Community Forums

ldl3360 · 03-08-2019, 09:16 AM

I am new to the 5th wheel rv scene. Do you need the stabilizer jack that goes under the king pin?

ramn4ver · 03-08-2019, 09:27 AM

We full time in our Rushmore. No towing for now. So I vote yes. It's does help, when the strong winds whip up. Also have JT strong arms.

Click image for larger version

Name: 0817171824-1-1.jpeg
Views: 142
Size: 83.7 KB
ID: 237265

masdixdragon · 03-08-2019, 09:38 AM

Not something Id purchase until I found the situation needed it. Kinda depends on the RV itself. Is it absolutely needed for a 5th wheel? no, but may be desirable if the trailer shakes too much but its not mandatory if thats what youre asking..

MSHappyCampers · 03-08-2019, 09:53 AM

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

We used the tripod stabilizer for 10 years when pulling a 5er. It definitely helps! Have fun and keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

Bob_C · 03-08-2019, 09:53 AM

With JT Strongarms, and X chocks, a rear electric stabilizer, and another electric rear stabilizer mounted right in front of front axle, and ground contact steps, we're pretty solid....

jimcumminsw · 03-08-2019, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ldl3360

I am new to the 5th wheel rv scene. Do you need the stabilizer jack that goes under the king pin?

I have had one and used it with my two first 5er's a Ameri-camp and a Keystone Cougar. Both had the front legs only that were powered and the screw extended rear stabilizers. You would feel a lot of monition when walking around in the trailer. Even after leveling unit. So, we restored to the king pin stabilizer under the king pin and the X-chocks between the wheels. This solved the problem with those two 5er's.

Now we have purchased a Cedar Creek with the 6-point auto levelers and this has eliminated the need for the king pin stabilizers and x-chocks. I still may get some monition but very little and the DW has not complained so, all is good. I do still use the king pin stabilizer only when in storage with just the two front legs down. Why? Because I have one already.

ScoobyDoo · 03-08-2019, 10:52 AM

I think a lot depends on who is using the trailer. My dad normally just leveled and chocked the wheels. I somebody was going to spend the night he would put down the rear stabs. I asked him about it shaking, was told that it shaking when he moved was not a issue for him, and if somebody else came in they could not surprise him...

Old-Biscuit · 03-08-2019, 11:30 AM

When we went FT thought I needed one........NOPE
More of a PITA to stow/haul/set up then the benefit was from using it

Found that I could get set up more stable by using/setting rear stabilizers and 'loading' them plus using X-Choks between the tires

Level side to side then set wheel choks
Unhook from truck and run front landing gear (up/down) to level
THEN lower front landing gear 1"
Run rear stabilizers down until TIGHT (use 8"x8" block so stabilizers have WIDE Stance)
With rear stabilizers set tight use front landing gear to raise trailer back up to level

Solid footprint and X-Choks stop for/aft movement of tires

And if that isn't solid enough...place couple of jacks fro OR aft of tires to take bounce out of suspension

JT Strongarms or Steady Fast etc are better devices then King Pin Stabilizer

**Spdracr39** · 03-08-2019, 01:24 PM

I never have.

Wcordes · 03-08-2019, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masdixdragon

Not something Id purchase until I found the situation needed it. Kinda depends on the RV itself. Is it absolutely needed for a 5th wheel? no, but may be desirable if the trailer shakes too much but its not mandatory if thats what youre asking..

2X We don't use for weekend stays but do use if staying longer. Even with the six point system I can feel the shaking when wife is in bed room.

Gary RVRoamer · 03-09-2019, 06:46 AM

The king pin stabilizer does help, but "need" is subjective. Some people are really bothered by a bit if wiggle as they walk around, while others ignore it. And it probably makes more sense for longer term stays than an overnight stop.

Another that substantially reduces chassis wiggle is locking chocks for the wheels. The wiggle comes from suspension flex, which causes the wheels to sift slightly. Locking the tandem wheels together stops that and its much easier to carry and use the lock chocks than the king pin stabilizer.

Here is an example:
https://www.amazon.com/X-Chock-Wheel.../dp/B002XLHUQG

CWSWine · 03-09-2019, 10:17 AM

What I have found works is raising the RV no more than a couple of inches after it levels to take the suspension out of the picture. Sometimes I end up putting the board under the jacks to shorten the throw on the jacks prior to lifting an additional inch or two.

I did have 6 point leveling that capablitity of support the entire weight of the coach.

Before someone jumps in saying it will bend the frame and cabinets pop of the wall we did all wheel weight when we had our 5er. We had over 12,000 pounds on the 5er axles and after level and all the tires still looked like they were firmly planted on the ground we had less than 1,500 pounds on the tires.

**hamm2018** · 03-11-2019, 06:51 AM

On our 2006 Keystone Laredo (32ft) I used the kingpin stabilizer and wheel chocks between the tandem wheels. When we bought the 2018 Road Warrior (45 ft, 16K empty) with the 6 pt leveling system I do not use a kingpin stabilizer I do not notice any movement in the unit.

But this decision should be based on the experience with your unit and how you and your family feel about it.