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.

Powered tongue jacks are the bomb, powered stabilizers can be hit or miss. Of those listed I like the Flagstaff/Rockwood better

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.As mentioned power tongue jacks are great and I could not stabilize my trailer w/o one. As far as the power stabilizer jacks, I personally would never have them for two reasons ... 1) I thing putting something electric down in that harsh road envioronment is nuts and most importantly 2)IMO they are useless for really stabilizing a trailer as are again IMO all these OEM provided stabilizer systems.Larry

I have both powered and love them both. I see no reason to avoid them. There are manual overrides for each in case of failures. Until them, I enjoy the push of a switch when I'm setting up camp in the rain, or 90+ degree days.

Power tongue jacks are great. I'll never have power stabalizers. Too many problems. Manual stabilizers and an electric \ battery operated drill is much better. Just my oppenion.

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.

Stabilizer Jacks | Good Sam Community

parcany
Explorer
May 11, 2015
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
Explorer II
May 10, 2015
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
Explorer II
May 08, 2015
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
Explorer II
May 08, 2015
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
Explorer II
May 08, 2015
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
Nomad
May 08, 2015
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
Explorer II
May 08, 2015
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
Explorer II
May 08, 2015
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
Explorer
May 08, 2015
Notice that most who hate electric stabilizers have never had them. Most who posted that they have them, including me, love them.
Terryallan
Explorer II
May 08, 2015
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.

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