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Old 08-24-2014, 04:13 PM   #1
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Wobbly jacks

All of them! I have a HW276 and have noticed all 4 stabilizer jacks wobble all the time. The tongue jack really wobbles too. I understand that cutting corners is a way for saving cost but I'm starting to wonder if I need to upgrade all 4 stabilizer jacks and tongue jack for something a bit more heavy duty.

I do not use the stabilizer jacks for leveling, they only touch the ground with zero lift on the frame.
I do use a BAL wheel chock/leveler, maybe having a second one to just stop the other wheel from moving will add extra stability. Given that the tongue jack is one of 3 parts touching the ground, it should really be more stable. I use a trailer cone thingy so the jack isn't fully extended. Even then, it has a lot of play in it, like 1/4 to 1/2 inch sway side to side.

Has anyone seen this and have you replaced for a sturdier jack?


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Old 08-24-2014, 05:35 PM   #2
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Are you parked in a level spot?
Are the stabs electric operated?
I'm not familiar to your rig by the description you gave.
Pics could be useful in helping you figure a solution out.
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Old 08-24-2014, 06:13 PM   #3
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I have a hw276 with electric tongue jack. No I have never had the wobbly thing. Maybe ur jack n stab just need to be tightened. We too have the BAL level but only used it this weekend and did chock the other wheel. I used wood under each stab and the tongue jack plus the tongue jack doesnt have a wheel just a 6" foot. No cone thingy. (Don't know the proper nane either)
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Old 08-24-2014, 06:23 PM   #4
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Alright, I figured out it is a PUP, correct?

Check to see that the tongue jack is tight to the frame.
Some use the type of wheel chock that locks the chocks to the tire.
When I had a PUP, I'd tighten the stabs pretty good.
It would move a little when walking around in it but was stable.
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Old 08-24-2014, 06:31 PM   #5
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Sorry Timex yes it is.
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Old 08-24-2014, 08:27 PM   #6
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Hey Kinma,

The problem with stabilizers is they only really have one directional bracing. They do a great job of stopping up and down but are not that stable with a back and forth force. The people who own 5th wheels have this type of problem also and they use a bracket to stop the sway. Basically they bolt square tubing to the front supports and back to the frame. Pop up owners do not really have that option.

I think the best possible option so to chock the tires with blocks on both front and back.

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Old 08-24-2014, 09:30 PM   #7
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Wobbly jacks

Thanks for the replies, yes it is a popup. There aren't loose bolts or anything, probably just light duty parts. It doesn't matter if on pavement, gravel even or uneven.

It seems the root problem is the tongue jack itself, given that the stabilizers don't do well with side movement. The side movement is because the extending part of the jack has so much play (the top never moves)

Sounds like a new tongue jack is in my near future for starters.
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Old 08-24-2014, 09:45 PM   #8
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Harbor freight has some about 200 use coupon sherpa they have a 20 - 25% off coupon. Thats if you have a harbor freight near you.
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Old 08-24-2014, 09:50 PM   #9
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Yep, got a HF a few minutes away, will check it out! Thanks for the suggestion :-)
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Old 08-25-2014, 06:28 AM   #10
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Let me know if that fixes the problem Fishhawk. I am not sure it will. There is a certain amount of play in these tongue jacks and I am not sure a new/different one will make that much of a difference.

There is a site I visit in Maine and it has a low spot towards the road that I try to place the maximum height of boards under the jack so the pole is not extended too far. This is the best I can do but it is still wobbly. And like you, these Highwalls are heavy units. They still rock back and forth with ease. That is why I think holding the wheels as tight as possible is the solution.

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Old 08-25-2014, 08:11 AM   #11
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Check out Bal stabilizers
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Old 08-25-2014, 08:18 AM   #12
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See no reason JT Strongarm type stabilizers could not be used on the unit. 2 in back and 2 in front. The front ones could be angle toward the tongue and really get some stability out of them.
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Old 08-25-2014, 08:37 AM   #13
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Not sure what tongue jack u use but I have a 3k lb electric which is much more stable then the original jack that came on the trailer. I agree on chocking both tires. I use a dead blow hammer to set the chocks one one side and a BAL leveler or the Anderson (old way I used)
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Old 08-25-2014, 03:41 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OldCoot View Post
See no reason JT Strongarm type stabilizers could not be used on the unit. 2 in back and 2 in front. The front ones could be angle toward the tongue and really get some stability out of them.
It might be technically possible but I do not think it is really that practical for the OP at this point. I think he needs to check out a few different options before he starts bolting/welding angle iron to the unit.

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Old 08-25-2014, 03:53 PM   #15
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I understand that the less jack you have extended the more stable they are.
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Old 08-25-2014, 04:13 PM   #16
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WOW!! Your a genius. Those are the coolest thing I have ever seen. So simple it makes you say "why did I not think of that" They fold up quick, cheap to make. I litle tough to get perfect I would imagine but that is awesome. I think I am gonna make a few of those.

They look like 2x8. The grey one looks like KD and the newer one looks like PT.

Not sure what size I need until I get the unit and actually see how high these things sit off the ground.

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Old 08-25-2014, 04:20 PM   #17
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I did this

Click image for larger version

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And this

Click image for larger version

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And with this


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I get no sway.


Started Out With Nothing,
Still Have Most Of It Left!
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Old 08-25-2014, 07:04 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vinmaker View Post
It might be technically possible but I do not think it is really that practical for the OP at this point. I think he needs to check out a few different options before he starts bolting/welding angle iron to the unit.

Vin.
No need to add or weld anything as the JT Strongarms are a bolt on item. The struts go from the jack pad to the frame. The JT's on the front angled to the tongue would be ideal for stability.
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Old 08-26-2014, 09:45 AM   #19
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I am going to put the stabilizers at a 45 degree angle instead of parallel to the front and rear. Hopefully this will have the same effect as the strongarms. Anyone else done this?
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