Forum Discussion

camp-n-family's avatar
Jan 08, 2014

Steadyfast RV Stabilizers?

I've heard of Happijacks but not the Steadyfast system. Anybody use this system. Found it on amazon, looks like it may help my situation.

My 31' tt shakes so much that 2 of the bolts holding the jacks to the frame have snapped off. I think the Steadyfast stabilizers will help. The install looks pretty straight forward but I'm concerned with how the pads mount on the jack feet. Do the jacks have to be in line or perpendicular to the frame for this? My 2 front jacks are mounted to the A frame so they are angled about 30 degrees off of the main frame. Will it still work?

Thanks
  • I haven't moved anything, the jacks are located as they were from the factory. In some ways it makes sense that they are located where they are. The trailer sits very high so the jacks need to be extended a fair bit which makes them less stable. Being mounted on the A frame lowers them and shortens the required extension by 6 inches. They are also weakest in the perpendicular. Mounting them inline with the frame would be stiffest for front to back movement of the trailer but would make side to side movement worse, as would the opposite. Putting them on an angle to the movement would be the best to help minimize movement in both planes at the same time.

    From what I've read and heard, most people are very happy with this product. I think it's worth a try. I can always move the jacks if required.
  • camp-n-family wrote:
    I've heard of Happijacks but not the Steadyfast system. Anybody use this system. Found it on amazon, looks like it may help my situation.

    My 31' tt shakes so much that 2 of the bolts holding the jacks to the frame have snapped off. I think the Steadyfast stabilizers will help. The install looks pretty straight forward but I'm concerned with how the pads mount on the jack feet. Do the jacks have to be in line or perpendicular to the frame for this? My 2 front jacks are mounted to the A frame so they are angled about 30 degrees off of the main frame. Will it still work?

    Thanks


    I highly doubt that the system you linked to will work for your particular custom configured stab jack locations. It appears they are designed for the normal full width of typical frame rails since one side has a short bend based on typical TT frame rail spans and the attachment points between the stab jacks and the support system are based on a set orientation to each other. It looks like you have moved the factory installed stab jacks from the main frame to the "A" frame and have probably made the overall stability worse since you have not only reduced the "footprint" width you have now got the main non vertical strength not aligned with the same plane as that a normal trailer tries to "wiggle" in, but have now located the support further from one of the main sources of this "wiggle" the suspension and tires increasing the frame length subject to flexing.

    I'm not a fan at all in these stab jacks that almost all manufacturers use because IMO they are just not a stable platform under load for movement in the plane perpendicular to the plane of the screw and even in the plane parallel to the screw they are lacking IMO. Because of costs and weight they don't have the stiffness in that plane and due to interference issues such as propane lines and waste drain plumbing are located IMO at the wrong places relative to the main source of "wiggle" and that being the suspension and tires.

    If you really want to improve the stability of your trailer search here and read up on what others have done to varying degrees of success to improve their stability. I and a couple others have gone "ROGUE" with a completely different approach so I can't comment on what I can only call "bandaids" in improving these poorly designed and executed stability systems found on travel trailers.

    Larry
  • DW bought the SteadyFast system for me 5 years ago and I installed on the previous 5er. Traded for the current 5er this past fall, removed from old 5er and reinstalled on new one. Best mod I've done to either camper. Doesn't remove all of the movement but does remove 90%+. She is VERY happy so I'm elated! I use this system along with X-Chocks between the tires and scissors jacks mounted just in front of the front wheels. Extra jacks remove frame flex. I won't own another camper without the SteadyFast. Tim
  • We put the steady fast on our trailer and it works so well we got rid of the x chocks and use only regular chocks.
    Ed
  • Steady Fast is a good product, but I have "Plug It Right" on my 40 foot FW. It is easy to install and everything you need is in the box. It costs less, weighs less and does a better job.
  • We like the Steadyfast system.might look at their website and buy direct.its a family owned supplier with great service.
    I bought the extra jack pads for the rear and glad I did .

About RV Tips & Tricks

Looking for advice before your next adventure? Look no further.25,115 PostsLatest Activity: Feb 27, 2025