Stabilizer Help Needed

[todohert]

We have a 2002 Wildwood that is in great shape. The problem is our driveway has a incline and the stabilizers always touch and scrap when we back it up. We have already lost one and it’s just plain stressful everytime we get home.

I know you can get stabilizers that aren’t connected to the trailer, but can you use a car jack as a stabilizer? We found some at Harbor Freight that can be raised with a drill and have a round top. They hold up to 6000 pounds. Just curious.

[NavyLCDR]

As long as they are used for stabilizing only and not for leveling, I don't see a problem. Most people use these for removable/extra stabilizers:
Camco Olympian Aluminum Jack Stands

I had a couple of the Harbor Freight scissors jacks and hated them.

[ependydad]

Yep, you're just looking for something to make pressure between the ground and frame. On my first fifth wheel, I destroyed a stabilizer about every 6 months due to terrain (and sometimes my own stupidity).

As for your driveway, identify the places where you scrape and touch. Then, put wood blocks down to raise the tires just before that. It'll help you clear without touching. We had to do that with our pop-up and getting it into our very sloped driveway.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by todohert

We have a 2002 Wildwood that is in great shape. The problem is our driveway has a incline and the stabilizers always touch and scrap when we back it up. We have already lost one and it’s just plain stressful everytime we get home.

I know you can get stabilizers that aren’t connected to the trailer, but can you use a car jack as a stabilizer? We found some at Harbor Freight that can be raised with a drill and have a round top. They hold up to 6000 pounds. Just curious.

Yes you can and I have done so many times.
The ones on your R/V are nothing more than scissor jacks mounted to the frame via the top plate.
Just remember they are stabilizers in this application and not intended to level the R/V.

I too didn't care for the Harbor Freight ones but a quick trip to a salvage yard got me 4 car scissor jacks for a whopping total of $5.

If you still have all four of yours, simply remove the self drilling screws or bolts that hold yours onto the frame and use them once you get to the campsite. Won't cost you anything. If you have concerns of the top plate slipping off the frame, a piece of thin rubber pad from an old door mat or step tread will serve you well.