so take this one with a grain of salt; but it probably can't hurt that I typically place them a bit inwards (in the direction of the axle).

As a side bonus, they are inexpensive and easy to replace, should there be a need.

Here's what they look like. You can get them at Wal-mart, camping places, or (where I grabbed this photo), Amazon for about $33 the set of four (free shipping).





Raya

[jimtesla]

how low do they sit? dont know if I have clearance to slide them under the trailer... after you slide these under the trailer and then tighten them up and your done?.....i am looking at all options as my trailer is sitting lower than stock Thanks Amazon is the cheapest...

[Kevin K]

This is what I have, pipe in a pipe, larger pipe welded to bumper.

[Kevin K]

Close up

[Donna D.]

There are stabilizers to ... well stabilize the trailer from rocking and moving when someone is inside. There are jacks, to jack up the trailer to change a tire. Stabilizers are placed at the far ends of the trailer frame (or back bumper) and jacks are placed close to the axle. Two different animals.

If I should ever change the system I use to stabilize my trailer, this is what I'm going to use. A battery operated drill and zip, zip up or down they go quickly:
BAL Stabilizers at JC Whitney

[Yvon Chayer]

Hi Donna
I hed installed a set of BAL stabiliser on my Bigfoot and it's a very very good stabiliser
Easy to install and easy to use
I use the hand crank and it is very fast, no drill required
I have install a 20" leg and it's ok on plain ground the leg was just in the middle ,it give me a play to no level ground
I like it

Yvon Chayer

[Raya]

Hi Jim,

My Boler sits about stock level, I think. The stack jacks slip under with a couple inches to spare. I suppose if your trailer is super low there might be an issue. You could buy some at Wal-Mart and check them, I guess. Wait, why don't I go measure one of mine? I'll do that and report back.

[Edited to add: Mine are about 10" high when they are unextended. I don't know what brand mine are, but they are probably similar enough for you to get the basic idea about whether or not they would work. If they are close, or a site has weird angles, you could back the tires up onto planks to get more space.

I say that they are probably going to be similar because I have 2 each of different brands and they are pretty close to the same. I do have to tilt mine to get them under the body "skirt," but they are fine once I get them under there. That said, there is not tons of extra room.)

I use mine for stabilizing (they wouldn't "jack" if you tried, although they are commonly called "stack jacks"), but I don't always put them at the very ends of the trailer. In fact, I usually put the forward ones as far back as I can get them on the widening part of the triangle (not all that far back as there are gussets that I run into); the rear ones I typically put 2'-3' feet forward from the back of the trailer --- where the weight will be on the bed inside. That varies slightly with the terrain.

The way I deploy them, there is no "pressure" when spinning them up into position:

1) Back trailer in place and get it level side to side (I back onto squares of wood).

2) Make trailer level fore-and-aft with built in central front jack (the "wheel" or whatever you have), but then drop the nose back down slightly.

3) Place stack jacks under frame in rear and spin them up hand tight or slightly loose (depending on how you did #2).

4) Raise trailer again slightly with nose wheel so that rear jacks become tight (but not overly tight).

5) Place front jacks under front two sides of frame and spin up tight (they have little pins in the spinners that give you plenty of leverage).

I'll post back after I measure mine.

Raya

PS: Steps #2 and #4 are probably un-necessary. It's just the way the former owner showed me that they did it, and so I continued; but I'm sure you could just tighten all four by hand, since that works perfectly well for the front ones.

[Keith Williams]

I, too, had installed a pair of the BAL Telescopic Trailer Stabilizers on the Front of my Bigfoot 21RB. It came with a pair on the back, and I added the front ones. Loved them and used a cordless drill with a 3/4 inch socket adapted and spin those babies up and down as needed. Sure beats crawling around under the trailer with those tripod thingys. I know some young Pups, like Raya, don't have any problems, buy my knees and other parts don't like all that crawling around.

I just got 2 sets of the BAL 20 inch ones and will put them on mjy 2006 Casita as soon as the stupid rain stops. Here's a link that shows them, but I bought mine at Camping World last Saturday as they were on sale with the President's CLub Card, which I have for the moment. A little over $200 for the pair. If I had ordered them they would have been more, with the shipping, even though I wouldn't have had to pay Sales Tax.

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv-jack...eling-jacks.htm

This is a good place to order things like this if you need to.

EKW

[Raya]

Sure beats crawling around under the trailer with those tripod thingys. I know some young Pups, like Raya, don't have any problems, buy my knees and other parts don't like all that crawling around.

Young pup... hee

It is true that you need to be able to kneel down to place the stack jacks, so if that's a problem they would not be a good solution. However, that said, the Boler is small enough that there is no crawling around - the place on the frame where you put them is close enough to the exterior that you can just kneel down and stick them under. So, kneeling=yes; crawling=no.

[Scott H]

I too am very happy with the BAL stabilizers that Donna recommended. Mine are bolted to the bumper but, if I had a low rider, I would definitely find away to tuck em' up/back so they don't hit when you drag your bumper. Very fast set up, no drill ness. I also have a set of the stands that Raya recommended for the front but, never feel the need to use them (I rarely even bring them along anymore).

[Frederick L. Simson]

Attachment 28745

This is what I have, pipe in a pipe, larger pipe welded to bumper.

I did a similar thing on my old Compact Jr. I welded threaded couplers (long nuts) to the bumper, and used all-thread rod to make the stabilizer. I had foot pads fabricated out of a nut and a disc of flat stock and welded a nut to the top so that the rods were captive. I just screwed them all the way up for travel.

[Jenny W.]

Morning

I dont have any installed on my rig...

my questions is what type of jacks would be best on an older unit

i see some of the atwood jacks...not sure if they install to the frame or bumper

what options do i have for my 76 scamp

thanks

jim

I have a 76 Scamp as well and it too fits in my garage. I use scissor jacks. They are super low profile when not in use. All the other types of jacks are too tall unextended. I bought them at Harbor Freight for about $10 each.

[james kent]

I use a couple of scissor jacks. I picked up a couple for less than $5 at a recycle yard. Some have mounted them permanently under the bumper of their trailer. I also have an older couple of jack stands that I put under the tongue area.

[jimtesla]

I have a 76 Scamp as well and it too fits in my garage. I use scissor jacks. They are super low profile when not in use. All the other types of jacks are too tall unextended. I bought them at Harbor Freight for about $10 each.

your my twin....garaged 76 scamps.....i just went to harbor freight yesterday and they didnt have the sissor jacks on sale
but i will look at them more closely i would like a permanent solution ie welded to my rig but i just dont see them hanging underneath with my limited clearance

[Ann B]

I have a 76 Scamp as well and it too fits in my garage. I use scissor jacks. They are super low profile when not in use. All the other types of jacks are too tall unextended. I bought them at Harbor Freight for about $10 each.

I'm glad scissor jacks have been mentioned (I was thinking we were doing it all wrong) we use them got at a automotive flea market for $5 each --cheap & they do a great job!! IMHO!

[James V]

Is 2 needed in the front?

Any exerience with just 1 on the front?

[Raya]

I doubt two are needed in the front (of my 13-er). I bet many people just go with the center jack that comes on the trailer (the wheel or "foot" one).

I use two in front just because I like the slightly less wobbly feel, and because it gives a bit of frame support under the gaucho area - but I'm sure it's not necessary.

OTOH, I have four, they are not expensive, and it takes but a moment to put them in place.

Then again, if I'm just stopping for a night, I often don't unhook from the car, and then I don't use the two jacks (but I do put the "foot" down).

Raya

[Michel, Bouchard]

I got 2 scissor jacks at an automotive scrap yard for 5$ each and they look like new. I'm using them at the rear but haven't fixed them permanently as I wasn't sure how long they would last always getting the road dirt. At the front I'm just using 2 stack jacks