Stabilizer Jacks

[PBR]

My Clippers manual says to lower the jacks before you raise the roof but I have read on some of the forums that you should raise the roof first, then lower the jacks...any thoughts on this issue ?

[AustinBoston]

My Clippers manual says to lower the jacks before you raise the roof but I have read on some of the forums that you should raise the roof first, then lower the jacks...any thoughts on this issue ?

Are you sure you're not misreading the manual?  Sometimes they get into abbreviated lawyer speak and say things double-backwards, making it confusing...

"Never fail to raise the roof before lowering the stabilizers" could mean a lot of different things if you leave out a single word.

That aside, I don't know why they would do it that way; I do know why  it is important to raise the roof before lowering the stabilizers...otherwise slight warping of the trailer frame can cause the lift system to bind and make fitting the door difficult.

Austin

[dthurk]

It depends on what type of stabilizer you might have.  If you have the swing down stabilizer, you may want to bring them down during the process of leveling the camper.  It's easier then, particularly on uneven terrain.  However, don't drop and set them until the top is up.

At any rate, I'd agree with AB, top up, then set stabilizers.

[Old Goat]

Over the years, I have cranked up the roof with the stabalizers up and down on four different popups and have never noticed any difference one way or the other..Never had any binding or any problems......

Point to ponder; If a popup is sitting level and with it's stabalizers down, how can it's frame be warped and cause cause a lift system to have problems?...

[brainpause]

Point to ponder; If a popup is sitting level and with it's stabalizers down, how can it's frame be warped and cause cause a lift system to have problems?...

Point well taken, IF you level it correctly, using the axles and the tongue jack.

However, I see many many people leveling with their stabilizers.

Larry

[tlhdoc]

If your owners manual says to lower the jack first then do what it says.  Just make sure that is what it is saying.  Contact the manufacturer to make sure there wasn't a misprint in the owners manual.

[dthurk]

Point to ponder; If a popup is sitting level and with it's stabalizers down, how can it's frame be warped and cause cause a lift system to have problems?...

Not sure why, but our door has always worked better if stabilizers are set after lifting the top.  Maybe because it's impossible to get it absolutely level, and that affects the lifting of the top?  I could see a leaning roof pulling on the frame, even if it's only a bit.

[chkster]

the last thing I do .. is stabilizers.  front/bk, lft/ rght. roof up, door in (fits better if i do it first),beds out,stabilizers down as DW is setting up inside,
The frame and box,etc. have time to settle and then stabilize. I always go around and tweek  the stabilizers until no movement.
IMHO the door should be in place firstly.. if it is in place, the box will not have as much a chance to torque and cause the door not to fit.and if it is in place it adds stability to the roof. Pulling bunk ends out seems to me, would cause the box to flex from the weight outside it like bending a card. if the door is in place the box can not flex in a way to not let the door fit.
nuf said...LOL

[tlhdoc]

Not sure why, but our door has always worked better if stabilizers are set after lifting the top. Maybe because it's impossible to get it absolutely level, and that affects the lifting of the top?

Why can't you get absolutely level?  I do all the time.  Level front to back with the tongue jack and side to side with the B.A.L. single wheel leveler.  I know I am level with the water in the sink and shower go right down the drain and the eggs don't make a run for the side of the pan when I pour them in.

[dthurk]

Why can't you get absolutely level?  I do all the time.  Level front to back with the tongue jack and side to side with the B.A.L. single wheel leveler.  I know I am level with the water in the sink and shower go right down the drain and the eggs don't make a run for the side of the pan when I pour them in.

You must spend more time at it than I do.  Then again, I never had a BAL leveler.  We had 12" tires and I didn't think they would fit that small a tire.  We'd only get close side to side.  

I think I do better with the TT.  I can get it close with 2" lumber under the tires, then use the stabilizers to finish it off.  These stabilizers can lift the camper, not that I want to do that, but they are good enough that I can adjust level up to about 1" either way with them.  At least when I'm done, the bathroom door stays in whatever position we leave it rather than swinging open or closed.