Just installed my stabilizers. Love them, eliminated all the "shake" in the fifth wheel. Yahoo. Just one question, I was looking at them the other day and I noticed that when I put up the landing gear the t-handles will hit the frame and prevent the landing gear from retracting all the way. I want to reverse the install and have the t-handles facing down. Has anybody done this? Will this increase my chances of losing a handle during travel?

Yes, they need to be on the bottom side.

I had to put my rear stabilizers on upside down. As long as you don't forget to snug them down before traveling you shouldn't have any problems. And if you lose one it's no big deal, it's just a standard bolt size: 3/8-16 I believe.

I ordered 4 extra t-handles, just in case I lose any- I keep them in my random spare parts bin.But, the nice part about the t-handles - while nice, they aren't a required thing to enjoy your trip. If you lose one and don't have a replacement, you simply live with some extra shake (unless someone is severely motion sensitive).

I have the same problem. I am working on changing the way they mount to the frame so the handle will be on the side so it is easier to use.. I think they need to change their design for easier use. They come with those metal brackets that attach to the frame and I am going to drill a hole on the side of it and run the securing bolt through that and attach the stabilizer to it and the handle will change position to the side. I hope.

Is it life threatening if you don't retract all the way ????Many times I've seen 5er's with them not completely retracted...I know, I know, it 'could' hit something and understand it if we were going off roading or railroad track climbing :)but that's only a problem if you are not aware of what your are driving over - just like paying attention to height limits, correct ?!?

Question about stabilizers | Good Sam Community

eHoefler
Explorer II
Jun 12, 2013
Yes, they need to be on the bottom side.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Jun 12, 2013
I had to put my rear stabilizers on upside down. As long as you don't forget to snug them down before traveling you shouldn't have any problems. And if you lose one it's no big deal, it's just a standard bolt size: 3/8-16 I believe.
ependydad
Explorer
Jun 12, 2013
I ordered 4 extra t-handles, just in case I lose any- I keep them in my random spare parts bin.

But, the nice part about the t-handles - while nice, they aren't a required thing to enjoy your trip. If you lose one and don't have a replacement, you simply live with some extra shake (unless someone is severely motion sensitive).
jjj
Explorer
Jun 12, 2013
I have the same problem. I am working on changing the way they mount to the frame so the handle will be on the side so it is easier to use.. I think they need to change their design for easier use. They come with those metal brackets that attach to the frame and I am going to drill a hole on the side of it and run the securing bolt through that and attach the stabilizer to it and the handle will change position to the side. I hope.
JohnBoyToo
Explorer
Jun 12, 2013
Is it life threatening if you don't retract all the way ????

Many times I've seen 5er's with them not completely retracted...

I know, I know, it 'could' hit something and understand it if we were going off roading or railroad track climbing :)

but that's only a problem if you are not aware of what your are driving over - just like paying attention to height limits, correct ?!?
scootsk
Explorer III
Jun 12, 2013
JohnBoyToo wrote:
Is it life threatening if you don't retract all the way ????

Many times I've seen 5er's with them not completely retracted...

I know, I know, it 'could' hit something and understand it if we were going off roading or railroad track climbing :)

but that's only a problem if you are not aware of what your are driving over - just like paying attention to height limits, correct ?!?

Why chance it if its not necessary. Putting the t-handles on the bottom is easy, just need to know if anybody has had problems doing this. At 13'4" I do need to worry about height but why would I want to worry about the landing gear, if its not necessary. If I was told that turning the stabilizers over would cause a great deal of grieg, I would leave them alone and worry about my ground clearance.
restlesswind
Explorer
Jun 12, 2013
No way to modify them to have the T handle on the side?
Mine (SOB) has 3/4 bolt on the side that I can tighten using a ratchet with
an 18" extension. Nice not needing to get down on one knee to tighten them.
I would sure try to figure out some way to modify those that you have,along with fabricating some sort of tool to tighten the T handles.(Or use short bolts in place of the T handles.
Halmfamily
Explorer
Jun 13, 2013
Do they make to fit hydraulic landing gear? I always see them pictured on the electric type. Any and all suggestions appreciated.
scootsk
Explorer III
Jun 13, 2013
How are the legs different on the hydraulic? I don't think it would make a difference as long as the bracket can bolt onto the landing gear.
Halmfamily
Explorer
Jun 13, 2013
Looking at Scoots picture above his mounts into the holes on his landing gear. Mine are straight hydraulic rams with no holes just a 10" landing pad at the end. Is there a clamp that does around the bottom of the hydraulic ram above the pad?

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