Community Forums

FlyingTalon · 06-06-2016, 09:45 AM

hello there this is flyingtalon

i have a question for all the 5th wheel people

we bought a 2008 forrest river wildcat the kitchen is in the back we love it
we have also bought an tri-pod stabler to try to keep it from rocking. the trailer is 30 feet it is still rocking i know that not all of it can be stopped but maybe we are not doing something right when we use the jacks to level the trailer if anyone know a trick or two please let me know

thanks so much

monkey · 06-06-2016, 10:19 AM

Welcome to IRV2 Julie. I don't see a TT/5th wheel "rocking " much if the jacks are down and secure... Are you sure all jacks have weight on them ? Sometimes when you lower one jack, another needs to be lowered also... I know our Cougar is different than yours, but with 4 jacks it is Very stable... I'd check to make sure all jacks have weight on them... On ours, the jacks lift most all weight off the tires... Try cranking the jacks down more. (if they are manual)
Monkey

Old-Biscuit · 06-06-2016, 11:09 AM

First off....

Wheel chocks.
Get a set that goes between the tires to stop them from rocking back& forth

Level 5th wheel side to side by placing boards, lynx blocks, wedges etc under low side tires

Unhook for truck
Then level front to rear using front landing gear ----raise/lower legs as necessary to level F/R

Then LOWER front by 1"
Run rear stabilizer jacks down 'very snug'
Then run front back up that 1" to level

Forget that tri-pod......more hassle then benefit
THe above method should make 5vr pretty solid

All bounce/movement can not be removed due to suspension and tires

IF not stabile enough then invest in some JT Strongarms (or similar cross bracing )
OR place jacks fore/aft of wheels on frame to stop any suspension travel

raineman · 06-07-2016, 05:38 PM

I thought this thread was something totally different (said the old dirty man)

MtnTrek · 06-07-2016, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

First off....

Wheel chocks.
Get a set that goes between the tires to stop them from rocking back& forth

Level 5th wheel side to side by placing boards, lynx blocks, wedges etc under low side tires

Unhook for truck
Then level front to rear using front landing gear ----raise/lower legs as necessary to level F/R

Then LOWER front by 1"
Run rear stabilizer jacks down 'very snug'
Then run front back up that 1" to level

Forget that tri-pod......more hassle then benefit
THe above method should make 5vr pretty solid

All bounce/movement can not be removed due to suspension and tires

IF not stabile enough then invest in some JT Strongarms (or similar cross bracing )
OR place jacks fore/aft of wheels on frame to stop any suspension travel

Our last 5'r was improved slightly with the easy addition of one screw jack-stand under the trailer's rear receiver hitch. Might help with your rear kitchen setup? Seems there is always going to be some frame flex.

Randyman1 · 06-08-2016, 07:29 AM

Google JT Strongarms or Steadyfast, they have exactly what you need to cure your problem. I have used both on to different fivers and they both work as described. Wouldn't have a trailer without them installed.

Jertan19 · 06-08-2016, 12:50 PM

I've tried them all and found the Jr. Strongarms to do the best job

Live4camping · 06-08-2016, 08:04 PM

I had an extra set of scissor jacks kicking around and decided to install them about 16 inches in front of the front tires. Made a huge improvement in the rocking of our 32' 5th wheel.

rarebear.nm · 06-08-2016, 10:36 PM

On our rig we have two rear stabilizer jacks. When I deploy those with the front landing gears we have very little bounce any where in 5th. My unit came with a pin type stabilizer, but I've never used it. Some body want to buy it?