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If you’re a caravan or camper trailer owner, you know the importance of stability on your adventures. Imagine being out in the bush, surrounded by breathtaking scenery, and setting up camp for the night. But wait, your caravan is wobbling on uneven ground, and things inside are sliding all over the place. Not exactly the ideal setup, right?

That’s where ARK’s XO Series Corner Steadies come in. An essential piece of kit for your trailer, corner steadies ensure your caravan stays rock-solid no matter the terrain. ARK’s XO Series Corner Steadies are the ultimate solution for every outdoor adventure.

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the installation process and explain why these caravan stabiliser legs should be at the top of your list.

What Are Caravan Stabiliser Legs?

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of installing ARK XO Corner Steadies, let’s first understand the importance of caravan stabiliser legs. Think of them as your trusty companions that keep your caravan stable and secure when you’re parked up in the great outdoors. These legs, also known as corner steadies, are designed to support and prevent your caravan from rocking or swaying.

The XO Series Difference

ARK’s XO Series Corner Steadies go beyond traditional stabilisers. The XO Series brings some serious muscle to the game with its robust 19mm hex drive, compatible with corner steady winding handles, wheel braces, and impact drivers. These corner steadies also double as jacks, giving you the power to easily change your trailer’s tires or recover your vehicle from tricky off-road situations.

Additionally, these corner steadies can be used with a high-lift jack base, providing a wider footprint for enhanced stability on soft ground or off-road adventures. Available in 650mm and 850mm variants, with a weight rating of 875kg in the 90-degree position, they’re built to withstand the harshest conditions.

Preparing for Installation

Alright, let’s get down to business. Before we start installing ARK XO Corner Steadies, there are a few things you need to have on hand: 

  • Firstly, make sure you have the necessary tools and materials for the job. If you’re planning to weld the mounting brackets to your trailer’s chassis, make sure you have experience with welding techniques. If not, it’s best to seek assistance from professional fabricators to ensure a secure and safe installation.
  • Now, if you’re retrofitting corner steadies to existing industry standard brackets, you’re in luck! The XO Series Corner Steadies can be easily installed without welding, using 8mm bolts and 78mm centres. Just be sure to double-check the compatibility of your brackets with the XO Series Corner Steadies before starting the installation process.

Step-by-Step Installation Guide Safety Considerations

It’s time to get our hands dirty and install these sturdy corner steadies. Just follow these step-by-step instructions, and you’ll be good to go:

  1. Grab your trusty socket, spanner, or impact driver and undo the two nuts and bolts from your old caravan corner steady.
  2. Once the old unit is free, remove it from your caravan or camper trailer. Give it a nod farewell, knowing that the time to retire has come.
  3. Now, lift the ARK XO Corner Steady into place. Make sure the winder and handles are pointing outwards for ease of use.
  4. With the corner steady in position, replace the nuts and bolts to secure it firmly.
  5. Before we move on, let’s do a quick clearance check. Pull out the release handle and place the corner steady in its travel position. Ensure there’s enough space for it to move freely without any obstructions.
  6. That’s one corner done! Now rinse and repeat the installation process on the remaining corners of your trailer.
  7. Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed the ARK XO Corner Steadies on your 4WD beast. Give yourself a pat on the back.

How to Level a Caravan or Camper Trailer

Now that your ARK XO Corner Steadies are securely in place, you have the power to level your caravan or camper trailer with ease. No more wobbles and unbalanced setups for you, mate! 
To level your vehicle on uneven terrain, simply adjust the length of the corner steadies. This ensures a comfortable and stable living space, regardless of the slope or uneven surface beneath you.

Ensuring Stability: Using Caravan Stabiliser Legs

ARK’s XO Series Corner Steadies take stability to a whole new level, giving you peace of mind on your 4WD adventures. When deployed, these corner steadies function as robust stabilisers, working tirelessly to eliminate unnecessary movement and rocking. Whether you’re enjoying a brew inside your caravan or setting up camp for the night, you can rest assured that everything will stay in place, even in the bumpiest conditions.

Maintaining Your ARK XO Corner Steadies

Regular maintenance is key to ensure the longevity and optimal performance of your ARK XO Corner Steadies. After all, these trusty steadies go through a lot to keep your caravan stable, and they deserve some TLC in return. Here are a few maintenance tips to keep them in top-notch condition:

  • Before each trip, inspect your corner steadies for any signs of wear or damage, such as loose bolts or cracks. Address any issues promptly to avoid further complications down the road.
  • Keep your corner steadies clean and free from dirt and grime. A quick wipe-down after your adventures will do the trick.
  • Lubricate any moving parts, such as the winder and release handle, using recommended products. This ensures smooth operation and prevents any annoying squeaks or jams.
  • Regularly check the tightness of the bolts and brackets. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so give them a good once-over before hitting the road.

Remember, maintaining your ARK XO Corner Steadies is not only about prolonging their lifespan but also ensuring your safety and the stability of your caravan. So, give them the attention they deserve, and they’ll continue to serve you faithfully on countless 4WD adventures.
If you’re using our trusty caravan corner steady equipment, you’ll likely also need some jockey wheels. Check out this handy guide on how to care for your XO Series Jockey Wheels to prolong their lifespan, too.

off road adventure australia

Get in Touch With the Experts at ARK

Get ready to take your 4WD adventures to the next level with ARK XO Corner Steadies. Embrace the stability, conquer the roughest terrains, and create memories that will last a lifetime. It’s time to hit the tracks and experience the sheer joy and thrill of off-road exploration like never before!

If you still have questions or need some expert advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to the knowledgeable folks at ARK. We’re pros when it comes to gear for your caravan or camper trailer, and we’ll have your back every step of the way.

Looking for even more must-have accessories? Check out our blog on the best camper trailer tools for your next off-roading adventure.


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Aussies love nothing more than loading up their 4WD and heading off the beaten track to explore some of the more remote spots that this diverse and varied country has to offer. Whether you’re looking at tackling the Red Centre, the tropical north, the southern highlands or any one of the myriad pristine beaches our coastline has to offer, there’s nothing like exploring the country off-road.

If you’re looking at getting off the beaten path, a camper trailer is the ultimate home-away-from-home however, there are a few accessories that’ll make your trip both safer, and more comfortable. Take a look out at our recommended must-have accessories for your next trip!

Off-Road Capable Jockey Wheels

If you’re planning to explore the more remote regions of the country and expecting to camp at remote and rugged campsites that are only accessible to 4WDs and off-road caravans, then you’ll need a jockey wheel to suit. An off-road specific jockey wheel, such as the XO Series, are specifically designed to handle anything the Aussie bush can throw at it. They’re super tough, but they’re also highly versatile with multiple height options, a highly maneuverable trailing yoke design, different yoke locking positions and are available in many sizes, weight ratings and cover most of the styles mentioned above. 

Battery Box  

A battery box is one of the easiest ways to ensure you have ample power for your campsite. Even if you have a dual battery already setup in your 4WD or tow vehicle, having a battery box specifically for your camper trailer is a smart idea, especially if you plan to be off the grid at remote locations for extended periods. ArkPak is the ultimate battery box on offer, and is the only one on the market that has a built-in AC-DC and DC-DC charger. ArkPak also features a 300Watt modified sine inverter, a 5V USB 2.1 amp socket, 2x 12V accessory sockets, a 50A Anderson Socket, external battery terminals and much more, making it the ideal power solution for your camper trailer. All you need to supply is a battery and you’re good to go!

Ark pak offroad accessory

Corner Steadies

A corner steady jack such as the XO Corner Steadies on offer from Ark are the ultimate dual-purpose addition to your camper trailer. Whether you need to stabilize a corner of your camper trailer while at camp, or need to jack it up to execute a remote tyre change, a Corner Steady can serve both needs. The versatility of the strong 19mm hex drive on Ark’s XO range means that you can use them with the supplied winding handle, a wheel brace or an impact driver.

Power Distribution

If you’re looking to wire up your camper trailer to provide all the creature comforts of home right at your campsite, then a power distribution box is an absolute necessity. The thing is, not all power distribution boxes are made equal! Ark’s XO Power Distribution Hub is the ultimate all-in-one power management system and is unlike any other 12V control box on the market. This Power Distribution Hub allows you to control all of your on-board devices, easily monitor usage, protects your battery and offers a huge range of outputs along with Bluetooth connectivity for remote control and monitoring via your smartphone. 

power distribution hub camping must have

Solar Power

Whether you’re planning an extended camping stay in the middle of the Kimerley or on Fraser Island, solar power is the ultimate way to keep your fridge powered and the drinks cold! Of course, a decent solar setup will do much more than just keep the fridge powered. It’ll ensure you can enjoy all the creature comforts of home without the need to hook into power or run a noisy generator. ArkPak Freedom Amorphous Foldable Solar Panels are the Ark’s premium solar offering and are available in both 30W and 60W offerings, generating 2-4.2A per hour. These panels will work in low light and partial shade and are lightweight and compact so they don’t take up unnecessary space. 

Where to go for more information?

When it comes to getting off-road and exploring this magnificent country, Ark are the proven experts. They’ve been leaders in trailer parts, towing gear and 4WD accessories for over 40 years, are 100% Australian owned and independent.

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Whether you’re hitting rugged tracks for a bit of challenging fun, or heading remote with a camper trailer in tow, the Aussie off-road lifestyle has become a part of our culture.

One of the key elements to an enjoyable, successful and safe 4X4 trip is being prepared for any situation. Knowing how to safely recover your 4X4 in the event of an incident is all part and parcel of the off-road experience, and having the kit and knowledge you need to recover your vehicle is paramount. Here’s a look at some of the recovery elements you need to consider when hitting the tracks.

Recovery Gear for Your 4X4

There’s a lot of different products on the market that are specifically designed to assist in recovering your 4WD if it gets into a situation where it becomes bogged or stuck. To prepare yourself for this, properly rated recovery points should be at the top of your list when you get started. Many people assume that the factory tow points that are fitted to your 4X4 are suitable for recovering your vehicle, but that is simply not the case and indeed using factory tow points (or worse – a tow ball!) can actually be very dangerous and has in the past actually led to fatalities. Perhaps the most versatile and easily fittable recovery point you can put on your vehicle is a Hitch Receiver Bracket and Shackle.

This bracket fits into your tow hitch, but is rated to 4.75 tonnes which means it’s ideal as a recovery point. This recovery point will allow another vehicle to use a snatch or recovery strap to pull you out of any bog hole or other sticky situation, or it’s an ideal point for another vehicle to use as a winch point.

must have 4x4 towing accessories

Recovery Gear for your Trailer

You might think that as long as you have the right recovery gear for your 4X4 that you should be right, even if you’re towing a trailer. The thing is, when you’re towing a trailer off-road, whether it’s a light camper trailer or a larger off-road caravan, you’re adding a whole extra vehicle that will need recovering due to increased overall vehicle length and weight. 

To safely get both your tow vehicle and trailer out of trouble, take a look at our recommended must-haves.. Firstly, an off-road jockey wheel such as Ark’s XO750 XO Series Jockey Wheel is worth its weight in gold in an emergency situation where you may need to consider unhitching your trailer to perform a recovery. This jockey wheel can be deployed when seriously stuck to remove the trailer from the vehicle allowing the vehicle to self-recover, reposition and then using the 750kg load rating of the jockey wheel to skull drag the trailer out of its own situation. And not only does it offer the ability to assist in a recovery situation, it’ll also make maneuvering your trailer around at camp easier than ever.

Another accessory that can assist greatly in a recovery situation is a corner steady jack such as Ark’s XO Corner Steadies. These allow you to both stabilize a corner of your camper trailer while at camp, as well as  jack the trailer up to execute a remote tyre change. Certainly handy on a rugged track if your trailer suffers a puncture or a tyre that has rolled off the bead.

recovery accessories for trailers

Speak to the team at Ark for all your Recovery Needs

Having the gear to recover your 4X4 and your trailer when bush is a hugely important part of heading off-road in Australia, and when it comes to getting off-road and exploring this magnificent country, Ark are the proven experts. They’ve been leaders in trailer parts, towing gear and 4WD accessories for over 40 years, are 100% Australian owned and independent.

Reach out to the team at Ark today to find out how they can help turn your camper trailer into the ultimate off-road home-away-from-home!

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While a jockey wheel has a similar function, whether it’s on a small box trailer or a large, off-road caravan, the simple fact is that not all jockey wheels are created equal, and what works for one kind of trailer may not work for another. On one end of the spectrum, a small box trailer will be used periodically for carting a few hundred kilos of load at most. On the other end of the spectrum, a large off-road caravan that’s fully loaded for an extended trip around the country could weigh anywhere from two to three tonnes. The simple fact being that you’re not going to be able to use the same jockey wheel on these two different trailers.

Considerations for Smaller Trailers

A smaller box trailer will predominantly be used on solid surfaces, and if you are not going places where it’s going to be subjected to rugged terrain, soft sand or harsh conditions. Some of the things you’ll want to consider if you’re looking at a jockey wheel for a small box trailer are:

  • Do you Need a Wheel: Small box trailers aren’t too difficult to move around without a jockey wheel, and for some people, a jockey stand may be more suitable such as the Ark Standard Jockey Stand, which comes in well under $100. That being said, if your box trailer is fully loaded, it may still be a struggle to move around without a wheel, so consider this carefully.
  • Price Point: While the jockey wheel is certainly an important component of your trailer, regardless of how big it is, you probably don’t want or need to go spending hundreds of dollars on a you-beaut jockey wheel that is suitable for any condition. Something along the lines of the Ark Economy Jockey Wheel is around the same price point as a jockey stand, so under the $100 mark and is still rated up to 350kg.

Best Jockey Wheels For Your Caravan

  • Features: Consider the features for what suits your trailer and your needs. Do you need a swivel jockey, or will a fixed one suffice? Would a foldable winding handle be beneficial? Ark’s Standard Range of Jockey Wheels are well priced and comes in a range of options that are bound to suit your needs.  
campatraler-towing-in-the -bush

Considerations for Large Caravans

We’ve already mentioned that caravans tend to carry larger loads than a box trailer, but another huge consideration is the locations you’ll most likely be camping. Unfortunately, even the best caravan parks can have poor surfaces, especially in poor weather, so taking things like this into consideration is necessary.

  • Off-Road Use: Jockey wheels that are specifically designed for off-road use have a number of benefits that standard jockey wheels don’t, such as sealed bearings, dual wheels and variable yoke locks. The Arx XO Series is the pinnacle of off-road jockey wheels and is an ideal option for any vanner looking to camp in more remote spots. Not only do they have a large 750kg rating, dual wheels and a rust-resistant finish, but their magnetic and removable side-winding handle makes raising and lowering your van easier than ever.
  • Ease of Movement: Moving caravans around can be tricky business, so considering a ratchet jockey wheel is a sensational idea for vanners. These units, such as the Ark Ezi-Mover Ratchet Jockey Wheels, enable a single person to maneuver large caravans into positions that are impossible to reach when the van is attached to a tow vehicle. They’re easily operated by rotating the adjuster knobs and give you four functions: forward, reverse, neutral and stop/lock.

Ark Are The Jockey Wheel Experts

When it comes to towing, whether it’s a small box trailer or a large caravan, Ark are the undisputed experts. They’ve been leaders in trailer parts, towing gear and 4WD accessories for over 40 years, are 100% Australian owned and independent.
Consult the experts at Ark today to find the right Jockey Wheel for your Caravan! 

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