Mounting New Stabilizer Jacks?

[Woodtroll]

Hello, folks,

I am finally ready to move away from the aluminum "cone" stabilizer screw jacks and have purchased a set of Husky scissors-type stabilizer jacks. I have the solid steel C-channel frame under my trailer, and am really leery of drilling holes in the bottom flange of the frame because I am concerned about weakening the flange at a critical point. I am also concerned about dragging the jacks off as I have seen happen to others, since we live in the mountains. To that end, has anyone here fabricated or seen a bracket or clamp that would allow the jacks to be removed during travel, and that would put the mounting bolts up in the web of the beam?

I'm probably overthinking this too much, but was curious if anyone had ever done something like this. I'm thinking a C-shaped plate at each point, split in the middle, that would allow the T-shaped top of the jack to slide into the split in the bracket and capture the mounting plate of the jack between the bracket and the frame. The top of the racket would bolt somewhere up on the web of the frame.

Anyone ever had any failures of the frame from drilling holes through the flanges?

Thanks!
Regan

[Woodtroll]

j-d wrote:

But I gotta ask WHY? If you're gonna take the jacks off and go through the hassle of storage, why not just find a spot on the frame, use the channel as noted above, etc?

Hello, J-D!

There are a couple of reasons "why", in my particular case. First, my freshwater tank is right at one of the points I want to mount my jack just ahead of the front axle; if I mount it anywhere in that general area, it won't close completely and will end up hanging down about 7-8" or so. It will fit in a normal extended position just fine, though. Second, we live in the mountains and camp in some places that we end up coming close to dragging on either end as it is. I don't want to have these jacks hanging there just to get drug off and possibly damage the underbelly or tanks, or to get tangled up in something else.

I do appreciate everyone's points about how convenient they are when permanently mounted, though, and I sure do appreciate everyone who took the time to respond. As always, I learn a lot here, and appreciate this forum and its helpful folks very much!

Safe travels!
Regan

[BurbMan]

Our TT came from the factory with the jacks welded on. After I bent one, I cut them off and replaced the all with new ones that I bolted on to the frame in the same spots. You only need 1/4" holes and 1/4-20 bolts, and drilling the frame flange won't weaken it enough to worry about.

The only reason to mount them is for convenience...they are "self-storing". As was stated they don't need to be mounted but seems pretty inconvenient to deal with storing them elsewhere and then positioning under the frame when time to set up.

I've never damaged a jack when it was retracted, but I have bent them when extended....

[beemerphile1]

I would attach to the frame with self-tapping sheet metal screws. That is how the last two trailers came from the factory.

The attachment point doesn't have to be extremely strong, it is only to hold them while traveling. No way I would want to be taking them off and storing them, might as well use the stack jacks.

[Dusty_R]

I put a pair on our class C mh. I forgot to put them up once and drove a couple of feet. I was very surprised that it didn't hurt them.

Dusty

[j-d]

There ARE quick-disconnect brackets



But I gotta ask WHY? If you're gonna take the jacks off and go through the hassle of storage, why not just find a spot on the frame, use the channel as noted above, etc?

Durn things cost more than a pair of jacks!

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

Woodtroll wrote:
has anyone here fabricated or seen a bracket or clamp that would allow the jacks to be removed during travel, and that would put the mounting bolts up in the web of the beam?

Anyone ever had any failures of the frame from drilling holes through the flanges?

Failure question - nope.

Pretty much everything attached to the frame of most trailers goes on the same way.

My previous, and current trailer, have electric stabilizers. Yet I also carry two scissors jacks to put under that right place if I need a hair more stability.


Camping World sells a "Saveajack" product which attaches to the frame and to the jack - it allows quick removal of the jack, and quick attachment.

Saveajack

I have a pair, but have never put them on. Need to sell them at the next Samboree.

[camperpaul]

Not having them mounted is a PITA.

I have seen them bolted on, clamped on and mine are welded on.

[newman_fulltime]

Just put a peice of c channel on the top of the jack line it up with the frame as you go up

[DutchmenSport]

If you're using the standard scissor jacks, you really do not have to mount them ate all. Just extend them by unscrewing and one end on the ground and the other under the frame. Tighten and the affect will be the same as if they are mounted. Mounted jacks are "mounted" for convenience. It is a bit of a challenge to unscrew (open) them up unless they are fastened onto the frame. But if you don't mind wrangling them a little, you don't need to mount at all.