Bal jack stablizer rod installation on my hybrid trailer

[tslarson]

So many people talk about the different manufactures of trailer stabilizing systems avaliable. As many have complained, as my wife does, about waking up when our daughter rolls around durning the night, too much trailer shaking! I purchased a set of 2 BAL stabilizing rods from amazon for about 77.00, free freight, cheapest price I could find, and lots less than the other two manufactures out there. Upon recieving them, I found that they are designed to be mounted to the jack in a front to back position on the trailer. My problem is that we have the BAL X chocks that stop all front to back shaking, but nothing to stop the side to side. I needed to fabricate some brackets to attach the rods to the jacks. Also, there is no crossmember in line with the jacks so the rod will have to be mounted at an angle so the other end can be attached to the frame. I got some 3/16" x 1 1/2" steel stock, heated it up with a torch and bent it so it would fit next to the jack foot and with an attachment tab angled just perfectly so the upper end of the rod could be bolted to the trailer frame. It took many tries to get the angle just right. Drilled holes, painted the bracket, and intalled the rods. I installed one rod on the front and one on the back of the trailer. In the driveway, they appear to remove almost all the side to side shake, very impressed.

Picture of the bracket as it was being test fitted,

Picture of the complete installation.

Picture of the top bracket.

Picture of the angle I had to compesate for.

 

[RickAE]

Thanks for posting the pictures of your mod of the stabilizer rods.. I have the same scissor jack system. We noticed that the T.T. does "Shake" a bit. I was looking for a way of stopping it. I like what you did. You said you mounted 1 on the front and 1 on the rear. Did you put them both on the same side ? or opposite sides? Does it matter.

 

[tslarson]

I put one on the right rear and one on the left front. Decided that that might be better, as the angle forces were opposite each other. Also if I wanted to add a forward to back support bar, I could do it. If I put them on the other corners, the sewer tank drains and the entrance steps would be in the way of the bars.

 

[dalenoel]

Nice looking setup and a great presentation.

Thanks

 

[mcfarmall]

Nice mod.

 

[tslarson]

Just spent three days camping, the BAL stabilizer bars work great! Much less shaking, no more complaints from my wife.

 

[Type-A]

Thanks for posting this! I was looking at what to do with my camper. Looks like BAL stabilizer bars it is!

 

[MrKong]

Nice mod. You could probably make a little spare cash selling those. I sure several people would like to have them and not go through the trouble of making them.

 

[Campin' Muds]

tslarson - I love what you did here but I'm not much of a fabricator. Please let us know if you plan on making a couple sets of these to sell.

I have also heard of the tire locking choke - here is one example: http://www.amazon.com/BAL-28012-X-Chock-Locking-Chock/dp/B002XLHUQG/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t Does anyone have an opinion of these? Has anyone tried them?

 

[tslarson]

I use those exact X chocks, work great for the front to back wiggle, but not for side to side. Thats where the BAL stabilizer bars help. I have some extra metal from the bracket fabrication, I'll think about making a few more brackets.

 

[RickAE]

I ordered a set of the BAL stabilizer bars. They are supposed to arrive Monday afternoon. Looking forward to installing, and trying them out.

 

[Fanboy]

Awesome mod. I feel the shaking here. Hope to do the same.

 

[Denise-JAY]

Thanks tslarson!

We have the X-chalks and I can handle whatever wiggle we ultimately have (I just like to get 'away'). Don's really sensitive to movement (usually when grandkids are roaming around when he is sleeping!).

Great pics!

 

[RickAE]

I received my Lock-Arm jack stabilizer set Monday afternoon. Today I installed them. A fairly easy job, took me about an hour. I chose to install both on the rear of the TT . My thinking was the front has two stabilizer jacks and the power tongue jack which keeps the front end stable. I also had square stock handy so I used that. see pictures. Oh and I was very pleasantly surprised how steadfast the TT is with them deployed.
Thanks again for the idea tslarson

 

[tslarson]

Nice install, looks like the square tubing worked great, easier than the brackets I made, kinda wish I thought of that.
Really amazing how much movement the stabilizers take out.