Better means of storing the longer stabilizer hand crank bar???

Michigan_Mike

I'm curious what others do with the longer stabilizer hand crank bar?   Have any of you come up with a viable and safe mod for storing the bar outside the trailer?  I have contemplated this one for a short while and it would be nice to find a convenient place or means of storing the longer stabilizer hand crank rod either on the trailer frame or possibly in a tube.  My biggest fear of course would be having it come off while traveling down the interstate and after leaving it home (via my haste to hit the road) on a recent over night trip to Northern Michigan this is something I need to resolve soon.   I normally just slide it into the bed of the pickup, but sprayed the bed out after the Arizona trip and forgot to take it with me....   Grrrr!    

Any thoughts or suggestions for a better means of storing the bar?   

Verna

It stays in my pickup, Mike. Someone was saying that there is a slot cut into the rear underbed storage so maybe you can slide it under the Alde fins in the passenger bench seat and then into the underbed storage. I need to check that one out. 

Michigan_Mike

I've always considered that area as "sacred ground" and stayed out of there to avoid damaging the fins, etc.  But maybe the under-bed storage area could be a possibility and a rack could be devised there to allow for the bar?  

Homebodyatheart

I've been thinking about this, too. What about velcro strapping it to the wall behind the passenger side cushion where the seat meets the wall? While it does fit under you have to have the right spot clear to slide it all the way back from the door hatch. When I've got other supplies there it doesn't slide in easily. Might be my first mod!

marknjudy

i don't know if this works for everyone but I have a storage box I put in the bed of the pickup that I got from Lowes. It's low enough profile that it fits under the tonneau cover. I keep all the external things there like water hook up, chocks, electrical cord, trash bags, extra paper towels -everything except the sewer hose and hookups. The stabilizer jack fits perfectly in that box and I'm faithful to put everything back in it when I'm not using it. It works for us.

db_cooper

I store mine inside the Xterra right at the edge of the rear storage.  I wrapped it in Velcro in a couple places, and put some Velcro on my Weathertech mat.  The handle follows the curve of the mat really well,  I got lucky.  No matter how full I have the back of the Xterra, I can always get to it.  I probably have the record of most Velcro on my T@b and accessories.    I've got the Jensen remote velcro'd to the wall, and now the Fantastic Fan handle velcro'd to a shelf.  I think it belongs in my bag next to the duct tape, WD40,  and bailing wire.  Oxford comma for JKJenn.

texasaubiefan

I had thought about drilling a small hole between the two passenger storage compartments so that it would fit up snug against the framing or wall with a little protrusion into the other compartment.   But I decided to buy another one (not as long) and use it in my drill.  It fits easily in the passenger compartment above the wheel.  The only downside I've seen thus far is reaching the back stabilizers is a little more challenging but given the convenience and speed - it's worth a tryout this year.  

drpprmt

I put mine crosswise on the tongue, diagonal in front of the propane storage box.  I hold it with 2 bungees.  A bit scary.  I hope someone has a better way.

wizard1880

In the CS it's stored just inside the door under the passenger side bench.  The Alde's fins are framed inside a wood box with room on the bottom to insert the shaft of the crank into.

I don't store it outside on the T@B because I use the stabilizers as a security measure. 

Michigan_Mike

wizard1880 said:

I don't store it outside on the T@B because I use the stabilizers as a security measure. 

Agree, this is why mine is under lock and key!  

Vikings

Box with locking lid large enough for crank, which is seen tucked away on back wall in bottom photo, solved many storage issues including show power cord, water hose, shovel, ax, etc., etc.  

Subism

Or, you could just get rid of it. I got a small rechargeable drill/driver with two 12" long 1/4" drive extensions and a socket that I cut slots into to fit over the pins on the stabilizer screw. Much quicker to deploy the stabilizers and stores in far less space.

pthomas745

When you say "small" what size battery does the drill/driver use?

dsatwork

@Michigan_Mike  there's a gal in this post that says she puts it under the the passenger side storage area above the Alde fins... says she locked it in there somehow... in her picture it looks pretty precarious but I think you could create a little snap or clip that you could drop that into from the top

https://m.facebook.com/groups/87969923985?view=permalink&id=10156080928613986

Tabster

I keep mine right inside the door under the seat compartment. Same as wizard1880

Michigan_Mike

I've pondered the battery operated drill route, but that's something additional to get out.  I do carry one with me but the crank handle really takes minimal time/energy.  The Alde fin area might work and I will look at that bench area next to the door or possibly beneath the slat area as that could be a possibility with an opening drilled on the face of the rear bench to stick the bar end through.  I'd much more prefer to keep it clean looking however and I have so much gear beneath the bench next to the door that it might prohibit me from placing it anywhere but in the Alde fin area.  Some great ideas above and I appreciate your contributions!  

This is the lady from Facebook who shared her storage idea and with some hangar brackets this could work.  

lapowers57

I store mine with the fins.  But opposite to the photo.  I put the long length on the floor under the the fins and the handle sticks up.  Very out of the way and hasn't done any damage after our first year of camping.

jkjenn

lapowers57 said:

I store mine with the fins.  But opposite to the photo.  I put the long length on the floor under the the fins and the handle sticks up.  Very out of the way and hasn't done any damage after our first year of camping.

This is where I carry mine, also. I have it as a back-up because I now primarily use the drill. I love how fast it goes with the drill.

ericnliz

@jkjenn, Yes, agree with the drill....zippity-do-da & you're done! Love it!

Me_and_My_Dog

I have the drill/driver but trying to figure out the extensions. Guys at Home Depot had no idea what I was talking about.

Ratkity

jkjenn said:

lapowers57 said:

I store mine with the fins.  But opposite to the photo.  I put the long length on the floor under the the fins and the handle sticks up.  Very out of the way and hasn't done any damage after our first year of camping.

This is where I carry mine, also. I have it as a back-up because I now primarily use the drill. I love how fast it goes with the drill.

Ditto. It's never been a problem, plus I never used it. Hand crank? Pffft. I have better ways to injure my back and other body parts (um... that last one *did* involve the drill, however).

Homebodyatheart

Mike, I'm going to try this for a while. I don't see it going anywhere anytime soon as it is wedged in well. I might put some rubber non-skid matting underneath to protect the wood, though.

drpprmt

I tried drilling a hole in the storage cabinet in the back.  Worked great, or so I thought.  Unfortunately we store our pillows in that back cabinet.  When my wife pulled the pillows out, one (hers) had a big dirty streak.  So much for that mod!

ericnliz

@Homebodyatheart, Your pictures don't show up....not sure why.

Homebodyatheart

Eric, that's odd because I can see them just fine. Can anyone else see them?

Verna

No, @Homebodyatheart, they are not visible, nor "normal". "Displaying IMG_3706JPG" is what it says for the first one. 

TabberJohn

Homebodyatheart said:

Eric, that's odd because I can see them just fine. Can anyone else see them?

It appears the images were not actually uploaded to the forum.
When you hover over one of the entries (ex.Displaying IMG_3706.JPG) the url points to a Google Gmail location.
That means the images are attached to an email and not files uploaded to the forum.
You can see them because you have access to that email.

Homebodyatheart

Thanks both of you! That means my next post is probably the same way. Back to the drawing board!


Tried something new. Do they show now?

Michigan_Mike

Nothing shows but your text in the above posting.   

Michigan_Mike

Vikings said:

Box with locking lid large enough for crank, which is seen tucked away on back wall in bottom photo, solved many storage issues including show power cord, water hose, shovel, ax, etc., etc.  

Where did you find the holders shown in the aluminum tub for the crank handle?  

Vikings

Mike, mounting clamps are Quick Fist brand.  I got 8 clamp kit from Amazon....more than I needed.  
I see they are available at Cabela's and Northern Tool...so you might be able to actually inspect them before buying.  Other mail order sites also have them.   Good luck.