Jack pads and kingpin

[bayou316]

Hi..Just curious about something. On our new 5th wheel, I ordered the motorhome leveling system.

(1) Do you think I need to place those orange pads under each jack as it comes down for leveling or just let the jack do its thing?

(2) Do we need a 5th wheel kingpin stabilizer?

Thanks.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bayou316 (1) Do you think I need to place those orange pads under each jack as it comes down for leveling or just let the jack do its thing?

When I had my fiver, I had made up some 12"x12" plywood jack pads out of doubled up 3/4" plywood. I epoxied the pads in green and I still have 1 left today that I continue to use. I had 4.

Quote:

(2) Do we need a 5th wheel kingpin stabilizer?

A kingpin stabilizer is always a welcome addition to your camping gear. I had a BAL 2 leg stabilizer and I could padlock it.

[BookIIRoadtrash]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bayou316 Hi..Just curious about something. On our new 5th wheel, I ordered the motorhome leveling system. (1) Do you think I need to place those orange pads under each jack as it comes down for leveling or just let the jack do its thing? (2) Do we need a 5th wheel kingpin stabilizer? Thanks.

bayou316, are the feet larger with the motor-home leveling system then what they use for the normal hydraulic jacks? I made my own and it is posted in Best Practices #232....Do you need pads under each jack, probably not. But I do it when on gravel so I don't have to worry about settling, on asphalt so I don't put a divot on their pad and concrete so I don't scratch it and on concrete I use the pads to equalize the weight on a seam so I don't crack the concrete. I do not agree on the motor-home mentality of not using pads and leaving holes on asphalt pads or wet gravel. I try to treat the camp grounds property as if it was my driveway.


The kin pin stabilizer does help with trailer movement, I have been using one now for ten years. You can try to go with out one and after you have lived in your rig for awhile decide then. Good luck.

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bayou316 Hi..Just curious about something. On our new 5th wheel, I ordered the motorhome leveling system. (1) Do you think I need to place those orange pads under each jack as it comes down for leveling or just let the jack do its thing? (2) Do we need a 5th wheel kingpin stabilizer? Thanks.

I think you are referring the Lippert regular independant hydraulic jacks....I don't use anything....just let the pad hit the ground. Unless I'm concerned about hurting some fresh asphalt or soft ground.

You'll get a lot of responses on the kingpin stabilizer. Lots of opinions out there. I've been there - done that. Sold mine. Not that it's bad....it helps the rocking a bit....just some. The hassle of setting it up.....taking it down....and the pinched fingers dealing with it when closing it. Finding a good place to store it is hard. It's just clumsy and awkward to deal with. Other folks swear by them. My .02 worth. HTHs

[RVhauler]

I use 2X10 under landing gear pads and rear stabilizers. Also the same under the kingpin stabilizer. My kingpin stabilizer is built into the front (Kountryaire) and is self storing and yes it does help in my case. Pads give a solid base to set on and prevents damage to the ground surface(s)

[bayou316]

Thanks to all of you who posted a reply.

One thing I have noticed on here is that there are different opinions just about on each topic.

That is super. I guess you just have to try it out and learn as you go.

Thanks again everyone. Stay safe and hope to see you guys on the road soon.

Steve and Vicky

Soon to be - 2011 F-350 Lariat
2011 Excel Limited TKE

[Workshop]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BookIIRoadtrash bayou316, are the feet larger with the motor-home leveling system then what they use for the normal hydraulic jacks? I made my own and it is posted in Best Practices #232....Do you need pads under each jack, probably not. But I do it when on gravel so I don't have to worry about settling, on asphalt so I don't put a divot on their pad and concrete so I don't scratch it and on concrete I use the pads to equalize the weight on a seam so I don't crack the concrete. I do not agree on the motor-home mentality of not using pads and leaving holes on asphalt pads or wet gravel. I try to treat the camp grounds property as if it was my driveway. The kin pin stabilizer does help with trailer movement, I have been using one now for ten years. You can try to go with out one and after you have lived in your rig for awhile decide then. Good luck.

Have to agree with a lot of what Book2 said. I having an older unit with the electric rear stabilizers, they preform much better when a foundation is placed below them. Not only does it allow the foot to 'grab' when first making gound contact but also sitting and support. With the front jacks having a small footprint, it makes sense to have extra footing there as well. Being someone who's longest trips average 4-5 days and maybe a 7-9 once a year....my pads are modest in size for easy of situp and storage but if staying in one place longer would use a larger one. They do protect the surface where your parked from possible damage and the equipment on the unit from dirt, moisture, chipped paint or what ever with the added bonus of more support. A win-win.

We don't use a king pin stabilizer, mostly because of our short stays and so far, what movement we get...it hasn't been a problem.

workhorse

[Endeavor2BnC]

Having had a 35' TKE and now a 36' GKE, we have never found a need for a kingpin stabalizer. We level it, place the wheel chock real tight on the driver's side, lowered the rear stabalizers (on the TKE) and went about our business with very very little shake.

The GKE has all hydraulic feet for leveling. Now we place pads under the front feet and level the unit, chock the wheels and go about our business w/o shake. We will get pads for the rear feet too.

IMHO, go and try it out 1st and then decide whether or not you need to add anything else for stabalization or to enhance your living experience in the rig.

So far. we've only added a portable ice maker, "cafe rods" in the pantry, throw rugs, a "Progrssive" surge protector and a "moisture" alarm under the water pump. We'll just see what the future brings.

[bigmichael]

We use the king pin stabilizer whenever we are going to be sitting still for more than a few days. I agree with Rockin-it is a little of a nuisance carrying, but I just leave a space along the side of the truck bed that it slides into. Its not the end of the world when we don't put it up, but we can definately tell quite a difference, especially when we have had it up for a while, then go a few nights without.

On the other hand, if we don't use it for a while when we are traveling, we must just get used to the extra movement.

[LindaH]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bayou316 (1) Do you think I need to place those orange pads under each jack as it comes down for leveling or just let the jack do its thing?

I would always use something under the jacks for the reasons stated by BookIIRoadtrash.

Quote:

(2) Do we need a 5th wheel kingpin stabilizer?

Do you "need" it? No. You might try living in your fifth wheel first without one and see how you do. If you DO decide to get one, get one with 3 legs...it takes much more "wiggle" out than the 2-legged stabilizers.

We've had both, and I agree with rockintom about the hassle of setting one up...and finding a place to store it. When we bought our Excel, we finally did away with the kingpin stabilizers and bought the JT's Strongarm Jack Stabilizer system. It takes ALL the *wiggle* out even when the washing machine is in the spin cycle.

One note about the kingpin stabilizer: All by itself, it won't do much...in order to be effective, it needs to be paired with the chalks that go between the two tires like this one.