2018 Mercedes FR Forester MBS stabilizer

[Papa Dee]

I'm a NewBie and am in need of help. I just purchased a Mercedes FR Forester sprinter. On the madel voyage, I trashed the rear stabilizer supports, and now I have to replace them. I need confirmation of the correct part before I order them. Is this the correct part...
BAL R.V. Products Group 21100005 FASTJACK Powered C-Jack

Below are pics of the damaged part and a pic of the anticipated replacement part..

[Aussieguy]

what got bent...

you can try unbend it



OR take it to a metal fabrication shop


edit........... looked harder at pic saw the bent stuff
looks to be a metal shop fix at the hinge point

[kenandterry]

Papa Dee….

In the future, just post your concern under ONE location. It helps keep the clutter of duplicate posts to a minimum.

In your case, it WAS better suited to be filed under the MBS forum because the photos you attached allow another owner with that same motorhome to confirm if there is an identification label on the stabilizer.

[Mr. Dan]

Two threads merged in best sub-forum

[Papa Dee]

The passenger side support is bent backwards. The screw bolt is bent and out of the soccet. The entire side has to be replaced. There is now metal fatigue in the bends. If it could be straightened, I would have concerns for an unexpected resbend because of the weight of the cabin on it. The best option is replacement with new structurally competent parts. .... worst case scenario is I'm out with the wife on a long trip and it fails.... oh, the price!
I just want someone "in the know" to confirm I have the correct part.
Thank you for your time.

[TowPro]

for the sprinter there might be a better option, and not sure how much more it cost.


The Official Website for Bigfoot© Hydraulic Leveling Systems
https://eqsystems.us/product/eq-smar...is-2018-older/

[Papa Dee]

Thanks for the recommendation..... interesting option..... but the cost ($3,450 vs. $327) makes the decision.
Sincerely, thanks for your time.

[TowPro]

I assume they were down and you moved to bend them? Did the alarm not go off when you put started the engine?

my 2018 had this system where the engine had to be running before the jacks would work by the switch that was on the floor in kitchen. BUT if the engine was running when you put the jacks down the alarm would scream. you needed hearing protection to put down the jacks.

[Aussieguy]

For future ..... little sticky note on the steering wheel....

Stabilizers UP
water power OFF
GO

[kenandterry]

Originally Posted by TowPro

I assume they were down and you moved to bend them? Did the alarm not go off when you put started the engine?

my 2018 had this system where the engine had to be running before the jacks would work by the switch that was on the floor in kitchen. BUT if the engine was running when you put the jacks down the alarm would scream. you needed hearing protection to put down the jacks.

Stabilizers are manually mechanical not electrical. Hydraulic or electric jacking systems might operate the way you assume with warning buzzers, but not stabilizers, which are like the basic scissor jack you might have in your car. They are an attempt to stop side to side motion, not level a motorhome such as jacks. These don’t have any interface as to whether your engine is running or not. They are completely independent.

Just an fyi.

[Aussieguy]

Originally Posted by kenandterry

Stabilizers are manually mechanical not electrical. Hydraulic or electric jacking systems might operate the way you assume with warning buzzers, but not stabilizers, which are like the basic scissor jack you might have in your car. They are an attempt to stop side to side motion, not level a motorhome such as jacks. These don’t have any interface as to whether your engine is running or not. They are completely independent.

Just an fyi.

Mine's electric and from the pictures I believe the OP's may also be electric too (I need better glasses.)
plus the price he quoted looks correct for the electric version.


Didn't notice mine were electric until we did the dealer walk-through so I was pleasantly surprised

Manual ones... was going to use a battery powered electric drill / screwdriver...

the electric ones do have a feature for deploying on uneven ground
BUT are not meant to be used as a LEVELER...
only use them so they are firm and support some of the weight.

[BehindBars]

Papa Dee, the Forest River Interactive Manuals site shows a MORryde electric motorized stabilizer system as your 2018 MBS stabilizers. Is this what you have? If so, you could possibly contact MORryde for replacement parts. See link to manual:

https://forestriverinc.help/#/forest...ultiple-571629

[BehindBars]

Originally Posted by kenandterry

Stabilizers are manually mechanical not electrical. Hydraulic or electric jacking systems might operate the way you assume with warning buzzers, but not stabilizers, which are like the basic scissor jack you might have in your car. They are an attempt to stop side to side motion, not level a motorhome such as jacks. These don’t have any interface as to whether your engine is running or not. They are completely independent.

Just an fyi.

This is evidently not true. Electric motorized stabilizers do exist. https://forestriverinc.help/#/forest...ultiple-571629
Yes, they are stabilizers, not leveling jacks.

[Mr. Dan]

My rear stabilizers are electric with a motor and a switch.

[kenandterry]

I stand corrected as I did not proof read my own submission.

I should have said “a number of stabilizers are manually mechanical not electrical.”

[TowPro]

Originally Posted by kenandterry

Stabilizers are manually mechanical not electrical. Hydraulic or electric jacking systems might operate the way you assume with warning buzzers, but not stabilizers, which are like the basic scissor jack you might have in your car. They are an attempt to stop side to side motion, not level a motorhome such as jacks. These don’t have any interface as to whether your engine is running or not. They are completely independent.

Just an fyi.

My 2018 MBS had electric stabilizers that looked exactly like that, but they had motors on the inboard side.

[Papa Dee]

Thanks for all the help. .... What I have found..
BAL makes the stabilizers for 5th wheels and class A motorhomes. These are sold to MOTRride, who cuts them to size for FR class B sprinters. Basically, there are 3 sections to the stabilizer... 2 extendable legs & a center section with the 2 motors. If you purchase the Amazon package (BAL R.V. Products Group 21100005 FASTJACK Powered C-Jack...$328 + free shipping) this fits the wider chassis.... not the Class B. If you purchase the MOTRride package (cut to size.. $300 + shipping) it will fit. If you are lucky.... like me, I hope.... you can purchase just both retractable legs ($125 +free shipping),remove the system (4 bolts) and rework what is originally on the chassis.
At the moment, the entire system is in my shop awaiting delivery of the legs.

[Papa Dee]

Oops..... it's MORride...not MOTRride...sorry!

[BehindBars]

I’m glad you’re making some progress, Papa Dee. Let us know how it turns out.

[Papa Dee]

Sorry again... in reading my note I was in error.... MORride cuts the system it fit the "Class C" chassis, not the "Class B" chassis.