Wall mounting and tongue jack question

[SuckyFisherman]

Hello New guy here. I have a Jayco 184BS Baja and I am wondering if anyway can recommend a good electric tongue jack at a reasonable price, and how do you size them for the weight, ( tongue weight or total weight of the trailer)

Second question. I am doing my best to use command strips and similar items to attach things to the wall. I am eventually going to need to use a screw for something, Can I use a normal stud finder in this thing, What is the best way to determine what is back there. Does anyone have a go to screw size.

That's all for today, thank you

[RedHorse1]

We’ve had pretty good luck using command strips, better results if we clean the area with alcohol first.

[JFlightRisk]

Welcome to the Forum from Western New York State!

There are several good tongue jacks available, and there'll be more suggestions following this. We have a smallish TT that tops out about 6200 lbs., and installed a Bull Dog jack rated at 4000 lbs. Way more than our TT needs, but the price was right, and has an adjustable foot for more lift if needed. We use it to raise the back of the truck to hook up the WDH, so that's why we chose what we did.

We also use a Command Strip here and there, along with the Velcro versions. I did use screws to hang a triple coat hook on an outside wall just inside the door. If you look VERY closely in good light, you'll see where the wall brads are into the studs. There'll be a little smear of same-color paste over them to hide the brads. A stud finder works well also.

[RogerR]

A basic 3,500 lb. rated jack should be enough. I have Quick products one that was inexpensive but has done the job. I use it to lift up my Jeep while attaching my Andersen hitch and it is more than adequate.

We only camp a few times during the summer so it you are a more intensive/frequent camper you can spend more and hope you get better lifetime. (maybe)

[mokurt]

I have used a stud finder but if there is no stud where you want to mount something you will have to use the Command stuff or a double back sponge tape.

Don't know if I would trust using screws on the panelling.

[ggilbert]

https://adprivet.com/exploding-peel-rivets/

to Mount things to the wall where you don't have stud use some Exploding Peel Rivets
or Banana peal rivets.

the expand on the backside to make a good grip into the paneling. if you want to remove it just drill the rivet out.

jayco will send you plans of where all the studs are if you are looking for stronger Anker points.

for real heavier items you could put up a backer board of plywood that spans multiple studs.

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

We’ve had pretty good luck using command strips, better results if we clean the area with alcohol first.

X2, Jayco applies some type of coating on the walls, and if you do not use the alcohol first the command hooks will fail. Once I learned this trick, I have only had one fail, and it was this year (after 9.5 years).

If you need to drill, a stud finder is a great tool. But the walls are so thin you can press on them with your hand and get an idea if there is structure behind it or not. IF you are screwing into an outside wall. Be careful, the walls are very thin, and many people had drilled and/or screwed through the outside panel. I like to find a screw in the area, remove it, measure it, and duplicate it. I figure I should be safe that way.