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10-14-2020, 05:20 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
2019 30' Classic
Norcross
, Georgia
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 56
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Whoops, forgot the stabilizers!
Well I never thought it would happen to me but today we tried to lower our 30 Classic on to our hitch ball after forgetting to retract the stabilizers (we rarely use them but we needed it for this site with the jack fully extended to level).
We caught ourselves after realizing the hitch wasn't lowering but the jack was retracting and we quickly tried to recover by lowering the jack back down again which then resulted in apply in pressure to the rear stabilizers that were still down.
The stabilizers are still working and don't appear bent after holding her tongue weight up by themselves for 10-15 seconds but I'm worried about damage I might not be seeing.
Any advice out there on what to check/be concerned about? Any chance the ones they use on the Classic are strong enough to be fine?
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10-14-2020, 06:51 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2017 28' International
Jim Falls
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 2,300
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PaulR-GA
Well I never thought it would happen to me but today we tried to lower our 30 Classic on to our hitch ball after forgetting to retract the stabilizers (we rarely use them but we needed it for this site with the jack fully extended to level).
We caught ourselves after realizing the hitch wasn't lowering but the jack was retracting and we quickly tried to recover by lowering the jack back down again which then resulted in apply in pressure to the rear stabilizers that were still down.
The stabilizers are still working and don't appear bent after holding her tongue weight up by themselves for 10-15 seconds but I'm worried about damage I might not be seeing.
Any advice out there on what to check/be concerned about? Any chance the ones they use on the Classic are strong enough to be fine?
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Yep. Weve all been there. I caught myself quickly when I was raising the jack and realized the rear stabilizers were still down. Thankfully no damage. Does put a bit of fright through you though. Havent experienced any negative reprecussions.
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10-14-2020, 07:20 PM
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#3
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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Welcome to the CLUB 👍
I wouldn't worry about permanent damage if they still go up and down.
It's less likely now that it will happen again, but...no guarantees.
__________________
Im done with adulting
Lets go find Bigfoot.
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10-14-2020, 07:27 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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If parked on soft ground, the potential for damage is lower IMO. On a concrete pad maybe higher. As already said, if they work that is the main thing. If any parts got bent, that will become obvious in time.
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10-15-2020, 09:18 AM
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#5
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2 Rivet Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 47
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Thus, my firm and confirmed belief in checklists.
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10-15-2020, 09:25 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2019 25' International
Washington
, Washington, D.C.
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,265
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Rokitman - I was just going to write in with your comment.
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10-15-2020, 09:31 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2013 25' Flying Cloud
Wheaton
, Illinois
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 649
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Just wondering.
Will the stabilizer bend/break to “protect” the trailer mounting points from damage? Akin to a fuse protecting the wire?
Greg
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10-15-2020, 09:36 AM
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#8
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3 Rivet Member
2018 19' Tommy Bahama
Downey
, CA
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 165
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Sounds like its time to think about a switch that shuts off the power to tongue jack if the stabilizers are down....
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10-15-2020, 10:58 AM
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#9
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4 Rivet Member
2018 19' Flying Cloud
Newport
, Washington
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 350
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The most dangerous pilots are those with enough hours to feel really confident but not enough hours to have made sufficient mistakes to convince them to go back to being anal about using checklists. I think the same applies to Airstream owners.
I used checklists religiously until I felt like I didn't need them anymore. Then I managed to:
- Raise the tongue without first retracting the stabilizers.
- Rip the TV antenna off because I didn't check vertical clearance.
- Roll the trailer backwards about 4 feet because I didn't block the tires prior to taking the hitch off the ball.
Needless to say I now use my Departure and Arrival checklists every time. Not necessarily because I'm smart enough to learn from my mistakes but rather because my wife quickly learned from my mistakes.
__________________
Dale & Jane
2018 Flying Cloud 19
2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab Diesel
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10-15-2020, 11:12 AM
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#10
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3 Rivet Member
2005 28' International CCD
San Jose via Winnepeg, Toronto, Orlando, Saratoga and Groton
, California
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 100
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I Broke My Tongue Jack
And if you are frazzled because of events (like fire evac) or using a borrowed TV, the possibility of damage increases.
I followed a process for unhitching that leaves the shank hooked to the ball...but I was in a borrowed TV and escaping the fires in August, and was tired, so instead of taking it slow and thinking about what I was doing, pulled away and buckled the jack tube. Had to get a bottle jack at Home Depot (5 mins before closing) just to level the trailer for bed. Eeek!
So use checklists, take it slow whatever even if you think you are safe. I agree on the comment abut experienced pilots (applies nuclear plant operators, truck drivers....)
__________________
2005 28' CCD International
2x120W Solar Panels/22A GoPower Controller
1200# Equalizer Hitch
2007 GMC Yukon XL SLT
"Where are my keys?"
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10-15-2020, 12:14 PM
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#11
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1 Rivet Member
2020 27' Flying Cloud
Colorado Springs
, Colorado
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 19
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I believe the stabilizers are more than adequate for the weight from the tongue (what is the tongue weight, less than 900 pounds, divided by two stabilizers?? remember the wheels are still taking most of the load)
Why you should not use them to level the trailer is that they are not designed to take the full weight from the axles PLUS any fore-aft load (which applies a lateral load to the stabilizer and would cause them to just fold over) --
If nothing is bent, (you should be able to see the undercarriage to see if there is any deformity) and they operate smoothly -- you should be ok.
What I would be leery of is extending the jack so far onto the stabilizers that one or more wheels are lifted off the ground -- THEN you might want to worry.
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10-15-2020, 12:50 PM
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#12
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2 Rivet Member
2019 30' Classic
Norcross
, Georgia
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 56
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Thanks everyone and completely agree on the Checklist which we started today!
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10-15-2020, 01:26 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2018 25' International
Slidell
, Louisiana
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,725
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I second Rusty B's post. The Airstream stabilizers have ample static capacity to release the tongue jack and support trailer weight. Each can support well over 1800 lbs as long as they are not being asked to do so while they are actively being used to lift or lower the weight. If you have 1500 lb on the tongue, that means the stabilizers will see about 2000 lbs total (1000 lb each).
The trouble comes in if you try to raise the jack with the back ones down. There is much greater opportunity, if you go to far, to exceed the static capacity. Worse though the rear jacks will be subject to dynamic pitch as the trailer is rotated upwards and thus experience lateral loads. Here they are weak and could easily flex, twist and bend.
So don't sweat accidentally placing load on the front jacks too much.
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10-15-2020, 01:39 PM
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#14
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1 Rivet Member
2018 33' Classic
Fresno
, California
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 13
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Ive made little hang tags to use as reminders of things like shore power, hoses, Tongue Jack down attached to my steering wheel, etc. One on the tongue jack as a reminder for the stabilizers would be a help. Don't leave it there all of the time or it will become common place. tie it to something close by to use as needed. One in the door pocket of your tow vehicle to place on the steering wheel or instrument cluster would be a good idea. It is just too easy to forget stuff and a repair or serious damage can be a drag on travel time.
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10-15-2020, 02:45 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1977 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
1973 21' Globetrotter
1975 26' Argosy 26
Vista
, California
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 589
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We cal it the “cross check”. (Like the flight attendants).
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10-15-2020, 03:43 PM
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#16
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1 Rivet Member
2018 33' Classic
Sunset
, Texas
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 6
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I have an aviation background and too use a departure and arrival checklists. But, as in a cockpit, they work only when you visually inspect EACH item on the checklist before proceeding to the next checklist item. Checklists prevent, what we call, “Whoop-ti-does”.
When we bought our 33’ Classic we were told NOT to use the stabilizer jacks to level...just to keep the coach from shaking as you walk around inside. We hardly get any movement just sitting on the tongue jack/tires, so we don’t even use our stabilizers.
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10-16-2020, 06:51 AM
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#17
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2 Rivet Member
2018 30' Classic
2018 33' Classic
Weatherford
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 70
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It is an easy task.
Upon arrival
1. Level side to side (tires) because you will need the tow vehicle to get it up on blocks if necessary. Apply wheel chalks.
2. Get it off the hitch (move the tow vehicle) Level front to back.
3. Connect Electric (ref AC/Heat), then water, sewer, tv cable or satellite, water heater.
4. Let stabilizers down to avoid any shake from movement while inside.
For departure work in reverse order.
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10-16-2020, 06:57 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2015 30' Classic
Decatur
, Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 683
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we've all been there done that, from my experience I now make raising the stabilizers the very first thing I do in my routine when tearing down and the last thing I do when setting up
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10-16-2020, 04:20 PM
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#19
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3 Rivet Member
2018 25' International
Mound
, Minnesota
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 236
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KelloggKid
The most dangerous pilots are those with enough hours to feel really confident but not enough hours to have made sufficient mistakes to convince them to go back to being anal about using checklists. I think the same applies to Airstream owners.
I used checklists religiously until I felt like I didn't need them anymore. Then I managed to:
- Raise the tongue without first retracting the stabilizers.
- Rip the TV antenna off because I didn't check vertical clearance.
- Roll the trailer backwards about 4 feet because I didn't block the tires prior to taking the hitch off the ball.
Needless to say I now use my Departure and Arrival checklists every time. Not necessarily because I'm smart enough to learn from my mistakes but rather because my wife quickly learned from my mistakes.
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Don't forget raising the tongue without retracting the steps. Don't ask me how I know
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10-16-2020, 06:34 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2019 19' Flying Cloud
Canyon Country
, California
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 909
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Now it happened. lets do a check up. try to lower your stabs halfway and go under to shake the stab if its firm, its fine. if its loose, it needs to be fixed. It happened to my Coleman Mesa once. A ranger at Cloudland Campground ordered my popup to move a little to the site... forgot to raise the 2 rear stabs two volunteers helped me move and one was damaged and became loose.
Got plenty of SPUD stories
Check to see if the stab is loose or not.
__________________
2014 Ford Explorer XLT with factory installed Tow Package.
2019 Flying Cloud 19CBB
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