Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Sunline RV Forum
Sunline User Photos

Go Back   Sunline Coach Owner's Club > Technical Forums > Repairs and Maintenance
Click Here to Login

Join Sunline Club Forums Today


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 08-19-2018, 06:05 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Draughty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Ontario
Posts: 298
SUN #9498
Draughty is an unknown quantity at this point
A-Frame & Leveling Jacks

OK.. went to take off from the campsite this afternoon and the A-Frame Tongue jack decided to fail, had to place the tongue/hitch very low due to the grade of the site and when I started to jack it up something popped and the handle just spins now! OK...so I started trying to use the front leveling jack to help lift the trailer and ...yeah you guessed it the C-style failed. OK..dug in the back of the Cherokee got out the unused scissor jack bundled to the spare tire and lifted the tongue up just barely enough to get the hitch to mate up! Whew!!!....
NOW...we are heading out again on Friday and I need to quickly replace this A-frame hitch jack. I have an Advancer and I think the rating of that jack was pretty low and I know the PO had replaced it (a poor job the bolts were a bit loose) not sure if he used the right rating jack? How high of a weight rating should it have? 1000lbs? 2000lbs? More?? The Advancer is only about 3500 lbs dry and not over 4000 lbs when we are towing it.. right now it is sitting on jack stand at my buddies garage.
The other question is about the leveling jacks. I am thinking of replacing at least 2 of the leveling jacks with scissor type as they seem more durable? Are they in fact stronger? I have two of the C type that are damaged (one from the PO backing it up too steep an incline) the other is a BAL that I believe may have been a light duty replacement as it does not match the back jacks at all. Have to go back through my old pictures when I was working underneath it last year.
Any ideas/opinions on jack types and sizes etc?
Thanks gang! I know I can count on all of you!
__________________

__________________
Draughty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2018, 06:34 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Draughty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Ontario
Posts: 298
SUN #9498
Draughty is an unknown quantity at this point
Adding a photo of the back showing the BAL may be the original.
The one at the front folded up like a house of cards however...hmmm....
__________________

__________________
Draughty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2018, 07:19 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Draughty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Ontario
Posts: 298
SUN #9498
Draughty is an unknown quantity at this point
For some reason pictures are easier on my phone than on the computer!IMG_20180819_165945.jpgIMG_20170702_141952~01.jpegIMG_20180819_170032.jpgIMG_20180819_170029.jpg
__________________
Draughty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2018, 09:14 AM   #4
Moderator
 
Sunline Fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Michigan
Posts: 6,155
SUN #123
Sunline Fan is an unknown quantity at this point
Hmm, that does look like a light duty jack. The weight rating of a jack doesn't line up with the weight of the trailer though. The jack needs to lift the weight of the trailer's tongue (300-1200 lbs for an average Sunline), plus the weight of the rear end of your vehicle when hitching up with a WD hitch.

With your trailer, the 1500 lb jack was probably at capacity. A 2500 lb jack should be sufficient for a replacement, although there's no harm in going with more.

Just a heads up with replacement. The 1500 lb jack has a smaller shaft than the heavier ones. The top hole in the coupler, which is actually stamped/cast with the coupler, is a standard larger size. The lower support plate, which was welded on when the frame was assembled, is often that smaller size. You may need to enlarge this hole to fit a larger jack.

If the original jack was a 2000/2500 lb unit (which it may have been), this jack would have a lot of play in the lower hole, and adding a heavier duty jack should mean it'll slide right in.

Your BAL stabilizing jacks do look original, these were often factory. I actually saw a lot of Sunlines didn't come with jacks from the factory, because many dealers/owners opted to install scissor style jacks on the four corners instead. The stabilizing jacks you have are just that, stabilizing. They are not designed to hold much weight at all or lift the trailer, and they will fail easily if you try. On the contrary, scissor style leveling jacks can lift the trailer slightly, although not recommended, and are much stronger. They're like your car's jack, but bolted to the trailer frame. You can replace with these too- they are generally sold in pairs and about the same cost as the stabilizing jacks. As you probably saw, the stabilizing unit is one piece all the way across, so you'll have to replace the whole thing if you stuck with that kind anyway.
__________________
2007 T-286SR Cherry/Granola, #6236, original owner, current mileage: 9473.8 (as of 6/18/21)
1997 T-2653 Blue Denim, #5471
1979 12 1/2' MC, Beige & Avocado, #4639
Past Sunlines: '97 T-2653 #5089, '94 T-2251, '86 T-1550, '94 T-2363, '98 T-270SR
Sunline Fan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2018, 10:03 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Draughty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Ontario
Posts: 298
SUN #9498
Draughty is an unknown quantity at this point
Thanks!
I actually didn't notice the one piece nature of these!
I am going to order a pair of scissors and I have two old scissor jacks I am going to add to the 'stuff' in the trailer so I have extra lifting power if needed!
Just heading out to pick up the a frame jack so this info hit just in time! Was a bit worried as a 5000 lb heavy duty jack is just slightly more expensive at this retailer than a 2000 lb jack! $8 is worth the 2.5 times capacity!
__________________
Draughty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2018, 11:22 AM   #6
Moderator
 
Sunline Fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Michigan
Posts: 6,155
SUN #123
Sunline Fan is an unknown quantity at this point
Quote:
Originally Posted by Draughty View Post
Thanks!
I actually didn't notice the one piece nature of these!
I am going to order a pair of scissors and I have two old scissor jacks I am going to add to the 'stuff' in the trailer so I have extra lifting power if needed!
Just heading out to pick up the a frame jack so this info hit just in time! Was a bit worried as a 5000 lb heavy duty jack is just slightly more expensive at this retailer than a 2000 lb jack! $8 is worth the 2.5 times capacity!
The only thing about going with a really heavy duty one, make sure it's still side wind. Sometimes heavier ones and cheaper ones are top wind/top crank. That's fine for a cargo type trailer, but when you have propane and batteries in the way on an RV, these can be really hard to use. Also, I think when you get more weight on it, the top wind can be harder to crank. It looks like you have a little more room on the Advancer tongue with the special LP tank cover, more than traditional Sunlines, but it could still hit depending on the handle.
__________________
2007 T-286SR Cherry/Granola, #6236, original owner, current mileage: 9473.8 (as of 6/18/21)
1997 T-2653 Blue Denim, #5471
1979 12 1/2' MC, Beige & Avocado, #4639
Past Sunlines: '97 T-2653 #5089, '94 T-2251, '86 T-1550, '94 T-2363, '98 T-270SR
Sunline Fan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2018, 12:04 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Draughty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Ontario
Posts: 298
SUN #9498
Draughty is an unknown quantity at this point
Yeah it's a top wind and I will check clearance when I start to install. My back is bad enough now that the top wind should allow to use my upper body more than pulling the side wind through the upswing. That was hurting!
I seriously considered an electric but needed it faster than the electric could be delivered at this point.
Old injury that is getting worse...have a pending neurosurgeon appointment later this year.
__________________
Draughty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2018, 11:32 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Draughty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Ontario
Posts: 298
SUN #9498
Draughty is an unknown quantity at this point
New Bulldog in place and working great!
Also replaced the front stabilizer assembly with PeakTow scissor jacks...what an amazing difference!
Will be changing the rear soon!IMG_20180822_204543.jpg
__________________
Draughty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2018, 12:35 PM   #9
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 34
SUN #9070
Stubborn1 is an unknown quantity at this point
We love our electric jack. Back concerns here too. Could you post pics of your replacement of the stabilizer? We want to do that too. Financially thinking to start with back.
__________________
Stubborn1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2018, 01:02 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Draughty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Ontario
Posts: 298
SUN #9498
Draughty is an unknown quantity at this point
Sure can...and a shot of the new tongue Jack in use this week as we camp on the shores of Lake Mindemoya, Manitoulin Island, Ontario, CanadaIMG_20180826_145604~01.jpgIMG_20180826_145617.jpgIMG_20180826_145649.jpgIMG_20180818_210659.jpgIMG_20180826_144217.jpg
__________________
Draughty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2018, 02:12 PM   #11
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 34
SUN #9070
Stubborn1 is an unknown quantity at this point
Thanks! Looking good and love your light! Waiting til after axles changed to decide which size/height for new stabilizer solution.
__________________
Stubborn1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2018, 02:21 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Draughty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Ontario
Posts: 298
SUN #9498
Draughty is an unknown quantity at this point
Thanks..I made the leaf and am still working on getting the LED'S all working correctly...
I oversized a bit after the originals collapsed on us....the pair was $85 Canadian on Amazon...best deal I found as well on something strong enough for what I wanted... occasionally we are on a site that requires lifting a corner or end right off the ground to level the trailer. Great sites just more technical setup.
Curious if anyone has any insights as to best practice when that is necessary?
__________________
Draughty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2018, 03:16 PM   #13
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 34
SUN #9070
Stubborn1 is an unknown quantity at this point
Recently saw a long double axle TT that had so much stuff under One axle I could hardly believe it. Very level site too?
__________________
Stubborn1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2018, 03:49 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
Draughty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Ontario
Posts: 298
SUN #9498
Draughty is an unknown quantity at this point
I have a problem with stairs due to the back injury and I don't lift it any higher than necessary! Too high to climb!
I didn't get any pictures but last week the tongue was nearly on the ground and the back was almost fully extended. Door side tires were off the ground!
__________________
Draughty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2018, 10:10 AM   #15
Moderator
 
Sunline Fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Michigan
Posts: 6,155
SUN #123
Sunline Fan is an unknown quantity at this point
Looks good! Yeah, I won't put anything other than scissor jacks underneath a longer Sunline. Everything less is too dangerous or unstable. Definitely the way to go.
__________________
2007 T-286SR Cherry/Granola, #6236, original owner, current mileage: 9473.8 (as of 6/18/21)
1997 T-2653 Blue Denim, #5471
1979 12 1/2' MC, Beige & Avocado, #4639
Past Sunlines: '97 T-2653 #5089, '94 T-2251, '86 T-1550, '94 T-2363, '98 T-270SR
Sunline Fan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2018, 10:14 AM   #16
Senior Member
 
Draughty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Ontario
Posts: 298
SUN #9498
Draughty is an unknown quantity at this point
Ours is a 17 footer but scissors jacks sure seem far sturdier and rated for more weight.
__________________
Draughty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2018, 04:09 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
johnnybgood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Maryland
Posts: 488
SUN #8237
johnnybgood is an unknown quantity at this point
Quote:
Originally Posted by Draughty View Post
I have a problem with stairs due to the back injury and I don't lift it any higher than necessary! Too high to climb!
I didn't get any pictures but last week the tongue was nearly on the ground and the back was almost fully extended. Door side tires were off the ground!


From what I understand you shouldn’t be using the corner scissors jacks to lift the tires off the ground. Best would be to use leveling blocks.

I’ve got a set of those orange Lynx Levelers that work great if your parked on a hard surface, otherwise they’re useless.
__________________
John
2000 T2370
johnnybgood is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2018, 07:26 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
j52wf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 544
SUN #2366
j52wf is an unknown quantity at this point
Those scissor jacks aren't designed to lift/level the camper, only for stabilizing an already levelled camper. I always carry 1x4s and 2x4s with me for levelling.
__________________
j52wf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-28-2018, 09:31 AM   #19
Moderator
 
Sunline Fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Michigan
Posts: 6,155
SUN #123
Sunline Fan is an unknown quantity at this point
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnnybgood View Post
From what I understand you shouldn’t be using the corner scissors jacks to lift the tires off the ground. Best would be to use leveling blocks.

I’ve got a set of those orange Lynx Levelers that work great if your parked on a hard surface, otherwise they’re useless.
Quote:
Originally Posted by j52wf View Post
Those scissor jacks aren't designed to lift/level the camper, only for stabilizing an already levelled camper. I always carry 1x4s and 2x4s with me for levelling.
Agreed. A little lift isn't bad, but lifting the tires off the ground is definitely too much. I too carry a pack of Lynx Levelers to put under the tires to get it closer to level, before dropping the jacks.
__________________
2007 T-286SR Cherry/Granola, #6236, original owner, current mileage: 9473.8 (as of 6/18/21)
1997 T-2653 Blue Denim, #5471
1979 12 1/2' MC, Beige & Avocado, #4639
Past Sunlines: '97 T-2653 #5089, '94 T-2251, '86 T-1550, '94 T-2363, '98 T-270SR
Sunline Fan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-28-2018, 12:10 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
Draughty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Ontario
Posts: 298
SUN #9498
Draughty is an unknown quantity at this point
Good to know I am very much unfamiliar with leveling to that extent..
__________________

__________________
Draughty is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Leveling Scissor Jacks apackoftwo Sunline Travel Trailers 12 11-23-2010 05:41 PM
Эроти& chuckieg Sunline Travel Trailers 1 05-28-2009 07:57 PM
LEVELING JACKS T264 sunnyseagull Sunline Slide Room Travel Trailers 2 03-09-2009 03:08 PM
Attaching leveling jacks partimcmpr Modifications 9 10-11-2007 08:45 PM


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sunline RV or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:36 AM.


×