Down sizing LP tanks and adding scissor jacks

[mhawk4]

Good evening, i am contemplating down sizing my LP tanks from the 2 /30# to 2/20# - I installed an A-frame cargo tray (cc-255 from Stromberg Carlson) and the clearance between tanks and tray is limited but not a real issue. The issue is finding a place to fill my tanks around where i live without having to drive ten miles; by switching to the 20# tanks i will be able to exchange tanks when ever and where ever needed. Any one of you have done the change to smaller tanks?

Also, Our TT when we are set up still has a lot of movement and the wife has mentioned it several times already( you know how it goes :C)(this camper moves a lot more than the one we had). Has any of you guys have added an extra set of scissor jacks at the middle section of your TT in front of the wheels? ( i have seen FW with 3 sets of jacks but no TT) If done, can this help eliminate some of the movement?
Thank you.

[mhawk4]

Need-A-Vacation wrote:

mhawk4 wrote:

Need-A-Vacation wrote:
Mhawk4,

Check my 32 BHDS Mods thread for pics on mounting the rear 30" scissor jacks. Will update the thread again once I get the middle 24" factory jacks mounted.

N-A-V, i can not open your Mods page. For reason keeps saying Blank page. I also got my scissor jacks - have not installed them yet.
Looking forward to see your thread.

Try again! Lol

The link was to my photobucket album for the mods, but see if the link to the mods thread works instead.

You have done a nice job with yous mods. We also added shelves in our cabinets, we used metal closet shelving cut to size.
I will need to use a 1" spacer on my TT's curbside when installing my jacks, i have a metal gas line running parallel to the I-beam and will interfere when raising the jack. I forgot how to post pics in the forum; i will try it again this weekend.

[Uually]

We have added jacks at the center of our trailer, made a big difference in stability. Should have added them years ago

[Uually]

Need-A-Vacation wrote:
I just received an extra set of scissor jacks to do just that. I went with a set of BAL 30" that will replace the factory 24" in the rear, and mount the 24" in the center just in front of the wheels. I will add to my mods thread when done, but going to mount 2- 2"x2"X1/8" square tube across the trailer frame, bolted where the rear jacks are now. That way I can mount the 30" slightly inward so they don't stick out the sides when retracted. I do have enough ground clearance to do so, just use caution if you go this route. Going with the 30" will hopefully require less blocks at times... Only time will tell! Lol

I swapped 20lb tanks onto our last trailer when the 30lb tanks were out of date. You may need to buy a 1/2" threaded rod and cut to the proper length for the 20lb tanks, but other than that shouldn't be an issue. You don't get as much propane by exchanging as mentioned. I always get the tanks refilled because of that.

[Need-A-Vacation]

mhawk4 wrote:

Need-A-Vacation wrote:
Mhawk4,

Check my 32 BHDS Mods thread for pics on mounting the rear 30" scissor jacks. Will update the thread again once I get the middle 24" factory jacks mounted.

N-A-V, i can not open your Mods page. For reason keeps saying Blank page. I also got my scissor jacks - have not installed them yet.
Looking forward to see your thread.

Try again! Lol

The link was to my photobucket album for the mods, but see if the link to the mods thread works instead.

[mhawk4]

Need-A-Vacation wrote:
Mhawk4,

Check my 32 BHDS Mods thread for pics on mounting the rear 30" scissor jacks. Will update the thread again once I get the middle 24" factory jacks mounted.

N-A-V, i can not open your Mods page. For reason keeps saying Blank page. I also got my scissor jacks - have not installed them yet.
Looking forward to see your thread.

[Need-A-Vacation]

Mhawk4,

Check my 32 BHDS Mods thread for pics on mounting the rear 30" scissor jacks. Will update the thread again once I get the middle 24" factory jacks mounted.

[bill-e]

I just went through the same ordeal, wife complaining about the bounce. See my Stabilizer thread which shows the Steadyfast system...there are others to choose from.

In my opinion since your camper has stabilizers and not jacks, adding a single pair of scissor jacks wont help much. The installed stabilizers just aren't rigid enough to prevent the bounce...neither is the floor construction, at least not on my X-lite.

With the Steadyfast I eliminated about 80% of the movement.

In my opinion, if you want a very solid feel, get rid of the installed jacks, mount scissors up front near where the original stabilizers are and mount the rear about 8 feet in from the rear of the camper. That will better compensate from the bounce caused by having your stabilizer jacks at the extreme front and rear of the camper. Then add a stabilizer bar system. With the scissors you should be able to unload the suspension.

I also use X-Chocks and Andersen Levelers.

[Terryallan]

mhawk4 wrote:
Thanks for all the advice. Yes, the idea of replacing the tanks is a little more cost and trouble than keeping what i have already; i will keep it in the bottom of the list.
Adding the set of Scissor Jacks will be an easy mod; i forgot to mention - i already use an x-chock type device between the tires, adding the jacks will work on the bouncing.
Sorry Terry no swap...Old B thanks for the calculation...N-A-V we have the same floor plan different brand, thanks for the idea.

OH, nothing wrong with living in the country - no more city living for me.

IF we swap. Tanks, and tie downs. won't cost you a thing, Me neither.

[Need-A-Vacation]

Mhawk4,

YW! If things go well I will have the scissor jacks mounted this Sat. I will take some pics. I am also considering using some short pieces of the 2x2 steel to mount the middle jacks. No more than the width of the frame is the plan, basically just using them as a spacer to need less blocks as well. Originally I was planning on mounting a 4x6 block to the base.

[Hannibal]

Somehow over the years I wound up with three 20# tanks. I started using two on the trailer (previous 5th wheel) and will again with our new TT instead of the 30#ers. I carry the third tank for the gas grill. I too like the convenience of being able to swap them out anywhere. Much easier to carry in a milk crate in the truck and lighter to handle.
I too hear about the bouncy trailer. She's quite expressive on a boat too. On a 1000' cruise ship every creek is cause for concern. I use 8X8" blocks of wood under the stabilizers to reduce the reach and it seems to help some.

[mhawk4]

Thanks for all the advice. Yes, the idea of replacing the tanks is a little more cost and trouble than keeping what i have already; i will keep it in the bottom of the list.
Adding the set of Scissor Jacks will be an easy mod; i forgot to mention - i already use an x-chock type device between the tires, adding the jacks will work on the bouncing.
Sorry Terry no swap...Old B thanks for the calculation...N-A-V we have the same floor plan different brand, thanks for the idea.

OH, nothing wrong with living in the country - no more city living for me.

[danimal53]

on a side note, are people burning through propane so fast that finding a refill place is a big enough issue to swap tanks? i think i fill my single 30# tank twice a season. if it's getting low, a lot of Pilot/FlyingJ stops have propane. i can see the convenience of swapping the whole tank, and of course the extra cost. But i'd rather have MY tank, I guess i'm fortunate i have ample places to refill.

[Need-A-Vacation]

I just received an extra set of scissor jacks to do just that. I went with a set of BAL 30" that will replace the factory 24" in the rear, and mount the 24" in the center just in front of the wheels. I will add to my mods thread when done, but going to mount 2- 2"x2"X1/8" square tube across the trailer frame, bolted where the rear jacks are now. That way I can mount the 30" slightly inward so they don't stick out the sides when retracted. I do have enough ground clearance to do so, just use caution if you go this route. Going with the 30" will hopefully require less blocks at times... Only time will tell! Lol

I swapped 20lb tanks onto our last trailer when the 30lb tanks were out of date. You may need to buy a 1/2" threaded rod and cut to the proper length for the 20lb tanks, but other than that shouldn't be an issue. You don't get as much propane by exchanging as mentioned. I always get the tanks refilled because of that.

[Earl_E]

If you don't want the bounce go for the Strongarms or one of the other systems. Easy setup once installed and will eliminate the bounce. As for tanks, it's you thing so do whatever works for you.