Swing out jack brackets

[Wharfcat]

I've gotten my new F-350 dually, previous truck was a SRW Chevy.
Loaded the camper yesterday and man there isn't much clearance between the front jacks. The brackets are swing out but just not enough. I did measure before I started and knew it was tight. Too tight for me to feel comfortable. It looks like if I added some 4" or maybe even 6" flat bar between the jack and the bracket would give me some much needed clearance. So here I am, instead of trying to reinvent the wheel. Anyone else have the same problem and got any ideas? Maybe even 2 pieces of flat bar and sandwich the jack/bracket mountings. Not sure if I would use steel or aluminum. I'm thinking 1/4 thick.

[djg]

When I got my extenders you could buy the 4" plate as seen in the picture lots of clearance


Dave

[burningman]

That adapter seems like the kind of thing you could make out of a 12-point socket if you can’t buy one.

[NRALIFR]

Looks like Panther RV is out of stock on the drill adapter.

Look on Amazon, I’m seeing several sellers there that claim to have some available.

Atwood drill adapter 85385

:):)

[GAR2]

Yeah I'm retired oil field trash so it doesn't look too tough. I've got a porta-band but I'd prefer to pay a cut charge, then all I have to do is drill some holes and bolt it up. Might change my mind when I see the price on the cut charge. I'm a recovering tightwad.

?? Well, post some pics. when you’re done— would like to see. I’m still working on my truck getting it where I want it. Already swapped out large Mishimoto A/T cooler- 6.0 style, small upgrades on the 7.3L, pulling bed later this month replacing bed support ribs, adding rear air bags, new shocks, new rotors, and more— this site has been helpful while I get ideas in narrowing down my search for a T/C

[NRALIFR]

Unfortunately, Atwood sold the division that made truck camper jacks to Lippert (who owns the HappiJac brand) and they have abandoned what was clearly a superior product. Consequently, the supply of replacement parts for our jacks is drying up. There are still a few places that have a limited supply of Atwood parts. Check Panther RV Products, they may still have the drill adapter.

:):)

[Wharfcat]

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, these are worth several million.
I Think I could figure this out with these pics even if I didn't speak English. You guys are awesome! If you can't tell I buttering you up for more questions to follow. Cheers.

[Wharfcat]

Troutguy wrote:
Wharfcat,
What brand of jacks are on your camper.....Happijac or Atwood or Rieco/Titan?

TG

They're Atwood. Couldn't even see where Atwood still makes them. I'd like to find or fab the key so that if I had a jack motor fail I could use my cordless drill to operate the jack.

[Troutguy]

Wharfcat,
What brand of jacks are on your camper.....Happijac or Atwood or Rieco/Titan?

TG

[NRALIFR]

I had to extend my swing out brackets as well when I got an F450. The rear fenders absolutely wouldn’t fit between the jacks. I used 3” wide flat stock, 3/16” thick, and sandwiched the jack and. bracket between two layers.



If your jacks swing in as far as mine do, don’t extend them too much, or you could hit the cab with the jack when you swing them in.



Mine end up pretty close to the front tiedowns, so I have to center the camper in the bed carefully.



:):)

[_1Flyboy]

Happijack makes extender dually brackets, GOOGLE

[Wharfcat]

GAR2 wrote:
Wharfcat, I have an idea what your up against- I purchase a 2002 F350 cc 8’ box rdw just so I could buy a tc. First thing I noticed was the limited clearance. Once I find a tc to buy I will be building or modifying swingouts, but that’s what I do everyday- Union Boilermaker Welder, do you have anyone, Family or Friends nearby that could look at it? I’m not just suggesting you have anyone do it- too many variables. I know when I fabricate mine I’ll more than likely use stainless steel and TIG weld them. Just an idea if you can’t find a factory swing out with comfortable clearance—make sure it’s someone trustworthy though and experienced with fabrication— Best, Glenn

Yeah I'm retired oil field trash so it doesn't look too tough. I've got a porta-band but I'd prefer to pay a cut charge, then all I have to do is drill some holes and bolt it up. Might change my mind when I see the price on the cut charge. I'm a recovering tightwad.

[Wharfcat]

work2much wrote:

Wharfcat wrote:
I Maybe even 2 pieces of flat bar and sandwich the jack/bracket mountings. Not sure if I would use steel or aluminum. I'm thinking 1/4 thick.

Bingo. Just use some flat stock and extend the reach. 1/4" steel should work fine and is cheap. 1/4 inch aluminum should work fine as well and no need to paint.

Doubled up may be overkill, may limit if I can swing them into the inward position. Guess I'll do some more measuring and the chase down some material. Many thanks.

[GAR2]

Wharfcat, I have an idea what your up against- I purchase a 2002 F350 cc 8’ box rdw just so I could buy a tc. First thing I noticed was the limited clearance. Once I find a tc to buy I will be building or modifying swingouts, but that’s what I do everyday- Union Boilermaker Welder, do you have anyone, Family or Friends nearby that could look at it? I’m not just suggesting you have anyone do it- too many variables. I know when I fabricate mine I’ll more than likely use stainless steel and TIG weld them. Just an idea if you can’t find a factory swing out with comfortable clearance—make sure it’s someone trustworthy though and experienced with fabrication— Best, Glenn

[Wharfcat]

work2much wrote:

Wharfcat wrote:
I Maybe even 2 pieces of flat bar and sandwich the jack/bracket mountings. Not sure if I would use steel or aluminum. I'm thinking 1/4 thick.

Bingo. Just use some flat stock and extend the reach. 1/4" steel should work fine and is cheap. 1/4 inch aluminum should work fine as well and no need to paint.

Great. I like the Aluminum also because it's a little easier to drill. I'll have to see how much slack I have in the cable. That is a limiting factor on how far I can come out.

[work2much]

jimh425 wrote:
Companies make swing out brackets. You could look at those. Otherwise, I suppose you could use angle, but then you’d lose the ability to pivot them out of the way.

They aren’t that expensive. Not anywhere close to a new F-350.

OP already has swing out brackets