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Old 05-17-2011, 07:16 PM   #1
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Junk sisor jacks....

Forest river sure is good with trying to fake out consumers, on my 2011 TT I had something occur where I needed to replace the rear sissor jacks. On my TT there are stickers on the sides above where the jacks are that say the jacks on my TT are BAL. Guess what they aren't. I ordered some BAL jacks and they are strong sturdy steel jacks. The other two original ones I have which are the original ones, which again I will add one would be led to believe are BAL are far from it.

Yes they are sissor jacks but from who I have no idea, I can not believe they ( Forest River) is so cheap and has gone out of their way to try and pull the wool over our eyes. These jacks are so flimsy, thin metal easily bendable, wiggley excuse for a jack.

So anyway, I am sure most of you have felt the shaking and wiggling inside your TT when someone walks. I recently ordered and installed a set of Steadfast stabilizers on my TT. In doing so I noticed these sub par low quality sissor jacks just won't cut it! So I ordered another set of quality well built BAL sissor jacks to aid in a stable base at the camp site. Yes a pair cost $90 or so but if you are looking for quality jacks look no further.

Just my two cents, but someone should call them on this, I at least let the company that makes the BAL jacks that FR is using their stickers but nor the jacks on the TT. They told me nothing can be done on their end.

I sure am glad my Ford truck isn't a dodge ram with a ford sticker on it!!!!!
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Old 05-17-2011, 07:20 PM   #2
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You made a great case until the last sentence. Then you blew your credibility out of the water...
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Old 05-17-2011, 07:25 PM   #3
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too funny
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Old 05-17-2011, 07:31 PM   #4
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Have you ever thought that maybe BAL produces them according to FR specs? Lighter and cheaper.
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Old 05-17-2011, 07:32 PM   #5
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Are you sure that BAL doesn't have different grades of scissor jacks? I really can't believe FR would purposely mislabel an item such as a scissor jack, what do they have to gain from that?
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Old 05-17-2011, 07:34 PM   #6
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I have noticed the scissor jacks shake especially when someone is in the top bunk - I plan on adding the stabilizer's as well to my trailer - I already have the X-Chocks

I am glad my Dodge Ram doesnt have a Ford Sticker on it and I have nothing against Ford's either.
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Old 05-17-2011, 07:37 PM   #7
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yea should of left that last part off. LOL
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Old 05-17-2011, 07:44 PM   #8
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I don't know about them being made for FR, nothing and I mean nothing about these jacks is even close to quality of the true BAL jacks.

Besides if they were making them for FR and they were BAL wouldn't one think they would proudly display their stickers on them as they do on all the other products they make?

Also when I spoke to the company they said nothing about them making a version for FR......

wiggle wiggle loosey loose junkie junk junk = FR jacks

solid struck sturdy jacks = BAL
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Old 05-17-2011, 07:45 PM   #9
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ok then smart car with a ford sticker is that better........LOL
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Old 05-17-2011, 08:02 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by threegr8katz View Post
ok then smart car with a ford sticker is that better........LOL


much better
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Old 05-17-2011, 08:03 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by threegr8katz View Post
I don't know about them being made for FR, nothing and I mean nothing about these jacks is even close to quality of the true BAL jacks.

Besides if they were making them for FR and they were BAL wouldn't one think they would proudly display their stickers on them as they do on all the other products they make?

Also when I spoke to the company they said nothing about them making a version for FR......

wiggle wiggle loosey loose junkie junk junk = FR jacks

solid struck sturdy jacks = BAL
I dont remember seeing Bal stickers on my jacks - once you get the BAL jack's installed let me know how much better they are cause I may decide to upgrade if they help

I am also looking at the stablizer's as well - how do you like them and do they really help?
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Old 05-17-2011, 08:15 PM   #12
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Well they took a bit to install. I did have the BAL stabilizer arms, no help at all. I think the steadyfast system will do the trick. Optimistic but think they are worth the $$ Iggy says they work wonders.......

I think once I have quality stabilizers installed all around this will be a great complete system.
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Old 05-17-2011, 08:29 PM   #13
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also as an FYI - BAL does make what they call an OEM stabilizer which is what we probably have - just ran across a video on Youtube - searched stabilizer jacks and found them on a video from PPLmotorhomes.
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Old 05-17-2011, 09:01 PM   #14
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You can get good scissor jacks from Harbor Freight for about $30. I bought two and use them in front of my axles for added stability when people come in and out of the TT.
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Old 05-17-2011, 09:23 PM   #15
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The jacks in the video are still BAL and have the stickers stating that , the junk I am talking about isn't BAL
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Old 05-17-2011, 09:33 PM   #16
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Quote:
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The jacks in the video are still BAL and have the stickers stating that , the junk I am talking about isn't BAL
I thought it had BAL stickers on them and were similar to the thin narrow one's on the camper in the video - I guess thats what I get for thinking
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Old 05-18-2011, 07:13 AM   #17
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no Man, FR has used BAL stickers and put them on the front both sides of my new TT I ordered direct, but trust me they are far from the quality of real BAL jacks.

Plus they do not have any BAL markings or stickers on the jacks.

Junk I say Junk
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Old 05-18-2011, 07:51 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by threegr8katz View Post
Just my two cents, but someone should call them on this, I at least let the company that makes the BAL jacks that FR is using their stickers but nor the jacks on the TT. They told me nothing can be done on their end.
Aren't you someone?
Call Forest River and express your dissatisfaction. Perhaps one of the line workers erred and used the wrong jacks. Maybe even a supervisor ok'd putting the wrong ones on to save time or skirt a shortage. believe it or not this happens all he time i manufacturing.
If you do not get satisfaction bark further up the tree. Just remember to be kind to the person you are talking too for you need them on your side to resolve the issue and they probably are not the ones who erred in the first place.
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Old 05-18-2011, 08:04 AM   #19
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Besides if they were making them for FR and they were BAL wouldn't one think they would proudly display their stickers on them as they do on all the other products they make?
No. does companies that make stuff that have Publix, Winn Dixie, Food Lion and others logos also have the companies name that really makes it on the lable, no they don't. They don't want people knowing they make a cheaper product.

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Old 05-18-2011, 08:05 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by threegr8katz View Post
no Man, FR has used BAL stickers and put them on the front both sides of my new TT I ordered direct, but trust me they are far from the quality of real BAL jacks.
Plus they do not have any BAL markings or stickers on the jacks.
Junk I say Junk
OK we get it. You're pissed and have good reason to rant
but I don't believe that part about FR putting BAL sitckers
over non BAL jacks. Period.
Most equipment manufacturers make good stuff and
OEM stuff. OEM might be OK or it might be cheaper
and lighter.

It's not unusual for RV folks like us to upgrade
parts of our trailers. When you buy by price alone you
get makers who are doing what ever they can to lower
their price. That's why your new trailer probably doesn't
come with Good Year Marathon's or Posturepedic mattress.

So far I'm still satisfied with my FR including the jacks.
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