We're currently staying at an rv park and while walking around I notice out of 100+ 5ers 2 have what looks like a support tripod under the kingpin. What is the purpose of it when you already have 4 or 6 jacks plus the tires on the ground?

Helps some with taking out the bounce. Not necessary but they work.

Our FW is rock solid and no bounce, if yours is like that then it's a waste of money, but if you need it, they work.

I've tried one, and gave it away. Waste of money, did little, to no, good and a real pain to haul around. If you need a solid trailer, support the trailer with the wheels off the ground, or invest in JT Strongarms.

I had one given to me and I couldn't tell any difference with or without. It was just one more thing to do when setting up and breaking camp.

As long as my wife thinks it makes the rig more stable, it will be installed for any stay of more than one night.Why not??

5th wheel front tripod | Good Sam Community

larry_barnhart
Explorer
Jun 22, 2022
You didn't want the tripod I tried to give you so after your comment was put it out front and have a FREE sign it was gone the 2nd night.

chevman retired from Rving again
JRscooby
Explorer II
Jun 22, 2022
time2roll wrote:
There was a time when I thought this was important. Eventually my sea legs got adjusted to the movement and I don't care. I often skip the scissor jacks in the rear too. The tripod is long gone.

Dad would be set up for weeks. Family show up to visit, he would crank down the stabilizers. I asked him about it. "If I'm the only 1 moving, I don't notice movement."
blawless
Explorer
Jun 22, 2022
I noticed no one has mentioned the safety factor. Besides being an additional motion support it also acts as a safety support if in the unlikely event the front jacks give way for any reason. (ie) soft ground, wash out, lock pin failure, vandalism etc...
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Jun 22, 2022
blawless wrote:
I noticed no one has mentioned the safety factor. Besides being an additional motion support it also acts as a safety support if in the unlikely event the front jacks give way for any reason. (ie) soft ground, wash out, lock pin failure, vandalism etc...

nope......

MOST fifth wheels RV's would crush those tripods like tooth picks if all the weight was placed on them in the event of a jack failure.... Maybe NOT ALL, but most...
jjj
Explorer
Jun 23, 2022
They do take the wiggle out of the front of the trailer. I now use the JT stabilizers on the landing gear now. They are much easier to use. I did have a 30 ft. Fiver and had the landing gear switch get stuck and I had the 2 leg pin stabilizer and by the time I noticed the switch was stuck the landing gear was 8 inches off the ground. It held the front of that trailer up until I got the feet back on the ground and they were not even bent.
QCMan
Nomad III
Jun 23, 2022
They help to keep you from whacking into the pin. They are also good at separating you and some cash.
mooky_stinks
Explorer
Jun 23, 2022
I used to have one years ago before automatic levelers. It did seem to help some but it’s long gone now.
ACZL
Explorer
Jun 23, 2022
ford truck guy wrote:
They are great to support a flag pole under.. Thats it

I could think of cheaper flagpole holders! LOL

RE: the question about supporting the front end in the event of front leg failure, the tri-pod would be toasted! I agree w/ others on this point.

You want stability and don't have 6pt level up, go w/ JT Strongarms
BB_TX
Nomad
Jun 23, 2022
larry barnhart wrote:
You didn't want the tripod I tried to give you so after your comment was put it out front and have a FREE sign it was gone the 2nd night.

chevman retired from Rving again

Back when they were more popular I set mine out front of the trailer with $60 sign on it. Sold in an hour. And still lost half my money.

With basic front jacks and rear stabilizers they help a little. Emphasize little. Sold mine when I installed JT Strongarms.
valhalla360
Navigator
Jun 23, 2022
We used to have one and it helped but it was a hassle for shorter stays as you would have to pull it out and then store it.

A bit more expensive but the JT strongarms (or clones) are more effective and less effort.

As to why:
- Wheels are on springs, so they will still allow bouncing.
- Simple vertical stablizers can only provide resistance to vertical motion. Side to side and front to back motion is unchecked. Adding a device that resists side to side and front to back will take a lot more of the motion out.

PS: As much as people like to claim rock solid, there will always be a little movement.