Community Forums

0rion · 03-09-2016, 01:30 PM

Last fall I bent one of my rear stabilizer jacks.....they're just the manual crank down style. I bought 2 others and plan to replace them. I keep thinking about how I should mount them. Currently they are perpendicular to the frame but I'm thinking of mounting them at an angle like I see on a lot of TT's these days. I'm wondering if they wouldn't control movement a little better mounted that way versus perp. It at least makes sense to me on paper. My 5er doesn't have a ton of movement as it is but every little bit helps I believe. What says you?

sprayman · 03-09-2016, 01:48 PM

my keystone rear jacks face each other in addition there is a JT strong

arm stabilizer system.

Jim

0rion · 03-09-2016, 06:39 PM

movement really isn't an issue in mine....certainly not worth jt strongarm kinda money. Just figured as long as I'm remounting them why not let them work to their best potential. I think I'm going to mount them on an angle...worst case I put them back like they are now.

wingnut60 · 03-11-2016, 07:55 PM

Best thing to do with a stabilizer jack is to not extend it very far--best support is when it is shortly used, not at full extension. After that, a some sort of the JT strongarm may be needed.
Joe

0rion · 03-14-2016, 08:56 AM

yep....I keep a couple of 4x6's under each jack to keep the extension short on them. You want some.....just not a whole bunch. I have a whole system down when I set up the camper to get it how I like it. We really don't have much movement in the camper when I'm finished. The key is to get some of the weight off of the suspension to take the spring out of it. I don't lift it in the air but I take a lot of the weight off of it. I also use 2 load bars under the king pin to help with front side to side. Unless someone is jumping around in the camper it doesn't move. I have 3 younger kids so jumping is a real possibility.

When you have kids there are certain things that need to be said that ordinarily wouldn't need said......"no jumping in the camper" and my favorite "do not slam the door entering or leaving the camper". That last one is a talk I've also had to have with my wife.

Reng8d · 04-02-2016, 12:56 PM

I recently read this article about proper stabilizer jack use in a FR newsletter here is an excerpt:

This jack’s weight capacity is 5,000 lb. only between 13-3/4” and 23-1/2”; the weight capacity drastically reduces as the height drops below this level. Do not apply a load to this jack below 13-3/4” in height.”

0rion · 04-03-2016, 01:05 AM

thanks for posting that....I always get some extension on mine. Not sure if I'm up 13" because I've never measured but probably pretty close if not a little over. I usually shoot for about half of the jacks travel or in that ballpark. I will measure it next time so I can get a visual of what the jack looks like at 13-14".