J T Strong Arm Stabilizers - Montana Owners Club

dennisl · 10-19-2007, 01:55 PM

I have a Mountaineer with the slide-out bike rack on the rear bumper. I have been disappointed with the amount of movement in my fifth wheel, even with the tripod stabilizer and wheel chocks attached. I am considering the purchase of the J T Strong Arm stabilizers. First of all, I would like the opinion of someone who owns these as to their effectiveness. I would also like to know if these can be mounted to my fiver frame, since the slide-out bike rack is already attached to the frame as well. Any info appreciated.

hookman · 10-19-2007, 02:21 PM

If you look in the last two weeks there are some threads about this subject. We just got ours on the 5th of Oct. and it is the best $600 that we spent according to my DW on the first night after the install. Well worth the money and you can get a handle to reach under the unit to tighten and loosen the arms.

Mudchief · 10-19-2007, 02:24 PM

You will be very impressed with them. I would check with JT strong arm about the back. But I think you could mount the arm to the frame going toward the front away from the sliding part.

nailbender · 10-19-2007, 03:05 PM

We have the JT's also and they really do help. They are very easy to set up and you won't have to haul that tripod stabilizer around any more. I also agree with Mudchief about contacting the JT company, they are very helpful.

Exnavydiver · 10-19-2007, 03:46 PM

I have mine on already and they make the Big Sky rock solid. The back ones have to be mounted as close as possible to the beam that the rear jacks are on. if they are scissors jacks they mount on the center of that beam, if they are telescoping jacks they mount on the first beam aft of the jack beam. It isn't a hard install. I did however have to buy a 8 ft piece of 2x3 box channel to install behind the telescoping jacks in back, pain in the butt. Other than that it was fairly easy. We love them... Dave and Betsy

DHenry · 10-19-2007, 03:49 PM

I installed our JT's myself and as the others said it was money well spent. You may have to add a piece of angle iron at the rear to attach the JT brackets to but there is always a way to install them. Here is a picture of mine with 2 6" tubes and I still have plenty of clearance under the front jacks.

Army Guy · 10-19-2007, 03:57 PM

I installed mine last week. They make a world of difference and am so glad I took the plunge. It was an easy install and if you have any questions, the JT folks will be glad to help out.

bsmeaton · 10-19-2007, 04:57 PM

Dennis,

Give them a call on the rear. Technically they are saying don't go forward to the frame with the rear stabilizers, as it would be ineffective with the design objective. They are very helpfull and can give you the why and what for, as well as special mods you might need to do for that back sliding rack before you spend the money.

MAMalody · 10-19-2007, 06:45 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by DHenry

I installed our JT's myself and as the others said it was money well spent. You may have to add a piece of angle iron at the rear to attach the JT brackets to but there is always a way to install them. Here is a picture of mine with 2 6" tubes and I still have plenty of clearance under the front jacks.

DHenry, what kind of caps are those on your tubes. I have been trying to figure out the best way to do that. I plan on using one for the folding ladder I have on the way, and then two for sewer hoses. Thought I would use 6" spec 40 pipe but haven't figured out the caps yet for use and security purposes. I am trying to figure out the hangers also. I remember you indicating that you used 6" B vent hangers? Been to a couple of places and they don't even know what I am talking about. If I have co-opted this thread, somebody let me know and I will repost and start a new thread.

DHenry · 10-20-2007, 04:52 AM

Mike, the caps are two piece. One is a 6" threaded slip and the other piece is the threaded cap. You can get them at a plumbing supply company. They are a little pricey but work well. I put them on both ends. I drilled a hole in the square hubs so I can use a phillips screw driver for leverage in opening and closing the caps.

MAMalody · 10-20-2007, 06:50 PM

Thanks for the info. How about the 6" B vent hangers (?) where can I find those? I have tried Lowe's and they don't have them. Talked to an HVAC guy at a housing development and he had no idea what I was talking about, of course, that was residental construction. Do you know a site i can order them from? Is that the best way to hand the pipes?

DHenry · 10-21-2007, 04:16 AM

Mike the 6" B Vent hangers are a standard item at a HVAC shop. If you can't find them locally, I can send some to you. They are around $7.00 +/- each plus the shipping charges. I used four of them but you could get by with three on each pipe.

Trailer Trash 2 · 10-21-2007, 05:31 AM

When I was at the Pomona RV show I saw a stabeliser that was not the one you guys are talking about but it does the same thing and half the price.

www.steadyfast.com

The person showing told me $350 and that was with SH.

adelmoll · 10-21-2007, 05:36 AM

We saw those too Don but we saw them side by side with the J.T's. Big difference in the weight and stability. We went with the J.T's

Bill

The Oldguard · 10-21-2007, 06:31 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Trailer Trash 2

When I was at the Pomona RV show I saw a stabeliser that was not the one you guys are talking about but it does the same thing and half the price.

www.steadyfast.com

The person showing told me $350 and that was with SH.

Don, just $299.95 and free shipping

http://www.rvwholesalers.com/catalog...?productid=924

49merc · 10-21-2007, 12:32 PM

I just installed a full set of plug it right stabilizers for 289.95 with free shipping and I'm very happy with them because the DW is very happy. To me it is rock solid. They were very easy to install.
Bob

bigmurf · 10-21-2007, 12:44 PM

I have the Plug it Right system also and have been very happy with it.

hookman · 10-21-2007, 01:48 PM

Mine was $606.99 because I had them installed. If you install them yourself it is cheaper. They are very well built out of very good material. You can get them for less money online.

MAMalody · 10-21-2007, 06:16 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by DHenry

Mike the 6" B Vent hangers are a standard item at a HVAC shop. If you can't find them locally, I can send some to you. They are around $7.00 +/- each plus the shipping charges. I used four of them but you could get by with three on each pipe.

Let me try the phone book. I may take you up on your offer.

hookman · 10-22-2007, 12:18 PM

Don the JT's are the same price as Jim dropped the price on the first of October and we seen them on line for $299.

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