Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Keystone RV Forums > Keystone Tech Forums > Technical Corner
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 02-25-2020, 09:01 AM   #1
BauerAP
Member
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Franklinton
Posts: 67
JT Strongarms...worth the hassle?

Ok...so the title might be a little misleading. I have read enough reviews that I’d really like to have them. I’ve even gone as far as putting them in my cart but just haven’t pulled the trigger. Well today I finally went out and really looked at the install process. I would pretty much have to do all of the mods I’ve seen on the YouTube install videos.
The battery box is in the way. The spare tire mount is in the way and there doesn’t appear to be a crossmember where I would need to mount the rears. All of these problems are fixable but is it really worth it. I was quoted $225 for install of the front but I’m sure they don’t know the issues and that number could likely double.
I’m handi-capable of doing the work but it will definitely be more involved than drilling a couple frame holes and turning a wrench. If this were a 5 year old trailer I wouldn’t mind hacking into things but it still smells new and I am just hesitant to change what’s there.
I have a 2019 sprinter 32fwbh. Any advice or should I just continue with the wobble?
BauerAP is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2020, 09:32 AM   #2
jsb5717
Senior Member
 
jsb5717's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Milwaukie, OR
Posts: 1,389
I'm not sure how much work is involved for your installation but the end result will speak for itself. I think they are great. Once installed they are so easy to use...nothing extra to carry or set up on the trailer every time. Just be sure to loosen the bolts before you retract the landing gear.

Phenomenally stable.
__________________
Jeff & Sandi (and Teddy - 7lb Schnorkie)
2018 Montana High Country 305RL
2015 RAM 3500 Crew Cab 4x4 DRW
Demco Recon Hitch on RAM Puck Ball
jsb5717 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2020, 09:39 AM   #3
slow
Senior Member
 
slow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Posts: 1,196
I have been researching stabilizers and I too am about to pull the trigger on the purchase. But I concluded that the SteadyFast system is the way to go. If you have not checked into it, it is another option with less components to install and to have less play at joints.
__________________
2018 Jayco Eagle HT 265BHS (previous: 2015 23RB Passport Elite, ProPride)
2015 F250 XLT SB Crew, 6.2l gas
PullRite 16K SuperGlide w/SuperRail
Reese 5th Airborne (bagged) Pin Box
RoadMaster Shock Kit
X-Factor Cross Bracing
slow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2020, 10:00 AM   #4
jsb5717
Senior Member
 
jsb5717's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Milwaukie, OR
Posts: 1,389
I've looked at the Steadyfast system. Same principle and looks like a good system. It doesn't look like it's designed for auto level systems, though. Not sure what's on the OP's Sprinter.

Edit: I checked and there are versions available for the Steadyfast system for both kinds of landing gear so just pick accordingly. BAL also makes a system like the Strong Arms. Any of these will stabilize your trailer.
__________________
Jeff & Sandi (and Teddy - 7lb Schnorkie)
2018 Montana High Country 305RL
2015 RAM 3500 Crew Cab 4x4 DRW
Demco Recon Hitch on RAM Puck Ball
jsb5717 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2020, 10:02 AM   #5
Weekender 1
Gone Traveling
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Palmyra
Posts: 62
Either system works very very good.
Come to the shop here, made mine, well for free!! And mine are easier to install, no drilling at all!!
Weekender 1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2020, 12:39 PM   #6
BauerAP
Member
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Franklinton
Posts: 67
Quote:
Originally Posted by Weekender 1 View Post
Either system works very very good.
Come to the shop here, made mine, well for free!! And mine are easier to install, no drilling at all!!
If palmyra is north east of rocky mount, N.C. I would be on the way. I’ve looked at some DIY projects that I just don’t see working like I want. At least without a welder, which I don’t have. Do you have any pics of them?

The front are electric landing gear and the rears are electric stabilizers.
I could run the rears fore/aft along the frame which would solve one issue. The steady fast may or may not solve the problem. I still think I would be limited by the spare tire when raising the landing gear for towing. The steadyfast May eliminate the need for battery box removal but I really don’t want to bumper mount the spare.
BauerAP is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2020, 01:12 PM   #7
GeekSquadOfUn
Senior Member
 
GeekSquadOfUn's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Picton
Posts: 242
In my humble opinion it is not worth it.

It is a box on rubber wheels with a suspension. You just need to get used to it. Period.

A cottage would not move at all.

Whoever just spent money on them will say they're fantastic, but ask their wives... ��
__________________
****
2019 Cougar 315RLS
2011 Ford F250
May you live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live.
GeekSquadOfUn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2020, 01:34 PM   #8
JimJan
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Waterford
Posts: 42
We installed JT Strongarms on an older 5th wheel. Was not difficult and we did notice an improvement to the swaying when moving around in the camper.
Easy to loosen when loading up to go and tighten when all set at campground.
JimJan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2020, 01:46 PM   #9
slow
Senior Member
 
slow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Posts: 1,196
Compare the setup procedures (once already installed) of the Strong Arm or Bal to that of the Steady Fast to understand the subtle difference in setup procedures between the two.

From Steady Fast:
Operation:

30. Set up the trailer and level per your manufacturer’s directions and/or as per accepted industry guidelines. Although wheel chocks are not necessary to stabilizer your trailer, Always use wheel chocks for safety when the trailer is not hitched to the tow vehicle. Adjust all the jacks up slightly more than normal to be sure they are firm on the ground. About 4-6 extra turns on the scissor jack would be a good rule of thumb.

31. How you place blocks under your jacks is important. If the block moves, then the trailer will move. Single large blocks will work in many locations, but we recommend using double blocks (see figures p and q) on gravel, grass, or other soft or loose soil. We have had best performance with the blocks set in a “V”. We found that other blocking scenarios may roll back and forth on the gravel or teeter-totter on sod.

32. Tighten the locking handle firmly at all three locations. Check to see if the trailer has any movement. If there is movement, inspect the bracing system and jacks while someone is pushing on the trailer to shake it. It is usually pretty easy to find the problem. Most commonly it turns out to be the jacks are not down tight enough, or the blocks are allowing movement.
From Lippert:
Operation

1. Level your trailer side-to-side.
2. Lower the front of the trailer 3/4” lower than the rear.
3. Lower and set rear jacks evenly.
4. Tighten the T-Bolts on the two rear Strong Arm Jack Stabilizers.
5. Raise the front of the trailer to make it level front-to-back.
6. Tighten T-Bolts on the four front Strong Arm Jack Stabilizers.
7. Briefly press the electric jack switch so the jacks slightly lift the front of the trailer. This eliminates the play (movement) at the bolts and bolt holes between the stabilizers and the trailer.
The Steady Fast setup only cautions the proper use of blocks (if used), otherwise it is the same leveling and stabilizer deployment procedure as without the Steady Fast. Only extra step is to tighten three knobs. Whereas the JT Strong Arm has a few extra steps when leveling and six knobs to tighten. The simpler Steady Fast setup procedure is what sold me on the Steady Fast.

I came across a user review of the Strong Arm who also had the Steady Fast over the years and he had a preference for the Steady Fast since the campsite setup was easier. I wish I could find the post again to provide a link.

Edit: Here are the links that have the opinion of users of both the Steady Fast and JT Strong Arm.:

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...ast-15745.html
Posts #3 & #5

https://www.mygrandrv.com/forum/show...bilizer-System
Posts #9 & #10
__________________
2018 Jayco Eagle HT 265BHS (previous: 2015 23RB Passport Elite, ProPride)
2015 F250 XLT SB Crew, 6.2l gas
PullRite 16K SuperGlide w/SuperRail
Reese 5th Airborne (bagged) Pin Box
RoadMaster Shock Kit
X-Factor Cross Bracing
slow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2020, 02:38 PM   #10
GHen
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Rock Island
Posts: 457
One way to see if they are worth it is to make some temporary ones out of wood, youtube has videos.
Once I did that, my DW said now I need to set it up that way every trip. Those triangles make the Rv rock solid.
The strong arms make it more convenient.
GHen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2020, 02:51 PM   #11
Weekender 1
Gone Traveling
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Palmyra
Posts: 62
Quote:
Originally Posted by BauerAP View Post

The front are electric landing gear and the rears are electric stabilizers.
I could run the rears fore/aft along the frame which would solve one issue.

Pictures I couldn't get til spring when we open up for the season.
Welder is needed for what I did.
I run a machine shop and there is plenty of metal around.
So I took electrical conduit, drilled a hole about 3 inches from one end. Welding a nut over the hole area to lock the other piece down.
The square U bolt mounts around the upper half of the landing gear legs and barely tightened them,

On the other end I welded a 2 1/2 Square tube U bolt.
The other piece was a length of stainless to bar and then welded a thread rod to it, that locks into the holes in the landing gear legs.
So it is Xed between the legs.
Made the ones for rocking forward and backward but found they did little if anything, so I dont use them.


My wife, well she likes them,the camper is like it sits on a foundation now.
It might be unfair,but I'm permanent, the whole trailer other than the front landing gear is on blocks. Even on blocks it rocked side to side. Doesnt now!
Weekender 1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2020, 03:44 PM   #12
rhagfo
Senior Member
 
rhagfo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,180
Quote:
Originally Posted by GeekSquadOfUn View Post
In my humble opinion it is not worth it.

It is a box on rubber wheels with a suspension. You just need to get used to it. Period.

A cottage would not move at all.

Whoever just spent money on them will say they're fantastic, but ask their wives... ��
I will disagree as they are well worth it! They make our 32’ 5er rock solid. As for how hard to install I installed mine in a campground while hosting!
I will say after three winters on the Oregon Coast repainted tubes, replaced all bolts, washers and nylock nuts with stainless, and I chased the threads on the T bolts and tubes added a little copper never seize on the T bolts. Now as good as new.
__________________
Russ & Paula and Belle the Beagle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 14,000# GVWR (New TV)
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS 32’ GVWR 12,360
Visit and enjoy Oregon State Parks
rhagfo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2020, 04:20 PM   #13
gkainz
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Arvada, CO
Posts: 709
Quote:
Originally Posted by GeekSquadOfUn View Post
In my humble opinion it is not worth it.

It is a box on rubber wheels with a suspension. You just need to get used to it. Period.

A cottage would not move at all.

Whoever just spent money on them will say they're fantastic, but ask their wives... ��
I installed them BECAUSE of my wife! She said the rv shakes too much when I go in and out and she's still trying to sleep. After install - happy wife!
__________________
2010 Laredo 245RL
2007 Dodge Ram 2500 CTD 4x4
Andersen Ultimate Gooseneck mount
gkainz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2020, 04:27 PM   #14
jsb5717
Senior Member
 
jsb5717's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Milwaukie, OR
Posts: 1,389
Quote:
Originally Posted by rhagfo View Post
I will say after three winters on the Oregon Coast repainted tubes...
The coast is hard on everything. After a lot of years selling windows to coastal construction you just have to decide that you really want to live there and resign yourself to all of the added maintenance.

Like a lot of the various aspects of the camping experience, stabilizers are very subjective. It all depends on how much trailer movement you want to live with. I love how stable they make my trailer so to me they are very well worth it.

I also love the Oregon coast, but as for living there.... I've suggested to my wife that we retire to the coast. I was informed that would require a different wife. After 40 years I'll stick with this one and live inland.
__________________
Jeff & Sandi (and Teddy - 7lb Schnorkie)
2018 Montana High Country 305RL
2015 RAM 3500 Crew Cab 4x4 DRW
Demco Recon Hitch on RAM Puck Ball
jsb5717 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2020, 05:00 PM   #15
travelin texans
Senior Member
 
travelin texans's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
Quote:
Originally Posted by jsb5717 View Post
The coast is hard on everything. After a lot of years selling windows to coastal construction you just have to decide that you really want to live there and resign yourself to all of the added maintenance.

Like a lot of the various aspects of the camping experience, stabilizers are very subjective. It all depends on how much trailer movement you want to live with. I love how stable they make my trailer so to me they are very well worth it.

I also love the Oregon coast, but as for living there.... I've suggested to my wife that we retire to the coast. I was informed that would require a different wife. After 40 years I'll stick with this one and live inland.
When we retired the DW said she wanted to always park next to water. After 10+ years full-time she changed her mind to lake front, NO MORE coastal stops neither east, west or gulf coast.
__________________
Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
travelin texans is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2020, 05:59 PM   #16
vampress_me
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 777
Quote:
Originally Posted by GeekSquadOfUn View Post
In my humble opinion it is not worth it.

It is a box on rubber wheels with a suspension. You just need to get used to it. Period.

A cottage would not move at all.

Whoever just spent money on them will say they're fantastic, but ask their wives... ��
Well, I am the wife. And I love our Steadyfast system. You can definitely notice when we have forgotten to tighten them because there is a lot more movement in the 5’er. I will say that was one of the best investments in our camper that we both love.
__________________
--Lynette

2019 F-350 diesel 4x4 CC LB DRW, not the mom taxi anymore...
2021 Alliance Paradigm 340RL
2016 F-350 diesel 4x4 CC LB SRW, mom taxi - sold
2014 Cougar XLite 28RDB - sold
vampress_me is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2020, 09:52 PM   #17
B-O-B'03
Senior Member
 
B-O-B'03's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,085
The SteadyFast stabilizers were one of my first mods and are definitely DW approve (she had already "mentioned" how much the trailer moved when either the dog or I moved around while she was trying to sleep ).

I think they were well worth the cost and installation effort (about an hour and a half).

-Brian
__________________
2014 Bullet Premier 22RBPR - let the camping commence!
2013 F150 Platinum - 5.0 - 3.55 ELD + towing package
B-O-B'03 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2020, 12:05 PM   #18
BauerAP
Member
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Franklinton
Posts: 67
Leaning towards the steadyfast now. We have a beach trip planned for spring break(dw is a teacher) so hopefully I can make it happen before then.
I’m thinking/hoping if I do have to mod the spare tire mount and battery box they would add around an hour a piece.
BauerAP is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2020, 02:43 PM   #19
slow
Senior Member
 
slow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Posts: 1,196
Quote:
Originally Posted by BauerAP View Post
Leaning towards the steadyfast now. We have a beach trip planned for spring break(dw is a teacher) so hopefully I can make it happen before then.
I’m thinking/hoping if I do have to mod the spare tire mount and battery box they would add around an hour a piece.
Call Paul Hanscom at Steady Fast. He probably has insights on how to efficiently deal with some of the challenges you anticipate with your install. Send him some pictures of the challenges.
__________________
2018 Jayco Eagle HT 265BHS (previous: 2015 23RB Passport Elite, ProPride)
2015 F250 XLT SB Crew, 6.2l gas
PullRite 16K SuperGlide w/SuperRail
Reese 5th Airborne (bagged) Pin Box
RoadMaster Shock Kit
X-Factor Cross Bracing
slow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2020, 12:11 AM   #20
Big1
Senior Member
 
Big1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WA
Posts: 384
I install them on my 5th wheel and at first, it was intimated but once you get started it will all come together, it took me about 2-3 hours. The hardest part that I ran into is the square beam between the front jacks.

I just lay everything out and figure out the best setup for my 5th wheel, I haven't taken it out to use it yet because I install it after the camping season. I have heard so many good reviews I figure why not so I will really see soon. The set that I got from Amazon gave me enough hardware to do the back jack but I didn't put them on.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCN3285.JPG
Views:	495
Size:	237.7 KB
ID:	25333   Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCN3287.JPG
Views:	546
Size:	223.6 KB
ID:	25334   Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCN3292.JPG
Views:	377
Size:	227.7 KB
ID:	25335   Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCN3303.JPG
Views:	947
Size:	231.6 KB
ID:	25336   Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCN3309.JPG
Views:	489
Size:	211.5 KB
ID:	25337  

Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCN3300.JPG
Views:	435
Size:	238.0 KB
ID:	25338   Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCN3293.JPG
Views:	421
Size:	239.3 KB
ID:	25339  
__________________
2018 Dodge Ram 3500 6.7L Diesel Cummins Turbo
2019 Jayco Eagle 321RSTS 5th Wheel
Retired Army MSG
Big1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates in any way. Keystone RV® is a registered trademark of the Keystone RV Company.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:16 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.