Stabilizer Jacks

[mikemc53]

OK, we are getting very close to purchasing our first travel trailer in over 20 years. Had a few small to mid-size trailers and 1 pop up, in the past but nothing for quite some time now. Kind of have things narrowed down between a few makes/models (Flagstaff Classic Super-Lite, Rockwood Signature Ultra-Lite, Jayco Jayflight) and it will be in the 32-36 ft range. I will be asking a lot of questions going forward, I'm sure, but for now I am just curious about stabilizing jacks.

Most of the units we have looked at have power jacks (stabilizer and tongue) and I was just wondering about everyone's experience with leveling and stabilizing a travel trailer. I did it in the old days with floor jacks and jack stands but not sure how these newer methods work, or if they actually do, as compared to manual scissor jacks.

All thoughts and advice appreciated.

Thanks.

[parcany]

ScottG wrote:
FWIW, I've used the stab "jacks" to level by raising what ever needs it by and inch or two for nearly twenty years.
It's never hurt anything. The "Not for lifting" stated by the manufacturers is just a CYA thing IMHO.

When we got our Jayco I read the instruction booklet on the BAL jacks. In there you can use the Bal jacks to level your trailer, but it does say not to take the wheels off the ground. When I bought 2 more BAL jack that I put in front of the tires that booklet had the same things written.

[Hondavalk]

LarryJM wrote:

Terryallan wrote:

Hondavalk wrote:

LarryJM wrote:
1) I thing putting something electric down in that harsh road envioronment is nuts

Larry

Maybe I better get rid of that electric starter motor on my truck and get a hand crank installed. :B:B:B

Just be careful. when they kick back, they can break your arm or nose.

If you don't understand the apples to oranges differences in both the construction and protected location of a starter motor vs. these electric stab motor hanging done after both the TV wheels and half of them to the rear of the TT wheels that the starter motor is basically ahead of for the most part and immune to a lot of the road spray then we have nothing to rationally discuss.

No offense meant just my attempt at humor. Although if you saw where Ford put the starter on my old Aerostar they didn't do a very good job protecting it either. Lol
Dan





Larry

[LarryJM]

ddrueckh wrote:
Notice that most who hate electric stabilizers have never had them. Most who posted that they have them, including me, love them.

Keep hoping since my read of the responses thus far is that they are fairly evenly split and IMO it doesn't take someone to have made a mistake to hate them, but has used other criteria to decide they might just not be the best thing since sliced bread. Now the overwhelmingly positives on the electric tongue jack is a whole different situation In fact so far the only positive mentioned for the electrics is that those that own them evidently like to "Push Buttons" and can get that fix with much cheaper and more reliable equipment.

Larry

[jaycocreek]

I have electric stabilizers on my trailer, there worthless compared to scissor Jacks in my opinion using them. I immediately bought four scissor jacks and the trailer is much more stable parked.

[LarryJM]

Terryallan wrote:

Hondavalk wrote:

LarryJM wrote:
1) I thing putting something electric down in that harsh road envioronment is nuts

Larry

Maybe I better get rid of that electric starter motor on my truck and get a hand crank installed. :B:B:B

Just be careful. when they kick back, they can break your arm or nose.

If you don't understand the apples to oranges differences in both the construction and protected location of a starter motor vs. these electric stab motor hanging done after both the TV wheels and half of them to the rear of the TT wheels that the starter motor is basically ahead of for the most part and immune to a lot of the road spray then we have nothing to rationally discuss.

Larry

[ScottG]

FWIW, I've used the stab "jacks" to level by raising what ever needs it by and inch or two for nearly twenty years.
It's never hurt anything. The "Not for lifting" stated by the manufacturers is just a CYA thing IMHO.

[Terryallan]

Hondavalk wrote:

LarryJM wrote:
1) I thing putting something electric down in that harsh road envioronment is nuts

Larry

Maybe I better get rid of that electric starter motor on my truck and get a hand crank installed. :B:B:B

Just be careful. when they kick back, they can break your arm or nose.

[Hondavalk]

LarryJM wrote:
1) I thing putting something electric down in that harsh road envioronment is nuts

Larry

Maybe I better get rid of that electric starter motor on my truck and get a hand crank installed. :B:B:B

[ddrueckh]

Notice that most who hate electric stabilizers have never had them. Most who posted that they have them, including me, love them.

[Terryallan]

mikemc53 wrote:
OK, we are getting very close to purchasing our first travel trailer in over 20 years. Had a few small to mid-size trailers and 1 pop up, in the past but nothing for quite some time now. Kind of have things narrowed down between a few makes/models (Flagstaff Classic Super-Lite, Rockwood Signature Ultra-Lite, Jayco Jayflight) and it will be in the 32-36 ft range. I will be asking a lot of questions going forward, I'm sure, but for now I am just curious about stabilizing jacks.

Most of the units we have looked at have power jacks (stabilizer and tongue) and I was just wondering about everyone's experience with leveling and stabilizing a travel trailer. I did it in the old days with floor jacks and jack stands but not sure how these newer methods work, or if they actually do, as compared to manual scissor jacks.

All thoughts and advice appreciated.

Thanks.

So you will know. they are stabilizing jacks, NOT leveling jacks. You level first with blocks under the tires, and the tongue jack. THEN you run down the stabilizers really snug. You do not level the trailer with them.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

I have both. You still need to use wood or something under the tires to level the trailer side to side. The electric or manual stabilizer jacks won't do it.

Folks talk about frame flex, but that's not really a big reason why trailers still shake after the stabilizers are down.

The main reason is that almost all the trailer weight still sits on the springs. Those things designed to allow the trailer frame to move and avoid road shocks.

If you look at leveling jack systems on Class A, Class C, fifth wheels - you will see that the main jacks are close to the axles. The way those systems level and stabilize those rigs is to get weight off the springs/ suspension.

Adding one manual scissor jack to my TT on each side just behind the rear axle has done more than anything to minimize trailer shaking while we are moving around inside. My 5 ton scissor jacks lift the frame about three inches.

I also have BAL extenders on the rear stabilizers which prevent the side to side and front to back movement inherent in those type stabilizers.

Electric stabilizers look like they put the pressure near the ends of the trailer. But if you take a good look at where the weight is actually held - it is very close to the trailer centerline. Which of course enhances side to side movement of the trailer on the springs. Electric stabilizers will seem to increase movement if a person is uses to four manual scissor jacks on the corners.

However, electric stabilizers will speed your setup/ teardown time a little bit.

(PS - one thing I did after I got this TT was to use the manual backup cranks raise/ lower the rig. On the stabilizers, on the tongue jack and the slides. Just to be sure I knew how to do it, how it felt, and how much effort it took. Did that on the dealer lot after the PDI with the techs watching.)

I'm never buying another rig without an electric or hydraulic leveling system.

[Hondavalk]

Enjoy having both be electric. Keep in mind that stabilizer jacks are only for helping with the rocking motion of the TT and are not used to level.

[K_Charles]

I would never have a TT without electric stabilizers, I like the button better then the crank. Some people pick up the front and rear of the trailer so far that the middle bounces when you move inside. You only need to stabilize the trailer, not pick it up.

[spadoctor]

As stated a yes on the tongue power jack but having had both power and manual stabilizers I think the manual do a better job. I would never order a TT with power stabilizers and wouls delete them for manual on my next rig. I also always add a manual one in front of the front tire to eliminate the mid-frame bounce. Adding the BAL stabilizer bars to the stabilizers makes a world of difference too.