I've been contemplating ordering JT strongarms for a while, and this past week I acted. Just wasn't satisfied with the improvement from my kingpin tripod, and my father-in-law expressed interest in mine so I sold it to him and ordered the JTs.Drilling the frame was a bit painful, but the results sure are worth it. I can't for the life of me figure out how to do the back arms with how my 5er is laid out, but just having the front done was a pretty impressive gain in stability. Also ordered up some X Chocks. Related: is there an end to the accessorizing addiction I've been under lately?? It always seems like there is One More Modification to make...

breeno wrote:Related: is there an end to the accessorizing addiction I've been under lately?? It always seems like there is One More Modification to make...It ends when you buy a new rig.However it starts over again the day you get it home.

breeno wrote:........... I can't for the life of me figure out how to do the back arms with how my 5er is laid out, but just having the front done was a pretty impressive gain in stability. ............At the rear, I (from reading about others doing it) bought a piece of 2"x2" square tubing long enough to reach from the outside flange of the I beam on one side to the outside flange of the I beam on the other side. Cut each end of the sq tube at a 45 degree angle and drilled two holes at each end. Drilled matching holes in the I beam flanges and bolted the tube across the rear to the I beams on each side. That made it easy to attach the JTs on the rear.Some used 2"x3" tubing to give a wider surface to attach to the I beams. But I already had some 2"x2" and it worked fine.And you are right, they do make a lot of difference.

PawPaw_n_Gram wrote:breeno wrote:Related: is there an end to the accessorizing addiction I've been under lately?? It always seems like there is One More Modification to make...It ends when you buy a new rig.However it starts over again the day you get it home.Good question....and THE BEST answer I've ever heard!!!

Call the manufacturer for help installing the rear set. They helped me.

breeno wrote:Related: is there an end to the accessorizing addiction I've been under lately?? It always seems like there is One More Modification to make... For me, we seem to keep shopping and adding until we periodically hit the CAT Scales, then we start selling and removing, then it starts all over again :)Call JT - but I don't know how well that works anymore now that they were bought out by LCI. When I installed them, they were a lot of help giving me some options for the rear. I ended up attaching to a truss above the belly pan.

JT strongarms installed | Good Sam Community

PawPaw_n_Gram
Explorer
Jan 02, 2014
breeno wrote:
Related: is there an end to the accessorizing addiction I've been under lately?? It always seems like there is One More Modification to make...

It ends when you buy a new rig.

However it starts over again the day you get it home.
BB_TX
Nomad
Jan 02, 2014
breeno wrote:
..........
. I can't for the life of me figure out how to do the back arms with how my 5er is laid out, but just having the front done was a pretty impressive gain in stability.
............

At the rear, I (from reading about others doing it) bought a piece of 2"x2" square tubing long enough to reach from the outside flange of the I beam on one side to the outside flange of the I beam on the other side. Cut each end of the sq tube at a 45 degree angle and drilled two holes at each end. Drilled matching holes in the I beam flanges and bolted the tube across the rear to the I beams on each side. That made it easy to attach the JTs on the rear.
Some used 2"x3" tubing to give a wider surface to attach to the I beams. But I already had some 2"x2" and it worked fine.
And you are right, they do make a lot of difference.
nremtp143
Explorer
Jan 02, 2014
PawPaw_n_Gram wrote:
breeno wrote:
Related: is there an end to the accessorizing addiction I've been under lately?? It always seems like there is One More Modification to make...

It ends when you buy a new rig.

However it starts over again the day you get it home.

Good question....and THE BEST answer I've ever heard!!!
Dick_B
Explorer
Jan 02, 2014
Call the manufacturer for help installing the rear set. They helped me.
Atom_Ant
Explorer
Jan 02, 2014
breeno wrote:

Related: is there an end to the accessorizing addiction I've been under lately?? It always seems like there is One More Modification to make...
For me, we seem to keep shopping and adding until we periodically hit the CAT Scales, then we start selling and removing, then it starts all over again :)

Call JT - but I don't know how well that works anymore now that they were bought out by LCI. When I installed them, they were a lot of help giving me some options for the rear. I ended up attaching to a truss above the belly pan.
breeno
Explorer
Jan 02, 2014
BB_TX wrote:
breeno wrote:
..........
. I can't for the life of me figure out how to do the back arms with how my 5er is laid out, but just having the front done was a pretty impressive gain in stability.
............

At the rear, I (from reading about others doing it) bought a piece of 2"x2" square tubing long enough to reach from the outside flange of the I beam on one side to the outside flange of the I beam on the other side. Cut each end of the sq tube at a 45 degree angle and drilled two holes at each end. Drilled matching holes in the I beam flanges and bolted the tube across the rear to the I beams on each side. That made it easy to attach the JTs on the rear.
Some used 2"x3" tubing to give a wider surface to attach to the I beams. But I already had some 2"x2" and it worked fine.
And you are right, they do make a lot of difference.

Very clever idea. I'll call JT and get their input but this seems like a pretty slick option. Thanks!
lakeside013104
Explorer
Jan 02, 2014
I have 2014 Heartland Bighorn and it was very easy to install JTs at the rear stabilizers. Explore the fiber belly pan between the rear stabilizers and locate the frame cross member. Measure first for best location to install the stabilizer bracket, then cut a very small hole in the fiber belly pan to finish fit where you want the bracket to be attached. Drill pilots holes then drill holes to size and bolt to frame cross member. Mine works great and really does the finishing touch on stabilizing our rig. Send me a PM and I will give you my home number if you need more info. Good luck.

Lakeside
sayoung
Explorer
Jan 02, 2014
I bought the "SteadyFast" stabilizers and thier customer service is as good as it gets.Answered all my questions and concerns when I installed.
breeno
Explorer
Feb 20, 2014
lakeside013104 wrote:
I have 2014 Heartland Bighorn and it was very easy to install JTs at the rear stabilizers. Explore the fiber belly pan between the rear stabilizers and locate the frame cross member. Measure first for best location to install the stabilizer bracket, then cut a very small hole in the fiber belly pan to finish fit where you want the bracket to be attached. Drill pilots holes then drill holes to size and bolt to frame cross member. Mine works great and really does the finishing touch on stabilizing our rig. Send me a PM and I will give you my home number if you need more info. Good luck.

Lakeside

Last weekend when the weather warmed up a bit I got the rear braces installed following this advice. Much appreciated! Love the strongarms ... Not having to store anything is pretty great and the extra stability is excellent.
lakeside013104
Explorer
Feb 21, 2014
breeno, glad my idea helped you. I sure like my JT's.

As far as mods go, there is always another project to become involved with. I made a ladder bracket and mounted an 8' ladder behind the spring hangers and under the frame. I also made a "vinyl fence post" storage compartment for my sewer hoses and installed under the frame. I just finished designing and having welded together a very robust 2" receiver hitch to accept a rear basket to carry my two bikes.

If I could figure out how to post pictures, I would do so, but have had no success with my picture posting attempts.

Lakeside

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