How bad did I mess up?

[sadbambi]

Super sad. Brand new Bambi 22FB (my first RV), forgot the stabilizers down and first RAISED the jack, then lowered on to the ball. Finally realized what I had done and quickly raised the jack some and brought the stabilizers back up.

Back left stabilizer is bent pretty good (the mounting plate is bent DOWN, which struck me as odd). The front right has a very slight curve to it, and the rest are fine.

What are the chances I messed something up like the frame? I see no visible damage to the shell and the door still shuts fine. I am unbelievably disappointed in myself. All (most) of the weight of the trailer was on the 4 stabilizers at one point.

[ROBERT CROSS]

It won't fix anything, but you are not alone. Very unlikely anything more than your ego and a stabilizer or two will need repair.

Sweet Streams

Bob
🇺🇦🇺🇸🇺🇦

[Dennis C]

We’ve all made that mistake. Live and learn!

You can buy new stabilizer feet and replace the bent feet. It’s inexpensive and easy.

[GetawA-S]

If that’s the worst you could manage, you will never make it into the Head-smackers Hall of Shame.
You almost certainly did not damage the frame.
But, for your penance, you must prepare an arrival and departure checklist and fill it out for the next twenty trips.
Happy travels!

[sadbambi]

Thanks all, that makes me feel better. Is it okay to use the bent stabilizer? I am leaving for a month long trip tomorrow.

[s1000pre]

I would take that mistake hands down over forgetting to open the black valve while flushing the tank.

[GetawA-S]

The stabilizer is not a safety issue, only being used while stationary. If you are worried about the increased point load poking holes in soft hot asphalt, bring a chunk of wood to put under it. I have read other users accounts of wailing on it with a hammer to straighten it.
I would just go and enjoy my trip, and replace it when I got back.
Happy travels!

[sadbambi]

Originally Posted by GetawA-S

The stabilizer is not a safety issue, only being used while stationary. If you are worried about the increased point load poking holes in soft hot asphalt, bring a chunk of wood to put under it. I have read other users accounts of wailing on it with a hammer to straighten it.
I would just go and enjoy my trip, and replace it when I got back.
Happy travels!

Thanks! It’s not the feet that are bent, it’s the actual bracket that mounts to the bottom of the trailer. Does that change anything?

[Al and Missy]

DW and I got our wires crossed and I drove off with one stabilizer down. I heard a funny noise but then it went away. A guy pulled up next to me at a light and told me the stabilizer was down. It bent the arm and the jackscrew on the (power) jack. Lippert sold me the parts. I pulled it, replaced the parts, put it back on and it is working fine. No problems noticed related to the incident.

[GetawA-S]

It matters not, regarding function, in my mind. Those things serve to decrease the rocking caused by moving around inside, or by the wind. Typical max capacity is on the order of 700 pounds, which normal use never approaches. Even a compromised leg will steady your trailer.
The final fix may not be as simple as we posters had assumed when we thought you were talking about the footpad. Is the bent part welded to the frame, or is it bolted on below that piece?

[sadbambi]

Originally Posted by GetawA-S

It matters not, regarding function, in my mind. Those things serve to decrease the rocking caused by moving around inside, or by the wind. Typical max capacity is on the order of 700 pounds, which normal use never approaches. Even a compromised leg will steady your trailer.
The final fix may not be as simple as we posters had assumed when we thought you were talking about the footpad. Is the bent part welded to the frame, or is it bolted on below that piece?

The bent part is held onto the bottom with a few bolts.

I do not know if this is the exact one, but it’s the top bar in this photo:
https://www.amazon.com/BAL-23222-Set...28738920&psc=1

[sadbambi]

Originally Posted by GetawA-S

It matters not, regarding function, in my mind. Those things serve to decrease the rocking caused by moving around inside, or by the wind. Typical max capacity is on the order of 700 pounds, which normal use never approaches. Even a compromised leg will steady your trailer.
The final fix may not be as simple as we posters had assumed when we thought you were talking about the footpad. Is the bent part welded to the frame, or is it bolted on below that piece?

It’s held on with a few bolts. I do not know if it’s the same one, but the bent part is the top bar in this photo:

[Fungus]

We use the stabilizers less than half the time. Windy day the stabilizers go down. Not windy for the duration of our stay, they stay up. DW and I are 275# total so the trailer doesn't rock much when walking around...YMMV.

Removal of stabilizers is easy. Mine were a tad rusty so I removed, dismantled, and painted them safety red with the POR-15 process.. I figured that I might as well make the new paint functional. That bright red looks great and it's a little harder to overlook, but still possible. I also have detailed checklists plus a final look-around before before pulling away. The easiest way to screw it up is to mess with the tongue jack before retracting the stabilizers.

[majorairhead]

If the attachment holes are not buggered up where that part bolts to the bottom of your trailer then you're good. You won't know until you go to remove the entire mechanism. If the bolts come out smoothly and the new one bolts in there without issue then you're good.

[Streamracer]

I just came from a local rv parts dealer and saw the bal stabilizers. They were right at $190 a pair so the Amazon price posted earlier is right on.
You will soon learn to walk around and check everything around your trailer when coming and going. Always look for windows shut, vents closed, antenna down if not the stationary
Good luck

[IrkdScientst]

Like many others, I took off once with a stabilizer down. The stabilizer looked like a ripple potato chip. With a bit of elbow grease and a sturdy vice I was able to hammer it back into shape and today I can't even remember which one it was.


Top tip: paint your stabilizers bright yellow so they show up in the tall grass!

[GetawA-S]

Originally Posted by majorairhead

If the attachment holes are not buggered up where that part bolts to the bottom of your trailer then you're good. You won't know until you go to remove the entire mechanism. If the bolts come out smoothly and the new one bolts in there without issue then you're good.

My earlier post about a welded component was based on an experience with an SOB where the jack failed in the extended position. I walked out and peeked under my 23FB trailer, pleased to see that Airstream sensibly bolts the jack onto the frame. Replacement should be straightforward.
Good luck, OP! (Don’t want to call you sadbambi, because I think you will soon outgrow that.)

[NY24]

Condolences but, you've just become a member of a VERY large "club oops". Once the damage is repaired, consider putting a tag up front on that jack as a reminder to check the rear stabilizers BEFORE adjusting the jack. A second tag placed on the steering wheel will also serve as a reminder to NOT drive off until you've checked the stabilizers.

[Waterbeach]

My mnemonic is "Some Cows Have Cows Just Behind" - the first "S" is for "Stabilizers up". The rest is the prime sequence of Chocks on, Hitch on, Chocks off, Jack up, Bumper store shut.

[richard5933]

Originally Posted by Streamracer

I just came from a local rv parts dealer and saw the bal stabilizers. They were right at $190 a pair so the Amazon price posted earlier is right on.
You will soon learn to walk around and check everything around your trailer when coming and going. Always look for windows shut, vents closed, antenna down if not the stationary
Good luck

Be careful getting any BAL stabilizers which don't specifically say they are for Airstream trailers. The working bits are the same, but the Airstream model has a much longer post on it so you can reach the jack with the crank without bashing into the belly pan.

BAL makes these specifically for Airstream by modifying a regular stock jack.