STEADYfast verses JT Strong Arm Jack Stabilizer System

[powerscol]

Has anyone used both of these systems over the years?

The Strong Arm seems to have more bracing at all four corners including an X brace up front, but looks complicated. The engineer in me things it may offer more rigidity but wit more parts I wonder about connection slop. Also the handels might be tough to get to,

The steady fast seams simpler but has less bracing. I like the handles better and the locations

I have search and seen posts here that both are good, but is one better than the other and easier to use?

Just trying to decide
Thanks - Keith

[Ctdecuir]

Watching this - even after adding Bal X-Chocks and raising the height of the "pads" under our front Landing Gear and the rear scissor jacks, our 230RL is still fairly unstable (btw, the X-Chocks didn't help much). I am also interested in an upgrade!

[Cate&Rob]

I was also considering which of these stabilizer systems might be best. Then I stopped by a Camping World and didn't get any further than picking up the boxes before deciding that I didn't want to carry that weight around. Then I looked into the size of the holes they wanted me to drill in the lower flanges of my I beams and I was sure that I didn't want to do that!

We went with an aluminum tripod. Light weight, easy to handle and if set up correctly adds a lot of stability. The key is to load the tripod enough that it can do its job, by lifting the landing gear slightly after the tripod is in place. The aluminum tripod is strong enough to carry the entire pin weight of my 303 . . . I can raise the landing gear off the ground.

BTW, I also tried X Chocks . . . and took them back . . . they didn't do anything for stability that I could determine.

Just my 2 cents worth . . .

Rob

[Ctdecuir]

I will definitely look into the aluminum tripod, as I have also heard from others that this provides noticeable stability...

[LeenTj]

Can’t compare the two systems but if it helps I did install the strong arm this past December 17. Install was easy 1-2 hrs as I recall, movement/sway especially in the front of my 303 was considerable after install I’d guess 98%was taken out. Install required a couple of 1/4” holes per bracket (3) total for fronts. Release are easy to access. Regarding the weight on system yes it is around 45 lbs as I remember which was of some concern , so I just installed them on the front. Dropped weight to around 30 lbs. having just the front installed still removed quite a bit of movement from the back also. Sitting in recliner you can feel someone walking around in main salon but for me is at a tolerable level. I’m sure if you did install rears very little movement would be left. Hope this helped some

[powerscol]

Well to update my search. I called Lippet and confirmed that neither system would void the warrentee unless they caused damage (like bending the landing gear, etc). I then saw the pictures of the JT Strong Arm bending the front storage pan (not good). Lastly I called STEADYfast and I think talked to the owner. He was familiar with my unit and walked me through the differences and the research he did in developing his system.He does know all the competitors products As a retired engineer it made sense.

An example is the strong arm ties to the landing rear posts with several attachments - IE slop in the connections. His system ties to the foot pad or as he says the ground - no linkage for slop.

Now I just need to decide the options I want to go with.

However I like to sleep on things. So possibly tomorrow I will decide.

Thanks for the help

BTW I also have used the try pod and corner jack stands - neither did the job well.

[Jack]

The STEADYfast was the first mod we did to our trailer. It certainly reduces the movement. On the 337RLS the cross brace in the rear is very close to the spare tire. You should verified that you won't have an interference problem if your spare is mounted between the rear stabilizers.

My only issue is when I forget to tighten the rear STEADYfast clamp before the kitchen slide comes out and I have to crawl under the slide.

[powerscol]

Fortunately the rear jacks are well clear of the spare which reminds me I need to lower and flip to get to the valve.. Will be crawling under the unit today to double check attachment points.

More later

[jneubig]

I used the Steadyfast system on my first trailer, a bumper pull Open Range. My second camper, an Open Range Fifth Wheel TH, had JT Strongarms from the factory. While both seem to work as advertised, I personally preferred the Steadyfast system for the ease of deployment. Also, after speaking with the owner of Steadyfast before purchasing for my TT, everything he said made sense. When we purchased our 395M, the first mod I did was to install the Steadyfast system. We used it without and even with the six point stabilizers, I could feel movement with just the dogs walking around. The Steadyfast has eliminated about 85-90% of the movement I was feeling. I would highly recommend either, but my personal preference is the Steadyfast. I also use X-Chocks ( no real difference I can tell) and the Anderson buckets under my stabilizers (they work well but were quite pricey). I've never tried a King Pin stabilizer as I use the Anderson hitch and haven't found one that would work with it.

[Retread68]

Over the years I have used the JTStrongArm system on a Crossroads RV Cruiser 28-ft 5er and a GDRV Reflection 303. Now I am using the Steadyfast system on a GDRV Reflection 337. To my surprise the Steadyfast system is performing better than the JTStrongArm system did on the previous 2 5ers. It is still difficult to say which is better due to the fact that each 5er in comparison are made differently with different primary stabilization systems other than the two front legs. Using a tripod on the pinbox was zero value to my units since my pinbox is a TrailAir w/air bag and shock for vertical dampening.

In short, the Steadyfast system is providing a surprising improvement to my current unit in comparison to previous systems. With my particular Reflection 337 the spare tire did have to be moved due to the placement of the Steadyfast bracket/arm being just behind the rear 4-pt leveling legs which put it almost dead center of the spare tire OEM position.