Supports

General Discussion about almost anything Teardrop or camping related

Supports

Postby StandUpGuy » Sun May 08, 2011 8:28 pm

So what are the options for supporting the trailer at rest when camping? I have seen some attached adjustable legs in back with a wheeled trailer jack in front. I have seen a non wheeled jack in front and automobile jack stands in back. I have also seen people here using scissor jacks in back. What is the thrifty solution?
Last edited by StandUpGuy on Sun May 08, 2011 9:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Postby GuitarPhotog » Sun May 08, 2011 8:33 pm

I use these stabilizing jacks to level my TD. It doesn't make a lot of difference for sleeping, but I hate cooking on a stove that is not level.

They ain't great, but they're inexpensive

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000760FX4

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Postby StandUpGuy » Sun May 08, 2011 8:39 pm

GuitarPhotog wrote:I use these stabilizing jacks to level my TD. It doesn't make a lot of difference for sleeping, but I hate cooking on a stove that is not level.

They ain't great, but they're inexpensive

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000760FX4

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Well they are a screw so that is probably good right? That way you can adjust them completely as required as compared with auto jack stands that usually are set in increments right?
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Postby doug hodder » Sun May 08, 2011 8:54 pm

Thrifty is where you find what will work at the cheapest price. I use the Atwood jacks not cheap, but it's what I use, they fold up really nicely with no hang down. Less expensive options can be had at a wrecking yard or pick and pull, for auto screw scissor jacks, thrift stores have also turned up regular trailer stabilizers for next to nothing. Automotive scissors fold down really compact, and I'd think they could be had for very little....call the local yard.

I only stabilize/level the rear on the tear, just open the doors and jack till they flop open evenly...on the standy...I do all 4 corners. Doug
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Postby Artificer » Sun May 08, 2011 9:05 pm

Depending on what you consider thrifty, take a look at these scissor jacks:
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/it ... ystem/6540

$70 for a pair, I believe. 4"-24" adjustment range.

For even cheaper ones, but without the large range, you can go to the junk yard and get a pair from old cars. It depends on your trailer if they have enough range of motion.

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Postby StandUpGuy » Sun May 08, 2011 9:19 pm

doug hodder wrote:Thrifty is where you find what will work at the cheapest price. I use the Atwood jacks not cheap, but it's what I use, they fold up really nicely with no hang down. Less expensive options can be had at a wrecking yard or pick and pull, for auto screw scissor jacks, thrift stores have also turned up regular trailer stabilizers for next to nothing. Automotive scissors fold down really compact, and I'd think they could be had for very little....call the local yard.

I only stabilize/level the rear on the tear, just open the doors and jack till they flop open evenly...on the standy...I do all 4 corners. Doug
I think your idea of checking out local thrift stores is a good one. I am not a giant hurry so who knows. I am building a small pop up top so maybe I need to stabilize all four corners. Though my build goes kind of pointy in front.
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Postby StandUpGuy » Sun May 08, 2011 9:20 pm

Artificer wrote:Depending on what you consider thrifty, take a look at these scissor jacks:
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/it ... ystem/6540

$70 for a pair, I believe. 4"-24" adjustment range.

For even cheaper ones, but without the large range, you can go to the junk yard and get a pair from old cars. It depends on your trailer if they have enough range of motion.

Michael
Personally I am on a rather tight budget, so for me this is a little cost prohibitive. Old car scissor jacks might be an option.
Last edited by StandUpGuy on Sun May 08, 2011 9:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Postby mary and bob » Sun May 08, 2011 9:37 pm

I have 4 of that type that Amazon sells. They were too tall for our old Starcraft popup which only had the foldup kind on the rear. They were also too tall for our teardrop so I shortened a pair, but just recently I bought two of the fold up type from etrailer and installed them near the front on the teardrop. That makes for less loose stuff to carry. Don't remember the price but it wasn't too much, but of course what determines "cheap' or "expensive" is how much money you have to start out with!! Bob
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Postby KIDZAGN » Sun May 08, 2011 10:13 pm

Hey Stand Up, auto salvage sissor jacks are the way to go. Find a Mom & Pop yard, and go "shopping". Find a design you like for your use, size of base plate, top plate , does it use a hex head and wrench or slot & crank rod. The choices are many, when you find one you like, find 3 more make & model cars containing the jack you like, take them all to the office and offer Pop $20.00 for them all.... He will say no way! $40.00! then you"ll say then he will say ........ you get the idea.. but you will have 4 jacks for about 1/2 the price of 1 new one, and the truth is the ones at the salvage yard may have never been used either.

I'm not cheep, just creative

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Postby StandUpGuy » Sun May 08, 2011 10:18 pm

KIDZAGN wrote:Hey Stand Up, auto salvage sissor jacks are the way to go. Find a Mom & Pop yard, and go "shopping". Find a design you like for your use, size of base plate, top plate , does it use a hex head and wrench or slot & crank rod. The choices are many, when you find one you like, find 3 more make & model cars containing the jack you like, take them all to the office and offer Pop $20.00 for them all.... He will say no way! $40.00! then you"ll say then he will say ........ you get the idea.. but you will have 4 jacks for about 1/2 the price of 1 new one, and the truth is the ones at the salvage yard may have never been used either.

I'm not cheep, just creative

Mike
I like your style. You have a great game plan there. I will give it a try.
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Postby GuitarPhotog » Sun May 08, 2011 11:47 pm

My teardrop runs on 15" wheels and passenger tires, so the chassis is about 20" off the ground. Way too high for auto scissor jacks, and too high for cheap HF scissor stabilizer jacks.

It's almost to high for the screw jacks that I have. I have to put a couple of blocks under them if I'm not on level ground.

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Postby Py0tr » Mon May 09, 2011 2:54 am

Hi there not wishing to hijack the thread, but I dont have any sort of jacks. I use the jockey wheel to level the trailer and choose a sight as level-side to side, as possible.

Anyone also take this really cheap route?
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Postby bobhenry » Mon May 09, 2011 6:20 am

I carry construction lumber for fire wood so side to side leveling is never a problem. Stack a few short boards and back up on them while still hooked up. Might take a couple of trys with a couple combinations of wood thickness but you are soon level at no cost.
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Postby StandUpGuy » Mon May 09, 2011 6:41 am

bobhenry wrote:I carry construction lumber for fire wood so side to side leveling is never a problem. Stack a few short boards and back up on them while still hooked up. Might take a couple of trys with a couple combinations of wood thickness but you are soon level at no cost.
I suppose a variation on that might be to make some sort of box and have a few board sections and some wood shims to finish it off.
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Postby TPMcGinty » Mon May 09, 2011 7:14 am

I put a little wood in my tongue box to help level my tear. I don't use anything to stabilize it. The two wheels and the tongue jack make it stable enough for me (275#) my girlfriend (Sorry can't say but slim and trim in my opinion) and my yellow lab (75#).
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