TT Leveling Jack Alternative

[OtterLove]

Does anyone have any ideas or alternatives for the leveling jacks? I've taken my 20FQ off road a number of times, and it always seems like I'm scraping them along the ground at some point. Its pretty obvious that the previous owner did too by the 15 degree angle lean of them. I've thought about replacing the bolts with some kind of post with cotter keys for easy removal. They seriously hamper the departure angle of the trailer. They are cheap and easy enough to replace, but I just don't want to make them a consumable.

Thanks,
Mike

[altaclipper]

Otterlove, would it be feasible to just remove them? They could be replaced with these, after you are at the destination.
https://www.amazon.ca/Camco-44560-X-...806981&sr=8-25

A bit of manual work I realize, but it gains you a few inches of clearance.
Cheers
Glen

[OtterLove]

Altaclipper,

That's the kind of thing that I was thinking about. The only thing I'd be worried about is them falling off left or right. They don't seem too heavy, so it looks like it would be less weight, too.

[kcfissel]

If I were king, I think I'd look into raising the trailer by changing the suspension components rather than mess with the stabilizers.
You could approach it from different angles, for instance flipping the axles on the springs, adding a leaf, or different springs.

Using that type of stabilizers would be an incredible PITA to do each time you set up & break camp. But then, I'm lazy.

[Gammel]

Lots simpler just to buy a Backcountry 20BD or 21RWS!

To be honest I bent my front left stabilizer. Kind of a pain to replace it. I'll pay closer attention in the future. I promise!

[Dave Pelletier]

Originally Posted by Gammel

Lots simpler just to buy a Backcountry 20BD or 21RWS!

Why? what do they use?


Dave

[Dave Pelletier]

the stabilizers are a pet peeve of mine; ORV builds a trailer with more suspension travel and clearance and then welds two 2" x 2" metal spacers on the frame to space the stabilizers down enough so that they can reach the ground!

I understand why they do it; it's undesireable to tell people they have to carry boards or spacers in order to engage the stabilizers on level ground but it is contrary to the stated design goals.

Anyhow, I own a metal fab shop so I intend to remove the stabilizers and cut off the spacers and re-weld the stabilizers directly to the frame (or make a bolt on bracket). using a pin arrangement so the stabilizers could be removed is something I'll also consider.


Dave

[Dave Pelletier]

Originally Posted by altaclipper

Otterlove, would it be feasible to just remove them? They could be replaced with these, after you are at the destination.
https://www.amazon.ca/Camco-44560-X-...806981&sr=8-25

A bit of manual work I realize, but it gains you a few inches of clearance.
Cheers
Glen

I've used those before on a much smaller TT - they work but aren't very stable and you'd need a lot of blocking to use them on an ORV

Dave

[Keith67]

Originally Posted by Dave Pelletier

the stabilizers are a pet peeve of mine; ORV builds a trailer with more suspension travel and clearance and then welds two 2" x 2" metal spacers on the frame to space the stabilizers down enough so that they can reach the ground!

I understand why they do it; it's undesireable to tell people they have to carry boards or spacers in order to engage the stabilizers on level ground but it is contrary to the stated design goals.

Anyhow, I own a metal fab shop so I intend to remove the stabilizers and cut off the spacers and re-weld the stabilizers directly to the frame (or make a bolt on bracket). using a pin arrangement so the stabilizers could be removed is something I'll also consider.


Dave

Please post pictures when you’re done! I can weld and have often thought about doing the same thing. The clearance the stabilizers and stairs take away is a pet peeve of mine.

[Dave Pelletier]

Originally Posted by Keith67

Please post pictures when you’re done! I can weld and have often thought about doing the same thing. The clearance the stabilizers and stairs take away is a pet peeve of mine.

Will do.....the stairs are also on my hit list.....

Dave

[zim]

What jacks does ORV use? When I added BAL 24002D jacks to my little Casita, I used 1/4" steel plate to weld to the frame, then bolted the jacks to that. The jacks can be easily replaced if needed without cutting anything.