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Finding Quick Foot

Originally Published in Trailer Life Magazine

 

A new A-frame jack extension provides height adjustability and additional stability without the use of wood blocks

 

The A-frame is equipped with either a manual or electric jack to move the front of a travel trailer up and down to hitch or unhitch and level. While these jacks are simple in design, not all are created equal. If you follow the adage that “bigger is better,” the average manual A-frame jack could use some improvement. While the stability these jacks provide may be sufficient under ideal conditions, they normally don’t have a foot at the end of the post, often requiring the user to employ stacks of wood to gain additional stability and height. Safety is also a concern; poorly placed blocks could cause the jack to slip off, resulting in a nasty surprise at best, injury at worst.

Stacking wood under an A-frame jack tube can be unsafe, especially on uneven terrain.

Stacking wood under an A-frame jack tube can be unsafe, especially on uneven terrain.

The marketplace has a fairly healthy selection of A-frame-jack devices that are designed to improve efficiency and convenience, but the buyer must be aware of performance factors. Remember, the A-frame jack may see a large fluctuation in weight, depending on loading. And it should have more than enough strength for correctly connecting load-leveling hitches, which physically lift the truck’s rear to take the pressure off the spring bars when cinching up to the brackets.

Addressing the above requirements and adding the benefit of adjustability, RV Improvement Systems has come up with the Quick Foot. The Quick Foot is an incredibly strong extension fitted with a large foot pad (7-inch diameter) that adds stability and can be adjusted to conform to the existing terrain and limit the amount of cranking on the A-frame jack.

RV Improvement Systems’ Quick Foot is assembled out of plated, 1/4-inch-thick round tubing. The baseplate (foot) is welded to the tubing, and there are line-up holes drilled through the tubing in 2-inch increments so the length can be adjusted and secured by a latching pin. The Quick Foot offers 2 to 6 inches of added A-frame jack length while also creating the ultimate foundation for the front of any trailer. Also included with the Quick Foot is a small piece of plated steel tubing, which acts as a sizing sleeve for A-frame jacks with a smaller diameter. The use of this collar prevents tube tilting. The Quick Foot completely eliminates the need for wood or any device that helps gain hitch height.

 

A sizing collar is used on jack tubes that are undersized for the Quick Foot; the setscrew locks it in place.

A sizing collar is used on jack tubes that are undersized for the Quick Foot; the setscrew locks it in place.

Installation is a snap; simply swap out the stock foot, if one was provided, or remove the wheel.

 

This is easily accomplished when the trailer is hitched to the tow vehicle. Most people will likely use the holes that provide the most lift to keep from cranking the A-frame jack excessively, but the adjustment can be made depending on the elevation of the site pad. The Quick Foot can be removed for travel quickly after hitching the trailer.

Any time you’re dealing with a product of this nature, “the proof is in the pudding” rule applies. To better define this, the parts either work or they don’t — and the real difference comes right down to the construction materials and quality. The Quick Foot is definitely ruggedly built with the goods to make it one of those prized lifelong

Holes in the tubing at 2-inch increments allow height  adjustments from 2 to 6 inches.

Holes in the tubing at 2-inch increments allow height
adjustments from 2 to 6 inches.

products that actually works and does what it claims, every time. For $63 (Camping World), you can say goodbye to blocks and enjoy added versatility.

 

 

RV Improvement Systems
574-370-4515
www.rvimprovementsystems.com

 

 

 


 

Kevin LivingstonRV DIYTravel Trailer Gear

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