JT Strong arm or Steadyfast

[mesuezee]

we are looking to get a stabilizer system for the camper. Any opinions on either of these systems?

[BigJohnD]

If you're mechanically inclined, I'd say make your own. Plenty have done it and achieved the same results. A little square tubing or thin walled pipe, and a little time, way less cost.


But, if you want the store bought, either brand will suffice.

[TCNashville]

Originally Posted by mesuezee

we are looking to get a stabilizer system for the camper. Any opinions on either of these systems?

I had both of these on my list for quite awhile. Instead I bought a couple of 2500lb [I think] scissor jacks from Harbor Freight [$34 apiece] and bolted them on both sides of the frame amidships. I snug them up after everything else has been stabilized. The extra stabilizers, X-chocks and step saver has greatly reduced both side to side and front to back motion.

[hboy]

Just my opinion, but on our trailer which I think is the same size/floor plan as yours, more stabilizing in the rear helps us better. The front of the camper has 3 points of contact, while the rear has 2. Most of the movement we get comes from the rear (kids in bunks, bathroom....).

I picked up 2 Universal stabilizers and have used them in multiple locations around the trailer (under door steps, under slide room, behind the tires.)

I think our best results have come with these 2 stabilizers toward the rear under the frame behind the tires a bit.

just my 2 cents

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by hboy

Just my opinion, but on our trailer which I think is the same size/floor plan as yours, more stabilizing in the rear helps us better. The front of the camper has 3 points of contact, while the rear has 2. Most of the movement we get comes from the rear (kids in bunks, bathroom....).

I picked up 2 Universal stabilizers and have used them in multiple locations around the trailer (under door steps, under slide room, behind the tires.)

I think our best results have come with these 2 stabilizers toward the rear under the frame behind the tires a bit.

just my 2 cents

I'm going to have to try that next time out. I have stack jacks that I always put in front of the axles with IMO limited effectiveness. Don't get me wrong, it helps a lot, but the results are not as dramatic as I would like. I chose that location because it's closer to 1/2 way down the frame front to back. Now that you mention it, I think the wiggle might be coming from the rear. I never paid really close attention to it like that though, but I intend to find out!

If I weren't using stack jacks, I might try to have stabs in front of and behind the axles. But the stack jacks are somewhat of a pain to use, so I just do 2 of the 4 I have. If I were staying somewhere more than 3 nights, I might deploy the other two.

In fact, now that I'm sitting here thinking about it, I always have some slack in the curb-side stack jack. I think it's because I stabilize everything and then run the slide out. I bet the slide pulls just enough for the frame to come off that jack... will have to test that theory this weekend too...

[jasoncw]

Between the two, I would say Steadyfast, mainly because there are half as many wing nuts to loosen/tighten. I have the Steadyfast, and it was worth the price to me. A trailer on tires will always wiggle, but these took out most of it.

[cekkk]

Originally Posted by TCNASHVILLE

I had both of these on my list for quite awhile. Instead I bought a couple of 2500lb [I think] scissor jacks from Harbor Freight [$34 apiece] and bolted them on both sides of the frame amidships. I snug them up after everything else has been stabilized. The extra stabilizers, X-chocks and step saver has greatly reduced both side to side and front to back motion.

Basically, x2. Two cheers for TheManStore!

[3'senough]

I would vote for extra stabilizers first too. I put a pair in front and behind my axles and it does take a lot of the frame shake, flex and bounce out. That said I have a set of Plug it Rights on the front landing gear to further stabilize by unit. Personally I like the Husky brand as they seem to hold up better and seem more rigid. I got 2 open boxes from Amazon for $75.00 each delivered.

I had a set of the JT's on my previous unit and while more stout the t bolts broke at the welds and the bolts then became 9/16 SS bolts at that point.

The plug it rights I have currently have built in plastic handles that have worked well for 2 seasons so far.

[mesuezee]

Looks like Bob will have to check out doing it ourselves. Not sure how well that will work but at least check into it! Thanks everyone!

[Paintinfool3]

I built my own and it wasn't too hard ... went to a metal supermarket with dimensions for the mounting plates and my ideas and they helped me by cutting the plates to size and punching all the holes where I wanted them , then I just welded them together and bolted them on ... I made a plate to bolt the base of them to scissor jacks from harbor freight right in front of the axles and they help tremendously

[Paintinfool3]

heres a few more pics of them installed

[motorbreath]

I bought a 6x6 and cut it into 8 one foot lengths 2 under each stabilizer, works like a charm. I will install 2 more stabilizers mid-ship just to be thorough, but the $20 6x6 solution works really well!