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Old 12-17-2017, 03:54 AM   #1
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1980 31' International
Nashville , Tennessee
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How do I jack up and safely stabilize my airstream for permanent parking?

1980 International - Center Bath / Rear Bed - 31'

Hi,

I'm curious to learn how to jack up and permanently park my airstream on my land. She's a good girl but her days on the road are done. I'm going to build her a nice deck with a grill and an outdoor shower down the line, but first, I need to get her safely parked.

The pad I graded has a slight downward slope (4-5"), as my hill side has springs and the ability for the pad to drain is crucial. The entrance door is on this downward leaning side. The trailer is currently parked and chocked in its final resting place. It's noteworthy here to share that I experienced a flat on one of the wheels on this downward leaning side in transit just today, but I figure I'm about to have it up to change it soon anyhow.

With all of that in mind, does anyone have any guidance on a best practice for jacking her up and building necessary piers/wooden frame/foundation/pad/??? under her so she can live a long, level, stable, and safe life?

Many thanks for the guidance!!
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Old 12-17-2017, 05:05 AM   #2
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1980 31' International
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I found this quick and helpful video.

https://youtu.be/vyk2OltL430

Two main pints come to mind:

1 - my trailer is on a grade that has a slight slope downward, which is causing it to lean. Front to back I am level. There will be more height in the blocking on the front to make up the difference.

2 - where should the blocks be placed in the rear and front? Adjacent to the stock stabilizers? A set of blocks should go under the axle(s).

Anyone have any ideas on this??

Many thanks!!
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Old 12-20-2017, 10:20 PM   #3
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Anyone have any ideas??
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Old 12-21-2017, 03:00 AM   #4
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I see you posted this question several days ago. I am sorry you have not received any informed responses. Wish I could help but I have no idea just thought I would try and keep this post alive long enough for someone to help. Good luck. I do know that you will need to be very careful as to how you stabilized your Airstream for permanent dry dock so you don’t bend the frame. The stabilizers are just that, they help reduce bouncing but they aren’t jacks. Too much load on them and you can do serious damage but I’m sure you knew that already.
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Old 12-21-2017, 03:48 AM   #5
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You might try contacting a mobile home installation company for a free estimate and arrange for a side job.

Here's another YouTube that may help.

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Old 12-21-2017, 08:11 AM   #6
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When you set your trailer into position for the last time level it up just like you were spending one night. Use blocking under the low tires to get the trailer leveled left to right. Then use the tongue jack to level front to rear.

What I would do after that: (building contractor hat on now:-)
I would leave the tires, wheels, axles as they are, because at some time this trailer will be moved again.
Behind the tires, the frame is reinforced with an axle mounting plate. 85% of the trailer's weight is carried there when it is being towed, so it should be adequate while it is parked.
Four tires and the tongue jack are the normal load bearing points, so I did some rough calculations based on five load carrying points. I find five 8" x 16" footings will support your trailer adequately for gravity load, assuming a soil bearing capacity of 2k lb/sf. (1.33' x .666' x 2,000 lb x 5 = ~8,856) This is not considering the load that the stabilizer jacks will support, so there is a safety factor already included.(though, not considering frost heave or wind loads)
I would purchase nine 4" x 8" x 16" solid concrete masonry units (commonly called CMU or concrete block).
I would place one beneath the tongue jack.
I would place one beneath each stabilizer jack, total of four.
I would place one CMU directly beneath each end of the axle mounting plate, total of four CMU.
I would place each CMU in a hole so that the top of the CMU is just above the dirt. It would be a good idea to use pressure treated wood block cut the same size as the CMU directly on top of the CMU to spread the load uniformly onto the CMU to prevent it from breaking.
I would use some sort of solid wood cribbing or an ajustable jack stand between the CMU and the axle mounting plate to support the weight of the trailer. These four points will carry the majority of the load, so they must be substantial.
Then reduce air pressure in the tires, but not completely flat (so that the load is reduced on the tires and onto the bearing points).
Adjust the stabilizer jacks and tongue jack as you normally would.

It will be difficult to wind tie an Airstream like a mobile home would be done, since the frame is not exposed beneath the trailer. If you feel you need to, you could tie it down using the A frame in front and skid plates at the rear.

I store my Excella in Florida where tying down is a requirement of the property owner, if the trailer is left unattended. I drilled one hole in each skid plate then added a shackle bolt. I drilled four auger anchors (from Lowes) into the earth. Stainless steel cable is looped through the shackle bolts and auger anchors then clamped with two cable clamps. The front cables are looped over the A frame.

My trailer was within 20 miles of the eye wall of Hurricane Irma this year. It was tied as above. It did not move when exposed to 100+mph winds. There was no damage, except a few scratches from wind blown debris.
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Old 12-21-2017, 08:59 AM   #7
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ps:
In my prior post I did not consider building code. If there is a requirement at the location where you will be placing the trailer, you must follow those requirements.

I "think" if you leave the wheel/tires in place and do not change the method of plumbing or electric connection, the classification remains RV/ travel trailer. So, none of the footings or tying is a code requirement, since you could theoretically just hook up and drive away.
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Old 12-21-2017, 09:02 AM   #8
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Alan,
Really nice and thorough response!

Al
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Old 12-21-2017, 09:17 AM   #9
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One suggestion; build a patio on the ground, not an elevated deck.
If/when down the line you build that deck. Build it 2 feet or so away from the trailer and do not attach the deck to the trailer in any way. At the door build a bridge between the trailer and deck that can be removed easily.
Whoever finds this trailer when you are done will appreciate that. It will be more likely the trailer can live on into the future. And, if you change your mind it will be easier sell it and/or to drive away without dismantling the deck.
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Old 12-21-2017, 07:27 PM   #10
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This is simply excellent feedback. Thank you so much.
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Old 12-21-2017, 11:12 PM   #11
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Great info, AW Warn!
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Old 12-22-2017, 02:53 AM   #12
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Excellent suggestions so far. In terms of keeping the AS as a mobile home "vehicle" legally, you might also have to keep the plates active with the DMV, which might include minimal insurance coverage. If the trailer loses its status as a "vehicle" under state law, all kinds of zoning and building code issues might mess up your plans IMO, as suggested in an earlier comment. You don't want it to become a "structure" sitting on your land. The deck is another matter, and it would behoove you to build it in compliance with the codes, as well, if required in your local municipality. A hidden location for all of this will work in your favor, as prying eyes have messed up plenty of plans like this.



One nosy neighbor is all it takes . . .

Good luck!

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PS -- Don't forget that the black water holding tank will not work that well to process solid waste products, unless you plan ahead for this.
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Old 08-19-2020, 11:58 AM   #13
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This is a great thread. We are setting up our airstream permanently. It will be a short term rental near Big Bend. Once we retire (8ish years), we will take her on a proper tour of the country.

I am trying to figure out what the axle mounting plates look like. I've bought the levelers, CMU's, and cut the wood to distribute the weight. Now, can someone tell me if the axle mounting plates are the orange or blue (or neither) in the photo.
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Old 08-19-2020, 12:07 PM   #14
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Where are the Axle Mounting Plates?

This is a fantastic thread. I am trying to get out airstream situated permanently near Big Bend TX. I've bought the levelers, CMU's, and cut the wood to size. Can someone tell me if the axle mounting plate is the orange or blue (or neither) part of the attached image?
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Old 08-19-2020, 02:18 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AlumiPod View Post
This is a fantastic thread. I am trying to get out airstream situated permanently near Big Bend TX. I've bought the levelers, CMU's, and cut the wood to size. Can someone tell me if the axle mounting plate is the orange or blue (or neither) part of the attached image?
The blue part, or any point along that steel plate, is the axle mounting plate. The orange is the axle tube.
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