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JT Strong Arms Install

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SlimJim

Member
In an effort to improve stability on my 29RL, tried installing some JT Strong Arms. Doing them a second time would be pretty easy, but the first time had multiple frustration points.

  1. Directions were terrible, and not a lot of install videos for 5th wheels. The best one is by etrailer.
  2. The kit only supports legs that have holes on the front to back side. My 29RL (like many other trailers) has them on the side. There is no way to work around that other than drilling new holes (which Lippert didn't recommend and wouldn't support) or moving the mount points to the base plate. I ended up choosing the base plate option, but to do that you have to spend an additional $279 to buy more parts (info below).
  3. My 29RL has a front frame that they also don't support very well. The cross beam is set back from the front of the coach by a bit, think of an upside down L with the top part facing towards the back and a metal plate coming down in front of that. The feet are in front of the cross brace so the bar doesn't reach them without being blocked. This was another reason I chose to go with the base plate mount, if you use those the bars just barely clear.
  4. The 29RL doesn't have an accessible cross brace in the rear for mounting there. May eventually get one welded on but for now haven't installed the rear brace.
  5. Lippert support doesn't really know this kit very well. Ended up making 3 calls to them trying to work around various issues. Their opinion was it couldn't be installed on the trailer without disassembling the front jacks to rotate them, but they never mentioned the base plate option which is an easier workaround.

So with all of those issues, if you are still interested in proceeding here is what it looks like.
IMG_3041.png

IMG_3040.png

IMG_3039.png

Base plate mounting requires these parts for each plate:
The mounts are unpainted steel so they can be optionally welded on (I chose to drill a hole and screw them on). They will have to be painted to avoid rust.

So was it worth it? Not really. Maybe a tiny improvement in stability. The Anderson buckets had about the same effect. I'd say if you are laying in the front bed it's better there, but not much change when sitting in the living room. Of course, I haven't installed the rear bars yet so possibly things will improve with those, but some of the reviews said just the front bars were enough to stabilize other trailers. The rear bars would be a PITA to tighten and loosen, requiring crawling under the trailer for each setup/tear down.

Still on the hunt for a better way to stabilize, may end up having to get some additional jacks.
 
O

OburgOrange

Well-known member
SlimJim said:
In an effort to improve stability on my 29RL, tried installing some JT Strong Arms. Doing them a second time would be pretty easy, but the first time had multiple frustration points.

  1. Directions were terrible, and not a lot of install videos for 5th wheels. The best one is by etrailer.
  2. The kit only supports legs that have holes on the front to back side. My 29RL (like many other trailers) has them on the side. There is no way to work around that other than drilling new holes (which Lippert didn't recommend and wouldn't support) or moving the mount points to the base plate. I ended up choosing the base plate option, but to do that you have to spend an additional $279 to buy more parts (info below).
  3. My 29RL has a front frame that they also don't support very well. The cross beam is set back from the front of the coach by a bit, think of an upside down L with the top part facing towards the back and a metal plate coming down in front of that. The feet are in front of the cross brace so the bar doesn't reach them without being blocked. This was another reason I chose to go with the base plate mount, if you use those the bars just barely clear.
  4. The 29RL doesn't have an accessible cross brace in the rear for mounting there. May eventually get one welded on but for now haven't installed the rear brace.
  5. Lippert support doesn't really know this kit very well. Ended up making 3 calls to them trying to work around various issues. Their opinion was it couldn't be installed on the trailer without disassembling the front jacks to rotate them, but they never mentioned the base plate option which is an easier workaround.

So with all of those issues, if you are still interested in proceeding here is what it looks like.
View attachment 2445

View attachment 2446

View attachment 2447

Base plate mounting requires these parts for each plate:
The mounts are unpainted steel so they can be optionally welded on (I chose to drill a hole and screw them on). They will have to be painted to avoid rust.

So was it worth it? Not really. Maybe a tiny improvement in stability. The Anderson buckets had about the same effect. I'd say if you are laying in the front bed it's better there, but not much change when sitting in the living room. Of course, I haven't installed the rear bars yet so possibly things will improve with those, but some of the reviews said just the front bars were enough to stabilize other trailers. The rear bars would be a PITA to tighten and loosen, requiring crawling under the trailer for each setup/tear down.

Still on the hunt for a better way to stabilize, may end up having to get some additional jacks.
Click to expand...
Thanks for this. I was considering installing them as well. Seems like a lot of effort for minimal results. What king of jacks are you considering for stabilizing the rear of the camper?
 
C

Chaseweston

Well-known member
This is what we use on our 44V14. We have two sets of the HD ones but I may get a third to run front to back as the x chocks seem to be a waste at helping front to back rocking on a rig this big.

The Rock Stabilizer

you email Jim (Owner/Engineer) and he custom makes them for your trailer. Cheaper than the strong arms too!
 
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Lantley

Well-known member
Thanks for sharing. I like the idea and it looks like work very well.
I had JT's on my last rig and they worked very well.
My issue with the Rock Stabilizer is too much set up! If you full time or say for extended periods the set up time is negligible.
But if you are a weekend warrior like myself. The set upis a deal breaker.
I don't want to get something else out and put it away.
Notice the video has the stabilizers aady out and in position.
That is not how works in the real world.
The Rock stabilizer needs to be stored somewhere?....and then set up.
1.take out of storage. 2. set up 3. Deploy and tighten. Then put away!
OK if you are a full timer or stay for extended periods, but for my style of camping too much do.
Nevertheless I like the idea and I'm sure it is a good fit for many looking to stabilize their rigs.
 
Whitewolf

Whitewolf

Well-known member
Had the Strong Arms on our last 5r and they really took the movement out. I had the same problem with the rear as you. Fortunately I had the spare tire crossmember to bolt them to. I was going to have a 1/4" angle iron welded to the frame but never got around to it before we traded for the Alliance.

Speaking from experience, don't forget to loosen the T bolts before raising or lowering the jacks. It'll make that shine grey inner bar pretty ugly. And I must admit I did it more than once. :rolleyes:
 
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