Factory recommended jacking procedure

GatorEgg

   I hope folks know enough to understand this is an internet forum and not formal guidance.  A lot of opinions on here, like any forum may not be up to par and should be viewed as entertainment until you verify the info with a reputable source.  I just read through a couple of threads on lifting our trailers with the stabilizing jacks.  There's a lot of should be okays, I do it, entries.  None of them add that if you follow their instructions and it damages your trailer those forum folks will cover the repair for you.

  Folks, don't use your stabilizer jacks for leveling, unless I guess its an emergency

If you look in your T@B Manual, page 12 in my 2018, there is a prominent WARNING triangle stating;

"Stabilizing jacks are designed to stabilize the trailer only.  Misuse of stabilizer jacks to level or lift the trailer may result in damage to the jacks and potentially to the trailer."  If NuCamp thought it was important enough to put it in the manual, well?

   Now as I said, don't blindly believe me.  Verify for yourself.

Sharon_is_SAM

Correct.  Here is the thread from year ago that discusses the recommended jacking method.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/8314/jacking-points-on-tab-320-and-400/p1?new=1

ScottG

I agree with you, @GatorEgg --I'm all for verifying for myself and I have advocated that here many times.

That also means I don't blindly follow every manufacturer's recommendation, instruction, or warning. I'm a reasonably intelligent and mechanically inclined adult who understands the concept of risk and reward.

I'll continue to use my stabilizers for fine leveling and for lifting the wheels of an empty trailer for maintenance purposes and I understand if I break it it's my problem. However, I respect that others choose to go by the book and avoid the risks.

On the other hand, I will not replace my stabilizers with scissors jacks and use them to raise and level the trailer as I do not believe the attachment points are robust enough for this purpose. However, I respect that others have done this mod and made it work and accept the risks.

Ultimately I believe the purpose of a forum is to exchange and (politely) debate ideas. 

jkjenn

Here is my $.02 - take it for what it's worth.

Over the years, I have seen people who seem very confident hand out recommendations that were contrary to the manufacturer recommendations. 

The authoritative tone, even if unintentional,  and especially if accompanied by a one-sided critique of the manufacturer's recommendations, can be confusing to people who are new or less technical.

It might be helpful to to new owners are less technically minded people, for folks to forgo promoting, "solutions" that deviate from manufacturer recommendations. This is an officially sponsored forum and nüCamp is pretty generous in allowing fair, constructive discussion in support of the owner community.  At minimum, maybe try to make sure the tone is not authoritarian and be clear that you are choosing to not heed nüCamp's advice?

If you think nüCamp needs to revise their recommendations, they have always been open to technical discussions and owner suggestions.

jkjenn

Praise the Lord! 😁

Since a relative few are engineers, manuals should be written for the masses to understand and use, not for a few to use.

The point of the forum is for community and for mutual owner support. I would like to think we have all achieved that over the years.

I am thankful that nüCamp continues to support ithe forum and maintain the level of both relationship and transparency that they have. It is quite unprecedented in the RV industry.

ScottG

I'll add that manufacturer's may have mixed motivations for why they make the recommendations they do. In addition, those recommendations are at times unclear, inconsistent, or even downright wrong.

That said, I do agree that manufacturer's recommendations should generally be considered as a credible source, and that authoritative owners who contradict those recommendations make it clear that they are doing so and explain their reasoning.

The discussion referenced above by Sharon is an excellent example of an ambiguous manufacturer recommendation carefully debated by thoughtful owners. We didn't necessarily all agree, but we shared some good information and ideas. I would hope forum participants feel comfortable engaging in that sort of constructive "jibber jabber" and not be intimidated by the nuCamp said it so it must not be questioned contingent. What little I know about the good folks who run nuCamp makes me think they feel the same way.  :-)

jkjenn

@ScottG, well stated!

WilliamA

Who was it that said: "Trust, but get a receipt".
Writing instructions is devilishly hard to do. One of my many jobs in the Army was working at the US Army maintenance school in Ft Knox, KY as a lesson plan writer. It was as challenging as it was rewarding.  I always tell folks that the manual is the first step, but don't be boxed in by it either. The two concepts: technical detail and clear-instruction understanding, are often at odds with each other. It's always for the user and their level of understanding to sort it out. 

That said, and with sympathy to those who write instructions, it is nevertheless the job any manufacturer must undertake.  I do not easily suffer fools and tend to be quick to point to obvious manufacturing errors and bonehead engineering. Just because "they're better than most" is not license to be forgiven for defects in a product or its documentation.  If I see a problem, I'll talk about it. (Scotchlocks and other non-weathertight connectors) and not be shy. If the end user tolerates the issue, the manufacturer may not ever know there is a problem or not find out until the problem causes real damage. It is just as irresponsible as an end user to say nothing as it is to whine about everything.  When I identify an issue, I sing it out but also solve it and post those results as well. I don't doubt that most manufacturers are sincere about their products but also expect that the "low road" is an attractive option to them.
As to the internet, that auditorium filled with barking dogs, I use it for what it is; an information resource. I tend to accept well-written and thoughtful information much more easily than unsupported gossip. For that reason, I avoid social media simply because it's a source of dis-information as often as not. Repetition does not equal knowledge. With social media, quite the opposite. (The barking dog analogy applies here.)

I'll put my soapbox away now.....
WilliamA 

4ncar

 Folks, don't use your stabilizer jacks for leveling Isn’t that why they’re called stabilizers, and not levelers....? 🤷🏻‍♂️

Lil_Lucy

@RangerTom said, “ Manuals should be written so that the average person can understand”.
During my working years (now retired) as a Quality Engineer, part of my job was writing work instructions and procedures for manufacturing. I always wrote them as though the person reading them had at least an eighth grade education. I was approached many times by people with college degrees accusing me of insulting their intelligence. I calmly told them, not everyone has the same educational level as you do. It wouldn’t be practical to write different instructions and procedures for various levels. The important thing is that everyone understands what needs to be done so that good quality product goes out the door. Manuals need to be the same. Generic enough to understand yet precise enough to carry out the intended function.

4ncar

Years ago, I owned a '68 Datsun 1600 Roadster(tip: where did my screen name come from! ).  I ordered a factory repair manual.  The translation from Japanese to English was HORIBLE! Brought a whole new meaning to "read between the lines!!!!!" lol

tabiphile

4ncar said:

Years ago, I owned a '68 Datsun 1600 Roadster(tip: where did my screen name come from! ).  I ordered a factory repair manual.  The translation from Japanese to English was HORIBLE! Brought a whole new meaning to "read between the lines!!!!!" lol

Those 1600's were actually pretty cool cars in their own way. The 60's and 70's were an interesting transitional time for Japanese export businesses as they transitioned from selling into foreign markets through distributors to doing direct sales. That transition resulted in some Japanese firms preparing their own promotional materials, manuals, etc. Some of the results were hilarious. I recall a product brochure that read like script from a porn movie. Epic!
 Look, the point here is well made. You need to use your experience and judgement to decide what you should accept as legitimate information. Failing all else, starting with the information provided by the manufacturer is your safest bet. That and simply accept anything that I write as gospel. From my experience it seems clear that I am always subject matter expert on everything from evolution to nuclear physics. Fortunately I am blessed with a humble nature to temper my exceptional genius. 

Oh...and if you want to enjoy an interesting read about technical manuals, skip back and locate a copy of Persig's book Zen and the art of Motorcycle Maintenance. He nails it.