Add/convert to leveling jacks?

[mackguy]

One of the things I was surprised at with the travel trailers is that the corner jacks are only "stabilizers" and apparently the normal method for side to side leveling is just to use some boards/blocks/ramps under the wheels.
To the engineer/perfectionist in me this just seems annoying
I've been around some high $$ motor homes before and recall the auto leveling systems where you just push a button and viola! Even to the point of lifting wheels off the ground etc.

I found those retrofit systems but they cost almost what we paid for the trailer so nope! But I do see places that sell scissor jacks like what some cars come with.. Is there any reason those couldn't be used on an ultra-lite to level it out side to side?

I'm thinking for our ~5klb trailer, something like 1 5k jack on either side (maybe 7500 jack, as I like safety margins), perhaps just behind the axles.

Level it out, then use the corner jacks to stabilize everything. Or could just get 4x jacks and have one for each corner but I still gather fore-aft is best managed via the tongue jack.

Now technically the above seems obviously fine, my question is, can the trailer frame handle that, or are there any considerations I'm missing?

[ewarnerusa]

Our 2012 Aspen Trail came with scissor-style stabilizer jacks, so I'd think retrofitting like you've described would be fine on the frame. We strictly boondock and finding a relatively side-to-side level spot to park the axles over is first priority for picking a spot to setup. 2x6 blocks under the tires and scissor stabilizer jacks take care of the rest.

I'd say the logic behind equipping a camper with those minimal stabilizer jacks is because they expect that most campers will only be used in an RV campground where parking spots are already relatively level by design.

[DesertRat]

Originally Posted by mackguy

One of the things I was surprised at with the travel trailers is that the corner jacks are only "stabilizers" and apparently the normal method for side to side leveling is just to use some boards/blocks/ramps under the wheels.
To the engineer/perfectionist in me this just seems annoying
I've been around some high $$ motor homes before and recall the auto leveling systems where you just push a button and viola! Even to the point of lifting wheels off the ground etc.

I found those retrofit systems but they cost almost what we paid for the trailer so nope! But I do see places that sell scissor jacks like what some cars come with.. Is there any reason those couldn't be used on an ultra-lite to level it out side to side?

I'm thinking for our ~5klb trailer, something like 1 5k jack on either side (maybe 7500 jack, as I like safety margins), perhaps just behind the axles.

Level it out, then use the corner jacks to stabilize everything. Or could just get 4x jacks and have one for each corner but I still gather fore-aft is best managed via the tongue jack.

Now technically the above seems obviously fine, my question is, can the trailer frame handle that, or are there any considerations I'm missing?

Scissor jacks are only used to stabilize the RV not to level it. I haven't seen a auto leveling system on a travel trailer. Check out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4JQV15VzBc

[mackguy]

Originally Posted by DesertRat

Scissor jacks are only used to stabilize the RV not to level it. I haven't seen a auto leveling system on a travel trailer.

But why is that? We use scissor jacks to lift vehicles with more weight than the TR (our 04 Navigator has a curb weight over 6,000lb vs trailer GVW of 4800, and comes with scissor jack for spare)

Was really confused on etrailer site they indicate the capacity of a jack is that it can "stabilize but not lift" a trailer of that weight. I've only seen jacks rated by lift capacity before so this seems bizarre to me. Also what do you do to put the spare tire on?



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[ewarnerusa]

I don't know why, either. I suspect that since the stabilizer jacks are located on the outer extents of the frame, they offer the longest lever arms for torquing the frame which could potentially do damage. I personally don't fret one bit about using the stabilizer jacks to get things just right as far as level, but I do try and use 2x6 blocks under the tires to get it as side-to-side level as possible first. Then once disconnected I use the tongue jack to get things front to back level. Then I get to work using the scissor jacks.

To change a flat, you can use a bottle jack to lift at the axles or drive the wheel next to the flat one of a dual axle setup up onto something like shown in the video above. That leaves the flat one suspended in the air.

[vincent.boyd]

The reason you can't level using scissor jacks is not because they can't take the weight. They can. It is the rocking back and forth while moving throughout the trailer would cause the jack to collapse under the weight of the trailer. If the jack is perfectly perpendicular and no motion in the trailer, it will be fine. I had one collapse when my friend setup up the trailer for my wife and used the stabilizer jacks to level the trailer. After the weekend when I finally noticed the jack was bent in a curve.

[thehoffmans4]

It's my understanding that you can bend your frame. My 2017 Aerolite has the automatic leveling system. I can only load about 1100 pounds into the trailer, I'm assuming that is because of the extra weight for the auto leveling system requirements.


TH4

[mackguy]

Originally Posted by thehoffmans4

It's my understanding that you can bend your frame. My 2017 Aerolite has the automatic leveling system. I can only load about 1100 pounds into the trailer, I'm assuming that is because of the extra weight for the auto leveling system requirements.


TH4

That's interesting, and with our cargo capacity of ~350lb another reason the auto-level system won't work well for us.

Guess we will just have to do it the old fashioned way. Maybe I'll look into it more if we swap trailers in a couple years. That's one disappointment on the 214 is crazy low cargo capacity.

[vincent.boyd]

You're cargo capacity has more to do with the axles, suspension, and frame design and less to do with any kind of auto leveling system.

[mackguy]

Originally Posted by vincent.boyd

You're cargo capacity has more to do with the axles, suspension, and frame design and less to do with any kind of auto leveling system.

Yes but an auto leveling system must have some weight, that if added to a trailer that didn't have it to start with would detract from the cargo capacity.

According to the sticker we have <400lb cargo capacity (assuming full water, propane etc) and I'm guessing an auto level system easily checks in at 300+lb


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[nickthehunter]

Your frame may not designed to be supported at the corners. It is designed to be supported at the wheels. Trying to lift you TT at the corners may very well bend your frame. If you had bought a TT with a self leveling system factory installed your TT would have been designed to accommodate that system. Yes you can get TT's with Auto Leveling Systems, And they cost a lot more.

[rcharrette]

I've been in boon docking spots a few times where I've tried to raise one corner or side to get things level when it was off by a fair bit. I've raised it to the point of having wheels off the ground then put rocks, etc under it. What has happened a few times is the bathroom door will no longer stay closed. Clearly the frame had twisted enough so that the door latch no longer lined up. I try to avoid this now!

[mackguy]

Originally Posted by nickthehunter

Your frame may not designed to be supported at the corners. It is designed to be supported at the wheels. Trying to lift you TT at the corners may very well bend your frame. If you had bought a TT with a self leveling system factory installed your TT would have been designed to accommodate that system. Yes you can get TT's with Auto Leveling Systems, And they cost a lot more.

Right, I get that, but was suggesting adding one high capacity jack near (perhaps just behind) the axles)., then retain the existing stabilizing jacks for stabilization.

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by rcharrette

I've been in boon docking spots a few times where I've tried to raise one corner or side to get things level when it was off by a fair bit. I've raised it to the point of having wheels off the ground then put rocks, etc under it. What has happened a few times is the bathroom door will no longer stay closed. Clearly the frame had twisted enough so that the door latch no longer lined up. I try to avoid this now!

In this case I use the Lynx Levelers, they look like giant lego blocks and stack and lock together, you use however many you need to get the one side raised up so the unit is level side to side, then use the tongue jack to level front to rear. Stabilizers are just that. I have seen a couple of the new big 5'vers with the jack system, it will still torque the frame if you aren't careful. I have a 4 point hydraulic lift system on my Class C motor home and it will cause things to bind if you aren't careful.

I still carry and use the Lynx Levelers even in my motor home.

Aaron