stabilizer jacks - Hi-Lo camper travel trailer forum

chicken89 · 05-10-2016, 11:57 PM

i have tried to lower my stabilizer jacks, but to no avail. so i cut the tube back to where i could see the socket size that i would need. to my surprise, it is a 3/8" square, not a 6 sided 3/4" head. i can flip the 3/8 extension around on my socket set, but then i have nothing to turn it with.
is this common, or am i missing something? i visited camper world yesterday and they only had the 3/4" socket. i can take a pic if needed to confirm what i have, or have someone tell me that i am missing a part

JackandJanet · 05-11-2016, 12:25 AM

Chicken, I'm not understanding your problem at all. There are no "tubes" on my stabilizer jacks. The hex head for the socket wrench is fully exposed and is on the end of a threaded rod that, when turned, causes the jacks to lower or raise. Mine look essentially like this: https://www.google.com/search?q=trai...tY_M2Ii05EM%3A The wrench socket fits over the end of the threaded rod at the left side.

If yours are different, a picture is certainly in order.

- Jack

notanlines · 05-11-2016, 06:25 AM

Chicken, any hardware store will have a 3/8 square socket. It will simply be an 8 sided socket; that won't be a problem. What I don't understand is exactly what Jack ^^^ was telling you above. Actually, that was phrased incorrectly. I understand Jack, but not your given situation. I have never seen any brand of stabilizer jacks with a 3/8 head on the rod. Yep, a picture is in order.

chicken89 · 05-11-2016, 08:52 AM

here are the pics!
first one- stabilizer jack in original condition
second- i cut it off to see why the jack wasn't moving
third- the square head that i cannot find a socket for

hilltool · 05-11-2016, 10:40 AM

Huh! That IS different. What's with the tubes I wonder. Nice way to protect them I suppose. What year and model?

JackandJanet · 05-11-2016, 11:53 AM

I've never seen anything like that. They look to be pretty badly corroded. If you can find a square socket to turn the thing, a lot of penetrating oil may be needed.

It might be a better idea to replace them with the modern design.

- Jack

Garry · 05-11-2016, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chicken89

here are the pics!
first one- stabilizer jack in original condition
second- i cut it off to see why the jack wasn't moving
third- the square head that i cannot find a socket for

They look like something a handy man with welding experience might have made. Like Jack, I would replace them with up to date stabilizers.

chicken89 · 05-11-2016, 02:43 PM

They look factory, all 4 are that way. I had to cut 2, first one was to figure out why my socket wasn't working, second one was to see if the first one was "aftermarket". Unfortunately, they are all like that.
I believe it is an '89, 2589L model
When i was a commercial driver for a merchandising company, a couple of our sales trailers had this type of stabilizer, but not the square drive. I have tried a 3/8" 8 sided socket and it just slips around, it doesn't grab.

JackandJanet · 05-11-2016, 03:15 PM

If you flip the extension, you could grab the other end with Vise Grips or even a big wrench.

This certainly is not an easy solution, but it should work.

- Jack

RichR · 05-11-2016, 05:21 PM

That makes me think of some car jack cranks that had square ends that may fit that. I wouldn't doubt there was a crank handle that came with the trailer.

ltblueblzr · 05-11-2016, 07:40 PM

Some of the newer vehicles come with handles that is used to rise and lower the spare tire, that may also work.

Hillbilly · 05-20-2016, 12:26 AM

find a 12 point socket the fits to end of your extension, like the end that you are trying to turn. By fitting the extension I mean the 12 point side fits the end. Then you can use it to put them up and down, as long as it fits in the tube too.

Stroker920 · 05-23-2016, 10:59 PM

My 2288D has these. The purpose of the tubes is to keep the crank straight giving you a better chance of not slipping off the jack. I attached some pics of the crank that came with my trailer.

Zgpruitt · 05-29-2016, 08:28 PM

I have been looking for this crank, as well. We're using some jackstands right now, but I would love to get my hands on the Real McCoy, if anybody has an extra one lying around. This is great info, too! Thanks for bringing it up, Chicken. And thank you for the pic, Stroker.

Stroker920 · 05-29-2016, 10:23 PM

No problem, here to help. (and learn) I just measured the crank handle. It is a 1/2" shaft. The long part is 18" from end of socket to near side of bend. The other 2 sections are 4" long each. You can get the rod from any home store. Put it in a vise, torch it then bend it. The socket is a 3/8" so a 1/2" socket with 3/8" drive would fit on perfectly! (3/8 drive out of course) Then a couple of welds and your done. Mine only has 2 tack welds 180° apart.

Mike

Zgpruitt · 05-30-2016, 07:07 PM

Fan frikin tastic! Thank you so much. I can build that.

I assume that this is an older Hi Lo thing, since most of the 2000's model owners did not recognize it.

Hersbird · 05-31-2016, 02:32 PM

Nice sockets are 6 point for normal 6 point bolts but cheap sockets have more "points" and will grab both 6 point hex head and 4 point square head pretty well. There are also "one size fits all" sockets with a bunch of little pins inside that conform to the bolt head size that might work.

JackandJanet · 05-31-2016, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hersbird

Nice sockets are 6 point for normal 6 point bolts but cheap sockets have more "points" and will grab both 6 point hex head and 4 point square head pretty well. There are also "one size fits all" sockets with a bunch of little pins inside that conform to the bolt head size that might work.

Those are good suggestions, Hersbird! You would not need a lot of torque to move the jacks, so an inexpensive socket should do nicely.

- Jack