Replaced stabilizers with leveling jacks

Dalehelman

I replaced our rear stabilizing jacks with scissor type leveling jacks. For those who question weather the frame is strong enough. Little Guy recommends supporting the full weight on the rear jacks and tongue jack to service brakes and tires. The leveling jacks allow us to eliminate the need for other leveling devices. They are also longer than the originals. With a slight modification to the stabilizer bracket I was able to use the same mounting bolts. Keep in mind we have a LG T@B. Earlier T@Bs used a different chassis.

DurangoTaB

Nice!  What model or source did you have for the leveling jacks?  Also curious, why not replace the front ones as well (for more leveling control)?

Dalehelman

I purchased the jacks from Camping World manufactured by Stromberg Carlson cost $57 for the pair. I do not feel the front is necessary with three lift points you have a tripod. Once you are level the front can be used to support although I found they were not necessary.

jkjenn

I really like this idea. Relatively inexpensive, too!

Sharon_is_SAM

What no blocks, no Bal leveler, no Anderson leveler, no rocks, no wood blocks, no  Lego thingies.  If we all used these, Pxlated won't be able to promote his blocks!  We would lose an entire topic!  I don't know about you, but I look forward to his input.  And where is a T@B emoji when you need it.

Nomad

Try raising or lowering your tongue while still hooked up on a quick overnighter. These will do nothing fir ya, nor will the BAL. Dual Andersons might work but need two people or you're in/out alot to see where your at.
Blocks, blocks blocks :-)

jkjenn

PXLated said:

Try raising or lowering your tongue while still hooked up on a quick overnighter. These will do nothing fir ya, nor will the BAL. Dual Andersons might work but need two people or you're in/out alot to see where your at.
Blocks, blocks blocks :-)

I haven't had to do a quick overnight where I needed to level. One of the perks of Walmart.

Nomad

Ya, well, what can I say - other than "that's no fun" :-)

Pop-T@B

Nice job Dale, I am going to put this on my to-do list !

ericnliz

Dale, I'm gonna have to check that one out!

Michigan_Mike

Ohhh noooo, yet another cool mod!!!!!       Just what I need!  

Nice work Dale and I can see the advantage...  Thanks for sharing!  

leenscottfl

strom urg Carlson makes 24" and 30" jacks. Which did you get?


https://www.strombergcarlson.com/rv-jacks/scissor-jacks/

ericnliz

PXL, Once a blockhead, always a blockhead. Good on 'ya for stickin' to legos!

Nomad

They seem to hang so low that they'd drag on some gas station entrances but I see you still have the tire mounted below also. I can see where on an outback - where the standard jack might not be long enough - that these would be great.

Dalehelman

They are really no lower than the original jacks. I have never had any problem with the tire mounted underneath. I used the 24" jacks that CW sells for $57 a pair. If I had an Outback with the raised axel I may have used the 30".

ericnliz

PXL, I went to Dale's and actually, the spare hangs lower than the stabilizer jacks, and they tuck up nicely in the "up" position. Very nice install, and very clean looking. I would have to say no lower than the original stabilizers were. Good job by the way Dale!

gooselady

I overnighted at two Walmarts recently, and the parking lots were unlevel due to controlling water run off.  I like blocks.

Cyclonic

My only wondering is how these are mounted on the T@B?  Is there solid frame where they are mounted or is it just in the floor?

For the stabilizers this is not so much a problem as you are not putting nearly as much pressure on them, but with leveling jacks you are lifting the trailer and axle, so a lot more pressure is exerted on the point where they are mounted.

Lifting the trailer with the stabilizers is recommended only in emergency situations, and not for the purposes of leveling where you would be moving around in the trailer.

jkjenn

Cyclonic said:

My only wondering is how these are mounted on the T@B?  Is there solid frame where they are mounted or is it just in the floor?

For the stabilizers this is not so much a problem as you are not putting nearly as much pressure on them, but with leveling jacks you are lifting the trailer and axle, so a lot more pressure is exerted on the point where they are mounted.

Lifting the trailer with the stabilizers is recommended only in emergency situations, and not for the purposes of leveling where you would be moving around in the trailer.

I had wondered about that, too. It might be worth checking with the factory.

Smullis7

Cyclonic said:

My only wondering is how these are mounted on the T@B?  Is there solid frame where they are mounted or is it just in the floor?

For the stabilizers this is not so much a problem as you are not putting nearly as much pressure on them, but with leveling jacks you are lifting the trailer and axle, so a lot more pressure is exerted on the point where they are mounted.

Lifting the trailer with the stabilizers is recommended only in emergency situations, and not for the purposes of leveling where you would be moving around in the trailer.

Uh oh...I have developed a habit of using the stabalizers (and blocks) to level the trailer when boondocking in my Outback when I just can't find a level area.  What are other boondockers doing?

jkjenn

Smullis7 said:

Cyclonic said:

My only wondering is how these are mounted on the T@B?  Is there solid frame where they are mounted or is it just in the floor?

For the stabilizers this is not so much a problem as you are not putting nearly as much pressure on them, but with leveling jacks you are lifting the trailer and axle, so a lot more pressure is exerted on the point where they are mounted.

Lifting the trailer with the stabilizers is recommended only in emergency situations, and not for the purposes of leveling where you would be moving around in the trailer.

Uh oh...I have developed a habit of using the stabalizers (and blocks) to level the trailer when boondocking in my Outback when I just can't find a level area.  What are other boondockers doing?

You absolutely don't want to do that. People use either leveling blocks, a BAL leveler, or Anderson levelers. Do a search on leveling and you will find more opinions on which is best than you ever wished to find!

Michigan_Mike

I sent an inquiry on to the factory this morning and will post up any information/recommendations that comes my way.  

ericnliz

Cyclonic, jkjenn, I personally got up close and personally looked at Dale's install on these leveling jacks. They ARE indeed mounted to the frame of the T@B. He used the same mounting as the stabilizers used to install. Pretty beefy right there where he installed them. I am curious to find out what the factory has to say about this issue, but in my humble opinion, a good install in a very stable spot on the frame.

Dalehelman

If the frame will support the full weight of the trailer on the tongue Jack and the rear stabilizers, which is the recommended method for tire and brake servicing. There is apparently enough engineering in the frame to allow the use of jacks. It can either support the weight or not. I have owned other light and ultra light trailers that the frames and upper structure are so light jacks could not be used. I feel the T@B is far better and stronger built.

Nomad

Smullis7 - I level with the blocks and then lower the stabelizers to, well, stabilize :-)

Smullis7

jkjenn said:

Smullis7 said:

Cyclonic said:

My only wondering is how these are mounted on the T@B?  Is there solid frame where they are mounted or is it just in the floor?

For the stabilizers this is not so much a problem as you are not putting nearly as much pressure on them, but with leveling jacks you are lifting the trailer and axle, so a lot more pressure is exerted on the point where they are mounted.

Lifting the trailer with the stabilizers is recommended only in emergency situations, and not for the purposes of leveling where you would be moving around in the trailer.

Uh oh...I have developed a habit of using the stabalizers (and blocks) to level the trailer when boondocking in my Outback when I just can't find a level area.  What are other boondockers doing?

You absolutely don't want to do that. People use either leveling blocks, a BAL leveler, or Anderson levelers. Do a search on leveling and you will find more opinions on which is best than you ever wished to find!

Jenn, I have the BAL leveler, but that only helps side-to-side.  I'm having the issue front to back.  One thing is that when I'm on my own, I don't like to disconnect from the TV for fear of not being able to get reconnected on rough or sloped areas, which is something I should practice.

jkjenn

Michigan_Mike said:

I sent an inquiry on to the factory this morning and will post up any information/recommendations that comes my way.  

Thanks, Mike.

Nomad

Smullis7 - Staying hooked up is my mode when out shooting or just overnighting.
For front to back leveling you can put blocks under either the T@B tires or the TV depending on whether you need to lower the tongue or raise it. Now, if you need the blocks under the T@B tires, put away your BAL, blocks and BAL don't work nice together :-)
If you also need to level left to right, just add a block or two under the appropriate T@B tire.

I'm currently hooked up and have three blocks under each of the TV tires to raise the tongue and one block under the passenger side T@B tire to level left/right.

Cyclonic

ericnliz said:

Cyclonic, jkjenn, I personally got up close and personally looked at Dale's install on these leveling jacks. They ARE indeed mounted to the frame of the T@B. He used the same mounting as the stabilizers used to install. Pretty beefy right there where he installed them. I am curious to find out what the factory has to say about this issue, but in my humble opinion, a good install in a very stable spot on the frame.

OK, that is what I was wondering.  The frame is plenty strong enough to support this kind of load, the floor itself is not.

Cyclonic

Yes, that is correct.

Nomad

But, would you say also... You don't need scissor jacks if all you need is stabilization in campgrounds. If on the other hand you want to suspend your T@B for things like greasing bearings, etc., jacks are the cats meow?