JT StrongArm Knockoffs?

[sreigle]

A friend mentioned yesterday he saw at Camping World what looks like stabilizers identical to the JT StrongArm Stabilizers but a different brand. And possibly cheaper?

Anyone have these? How do they compare to the JT's? We've decided we're going to go with the JT's when we get to somewhere where we can get them (we're in a rather remote area at the moment) but are also interested in what Camping World has.

Thanks.

[jjackflash]

Steve,I just looked at the Camping World website and the one's their offering are 299.00 same price as JT's. JT doesn't charge shipping,I don't know about Camping World.
I myself would rather go with the originator JT. JMHO.
http://www.campingworld.com/browse/
skus/index.cfm?skunum=35782&src=SRQB
Jack

[sreigle]

Jack, if not a significant savings, I'd agree. Last night the best price for JT's I found doing a google search was $359. But I didn't spend much time looking. We're serious about getting the JT's or similar when we get to some place where that's possible. I want to have the dealer install them. I see JT's website lists the dealers so I'll start there.

Thanks.

[scattershot]

Saw the real deal at Quartzsite this year for $300.00. The salesman had his 5er on the lot and invited us to push it. It was like pushing on the First National Bank. We gotta get some of those!

[jjackflash]

Here ya go Steve!
http://www.rvwholesalers.com/catalog/
product.php?productid=924

[Snownyet]

I just bought and installed a set of the eliminators sold at camping world. I like em! Very well built, looks to be 1.25" tubing attached with some qulaity looking swivel bolts(for lack of a btter word) they also use bronze bushings at the pivot point on the front legs. You can see them at
www.ultra-fab.com.

[sreigle]

Thanks, Jack, for the link.

Snownyet, thanks for that link, too. Do you know how they differ from the JT's, if at all?

[nailbender]

The eliminators at Camping World appear to be a exact copy of the the JT's. I don't know where the others are manufactured, but the JT's are made in the America.

[Jay Bird]

I just installed a set of JTs. Got them from RV Wholesale for 299 and free shipping.

[sreigle]

Jaybird, how long did it take you to install them? And did you need any special tools that I might not carry with us? I have a drill and bits, wrenches, sockets, bottle jack, etc.

Which part of the installation gave you the most headaches?

Most rv parks will not allow working on a rig like that. When we get back to Independence in the KC area I could do it there. But it will be in the hot part of the year so I might prefer to have a dealer do it anyhow.

I think there's a Camping World in the Albuquerque area, if I recall. When we get to Santa Fe we'll run down and take a look at the eliminators and see where they're made. We need to pick up some other things from CW anyhow.

Thanks.

[Jay Bird]

Steve,
It took about 4 hours to install. The only special tool I brought was a 1/2 inch uni-bit abd a 3/8 in tap. You can do without the uni-bit and use a 1/2 in. drill bit if you prefer. I also brought a 71 in long 2X2, 1/8 wall box from Hercules steel company here in Fayetteville. To see a picture see EXNAVYDIVER link below. Or look at my topic JT Strong Arm Stabilizer installation for all the info I got on installing them. http://s212.photobucket.com/albums/cc106/
exnavydiver/Rig%20Mods/?action=view¤t=
48404260.pbw

Good luck however you choose to have them installed.

George

[Bill and Lisa]

I installed "Plug it Right" brand of stabilizers about 10 months ago and love them. They are currently running $249.99 for a 5er with landing gear in front and a stablizer in back
http://plugitright.com/Page3.html

[Exnavydiver]

The Unibit makes for a much cleaner install, and removes all the burrs...

[snfexpress]

I agree with the unibit. However, the MOST important tool is safety glasses. When I installed mine, I didn't have any and a piece of steel fell into my eye. No problems, but was worried until I flushed it out.

Also, I installed the rear JT's back to the frame, not as others like ExNavyDiver have done. Since I have a bike rack on the back, I wouldn't be able to get to the T-bolts. The way I have installed them, I can get to the T-bolts, and they seem to do the job. JMO.

[Snownyet]

After looking at jaybirds pics I can say the eliminators at camping world are a 100% knockoff of the JT's. Every part I see appears identical. Not sure if it has an effect on function but theyre also a bit beefier than the plug it right stabilizers too.

[Exnavydiver]

Micheal, the 2x3 box channel is only 6 inches behind the rear jack assembly. I am putting a hitch back there when I get back to the sticks and bricks for a bike rack. Then I can put my ladder on the ladder... Dave and Betsy

[ChuckD]

I bougt a set of front stabilizers at www.plugitright.com for 149.95 no freight. I have not installed them yet but they look like them might do the trick without adding a bunch of weight on the Monty check them out.

[sreigle]

I looked at the JT site and downloaded a list of dealers. The first one with a website and also within reasonable distance of our travel plans for the next couple of months, interestingly, did not show JT's in their parts list but they do show the Eliminators. I wonder if whomever wholesales Eliminator is offering a better deal to the retailers? Or maybe this dealer is an isolated case.

The Eliminator is made by Ultra Fab Products of Elkhart, IN. Here's a link to their Eliminator page. http://www.ultra-fab.com/new_detail....gnum=48-979007

[ChuckD]

I just installed the plugitright stabilzers on my front landing gear only. They were easy to install maybe 20 minutes and they took 90% of the movement out. and they are lighter than other brands.

[Snownyet]

A buddy of mine just bought a set of eliminators at what he says is the dealers employee cost. $185.00 Thats some serious markup.