Stabilizer Style Opinions

[StandUpGuy]

ok so I obviously didn't research enough before that last post on the c jacks. ..
StandUpGuy,

with the threaded support, do you think you could fabricate it simply and not have the threaded rod straight down in the closed position? seems that might catch on things and be a hazard while driving, and maybe be a pain to turn to set up too.

Sure but the rod could extend down half the distance. Another approach could be having the rod extend up into the trailer instead of downward.

[Yota Bill]

Here is an idea. remove one arm off the stabilizer, change the strap so it goes from the other foot to the frame and put on one each side of the teardrop. I think that would solve all the problems; easy to level, easy to fabricate and it would be cheap!
What do you think?

see the 3rd post in this thread.

[Yota Bill]

ok so I obviously didn't research enough before that last post on the c jacks. ..
StandUpGuy,

with the threaded support, do you think you could fabricate it simply and not have the threaded rod straight down in the closed position? seems that might catch on things and be a hazard while driving, and maybe be a pain to turn to set up too.

Sure but the rod could extend down half the distance. Another approach could be having the rod extend up into the trailer instead of downward.

make the threaded blank (nut) so that it sits in a cradle on the side of the leg that faces the bottom of the trailer, then put a swivel on the end of the threaded rod (similar to what is on the forcing screw of a C-clamp)...make the threaded blank removable, and do not attach the other end of the threaded rod to the trailer. Put a plate on the bottom of the trailer that the swivel end of the forcing screw will push against. Now the threaded rod is easily removable. There would need to be some sort of a latch or strap that holds the legs up while traveling.

setup= get forcing screw (with its swivel and threaded blank attached) out of storage compartment-release device holding leg up to bottom of trailer, leg will swivel down till touching the ground, place any desired blocks under the foot-adjust the threaded black on the forcing screw to the proper distance-place threaded blank in its cradle, and align swivel with plate on bottom of trailer-turn screw a few turns to lock it in place-adjust as needed

teardown=loosen forcing screw till threaded blank can be removed from its saddle-lift stabilizer leg and attach device that holds the leg up-store forcing screw and any blocks placed under foot of stabilizer

[egjacks]

see the 3rd post in this thread.

woops, kinda stole the idea, didn't notice your post...sorry

[Wimperdink]

I still think the original design as is, if used in combo with some of those lightweight lego style leveling blocks that go under your tires would do the trick. The side to side level would be accomplished by the blocks.... front to back accomplished by the hitch jack, the stabilizers would do exactly what they are named for.... stabilize it. I tend to park on gravel or grass a lot so studded pads on the bottom would really help keep the trailer from moving around... Most times on asphalt or concrete the surface is already level so all your doing is keeping it stable.

I still agree that the bal stabilizers would be stronger and therefore more stable but they can also cost an arm and a leg. I prefer to keep my appendages. Still need someone to test this system out.... I might try a wood version just for theory and ease of construction before I go spending money on it.

[Yota Bill]

I still think the original design as is, if used in combo with some of those lightweight lego style leveling blocks that go under your tires would do the trick. The side to side level would be accomplished by the blocks.... front to back accomplished by the hitch jack, the stabilizers would do exactly what they are named for.... stabilize it. I tend to park on gravel or grass a lot so studded pads on the bottom would really help keep the trailer from moving around... Most times on asphalt or concrete the surface is already level so all your doing is keeping it stable.

I still agree that the bal stabilizers would be stronger and therefore more stable but they can also cost an arm and a leg. I prefer to keep my appendages. Still need someone to test this system out.... I might try a wood version just for theory and ease of construction before I go spending money on it.

I'm not so sure that placing blocks under 1 leg would do much to level it. You are pulling both togethor, using each as the pull point for the other. Everything follows the path of least resistance, so if your trailer was leaning to one side, and you placed blocks under that side to raise it, it would simply leave that side stationary and lift the other side, or make no difference and raise both equally.

for example:
trailer is leaning to the left, so you place blocks under the left side, then set the legs and start pulling the strap between the two legs. Since the weight has now shifted to the left, the right side will move easier, so it moves in while the left side stays where it is.

If the pressure differential on both legs is close or the same, then both will move inward, raising that end...if the pressure is greater on one (weight shifted to that side) then that one will not move, while the other one with less weight on it does.

[Yota Bill]

see the 3rd post in this thread.

woops, kinda stole the idea, didn't notice your post...sorry

no need to apologize...great minds think alike

that would still be the simplest modification to make so that you could actually level it with this system, and not overcomplicate the use and/or fabrication of it

[Wimperdink]

I'm not so sure that placing blocks under 1 leg would do much to level it.

I kinda meant to use them as intended. Put them under the wheel of the trailer for side to side leveling but bonus points to you for the direction of thought.

[egjacks]

see the 3rd post in this thread.

woops, kinda stole the idea, didn't notice your post...sorry

no need to apologize...great minds think alike

that would still be the simplest modification to make so that you could actually level it with this system, and not overcomplicate the use and/or fabrication of it

[Wimperdink]

So I went through my scrap pile and knocked together a temp version of this thing just to try it. I only did it on the back end as it was only for trial purposes.... Side to side stability was surprisingly good. Front to back was pretty horrible. You would need another bar going from the bottom of the foot to somewhere fwd on the frame thereby negating the convenience and or cost factor.

Mine was two pieces of bed frame angle iron going side to side with hardwood legs that came down. It would be much easier to just unhook the strap and kick the legs up when its time to leave but if your also having to hook up fwd back stabilizers to the legs and frame too, it becomes more difficult than the stand alone camper jacks.

I will be taking this off and finding a better solution or just forking out the cash for bal stabilizers when I can. It was worthwhile to try it out before buying it though.

[aggie79]

I'd like to hear your opinions, pros/cons on this style of stabilizer. I like the price a lot but I wonder of its leveling abilities on unlevel surfaces, and how this could be accomplished.

Looking at it makes me think it could work ok if there were holes drilled in the feet and staking in the ground on the low side so when you jack up the front it pushs whichever side up, then strap & stake the other side when you hit level. (side to side I mean)

I see two questions/issues with this setup besides overcoming the obstacles of how to independently adjust each arm to level out the trailer and the need to stabilize the stabilizers to keep them from bending over:

1. How long are the arms? When not in use will they extend beyond the teardrop? Do you have to remove them to transport the teardrop?

2. The "lifting points" of this system seem to be about a third of the way in on each side rather than at the corners as stabilizer/scissor jacks are.

My 2 cents worth.

Take care,
Tom

[Yota Bill]

I'm not so sure that placing blocks under 1 leg would do much to level it.

I kinda meant to use them as intended. Put them under the wheel of the trailer for side to side leveling but bonus points to you for the direction of thought.

my misunderstanding...oops...and you even wrote that, but I somehow missed it.