Stable-lift ?

[jornvango]

We are considering having a stable-lift system installed on our 2014 Livin Lite 8.6 truck camper. Since we love to boondock on public lands, we are looking for a solution that will allow us to easily remove the truck camper while we are camping on uneven/unstable ground. The 4 wobbly jacks on our TC are too scary for us to use in these circumstances, but we do love to have the truck available for exploring while boondocking. We are currently considering trading in the TC for a travel trailer for this very reason. Obviously, installing a stable-lift will be cheaper than the money we would lose on trading in the TC and buying a travel trailer.

Does anyone have the Stable-lift system and if yes, how is the performance on uneven ground?
How about taking it off on forest land, desert ... does it sink in case of heavy rains?

Regarding potential negatives of the product: I'm aware of the difficulty to install (while reading up on the product); I would find a shop to install them. I'm also aware of the reduced ground clearance.

Thanks,

Jorn

[Reddog1]

jornvango wrote:
We are considering having a stable-lift system installed on our 2014 Livin Lite 8.6 truck camper.

My lift is mounted on my 11.5 foot 4000 lb Bigfoot TC. You would probably be using the same lift, which means it due to weight and size the lift would not work as hard with your TC.

jornvango wrote:
Since we love to boondock on public lands, we are looking for a solution that will allow us to easily remove the truck camper while we are camping on uneven/unstable ground.

I seldom unload my TC when camping, but when I have I have never found uneven or unstable ground an issue. The lower hoop bridges the low spots, and on real low spots directly under a jack I have put leveling blocks. I have put leveling blocks under the hoop where the tires run over the hoop. It is certainly possible to find ground just too uneven to unload on, but you definitely do not need a graded level surface.

When you say unstable ground, I understand that to mean soft like sand, soft dirt, or mud. The truck I used with my lift is 2WD, so I seldom I avoided serious sand, soft dirt, and mud. I did experiment one time in sand, but not super soft. I put one leveling pad under each of the three jacks and under the hoop where the tire drove over. There was no issue at all. I am sure you could find something too soft but all you will get from a four jack system is four leveling pads.

jornvango wrote:
The 4 wobbly jacks on our TC are too scary for us to use in these circumstances, but we do love to have the truck available for exploring while boondocking. We are currently considering trading in the TC for a travel trailer for this very reason.

I also have a lifted 19.5 foot Alpenlite 5th wheel. My Bigfoot TC with the Stable Lift will go more places and park in more places than the Alpenlite. There are more creature comforts in the Alpenlite.

Loading your TC with the Stable Lift when there are strong wind gust really makes the lift worthwhile. I was loading my TC in the wind with the front jack extensions and had to stop until the next day. That was the final motivator for me, I ordered my lift. With the lift I care less if the wind is blowing.

jornvango wrote:
Obviously, installing a stable-lift will be cheaper than the money we would lose on trading in the TC and buying a travel trailer.

That I can't comment on. I would suggest if you could swing it to have Stable Lift do the install or ask them if they could recommend someone. It is more time consuming than difficult. The most critical is the preload with the tie down feature.

jornvango wrote:
Does anyone have the Stable-lift system and if yes, how is the performance on uneven ground?

I discussed that earlier.

jornvango wrote:
How about taking it off on forest land, desert ... does it sink in case of heavy rains?

My four jack systems have sank in the ground, but my lift never has. Four jack systems or Stable Lift, you can put pads under the jacks or jacks/hoop.

jornvango wrote:
Regarding potential negatives of the product: I'm aware of the difficulty to install (while reading up on the product); I would find a shop to install them.

As I previously stated, it is more time consuming than difficult. I installed mine with no help in two days. You have to remove some appliances to drill holes and install bolts. Each TC is different. I think I can post some photos if I still have them and you are interested.

jornvango wrote:
I'm also aware of the reduced ground clearance.

If installed correctly, it will reduce the ground clearence about 2-1/2" to 3".

A plus I have never seen discussed is the protection the lift give the truck. It important to know the lift is made of heavy wall tubing, 1/8" or thicker. I have got too close to boulders, hitting them with the hoop. I raised the side of the truck and skinned the paint with no damage. Car doors and shopping carts no longer crash into the side of my truck.

Wayne

[bigfootford]

Well in my travels and playing with Wayne I have seen him put his Stablelift through it's paces...

Try this with jacks or putting blocks under your tires! He positioned his truck and dropped the Stablelift in less than 5min!

This picture was taken at Scotts Flat during the 2nd West Coast TC caravan get together. My TC is in the foreground.. Wayne's in the back.

BTW, his camper weighs a bit over 4,000 lbs loaded.




Jim

[Kayteg1]

I run into stable lift in some camper research and they are not cheap.
Beside 400 lb
Anyway, for time being I ended up with 2 of high-end campers and can compare how different manufacturers approach the projects who don't have much margin for changes.
First thing I noticed one of the camper had front jacks brackets bend.
Closer look shows that dually brackets extenders come in 2 varieties, even they look the same at first look.
The difference is that one has locking rings only on top, the other on top and bottom.
Again, the difference that average RV owner will not even notice, makes heck of the difference in camper stability.
Meaning probably in lot of cases replacing the single locks extenders with dual lock extenders might be all the owner needs.
Brackets cost - about $200 new.

[Reddog1]

jimh425 wrote:
would work at different heights for each jack either. Better to lower the conventional jacks on blocks or stall mat squares.

jimh425 wrote:
I'm not saying it is typical, but sometimes the ground isn't very level even at campgrounds. In Yellowstone's Bridge Bay campground in one space, I had a different number of blocks under each tire to level the camper. I'm not sure how that would work with Stabile Lift, but it seems like it would either be unlevel or put a lot of twist in the system.

jimh425 wrote:
As far as fear of collapsing goes, anything can break.

This is what I was referring to in a previous post, three conclusions made by someone who does not have or has never had Stable Lift.

Would it not be more reasonable to ask a question rather than stating a conclusion?

[Reddog1]

SidecarFlip wrote:
I read the OP's post carefully. The OP was concerned with the 'wobbly jacks" on uneven ground. I don't see how a Stable Lift would help with that, especially if the ground is uneven or sloped.

This is difficult for me to explain with the keyboard, but I will try. With independent jacks, three or four, each has clearance that is not tied to the other jacks. With the Stable Lift, typically three jacks and two guides, the clearence is connected to the three jacks and two guides through the connection to the TC and the lower hoop. The clearence is also stabilized with the use of the three struts from the hoop to the TC. I think this is where the idea of the Wobble Stopper came from.

SidecarFlip wrote:
You never want to use a TC with the jacks extended unless you like being seasick from the sway...

This is not an issue with the Stable Lift. I always left my TC at the height required to remove it from my truck. There were times I lowered it to make the steps more comfortable. The height of the lift is more stable than independent jacks even at maximum height, especially with the three struts.

SidecarFlip wrote:
I'm not negative or positive, I just don't understand the OP's post, which is why I commented confused.

I am comfortable responding to questions to help clear confusion or add to someones knowledge base. That is how I perceived your questions.

I referred to the three pieces that go from the hoop to the TC as struts. They could be reférred to as braces. I remember what Stable Lift calls them.

I also must say I am in no way connected to Stable Lift. I paid full price for mine and installed it myself. I had two phone conversations with Mont Peters during my install process. I cannot imagine the Stable Lift being for everyone and believe that is true with any of the jacks available. I have probably put the Stable Lift through more test that anyone. I am will versed on its limitations, some of which I would not try to explain with a keyboard. If installed properly, the Stable Lift is a very good product. Do expect to add 400 pounds to your TC.

Wayne

[notsobigjoe]

free radical wrote:
There are some reviews online if you Google stable lift,,explaining pro and con..
Only negative I see,
it leaves TC very high of the ground when off the truck which can make it being easily knocked over in strong winds,,??

I know three other stable-lift users and all of us are very happy with our system. For some reason people who do not have the system seem to speak for everyone else who does not have the system. You will love the stable - lift system. It has it's pro's and con's like everything else. Yes even four corner jacks have pro's and cons.
Pro - Stability!!!! "STABLE-lift" It will not blow over in the wind! Unbelievable ease of mounting and dismounting your rig.
Con - installation can be tough going. It was for me. It is also very heavy, mine added well over four hundred pounds to the camper.
Good luck with your decision....As far as your questions about different terrain, I can't comment. I'm a campsite kind of guy.

[SidecarFlip]

Reddog1 wrote:
It is unfortunate, but it all probability the majority of the posts on this thread will be negative made by members who have never had a Stable Lift. Never having had a lift sure would bring up a lot of reasonable questions. Never having had a lift really does not put much validity in conclusions.

I have had a lift since 2005, and had to remove it last year due to changing to a DRW truck. I may offer some experiences with my lift later today, depending on how the thread goes.

Wayne

I read the OP's post carefully. The OP was concerned with the 'wobbly jacks" on uneven ground. I don't see how a Stable Lift would help with that, especially if the ground is uneven or sloped. Maybe I'm missing something. I can see them used on a flat surface but not in the woods or ground thats uneven.

Why I said to lower the unit as far as possible on the jacks and make sure the jack to camper mounts ate tight. You never want to use a TC with the jacks extended unless you like being seasick from the sway...

I'm not negative or positive, I just don't understand the OP's post, which is why I commented confused.

[jimh406]

Reddog1 wrote:
It is unfortunate, but it all probability the majority of the posts on this thread will be negative made by members who have never had a Stable Lift. Never having had a lift sure would bring up a lot of reasonable questions. Never having had a lift really does not put much validity in conclusions.

In other words, it's like almost every other thread. 🙂

[Reddog1]

It is unfortunate, but it all probability the majority of the posts on this thread will be negative made by members who have never had a Stable Lift. Never having had a lift sure would bring up a lot of reasonable questions. Never having had a lift really does not put much validity in conclusions.

I have had a lift since 2005, and had to remove it last year due to changing to a DRW truck. I may offer some experiences with my lift later today, depending on how the thread goes.

Wayne

[jimh406]

I have no doubt that Stabile Lift does what it's designed to do if you don't hate the look. But, I can't see how it would work at different heights for each jack either. Better to lower the conventional jacks on blocks or stall mat squares.

I'm not saying it is typical, but sometimes the ground isn't very level even at campgrounds. In Yellowstone's Bridge Bay campground in one space, I had a different number of blocks under each tire to level the camper. I'm not sure how that would work with Stabile Lift, but it seems like it would either be unlevel or put a lot of twist in the system.

As far as fear of collapsing goes, anything can break.

[JTLance]

I've had the system on two campers. Absolutely loved it! the ONLY issue i had, had more to do with where I lived, a block from the Oregon Coast. That issue was rust. When I lived in the valley, it was completely rust free. Without a doubt, it was worth every penny and then some. On both occasions, I went to Montana and had the maker do the install. Again, wonderful experience.

There was so much adjustability, it was like cheating vs the dumb jacks that were scarey as hell when raising and lowering a 4000+ lb camper. Being able to drop her in a minute with zero regard for any fear of jacks collapsing, was priceless. The system doesn't care if your un level, it will compensate for it when you simply alter your raising from a particular side. I believe they used to say 70mph winds filly extended was what they rated it at.

[mkirsch]

His questions seem pretty clear to me:

Does anyone have the Stable-lift system and if yes, how is the performance on uneven ground?
How about taking it off on forest land, desert ... does it sink in case of heavy rains?

Can't answer the first question but looking at the system to me it doesn't look like it would work well on uneven ground.

On the second question, common sense would say "no worse than jacks" because the stabil-lift system puts more square inches on the ground.

[Reddog1]

My lift has never been affected by strong winds as much as it has been with conventional jacks. This is especially true if you put the three stabilizers on it.

Wayne

[free_radical]

There are some reviews online if you Google stable lift,,explaining pro and con..
Only negative I see,
it leaves TC very high of the ground when off the truck which can make it being easily knocked over in strong winds,,??

[SidecarFlip]

I don't quite understand your dilemma. While I'm not familiar with your TC, Most TC's can be used off the truck with certain precautions. That being, you need to lower the camper down on the jacks as close to the ground as possible. You never want the jacks extended because they are wobbly extended, however, they aren't when retracted (so long as the mounts are tight) (you have checked them haven't you)?

far as sinking in, I carry 4 wood planks 8" x 4" x 1" thick to put under each pad. so they don't sink and I too camp almost always off the beaten path, in the woods, on, uneven ground.

One thing you need to do is check your owners manual or call the manufacturer to see if your unit can be used off truck. Most can, but some cannot.