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Support for winter storage, jacks only or under TC?

lakeside013104
Explorer
Explorer
First year winter season storing of my TC.

Will store inside garage on concrete floor.

Plan to lower jacks to about 12" or lowered just enough to leave step down.

My question: Is it necessary to use support under belly of TC for winter storage (6 1/2 months)?

What do folks use for support system under their TC?

Thanks.

Lakeside
10 REPLIES 10

byronlj
Explorer
Explorer
6 Harbor freight jack stands and 3 5' 4"x4"s work for me.
Dave
byronlj
2013 Dynamax Trilogy 3800RL

MARKW8
Explorer
Explorer
My Lance has been stored on the jacks for 16 years with no problem.

Mark

Farmerjon
Explorer
Explorer
We always support ours with heavy homemade saw horses that are about the same
height as the truck bed.
2015 F350 Lariat CC LB 4x4 DRW 6.7, 6sp auto, 3.73
2000 F350 lariat SC LB 4x4 DRW 7.3, 6sp manual 3.73
1987 F250 Lariat SC/LB 4x4 SRW 460 4sp stick 4.10
1995 Jeep wrangler
99 Star Craft 953

lakeside013104
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks all for your answers. I have several new ideas to think on.

Lakeside

d3500ram
Explorer III
Explorer III
lakeside013104 wrote:
...Plan to lower jacks to about 12" or lowered just enough to leave step down.

My question: Is it necessary to use support under belly of TC for winter storage (6 1/2 months)?....

In my opinion, if it is that close to the floor, why not add a concrete block and a couple of pieces of lumber at each corner? Even if, as others have stated, you do not "need" support, the stability that it offers is a very comfortable feeling when you might need to be inside during its storage.

I fully support my TC off the truck. There have been few times that I have not gotten the chance to install my cribbing and during those few times when inside, I am literally tip-toeing inside because it "feels" wobbly and unstable. I like the feel if it being firmly supported irrespective if the mfgr recommends it or not.

A few blocking components at each corner are relatively inexpensive but the stable feeling it buys in my opinion is worth it.
Sold the TC, previous owner of 2 NorthStar pop-ups & 2 Northstar Arrows...still have the truck:

2005 Dodge 3500 SRW, Qcab long bed, NV-6500, diesel, 4WD, Helwig, 9000XL,
Nitto 285/70/17 Terra Grapplers, Honda eu3000Is, custom overload spring perch spacers.

jimh406
Explorer III
Explorer III
Sheesh, a "correction of the OP" but no answer ... great. 🙂

In any case, TCs can be stored lowered without support especially if the holding tanks are empty. After all, that's the way they are on the RV dealer lots. I'm assuming yours are going to be empty if stored for 6 1/2 months.

There have been a few cases where holding tanks have fallen for a few brands, but like I said, if yours will be empty that won't be a problem. That being said,a number of people use their TCs off truck after arriving at their destinations.

I don't personally support my TC when off truck either with full or empty tanks.

'10 Ford F-450, 6.4, 4.30, 4x4, 14,500 GVWR, '06 Host Rainer 950 DS, Torklift Talon tiedowns, Glow Steps, and Fastguns. Bilstein 4600s, Firestone Bags, Toyo M655 Gs, Curt front hitch, Energy Suspension bump stops.

NRA Life Member, CCA Life Member

lakeside013104
Explorer
Explorer
trail-explorer wrote:
they are jacks, not legs.

legs don't retract, jacks do.


Am I bad, so humbly sorry.... Old age, I guess.

You would not be abusing the elderly, would you? Such a small slip and such a pointed correction.

I will attempt perfect descriptions on my next posting.

Lakeside

WNYBob
Explorer
Explorer
Check with your TC manufacturer some specify that you must support the "floor", especially those with basement tanks.

trail-explorer
Explorer
Explorer
they are jacks, not legs.

legs don't retract, jacks do.
Bob

mellow
Explorer
Explorer
When I store mine for the winter out in the barn I put 2 pallets sideways under it and let the jacks down just enough so a good amount of the weight is on the pallets. I was putting it all the way down but I keep it up now, keeps any critters from trying to get in and it makes it easier come spring to not have to wait to bring it up to load on the truck.
2002 F-350 7.3 Lariat 4x4 DRW ZF6
2008 Lance 1191 - 220w of solar - Bring on the sun!