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Topic Closedleveling/stabilizing jacks

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mjlrpod View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: leveling/stabilizing jacks
    Posted: 18 Apr 2017 at 10:48am
Hey all. My pod's back end overhangs the end of my driveways pavement by a few feet, and i don't have enough room to leave it parked where it wouldn't overhang. The land slopes down from the end of the pavement rather quickly. I realize the jacks are intended for stabilizing, not leveling. But the jacks are really cheap, and not very strong at all. If i replaced the 2 rear stabilizers with "jacks" is that ok to do, as in, can the jacks damage the trailer because they are now stong enough to lift it? Is the area where the stabilizers are now, a stong structural area good enough to bear a load? It would just make me feel better to know that if i get a little weight in the rear of the camper, i can atleast know my jacks won't bend, or fold, and i go for a ride down hill. 
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TheBum View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Apr 2017 at 11:45am
There shouldn't be any issue. The lion's share of the weight will still be on the wheels and tongue jack.

I've had to replace one jack and have another that's somewhat bent but usable.
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Leo B View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Apr 2017 at 11:49am
+1
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john in idaho View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Apr 2017 at 9:42am
 I put SAVA-JACK bases on our pod in the rear so they come off very easily and stow in the truck.
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mjlrpod View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Apr 2017 at 11:49am
I saw some at walmart yesterday that are 25.00 dollars. They are rated to lift 3000 pounds. I may replace atleast the rear stabilizers with these new "jacks", maybe do all 4. My guess is i would actually be able to " jack " up the trailer if i had these new jacks installed. Perhaps to level, or maybe even if i had a flat tire?? I would never lift the entire trailer off the ground, so 2, 3000 pound jacks should lift 1 side off the ground easily?
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Apr 2017 at 8:45pm
I wouldn't use them as jacks. Forest River's instructions are not to do so as it can stress the door. Think of it as taking a ruler sitting across three points, one in the middle and one at each end. With weight on top, lift one or both ends and see what happens to the ruler. That is a simplified picture of the stress that is placed on the R-Pod if you try to lift the ends with the stabilizers. Use a proper jack for lifting the 'Pod at the axle area (not on the axle itself) since that is the area which already carries the weight of the 'Pod.
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mcarter View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Apr 2017 at 5:42pm
+1, not meant to be jacked from the corners.
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rawest50 View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Apr 2017 at 10:35am
Originally posted by StephenH

I wouldn't use them as jacks. Forest River's instructions are not to do so as it can stress the door. Think of it as taking a ruler sitting across three points, one in the middle and one at each end. With weight on top, lift one or both ends and see what happens to the ruler. That is a simplified picture of the stress that is placed on the R-Pod if you try to lift the ends with the stabilizers. Use a proper jack for lifting the 'Pod at the axle area (not on the axle itself) since that is the area which already carries the weight of the 'Pod.


I can attest to the door issue. I had one of the rear jacks screwed down a little tighter that the other and it caused the door to stick. I checked the jacks and sure enough one needed to go down a little further. It was barely touching the pavement. Fixed the problem by giving it a twist or two.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Apr 2017 at 8:53pm
There shouldn't be any issue. The lion's share of the weight will still be on the wheels and tongue jack.

+1

I parked my pod in the same situation and was nervous about sitting in the back, but there's a lot more weight up front. The fresh water tank on mine was in the back and it was empty. That helps too.
Larry and Debbie w/Rosie the mutt. Old: '13 177, '06 Silverado V6
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