5 Wheel Landing Gear

Question

I am first time 5th wheel owner. I have a storage compartment in the front of the 5th wheel under the front living quarters. How safe is the landing gear on a 5th wheel?

When the truck is unhooked from the 5th wheel do I need to block up the front of the 5th wheel on the frame with jack stands or blocks before going under the front of the 5th wheel to access the storage compartment?

Is there any risk that the landing gear can collapse?

I know you should block up any thing you are working under when using a regular jack, I am just not sure how this applies to the landing gear on a 5th wheel. Maybe this is a stupid question.

Thanks FSH4EYE

joe_way · Answer

I can't recall ever having seen additional blocking under a fifth wheel unless repairs to the landing gear or to the suspension required temporary support.

Lots of people use stabilizers, but they do not support any weight.

fj12ryder · Answer

Anything can happen, however collapsed landing gear is probably as likely as getting hit in your 5th wheel bed by a meteorite. :) IOW pretty much unheard of.

Due to the way they are constructed even if the landing gear were to fail to operate as it should the chances of it collapsing are vanishingly small.

rhagfo · Answer

The landing gear is designed to support the full weight of the front of the 5er! Even the ones with front living rooms.

the_bear_ii · Answer

21 year old 5th wheel and the landing gear have never collapsed.I have used jackstands under the frame rails when I needed to work on the landing gear.

bpounds · Answer

I like your attention to safety. This is a concern that you can cross off your list.

The biggest risk to landing gear collapse would be due to the trailer rolling and bending the legs. Make sure you are well chocked, with wedge chocks, NOT between the tire chocks.

Make sure the adjustment pins are fully engaged through the entire leg.

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5 Wheel Landing Gear

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