Bigfoot 17 owners, what stabilizer jacks do you use?

[Michael Collins]

I need to buy stabilizer jacks for our 88 Bigfoot 17. I was all set on buying the Bal 23026 light trailer stabilizers, but it looks like I'll have to weld a spacer onto a crossmember to make it flush with the main frame. I like that because they are light weight. A local store has scissor jacks on sale. They are 16.5lbs a piece. Seem really heavy to me. What are you Bigfoot owners using?


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[ZachO]

Mine came with two scissor jacks. I'd probably believe they're that heavy each...

They aren't my favorite choice, but they're free. I'll be looking to upgrade at some point though.

[Tom Trostel]

Mine has 2 swing down Atwood jacks that are welded to the rear bumper support beam. They appear to be original. They work fine. I use 2 foreign auto jacks under the front corner frame when more stability is needed. These ride in the tow vehicle.

Stabilizer Jack 1000 lbs Trailer Jack | etrailer.com

[trainjunkie]

You need to consider where you plan to take the trailer. I had been using those cheap cast aluminum screw-type jack stands then decided to go with the BAL stabilizers. But before I went to the trouble of welding them on I realized that my bi-annual trips over the Alcan were destroying everything from the frame down on every trip. I figured the permanently attached stabilizers would just become a casualty of the harsh conditions and become a maintenance item where the jack stands are most definitely not.

So right up until I sold the trailer last year, after thousands of miles and many, many campsites, I used those crummy but effective screw-type jack stands. The beauty of them is that you stash them in a compartment when not in use so they never get abused by spraying gravel and such.

As always, YMMV.

[Harvey]

Michael, Check out my post (#12) on this thread - http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ack-71851.html -
I added the BAL stabilizer jacks to my Casita 17SD last year. I had to devise a way to 'drop' the inner end of the jacks to bottom frame level so I used a couple of pieces of steel angle bolted to the jacks & a portion of the frame. Worked find & still working. I 'ran' a line from bottom of the tires to bottom of the rear bumper to insure the BAL jacks weren't 'hanging' any lower than anything else in that area... You might be able to do something similar with your Bigfoot?

[Michael Collins]

Thanks for the replies. Do any of you know where the mounting location holes on the rear of the Bal 026's? Like how far from the main frame 2 bolt position. I just want to see if I can make it work with the Bigfoot frame layout.


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[WaltP]

Mine came with BAL telescopic jacks
Deluxe Telescopic All-Steel Stabilizer Jacks 26 Inch BAL 30930
front and back.
When I'm alone I usually don't bother lowering them. That's been true on all my trailers.

Walt

[Harvey]

Here's a couple of pix of one of my extra BAL stabilizer jacks, with a tape measure stretched out on top of the folded jack. The folded jack is approx 20" long including the round 'sand' pad. Without the sand pad length is approx 17-18". Distance from the single mounting hole at the 'inner' end of the jack, to the 2 mounting holes at the 'outer' end is about 16" center to center, give or take a quarter inch... Pretty sure mine are model #23025 (17") jacks.

[Michael Collins]

Thanks guys, that's a huge help. We have 2 young kids and a dog, so I think we'll be stabilizing. I'll let you know how I make out.


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