Bent Electric Stabilizer

[donhillphoto]

Need thoughts. I apparently overloaded my electric rear stabilizer as I was leveling my trailer on concrete with gradient. I heard it buckle. It's bent forward towards wheel axel about 3-4". I feel boneheaded. Oh well. No time to mope.

Unable to retract electronically though electric motor tries. Bought a 15' strap ratchet to try to pull it back straight so it at least will go up. Trying that soon. Waiting for all to finish breakfast and leave so I can attempt.

If that doesn't work, other thoughts? Can't tow it while down. Anything to be aware of or tricks I should know before I kill myself?

Thanks.

[keller9431]

Which stabilizers do you have? With it being bent that much you may not be able to even get it up with the strap. If not you may have to unhook the wiring and then take the stabilzer completely off to get home. My electric stabilizers are just screwed to the frame with self tapping screws, they can easily be taken off. Just a thought if you cant get it strapped up.

[donhillphoto]

Originally Posted by keller9431

Which stabilizers do you have? With it being bent that much you may not be able to even get it up with the strap. If not you may have to unhook the wiring and then take the stabilzer completely off to get home. My electric stabilizers are just screwed to the frame with self tapping screws, they can easily be taken off. Just a thought if you cant get it strapped up.

Thanks. Got it done. Was able to strap stabilizer to my truck tow hooks and ratchet it straight. From there, the legs went up. It's bent good. But at least it's up so I can get it replaced or fixed. That's my main goal.

So I need to find two angle bar replacements. Not sure of brand. Will have to look. If can't get those, then need to replace whole thing. Encouraged it now moves up and down. Of course, I'm keeping them up until repaired for now. If I delay repair, I'll just buy mobile jacks for the back until ready.

I feel like man! Argh!!!

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by donhillphoto

Thanks. Got it done. Was able to strap stabilizer to my truck tow hooks and ratchet it straight. From there, the legs went up. It's bent good. But at least it's up so I can get it replaced or fixed. That's my main goal.

So I need to find two angle bar replacements. Not sure of brand. Will have to look. If can't get those, then need to replace whole thing. Encouraged it now moves up and down. Of course, I'm keeping them up until repaired for now. If I delay repair, I'll just buy mobile jacks for the back until ready.

I feel like man! Argh!!!

They can be removed and straightened. While you have them off, you need to reinforce them with 2-1/2" channel welded to the bottom side of the legs. Here is what I did to mine after hearing of others bending theirs. I also replaced the strap supports with 3/4" black pipe and heated the ends and flattened them.

[Oaklevel]

Were you trying to use them to level ???

[donhillphoto]

Originally Posted by Oaklevel

Were you trying to use them to level ???

Like a fool, yes. Learned from that!

[donhillphoto]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

They can be removed and straightened. While you have them off, you need to reinforce them with 2-1/2" channel welded to the bottom side of the legs. Here is what I did to mine after hearing of others bending theirs. I also replaced the strap supports with 3/4" black pipe and heated the ends and flattened them.

Thanks. Angle brackets seemed too bent so worried about weak spot despite ability to hammer back into straightness. Will certainly look to reinforce.

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by donhillphoto

Like a fool, yes. Learned from that!

We have all had to learn from our mistakes.......... Me probably more than most.........