In search of the perfect stabilizer

[purduepete97]

I've read a lot of the "how do I stop my unit from moving/shaking" threads. Had an idea that I was looking for input on.

I'm thinking of buying two Reese cargo bars (the expandable/locking bars that are used to keep stuff from sliding around in your pickup truck bed). They are $19.99 at WM, and while towing, I would actually use these to keep things in place in the truck bed (i.e. plastic totes with kindling/firewood).

When setting up at the site, I'd no longer need them for securing items in the bed of the truck. It seems that they could fairly easily be converted to use as diagonal stabilizers (i.e. JT Strongarms) to help reduce movement. One diagonally between the two rear stabilizer jacks and one between the front two jacks. (Note - I have a home-made X-chock for helping with front-to-back movement.)

The appeal, to me, is that they would be dual purpose items, and that I have an automatic storage location for them while towing.

Thoughts? Anyone already doing this?

Thanks for any input.
Brian

[TURBS]

I've been using cargo bars for a few years.


TURBS

"SABRE OWNERS UNITED"

[TURBS]

They work very well imo.
But I've made mine permanent.
Not sure how easy or time consuming it would be to make them "dual purpose"

TURBS

"SABRE OWNERS UNITED"

[Timex]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

Attachment 61688Attachment 61689Attachment 61690Attachment 61691

They work very well imo.
But I've made mine permanent.
Not sure how easy or time consuming it would be to make them "dual purpose"

TURBS

"SABRE OWNERS UNITED"

Turbs, I'd get OC to "paint" those ends if I were you.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by Timex

Turbs, I'd get OC to "paint" those ends if I were you.

Lol they've since been painted!
I didn't paint at first to make sure the prototype worked.

But he could come up and do some touch up with a q tip! [emoji12]

TURBS

"SABRE OWNERS UNITED"

[OldCoot]

I'm sure when Ms. Amy comes to NC to live like a princess, we'll get everything fixed.

[Timex]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

I'm sure when Ms. Amy comes to NC to live like a princess, we'll get everything fixed.

I guess if Turbs comes to NC, will he be a prince or a frog?

[purduepete97]

Thanks Turbs. Re: making them dual purpose, the model I bought has nice rubber-padded swivel heads on both ends. If I just run them from top of one stabilizer to bottom of another, tighten until snug (letting the heads swivel as needed to accommodate the angle), am I good to go? Or, do you need to actually fasten to the stabilizers to prevent "push" and "pull" forces?

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by purduepete97

Thanks Turbs. Re: making them dual purpose, the model I bought has nice rubber-padded swivel heads on both ends. If I just run them from top of one stabilizer to bottom of another, tighten until snug (letting the heads swivel as needed to accommodate the angle), am I good to go? Or, do you need to actually fasten to the stabilizers to prevent "push" and "pull" forces?

Mine had pads on them to.

I had to cut mine down to fit .


I removed and shortened them to fit within the constraints.

Side to side you may be able to get one to wedge in there.

For and aft could be an issue as you'd have nothing for the pad to "push" against.
so with that in mind you could install a push plate on the frame at a predetermined location?

TURBS

"SABRE OWNERS UNITED"

[purduepete97]

I was hoping to use the two cargo bars to go side-to-side (one in front, one in back), and counting on my home-made X-chocks (PT 4x4s with threaded rod and associated nuts/washers) to control front-to-back movement.
If that doesn't work, I may try fastening a stop block for front-to-back. Not into welding, but if I can find a spot where I can bolt on a piece of angle iron, I may do that. Will post some pics if it ends up working out.

Thanks again.

[mark0224]

Posting just to save for future additions on my trailer.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Timex

I guess if Turbs comes to NC, will he be a prince or a frog?

FT Turbs is what and why Ms. Amy is coming to NC. TO ESCAPE from the Iowegian scofflaw.

[Timex]

I use a pair of retracting ratchet straps on the rear stabs. Does wonders for stability and takes up very minimal storage space. Can be stored in a coffee can.

[mark0224]

Originally Posted by Timex

I use a pair of retracting ratchet straps on the rear stabs. Does wonders for stability and takes up very minimal storage space. Can be stored in a coffee can.

I like this I always have these with me and will try this in a couple of weeks on our next trip to see how good it works.

[purduepete97]

Hmm - I like that. Also could be "dual use" to hold things in the bed of the truck.

One question upon seeing your pictures - your stabilizer jacks look A LOT more substantial than mine. I think I'll have to be careful not to put too much strain on them as I tighten up the straps/bars - I could see popping them right off the frame!! Maybe I need to consider upgrading the jacks??

[TURBS]

Mine are "trucker" cargo Jacks from Midwest wheel in davenport Iowa.

TURBS

"SABRE OWNERS UNITED"

[Timex]

When I tighten the straps, the feet of the stabs will move about an inch to the center. I don't want to put too much stress on the metal stabs or I may be looking to OC for stab reinforcement. I hook the other end to the base plate where the stab motor is mounted. On 1 side there is a hole that accommodates the strap hook. The other side just hooks around the edge of the base plate for the stab. I don't have a pic of where I hooked the hooks but you can figure that out. Just keep the strap itself away from metal parts or it might rub and fray.
This helps in reducing the side/side wiggle. It doesn't eliminate but reduces greatly the wiggle. You're still sitting on the tires so you have to expect some movement. If staying only for a couple nights, I wouldn't do this. Not worth the "small" hassle of getting my fat butt down there.

[DaveandSue]

I use the heavy duty cross bar between the two front landing gear at a diagonal.I bought one of the cheapies at Harbor Freight for the side.I took a piece of angle iron,the kind that you use to hang a garage door opener,cut it to 4" and bolted it to the frame.Angled the bar from one foot on the front up to the angle iron.Tightened it up and it seems to have taken almost all the wiggle out.I just use the two.I keep them stored in the front compartment.I might try the straps on the back stabs,but looks too hard to get my fat old butt down there.

[Timex]

Originally Posted by DaveandSue

I use the heavy duty cross bar between the two front landing gear at a diagonal.I bought one of the cheapies at Harbor Freight for the side.I took a piece of angle iron,the kind that you use to hang a garage door opener,cut it to 4" and bolted it to the frame.Angled the bar from one foot on the front up to the angle iron.Tightened it up and it seems to have taken almost all the wiggle out.I just use the two.I keep them stored in the front compartment.I might try the straps on the back stabs,but looks too hard to get my fat old butt down there.

So your butt is old too?!

Takes me about a minute from getting down there to getting back up. But it's worth the hassle.

[DaveandSue]

Might only take a minute to get down,I can fall down.But man o man it would take the wife along time to help me up.