Community Forums

wakamicamper · 10-26-2009, 05:32 PM

I have a Rockwood 8280SS on order. It should arrive within 3 months according to my dealer. I have been doing research on stabilizers on different sites. JT's Strong Arm and Steadyfast. I have also been looking at the King Pin stabilizer, but most RVers say the King Pin stabilizer isn't enough.
Is there anyone on this site with either the Rockwood 8280SS or another Rockwood of that size that uses either of the stabilizers on their trailer?
This will be our first 5th wheel and both my wife and I are very sensitive to motion. We camped for the last 12 years in a Coleman pop-up and never encountered any severe movement, but the trailer was only single axle.
I understand that a tandem axle trailer has most of its weight on the tires and some say that the wheel chock that locks the tires is also good.
I have heard that the JT's are expensive as opposed to the Steadyfast, but if it works, I don't mind paying the price. So I am open to some advice.
Thanks in advance.

wingnut60 · 10-26-2009, 06:18 PM

I can't see how a single-axle trailer would ever be more stable than a dual-axle, and EVERY towed trailer has most of its weight on the tires. Perhaps you should take possession of the trailer and see what it is like when camped--might save some money to get other goodies for camping.
As to the king-pin stabilizer, not a lot of fivers use them that I notice. They are very heavy and awkward to carry around. I had one and saw no difference using it or not, but others have said they work. Tire chocks are a must--one of the best brands to use is the Roto-Chok I hear. I use BAL chocks on both sides and that is the only thing I use to prevent motion--they work well for us.
It is a personal choice, and everyone is different as to what they feel in trailer movement.
Good luck and have a great time with the new trailer.
Joe

Roam America · 10-26-2009, 06:42 PM

short of having a hydraulic leveling system on your rig, you are going to have some bounce. It may be just a little, but there will be time that you feel it.

I have a king pin stabilizer and can really tell the difference when I do not use it. Between the King Pin stabilizer and tire chocks that go in between the tires you will get rid of most of the bounce. But, like I said, you won't eliminate it completely.

The issue is that you cannot get all of the weight off of the axle suspension. Thus you will have some bounce.

f150k · 10-29-2009, 04:35 PM

We have the JT's strong arm system and they work great. Our 5th wheel is a 24RL wildcat and I would not be without them. I also use wheel chocks, made from 4x4 blocks of wood and 3/4 pipe clamps. Before we had the system we had all kinds of movement, again I would not be without them.