intregated levelling jacks

[Bow_Tied]

I have been considering installing 4 of these to make set-up easier, They attach to the trailer at the four corners and fold up when not in use. Thoughts good bad or ugly?

[montanablue]

I used them on my Teardrop that I built. They work like a charm. Just my opinion. In fact I had forgotten about them. Maybe I will revisit the idea.

Another Idea we used with Teardrops was getting old Toyota or Honda jacks and welding them to the frame. Then all you have to do is crank them down. You can go to the junk yard and buy them for 5 to 10 dollars each. That is a lot cheaper.

[Bow_Tied]

Thanks for the reply.

I have old car jacks now, but not welded. They kind of annoy me being loose and take up storage room and being a bit rusty they don't look as nice. Welding them and then a coat of paint might work, but for me, only if they were able to retract out of sight which in my minds eye would make them hard to access for the crank handle...? have to think some more on that...

[franksshasta]

I for one like that idea. 4 less things to take up room.

[Atomic Addiction]

It can work.

Remember these are stabilizers not jacks. They don't lift anything and if they are put under a load will be very dangerous. Sure some places MAY call them jacks of some sort but they only weigh 6 pounds each. That isn't what I call a jack. They simply stabilize a leveled trailer.

One thing to remember when using them is that the outriggers of the frame are not welded together. They just stick out there. Try to find a good place to weld them on where it is a bit more reinforced. Maybe weld on reinforced sections to weld the stabilizers to. This way there is no possible way to put too much force and possibly bend an outrigger. These trailers aren't as much as other trailers but they are still heavy.

I don't want to be a Debbie Downer but I don't want some novice thinking these things will hold up their trailer so they can level it.

Brian

[Bow_Tied]

Very good advice Brian. I was intending to put them right on the C channel frame only. I think these jacks will shift the weight of the trailer a bit but surely won't lift the tires off the ground. I have not decided for sure to use these yet as I have not investigated all my options yet.... still open to suggestions.

[Atomic Addiction]

Ron,

I don't want you to think I was saying that YOU were going to use them for that purpose. I was just trying to make it clear for anyone that was reading this thread. I didn't think you were that silly. ;D

I have seen pictures of people using them in such a purpose. That scares the #@^# out of me. People do some dangerous stuff out there.

I know a lot of new trailers are equipped with stabilizers like these. It would be nice to have the convenience. Let us know what you come up with.

Brian

[Bow_Tied]

No offence taken I realize common sense ain't so common anymore, lol.

[flyingham]

Very well said.....! "I realize common sense ain't so common anymore"

[B.Tal]

I was planning to add (weld) the scissor jacks to the corners for leveling. is that not advisable? Ive seen it done and thot is was a good idea. by the way dodge mini vans use the same as toyota if anyone is looking.

[Bow_Tied]

BTal,
I am sure this would work well enough too, in fact those jacks are designed to take more wieght than the ones I posted. If you weld them to the main frame channels you may need to extend the handle or be operating the handle underneath.

I have some scissor jacks from minivans or whatever now (not welded) that are the screw type with integrated speed handle - I hate them - because they are old and a bit rusty and no amount of grease or oil seems to make them free wheeling which makes them a pita to use. I was worried that, even if I got new ones, welding them to the trailer would rust them up eventually from road splash etc. This may not be as big of a deal if at all with the lever style scissor jacks.

If you weld the jacks to the frame, I presume you will do so that the whole jack is flush with the bottom of the frame when retracted so it doesn't hang low. This could make access to the handle provision a bit more difficult.

These are the things that I have been considering at least that are pointing me toward the drop down jacks. I would still however need to get a longer handle too. I have also not checked if there is clearance for them to swing up in the orientation I want to mount them. So, I am not at all saying the scissor jacks won't work, they could be great, but there are a couple of things to consider.

[B.Tal]

Thanks Bow-tied, Some good points to consider. although i haven't looked closely , or mocked them up, I was thinking that a long crank with a small U-joint would make them more accessible. and a drill for speed of cranking. i did think the lifting capacity would be enough, but i have to think about placement...going from memory, but i think they are 15" fully extended. should be plenty with 6x6 blocks if needed.

[nelsontoddpa]

I went with the 1000# scissor jacks on each corner and welded them to the frame at the crossbraces.
I ordered some online for about $22 each if I remember correctly, and they came with a 5 foot crank handle.
Yes you can see the jacks but only if you really look as they are black and recessed enough not to cause a distraction (for me anyway)
Todd

[Bow_Tied]

Todd - we love to see a photo or two of your install, please.

[nelsontoddpa]

I'll get some pics up soon-- I promise! I've been waiting as I've painted the exterior, and purchased an awning from Marti's awnings but now that everything is "done" (is anything ever really done?) I'll get the pics and include a couple of the jacks as well.

[nelsontoddpa]

Here is a link to my snapfish album of the camper. I've added a few pics of the jacks extended and retracted.
All I did to add these to the camper was to weld them on at a crossbrace.
Todd

www5.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=1664897027/a=2795907027_2795907027/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

[Bow_Tied]

Hi Todd, I can't view your album it is asking me to sign-up...

[dbrennfoerder]

Bow_Tied: Sign up is quick and free, Todd, how do you expect the threads to work after a few hundred miles of dirty / wet roads? Will it work to goop them up with a thick layer of heavy grease?