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RUSSELL5000's avatar
RUSSELL5000
Explorer
May 29, 2015

Adding Additional Stabilizer Jacks

I have the TT in signature – a 2015 Jayflight 28BHBE – and I want to add additional stabilizer jacks – one on each side behind the axles toward the rear of the trailer and one on each side before the axles toward the front of the trailer – a total of four. I have used those screw type jacks in the past but that has become annoying.

MY TT has the enclosed underbelly. I can see one side of the frame clearly but the other side is covered by the underbelly material.

My question: is there any way to tell whether or not I am drilling through the bottom part of the I and into something that I don’t want to hit? My assumption is that if I can push up on the underbelly material far enough to slip a bolt through a hole I drill then I am fine; if I cannot push up the underbelly material then there must be something there (like a black water tank maybe?).

Does this make sense? Is there a better way?

Thanks!

6 Replies

  • Our family just ordered a Jayco 28BHBE. How do you like yours? Do the jacks make much difference in the stability of the trailer?
  • i have extra jack for my fifth wheel but i did not attach them to the trailer i just put them in the storage compartment during travel and take them out when we get to where we are going and then take them out a place them where needed and just open them up to the frame that way there is no possible way to rip them off going into a gas station or dip in the road
  • Did the additional jacks Saturday. Three were fairly straightforward - I felt around and picked spots quite close to what I wanted to start with. Some time with the drill, then bolt on.

    The fourth was tough - there was all kinds of stuff where I wanted to put the jack. There were drains, propane lines, electrical lines, ... Everywhere I felt on the inside of the frame was occupied.

    I placed the fourth jack as best I could without relocating anything. I cut a piece of 3/16 inch steel the width of the frame and the same length as the attachment point. I used two bolts only on the outside of the frame, going through the jack base and the steel plate. Now comes a weld across the bottom of the frame at each end of the steel plate and a weld on the base of the jack to the steel plate.

    Next is some time with the wire brush, sandpaper, and Rustoleum to keep ahead of the rust - was cold and rainy all day Sunday so could not get that done.
  • Yes, I will try moving back underbelly just enough.
    The arms look cool - another mod!!!
  • Only issue might be if they ran something along the top of the I beam flange. I'm assuming the under cover is attached to the bottom of the I beam? Just unscrew it enough to stick your hand up in it to feel if there's anything there.