Stabilizing Jacks - seriously?

[Dcboyd]

Originally Posted by Eggscape

Yes the inner screw under the trailer is in thin metal and it can be replaced with a bolt which is what I have done.

The outside two screws on our 19 is into the frame which I would not necessarily call thin. I replaced my screws with larger screws coated with anti seize.

A flat plate welded to the underside of the frame that sticks out enough to secure the jack with bolts would be better.

If you are concerned about these screws you should check the ones that hold on your propane mounting plate. Theses are the ones that people find rust first.

Lol. Received our new 21C yesterday. Propane tank were empty as they can’t deliver with full tanks. Looking at the self tapping screws as I previously looked at your notification, I noticed one of the screws looked strange. I reached down with my hand and the nut head was broken off. So I removed all screws ( had to drill out what was left in hole )and went back with better quality galvanized self tappers, but not before repainting both the frame and the bracket. Paint is paper thin. Also separated the two metals with VHB tape. Also mounted tanks on cut rubber shower liner pan to keep tank abrasion down.
Nice job for day one of ownership.

May need to slip some VHB tape between Jack and frame.

[Eggscape]

Glad you found and fixed that broken screw...etc.

[Dcboyd]

Originally Posted by Eggscape

Glad you found and fixed that broken screw...etc.

Thanks to you. 👍👍

[AnJ]

We live in the area of Escape and in 2018 had a frame redone for a Boler we were restoring. It was done at a small company in Chilliwack that operated at a dairy farm. They also welded all of the frames for Escape trailers as well. Not sure if that is the same since the ownership transition.

[Eggscape]

Originally Posted by Dcboyd

Lol. Also mounted tanks on cut rubber shower liner pan to keep tank abrasion down.

May need to slip some VHB tape between Jack and frame.

I would be a little worried that water would splash up from the tow vehicle and find it’s way under the shower liner. I would much rather see some sort of little feet clipped to the tank bottom or ring of split tubing pushed onto the bottom of the tank.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Eggscape

....or ring of split tubing pushed onto the bottom of the tank.

Haven’t done it but have heard that automotive door edge molding works well for this.

[Dcboyd]

Originally Posted by Eggscape

I would be a little worried that water would splash up from the tow vehicle and find it’s way under the shower liner. I would much rather see some sort of little feet clipped to the tank bottom or ring of split tubing pushed onto the bottom of the tank.

I cut the liner to look like a donut. To drain any moisture.
The little feet, like a binder plastic page protector clip. Or door edge guard. Good idea.

Also turned the Lippert Jack 90 degrees.

[Eggscape]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Haven’t done it but have heard that automotive door edge molding works well for this.

Exactly.

[Dcboyd]

Removed the inbound stabilization Jack’s attaching self tapping screws, drilled and replaced with 1” - 5/16” SS bolts with lock washers. Outbound screws are in tube frame, not angle. Guess I just have to leave them. Maybe find an oversized one in SS.

[Doug2000]

Just my 2 cents..

It is likely the jacks are held on there with self tapping screws for one reason. It is the week link. I have seen people pull away with their jacks still on the ground and also people backing in and catch the stowed jack and rip it off. I suspect they used self tapping screws so the jack gets ripped of in case of collision or other forces for which it is not meant to sustain. If the jack gets ripped off and is laying on the ground, it is an easy fix. If its welded on, likely the bracket is twisted and damaged and the jack looks like a pretzel.

[Dcboyd]

Originally Posted by Doug2000

Just my 2 cents..

It is likely the jacks are held on there with self tapping screws for one reason. It is the week link. I have seen people pull away with their jacks still on the ground and also people backing in and catch the stowed jack and rip it off. I suspect they used self tapping screws so the jack gets ripped of in case of collision or other forces for which it is not meant to sustain. If the jack gets ripped off and is laying on the ground, it is an easy fix. If its welded on, likely the bracket is twisted and damaged and the jack looks like a pretzel.

Quite possibly, but a good self tapper, not a cadmium plated screw, should be used in an a corrosive environment.
Just my .02.

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by azjack

That is the same experience of owning a house, I have a plumber coming by I hope tomorrow. The older I get, the more often have someone fix things. Of course I find if I buy new every 3 to 5 years I don't have as many problems. The house has to last 25 to30 or more years.
AZjack

Hi Jack
I believe you and the house will make it. Got my Gas fireplace rebuilt from derecho damage. They had a time finding parts for a 24 old unit. I was very patient with them because the total rebuild will last me 24 more years at least. By then I’ll be 97 and Rita will have thrown me out and I’ll be living in the shop burning wood.
I like the Merle Haggard line “I think I’m gonna live forever, because dying ain’t on my list of things to do.”
I keep thinking of the pin you had on when we were at the Escape factory that day ITMFA. You need a marker to add x2.
Jake says hi to Murphy
Iowa Dave

[Dcboyd]

Originally Posted by WillyB

Low quality is the standard across the industry no matter if you drop $40,000 on an Escape or $20,000 on a Jayco.

When you buy an RV you will become a carpenter, plumber, electrician and a mechanic or you will just write the checks.

I think that’s part of the adventure! ��

Exactly!

[LoneWolf04]

One potential fix could be drill the self-tapped holes out and install nut-serts (aka rivnuts) to mount the jacks. These are commonly used on vehicles and hold roof racks in place size them accordingly and you can usually get the installer tool with the insert size you want.

[Eggscape]

On sale right now...

[DFlater]

Much of this discussion is how to reinforce or strengthen the connection between the stabilizer legs and the frame. After a misadventure with our stabilizer jacks, I came to realize the sheet metal screws are a bit of a shear pin, the weakest link. In my case, the failure of these screws prevented damage to the frame when they sheared first.

[Eggscape]

Originally Posted by DFlater

Much of this discussion is how to reinforce or strengthen the connection between the stabilizer legs and the frame. After a misadventure with our stabilizer jacks, I came to realize the sheet metal screws are a bit of a shear pin, the weakest link. In my case, the failure of these screws prevented damage to the frame when they sheared first.

Shear luck...in your opinion then.

[HABBERDABBER]

It makes sense if you forget to raise them, all the way.

The screws have a shear pin function.


I'd rather deal with a busted up stabilizer than a twisted trailer frame, if the stabilizer were instead welded on.

[gbaglo]

Reminds me of the guy who found his aluminum siding wasn't screwed on tight to the house sheathing, so he drove them all tight. Come summer, the siding heated up and warped because it couldn't move.

[HABBERDABBER]

Stuff has just got to move. Stabilzers, too.