Scissor Jacks vs. Factory Ones

[NashBuff]

On our old AS I needed to replace the level jacks right away. So for the last 5 years I've using new scissor jacks. With our new(2010) AS the original jacks seem, well, kind of cheap and not as sturdy. Am I being to picky?

[NashBuff]

Oops just finding a thread on this topic.

[AWCHIEF]

Stabilizers? They are not heavy duty load bearing and should not be used for attempting to level or lift the trailer.

[nrgtrakr]

Yep ... stabilizers ... not leveling - too flimsy.

[BoldAdventure]

Yeah if you try to lift or level with them you'll end up ruining them. And then they don't do such a wonderful job, stabilizing.

[HoffmanP]

Well, actually, I once forgot to crank my stabilizers up before I jacked up the tongue to hook up, and low and behold, the rear stabilizers held the whole weight of the trailer--wheels off the ground (a 27FB International). I always thought the stabilizers were a bit cheesy until then.

[AWCHIEF]

Originally Posted by HoffmanP

Well, actually, I once forgot to crank my stabilizers up before I jacked up the tongue to hook up, and low and behold, the rear stabilizers held the whole weight of the trailer--wheels off the ground (a 27FB International). I always thought the stabilizers were a bit cheesy until then.

Lucky!

[BoldAdventure]

Yeah I'd say that's lucky, my back corner one took some weight and now it always ends up loose after a few days of going in and out of the Airstream.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by BoldAdventure

Yeah I'd say that's lucky, my back corner one took some weight and now it always ends up loose after a few days of going in and out of the Airstream.

Curb side?

They're easy to replace. Is the ACME screw thread damaged? If so, place more material underneath to avoid that thread section.

And it's normal to re-adjust them after a couple of days till the trailer "takes a set". It's also a benefit of using 6'x12"x2" pressure treat under tires. Spread the load across the dirt.
The little plastic thingies won't do it.

ROtochoks (well worth eBay auction) or similar will help stop trailer rock and remove pressure spikes on stabilizers.

Trailers are usually heavier on curb side. If you can support steps with wood block, that also stops rocking.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by NashBuff

On our old AS I needed to replace the level jacks right away. So for the last 5 years I've using new scissor jacks. With our new(2010) AS the original jacks seem, well, kind of cheap and not as sturdy. Am I being to picky?

You'll want to ask Andy/Inland RV for expert opinion. I personally would never use the type on one of my trailers.

See above post and research ROtochoks.

[MelGoddard]

Originally Posted by slowmover

You'll want to ask Andy/Inland RV for expert opinion. I personally would never use the type on one of my trailers.

See above post and research ROtochoks.

I agree with slow-mover;
The AS stabilizers are rather flimsy looking, and I prefer the more sturdy scissor jacks. Having said that; I have just received a new 25' Flying Cloud, and after three trips on it, the 'cheezy' stabilizers seem to work ok. But I'll be monitoring their performance in the future.

[slowmover]

I'm not at all in favor of screw jacks, sorry I did not make myself clear.

The stab type are more than adequate especially when bolstered by intra-tire chocks of substantial size, and more marginally by equalizing axle movement via a wood plank.

[CaCraig]

I googled ROtochoks. They went out of business last year.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by CraigCA

I googled ROtochoks. They went out of business last year.

Yes. We're limited to trying to find the right size via classifieds or online auctions.

[frechette]

While on the left coast, had my favorite A/S dealer, Tuscan RV replace the flimsy, stock stabilizers with electrically operated stabilizers. It is now a pleasure to lower and retract them.

Maine-yak

[CaCraig]

What are these flimsy stabilizers everyone is talking about? The ones that have the foot that comes down on all four corners? I was just about to buy a set of those from Vintage. They are rated at 2000lbs each. That's more than enough to stabilize and even raise my AS off the ground.

Maybe I should just get the pyramid shaped ones that are $40 for the set? I just didn't want to have to store something else inside.

[dkottum]

The Airstream needs to be leveled with some sort of leveling block(s) under the tire(s) and the tongue jack. It needs to be stabilized with the four stabilizers, which can easily be run down and up with a electric drill and socket. Unless it's just an overnight stop; we leave it hooked up to the truck with no jack or stabilizers down. The factory stabilizers are plenty substantial for their purpose.

I see that Can-Am Airstream in Ontario installs electric leveling struts near the wheel wells, that's about as easy as this can get and it's on my mind (due to advancing years) to alleviate the leveling nuisance.

[guskmg]

I hate to rain on your parade, but CanAm just told me their supplier for the new wheel jacks is no longer shipping them.
guskmg