Stabilizers near wheels or bracing?

[Bianchina3]

I am trying to decide if I want to stabilize the TT with either jacks (near the wheels in the middle of the trailers) or use braces like JT's Strong Arm (or DIY). Looking for opinions.

My thoughts are:

1. Overall which better jacks or braces?
2. JT's are really expensive but look easy to operate.
3. DIY stabilizers are easier but I am not sure about effectiveness.
4. Ho do I size the scissor jacks if I go that route.

Any other hints or advice would be great.

[Alberta8311ss]

We installed jacks behind the rear axle. It helped take the bounce out but there is still movement I think the strongarms would fix. I believe we used 24" BAL jacks. When the kids move in their beds you can still feel it up front, but less with the new centre jacks down.


2014 Rockwood 8311SS

[Alberta8311ss]

Originally Posted by Alberta8311ss

We installed jacks behind the rear axle. It helped take the bounce out but there is still movement I think the strongarms would fix. I believe we used 24" BAL jacks. When the kids move in their beds you can still feel it up front, but less with the new centre jacks down.


2014 Rockwood 8311SS

2014 Rockwood 8311SS

[Bianchina3]

That is what I was thinking of!

[oxcamper]

I have 2 screw jacks, pretty hefty (got them from a farm auction about 20 yrs ag) that were used for railroad cars, and tractors. I put one just forward of the entry door under the frame member and one on the opposite side under the front part of the slide. That with X-chocks has virtually eliminated all bounce and wobble.

[doc73]

Added a second set of BAL jacks just behind the axle and it helped take out even more of the movement.

[SuicideSaints]

I use jacks, the camco pyramid twist looking ones, in front of and behind the wheels. I snug them up real tight and it takes all the bounce and shimmy out of the TT.

I only use these because I already had them from a previous TT. If I had to buy a fix I would do the DIY Strongarms or scissor jacks mounted.

[offroad]

Here is a post about the Husky scissor jacks I mounted in front of the axle on our TT. It took a lot of the movement out, and those jacks are much better made than what FR shipped on the trailer.

[richp]

Hi,

I have been thinking about adding scissor jacks in the middle on my Silverback 33RL. But I look at the frame and start wondering, "Do I really want to drill holes in that awful thin-looking metal, and what will it do for my warranty?" So I'm drifting in the direction of the cast aluminum screw jacks instead.

Anyone else have misgivings about drilling the frame there?

Rich Phillips

[offroad]

Originally Posted by richp

Do I really want to drill holes in that awful thin-looking metal, and what will it do for my warranty?

Check out the link I provided earlier, I didn't drill any holes in the frame to mount my jacks.

I reversed the jacks mounting ears then welded them over the top of one another, and added a length of 1 1/4" x 1/8" metal strap to the top of the jacks on a slight angle.
The the straps were bent in a U shape, then I could just bolt the jacks over the top of the tube running in front of the axles. Easily removable with only one bolt.

If you click on the picture in my link you can get it big enough to explain.
I cut the long portion off a cheap jack wrench, ground flats on it and use that in a cordless drill to lower them.

[SuicideSaints]

Originally Posted by richp

Hi,

I have been thinking about adding scissor jacks in the middle on my Silverback 33RL. But I look at the frame and start wondering, "Do I really want to drill holes in that awful thin-looking metal, and what will it do for my warranty?" So I'm drifting in the direction of the cast aluminum screw jacks instead.

Anyone else have misgivings about drilling the frame there?

Rich Phillips

There are brackets that clamp around the frame so you dont have to drill/tap into it. Do a search there are pics and instructions for DIY.

[richp]

Hi Offroad,

Got it -- thanks.

I'll have to look at my rig and see if I have a cross-member like that that I can tie into. I had been looking at the main frame members themselves.

Rich Phillips

[Timex]

Originally Posted by richp

Hi Offroad,

Got it -- thanks.

I'll have to look at my rig and see if I have a cross-member like that that I can tie into. I had been looking at the main frame members themselves.

Rich Phillips

Rich, look at what I did. Had a welding buddy weld a piece of tubing that slides into the 2" tube over the axle, then welded the jack onto that smaller tube. Then he drilled a hole thru each tube and secured with a bolt. So if I wanted to take the scissor jack off(for some reason), just take the bolt out and slide it out.

[richp]

Hi Timex,

Another great option, depending on what the underside of my Silverback has for a setup.

Rich Phillips