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09-08-2022, 05:44 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: STRATFORD
Posts: 10
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Stabilizer jack and leveling blocks
Recently acquired a 2006 Cougar, (304BHS) It is missing a stabilizer jack. Previous owner states when he purchased it, hooked it up to transport, the owner he was getting it from, missed putting up one of the stabilizer jacks, and when pulling away damaged it. He just removed it and never replaced it. Just stacked a bunch of concrete blocks on that corner where the jack should be. No wonder he could never level it right. Like I'm going to haul all those blocks around in the trailer instead of just getting a new jack.. Pffft..
Anyway.... I found numerous places to find a replacement, my question is do the jacks come with the hardware to attach it? Thankfully, the bracket does not seem to be bent or damaged.
I also don't like the concrete pavers he used to put under the jacks. I've seen all kinds of bases to put them on, what do you recommend? Leveling blocks, jack pads, footplates, etc. TIA
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09-08-2022, 06:02 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Indiana
Posts: 2,666
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Those stabilizer jacks can be purchased from any RV dealership / parts store / on-line / Amazon, pretty much anywhere. They are fairly easy to install. I replaced and added additional jacks on my previous travel trailers. They say to use self-tapping screws that should come with the jack (if you purchase it new). But I found the trailer frame was way too stiff for that. I had to drill holes first that were slightly smaller than the self-tapping screws, and THEN the self-tapping screws (or bolts) worked very well.
You can use anything under the jacks you want for a base on the ground. Lots of folks like the plastic Lego style stacking blocks. I personally have always liked and use lumber. I have a pretty impressive collection, but we also never land on the same campsite twice, even if returning to the same State Park, and each campsite ground is different. So we just never know when we'll need a mountain of lumber because we'll be on a slope or a perfectly flat one. We are always prepared.
Also, you have the option of having that jack welded on the frame also. But then, if it gets bent or broken, it's much harder to replace.
And by the way, that piece that is still attached to your camper is part of the old jack. If you want a new jack in that exact same location, you'll have to remove it. If it's welded, then you are best to take the camper to a local welding shop and have them remove it and while there, put the new one on.
One more thing: Those jacks are not used for leveling or for lifting the trailer. They are used for "stabilizing". In other works, they are used to help keep the trailer from wiggling and bouncing when walking around inside. You "level" your trailer by putting blocks or lumber under the tires to level left-to-right (called East-West leveling), and you use your trailer tongue jack to level front-to-back (called North-South leveling). Those jacks are not intended to "level". They will not support the weight of the trailer.
__________________
2019 Montana High Country 375FL
2014 Chevy Duramax HD 6.6 - 3500 Diesel Dully Long bed Crew Cab
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09-08-2022, 06:03 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Las Cruces
Posts: 4,665
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I’ve never seen a jack come with hardware, but it’s easy to get from any local hardware store. Depends on the ground and how far I had to drop the jacks as to what I put under them. If the ground was firm and they didn’t have to drop very far, I didn’t use anything. If that wasn’t the case, I used lynx leveling blocks (orange legos) because they’re light and easy to carry.
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09-08-2022, 06:30 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Indiana
Posts: 2,666
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You do have another alternative. You can always pick up a set of these. These have been around forever. My dad used them on our 1963 Phoenix Travel Trailer. I was 8 years old when he bought it. I've had a 4 set all my life and used them for hundreds of different things, including adding extra stabilizers for winter storage. These guys are pretty strong and can actually support a lot of weight. Still, I do not recommend "lifting" your trailer with these, or using them for jack stands for changing a tire, but they do come in real, real handy and are a good alternative if you don't want to go through the effort to replace that jacks.
Just make sure, if you use these, that you put them under the frame. And if on soft ground, put support under them.
Click here.
__________________
2019 Montana High Country 375FL
2014 Chevy Duramax HD 6.6 - 3500 Diesel Dully Long bed Crew Cab
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09-08-2022, 07:17 AM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,238
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Hard to tell but the first pic looks like the top of the jack was welded on? If not then just remove the screws, and the new one will have that bracket to mount it to the frame.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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09-08-2022, 09:37 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Funkywtboy
Recently acquired a 2006 Cougar, (304BHS) It is missing a stabilizer jack. Previous owner states when he purchased it, hooked it up to transport, the owner he was getting it from, missed putting up one of the stabilizer jacks, and when pulling away damaged it. He just removed it and never replaced it. Just stacked a bunch of concrete blocks on that corner where the jack should be. No wonder he could never level it right. Like I'm going to haul all those blocks around in the trailer instead of just getting a new jack.. Pffft..
Anyway.... I found numerous places to find a replacement, my question is do the jacks come with the hardware to attach it? Thankfully, the bracket does not seem to be bent or damaged.
I also don't like the concrete pavers he used to put under the jacks. I've seen all kinds of bases to put them on, what do you recommend? Leveling blocks, jack pads, footplates, etc. TIA
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It appears to be welded on so a Sawzall or torch will needed to remove what's left of the old one.
NO WAY would I haul even one of those concrete blocks around with me. If you use the tripod screw jacks you'll definitely need a 12x12", or larger, piece of plywood or something under them or a shovel to dig them up when you move.
I used the Lego type stackables, I had 3 sets of 10 that was more than enough everywhere we parked, especially with the level up system, they're lightweight & took up very little space.
I started with a big pile of treated 4x6" pieces, but the putting out/picking up of the blocks became the DWs chosen duty & declared if she was doing it those were too heavy so the Legos replaced the 4x6s.
__________________
Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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09-08-2022, 06:30 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Central Al
Posts: 118
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I replaced 2, I bought them at harbor freight for like 30$each. Used bolts/nuts and self tapping screws
__________________
2019 Keystone Bullet QBS287, 2014 Tundra Crewmax 5.7
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