kingpin support

[scottsandy]

Has anyone ever made a sort of "sissor-jack" supoort for the kingpin on a 5th wheel? I have seen some discussion on the advantages of having a support there (yes the movement bothers me) and I wanted to try and build my own. I thought maybe a bi-pod like structure made out of 2X6 or something like that. any ideas?

[Half Dimes]

Side to side motion is usually the issue. I've used a commercially available aluminum tripod for several years that does a good job for us. If I didn't already have the tripod, I would be looking at a product like JT or Plug-it-Right stabilizers as a means of stopping that movement. If we're going to be set up for several days somewhere, I also use a Wayne's stabilizer under the back of the rig.

[Ray,IN]

Usually side-to-side movement is not an issue. Front-to-back movement is an issue. Some of us made our own wheel chocks to eliminate front-to-back movement. These are treated 4X4 wood blocks held together with 3/8" all-thread. My cost to make, around $6 per pair. They clamp between the tires to stop wheel movement. If you look around the RV accessories for sale threads on any RVing forum you will find the king pin tripods/bipods for sale.
I agree with half-dimes that the Plug It Right trailer stabilizers are the best option.

[Half Dimes]

Good point about wheel chocks. I have used Roto-Choks for so many years that I forgot about them in the motion equation. Roto-Choks eliminate the front to back motion but not side to side motion. We may get a bit more side to side motion because we have hydraulic levelers. While they're great, the rear ones are mounted right behind the rear wheels, leaving a substantial overhang both front and rear. With that, the rig tends to 'waddle' a bit when someone walks around inside the rig. It seems to bother me more than my wife. The tripod takes most of it out. For extended stays, the Wayne's stabilizer on the back finishes the job.

[LindaH]

If you're going to go to the trouble of making your own king pin support, make it a tripod rather than a bipod.

We've had both kinds (commercial manufacturers), and found that the tripod took out more "wiggle" than the bipod.

On our current fifth wheel, we had JT's installed...they take out ALL the "wiggle," even when our washing machine is in the spin cycle.