Jack Stands Version 2

[7.3Ford]

I use four stands under my BigFoot legs keep the feet out out the mud, and are handy for sites that are far from level. Both versions have a lip around the top to keep the feet from sliding off.

Version 1 I made up about 1 year and half ago, and have worked pretty well, but are heavy and the wood starting to split, warp, and screws are not holding it together.

This is Version 1



Below is Version 2, made from 1.25" angle iron, welded together and rubber on top and bottom. Not only are they stronger, but they are also easier to pickup and are lighter. We will be testing them out this week, but they should hold up a MAC truck.

Version 2

[Montana Sky]

Nice work! I was just looking at trying to make something identical to what you have done this past weekend. Thanks for a few ideas (both wood and metal).

[7.3Ford]

quote:Originally posted by Montana Sky

Nice work! I was just looking at trying to make something identical to what you have done this past weekend. Thanks for a few ideas (both wood and metal).

Thanks,

Wood was pretty easy, I used 2x6 under top plate, 2x8 around outside, and 2x12 for top. All four took somewhere around 3-4 hours.

Version 2, cost a lot more, and took about 14-16 hours each (lots of cutting and welding), but should last forever.

[DQDick]

Nice job! When does commercial production start?

[7.3Ford]

quote:Originally posted by DQDick

Nice job! When does commercial production start?

Dick,

They would cost $800 each if I was doing them. I guess with right tools, you could do them faster. Since I hadn't welded in 30 years, I had to replace the power core to my welder, which had rotted away to bare metal. I used the 50 Amp RV plug I just installed in the garage two months ago, without the netural leg to give me the 220 Volts, 50 Amps the welder needs. So I got dual use out the 50 Amp plug I installed.

[kylec2]

I love my Lynx Levers,I have one set that is 18 years old and still going strong.

[7.3Ford]

quote:Originally posted by kylec2

I love my Lynx Levers,I have one set that is 18 years old and still going strong.

They are nice if you need different heights, but nothing to stop the feet from sliding off. That is why both version have a lip to keep the feet in the box.

[sfish]

Nice work. When the volume goes up maybe you can get that price down to around $750.affordable to all. Just kidding but they look great.

[kylec2]

quote:Originally posted by 7.3Ford

They are nice if you need different heights, but nothing to stop the feet from sliding off. That is why both version have a lip to keep the feet in the box.

I do not mean to make little of your work (great job by the way), but 13,000+ pounds of force (trailer weight), against a 1 inch lip (or more), if unsecured, the load will come off the support/block by flipping it on its side. If you want to prevent horizontal movement you need good chocks/blocks on the tires of the rig.

All I am trying to point out is you have great vertical support, but do not forget the horizontal support (chocks). If you are already are using a great chock system you are in great shape!

I apologize if I have belabored the point here, but a friend of mine recently knocked his rig off his blocks because the chocks slipped and paid ~$2,000 to replace both front jack legs.

[Champ_49]

Nice work Ford and I like them. Only problem I have is where would I store them when going down the road. I am a fulltimer and have no spare room that it would take to carry them. 4x4 and 4x6 blocking has always worked for me but it is time consuming getting them all lined up. But then again I am retired with nothing but time on my hands so no biggie there. But, I am looking at the BigFoot levelers real closely.

Dave

[7.3Ford]

quote:Originally posted by Champ_49

Nice work Ford and I like them. Only problem I have is where would I store them when going down the road. I am a fulltimer and have no spare room that it would take to carry them. 4x4 and 4x6 blocking has always worked for me but it is time consuming getting them all lined up. But then again I am retired with nothing but time on my hands so no biggie there. But, I am looking at the BigFoot levelers real closely.

Dave

Dave,

I put all four of them in the truck, just in front of the between the hitch and the Aux Tank. They are easy to grab, and put under each jack. I can unhook and be level in 3-4 minutes.

[7.3Ford]

Just picked Montana up from storage, and getting it ready to leave tomorrow for Huntington Beach State Park, SC. Here are a couple of pictures in the drive way. I am 6'2" and can walk under the front with 3" to spare under the bedroom of the Montana, to give you an idea how high up in there air it is. One of the reason I needed the stands in the first place (stock landing gear or BigFoot).

[BusyCarol]

You did a nice job on those! My husband is just learning to weld will probably add those to his more advanced list of things to make!

[7.3Ford]

quote:Originally posted by BusyCarol

You did a nice job on those! My husband is just learning to weld will probably add those to his more advanced list of things to make!

I had to learn all over, hadn't done any welding in 30 years. Cutting all the pieces, griding, etc. is where most of the work is.

[steelpony5555]

Ohhhhh that would make me real nervous to have my legs extended that far and on top of some blocks on that kind of slant. But if you got to do it I guess the blocks you made are the best for the job. I prefer the lego blocks but would never put them on a hill like that lol lol..... Living in Tx we don't have that many hills to worry about.

[7.3Ford]

quote:Originally posted by steelpony5555

Ohhhhh that would make me real nervous to have my legs extended that far and on top of some blocks on that kind of slant. But if you got to do it I guess the blocks you made are the best for the job. I prefer the lego blocks but would never put them on a hill like that lol lol..... Living in Tx we don't have that many hills to worry about.

I use Lego blocks in the past, but when it moved two inches on me one time, I made Version 1 with a lip. Both versions will support wheels off the ground, so they are built heavy duty.

[Tom S.]

Leggo blocks, IMHO, should only be used on level ground, especially if the ground is paved. On cement, they will slide quite easily.

[clarkandsheila]

Several years ago I made a set of built up plywood wheel chocks. I think I used about 8 or 10 layers of 3/4".
To that I added a 2" wide strap that was clamped under the top layer, wrapped around the back of the chock and then clamped between the bottom layer and the next layer up and extended ~18" along the ground.

When on a hill I figure out where I want the trailer, move uphill 18", place the chocks with the strap layed out where the tire will roll onto it. I then carefully let the whole rig roll untill the chock holds it.
The strap, with the tire now sitting on it, prevents the chock from moving or getting kicked out. This takes the strain off the landing gear.

So far it has worked well and only two of the big strapped chocks are needed as they are only needed on the downhill side.

John, since you are almost backed up to your garage doors this may not work as well for you but maybe a shorter strap. It simply needs to have the tire sit on it firmly. Mine are long enough that they appear out the other side of the tire.

[7.3Ford]

Hi Clark,

Sounds like a lot of work, compared to my setup. I have BigFoot leveling system, so I just stick one stand under each of the four hydraulic jacks, and push the auto level. In the picture I didn't put the rear stands, since we were just there to load up.

I can raise the tires off the ground for maintenance, but normally keep the tires on the ground.