Community Forums

wildmandmc · 01-27-2022, 05:12 AM

Got a new 5'er. Comes with 4 auto level jacks. Have Anderson Hitch. 1st trip out with it, concrete slab. Got it pretty level. Every movement i did rocked the coach. Recently ordered GOLDPAR RV Wheel Chock Stabilizer, Heavy Duty Wheel Chocks. I have seen at CG some using the tri-pod under King Pin. But got a question on those also. if using the tri pod, having front jacks on ground doesn't that take any wt/control off of the tri pod.
I also seen some with manual frame jacks in addition to rear jacks.
Any body got any idea's on this.
PS. I have read do/don't do the wheel off the ground. from both sides of the isle.

pddgm · 01-27-2022, 05:32 AM

I went thru the same problem. I have the tripod under my Anderson hitch, it is just to stabilize not support, it will not hold up the front the fifth wheel. I have the chocks between the tires, my rig only has front and rear jacks. I went to Walmart bought a set of the stabilizer screw jacks, and found a local sawmill that would cut me some 8 in square x 12 in long blocks. I leveled the rig, places one block and jack in front of the tires and one behind on each side, screwed them up until tight and I would say 70 percent of the sway went away. It had gotten so bad at times, I thought the coffee was going to slop out of the pot...LOL Much better now, even though I do have to adjust them periodically for some reason they don't stay tight..Another way would be to purchase 4 of the screw type jacks and have the welded to your frame and use an impact driver to put them down. I toyed with that idea, but decided I might not keep this rig and didn't want to invest the cost of doing that

wildmandmc · 01-27-2022, 05:40 AM

thanks Joe, I also went to local walmart, very low on everything there. Think i may try the screw jack b4 getting the tri pod. Do u think tri pod helps much.

bookemdanno · 01-27-2022, 05:48 AM

JT Strongarms helped with reducing the motion on my 5ver.

JIMNLIN · 01-27-2022, 05:58 AM

I have a aluminum bi pod pin stabilizer I bought with a new 1984 30' 5th wheel trailer.
After leveling the trailer with boards side to side and raise/lower landing jacks for front to rear...I then snug up the pin stabilizer to stop side to side motion for the trailers front end.
I bought a BAL telescoping stabilizer for the rear. Just snugged up till no side to side wiggles back there.
I found adjustable chocks between the tires stops fore and aft movement. My trailers are rock solid.
However when camping on dirt/gravel/packed sand you will have to readjust especially after a rain. Stiff sidewinds can push on the trailer making it necessary to re level when not set up on concrete or asphalt.

Some folks use JT Strong arms or a similar product or even make their own JT type stabilizers.

Screw jacks ?? If you were closer I would give you 4 screw jacks. taking up space in my garage. They stop up and down bounce but never stopped side to side or fore and aft movement in any of the three 30'-33'-35' rv trailer I've owned.

pddgm · 01-27-2022, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildmandmc

thanks Joe, I also went to local walmart, very low on everything there. Think i may try the screw jack b4 getting the tri pod. Do u think tri pod helps much.

Lot's of good solutions and advise so far. The tripod helps but is not the total answer just part of the solution. I went the way I did, due to budget restraints and I hate throwing money at solutions that don't work the way advertised. When we were in Texas last year, I spoke with several owners about the strongarm type setups. Some liked them, but most said they were way over priced for what you got. Don't know, lots of owners like them. I am an old mobile home mover/blocker and believe the best way is to jack it up, set some blocks under it and then no wiggle, but not practical, unless you are in a permanent place and aren't moving the rig. My solution worked for me, and only cost me a little over 100 dollars and an afternoon. I still have two blocks to put under my front jacks, just haven't wanted to jack the rig up and hook the truck back up..

wildmandmc · 01-27-2022, 07:44 AM

Thanks guys. Joe, ya just like me, don't want to buy something that has little to no effect. Especially this is 1st 5'er. Had a Class A prior. so jury still out later in life go back to class a or stay with the 5. Love the room in 5 but rock got to go.
will look into the strong arm.
PS. most times i be on a slab when i do go camping. Not a full timer, or perm set up. CG to CG.

C.B. · 01-27-2022, 08:28 AM

Understand J T Strongarms do a good job in front.

Here's what stopped rear end wiggle.

C.B.

Jerry Burks · 01-27-2022, 08:47 AM

Maybe I am missing something...when we set up camp we just drop the 6 hydraulic levelers and are done. While there is some minor motion when entering and exiting, it never rose to the point of being bothersome or even really noticed.
Not sure if it makes a difference, but we do have the "Solidstep" stairs that rest on the ground. I would guess, hanging entrance stairs may apply more force to the chassis when loaded and could cause rocking?

NewBlackDak · 01-27-2022, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bookemdanno

JT Strongarms helped with reducing the motion on my 5ver.

This

TXiceman · 01-27-2022, 10:04 AM

J.T.'S Strongarms will help the most. I tried a kingpin stabilizer and found it was not worth the effort and just gave it away. Another thing that helps is the X-Chock..
W-Chock

Like the JT.

All trailers will rock some unless you get them completely off the wheels and put them on solid blocks. The lighter weight the trailer, the more of a problem the rocking will be.

Ken

HD_Gator · 01-27-2022, 01:06 PM

6 vs 4 Stabilizer jacks makes a HUGE difference. When there are only 4 stabilizers you will get a lot of bounce or wiggle in the middle.

I will attest to the use of the JT Strongarms.. Love them and had them added as a part of the trailer purchase...

My trailer has 4 stabilizers and I opted to buy two screw type and they help with the middle bounce..

corn18 · 01-27-2022, 02:29 PM

I can highly recommend the steadyfast stabilizers. Work fantastic on our 5er. Easy install. $259.

SteadyFast: 5th Wheel and RV Trailer Stabilizer

**Camp CA** · 01-27-2022, 03:42 PM

We have 6 hydraulic jacks on out 41 ft fifth wheel and found it is heavy enough that it does not need a front cab tripod, so I tossed it......trailer is very stable. Try adding leveling blocks under each leg to reduce the leg length. Then consider some portable leveling jacks and front cab tripod.