stabilizer replacement

[PnK]

Has anyone replaced their manual stabilizers with electric auto levelers? Difficulty?

Thanks

 

[JackandJanet]

I've never considered doing this for the reason that the frame is not designed to be "lifted" at the stabilizing jack points. The jacks that are on the trailer are meant to be lowered in contact with the ground to prevent the trailer from rocking from side to side on its suspension while camping. They are not to be used to level the trailer - that should be done by using leveling pads under the tire(s) on the low side, and by adjusting the tongue jack so that the trailer is level longitudinally.

I'm pretty sure if you try to level the trailer at the jack points you risk deforming the frame which would cause problems raising and lowering the top and/or would interfere with the seal between the top and bottom when the top is up.

- Jack

 

[kirby-HILO]

i agree with '' you risk deforming '' b/c I have put too much pressure on the stabilizing jack near the door and found within a day the door didn't latch correctly

 

[PnK]

i understand the concern about deforming the frame. I did use my stabilizer to lever my 94 towlite but all the campsites were just a little unlevel. It did not affect my door or lifting. Putting lego blocks or andersen rocker levelers under the wheels still puts the frame in a bind until the stabilizers are down.

The levelers I am looking at are the lippert ground TT that have a bar that goes completely across the frame to support the levelers. I spoke with lippert and they said if it is an I beam frame they will bolt on. If it is a tubular frame bracing across will need to be installed.

I don't have a Hi Lo right now but considering purchasing another. Getting up and down is a bit of a challenge due to arthritis. So I need the levelers if possible.

 

[JackandJanet]

i understand the concern about deforming the frame. I did use my stabilizer to lever my 94 towlite but all the campsites were just a little unlevel. It did not affect my door or lifting. Putting lego blocks or andersen rocker levelers under the wheels still puts the frame in a bind until the stabilizers are down.

The levelers I am looking at are the lippert ground TT that have a bar that goes completely across the frame to support the levelers. I spoke with lippert and they said if it is an I beam frame they will bolt on. If it is a tubular frame bracing across will need to be installed.

I don't have a Hi Lo right now but considering purchasing another. Getting up and down is a bit of a challenge due to arthritis. So I need the levelers if possible.

PnK - the part I bolded seems incorrect. If you raise a side of the trailer with something under the wheels, and then level the trailer longitudinally with the tongue jack, there is NO deformation stress on the frame. You've effectively placed it on a level surface. However, the trailer will still be unstable due to the suspension at the axle. The stabilizers are then used to stop this instability. They are NOT used to "level" the trailer.

You can put any stabilizer on the trailer that will fit, but it should not be used to level the trailer.

- Jack

 

[PnK]

Just some food for thought. I know you cannot put levelers on the corners but since you level the trailer with blocks under the wheels I wonder if it would be possible to attach the levelers to the axle housing.

 

[JackandJanet]

Just some food for thought. I know you cannot put levelers on the corners but since you level the trailer with blocks under the wheels I wonder if it would be possible to attach the levelers to the axle housing.

Might work, but you'd reduce your road clearance quite a bit if you did that. Possibly as much as a 50% reduction. Also, it would only function for side to side leveling, you still might need blocks under the tongue if that end is low.

- Jack

 

[PnK]

Thanks Jack it was just a thought.