Here are both sides of this issue from the experience of the majority: The Pros and cons are outweighed by the priorities of weight concerns, and this is something you can probably do without.... Also the primary design is stiffening the van for the motion sensitive not side to side leveling... Here is the whole enchilada:
On the issue of these jack legs stands, there are long heavy duty ones available that can be fitted. We can put them on if you like, but with our suspension most don’t need them. We leave them off as they are not necessary for the overwhelming majority and so add useless weight. We did not put three sets on in the previous seven years before the
BOG group made them popular in 2003. 98% or more of Clients do not need them, I don't have them on mine, Tracy does not have them on his, and most others feel the same way.. It is a fad of late with the
Bushtracker Owners talking amongst themselves, but you will still have some minor feel of someone walking in the van even when you do use them... The far and above overwhelming majority don't require them, but if you feel that you want them we can add them on... In stormy wind conditions, they will work the soil out of the way and you will find tiny minor movement if you focus on it, even with the stands down. The jack legs accomplish little, and that is why we don't have them in our Standard Inclusions. They particularly are not designed to level the van, that is a common misunderstanding, as they just firm it up for motion sensitive people.
As to Levelling? My new van was just finished in 2005, and there are none on it… For the little 50mm or 100mm out of level side to side, I have been going with a
Bushtracker longer than anyone else, and will still say there is no where I cannot scuff a little dirt with my boot, or put a stick in front of each tyre, or a rock, while I am waiting the Turbo to cool down… I will pull forward the six inches and level my van in about ¼ the time or less, of putting down jack legs. And the Jack Legs are not designed to take the loading of levelling, they are only designed to take out some of the motion from walking... But even that they do not eliminate entirely.. This is the problem when things become a fad, and then people think they are missing out if they do not have them, when in reality they were not necessary for the overwhelming majority in the first place. This all has a negative impact on weight, and the type of inexperienced person that takes it all on board from all the well meaning suggestions on the
BOG, could add up to 400kg to their van of unnecessary little things…(Been done).. All of the good ideas need to be filtered and prioritized… A 20' van with the normal sort of selections from our Optional Equipment, most of which makes good sense and adds up to about 300-400 kg in equipment, with that on board a 20' can weigh about 2500kg. Lately I have seen them just under and just over. But the ones that try and add 67 more "good ideas" on board, can weigh hundreds of kilos more... Filter and prioritize for best results..
In saying all of this, there are always exceptions to the rule like an extreme sensitivity to motion sickness, and if you want the folding legs added on we can do it. I would say in defense of them, stiffening for the rare motion sickness sensitive Person- Yes. Leveling the van? No, absolutely not… So unless you are extremely sensitive to motion, it is not high on the list for extra weight to carry around forever...
The "Lone Ranger" has been dragging a
Bushtracker just about longer than anyone... Yes this is a grey area, and there are some that will disagree, just know that some of those people that would disagree are overloaded, too heavy, even on their tow vehicles: Overloaded with a whole lot of really great ideas that add up to too much... To try and help on a "Grey Area Decision" I can only give you the “weighted majority of experience”, and in this case I say not worth the added weight and cost.
Legitimacy of my comments? I could just stay quiet and take your money... But we are out on the edge, trying to do the right thing, in really looking after you with your best interests in mind... OK?
Cheers, from the "Lone Ranger"
