Forum Discussion

quasi's avatar
quasi
Explorer
Oct 02, 2018

5th Wheel Receiver Stabilizer?

At the Redwood National Rally earlier this year, we held a "Show & Tell" for people's hacks, brainstorms and other creative solutions to issues we all have. One such idea was a travel trailer tongue jack welded to some square tubing which was inserted into the rear receiver of a leveled fifth wheel. Since the auto level jacks are just behind the wheels, the rear of the trailer can be pretty springy. This guy's device slipped into the receiver and he cranked a little lift onto the hitch, effectively taking the spring out of the unit.
Has anyone seen this and might be able to aim me towards plans, drawings or even a photo so I could steal the idea and make one for myself?

Thanx,

Jim
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Oct 02, 2018
    You just described it....

    So get some 2" square tubing, a tongue jack and make one
    Insert tubing into receiver and mark for drilling hole so you can pin it in place

    Then bolt the tongue jack to the tubing



  • valhalla360's avatar
    valhalla360
    Navigator
    Oct 02, 2018
    Why not just add a couple stabilizers to the rear corners? Last trailer I replaced them...got them on sale for like $40.

    They aren't hard to install....why to something rube-goldbergish.
  • quasi's avatar
    quasi
    Explorer
    Oct 02, 2018
    All good possible solutions but not what I'm looking for. The original stabilizer was stored in the bay and inserted into the receiver after leveling up. No pin was required since friction kept it from falling out and all the work was done without bending, stooping or crawling around on the ground. I'll probably have to fab this up from memory but was hoping to find someone who'd done it to keep me from having to work through the bugs of a first time build.
    Thanx,
    Jim
  • valhalla360's avatar
    valhalla360
    Navigator
    Oct 04, 2018
    quasi wrote:
    All good possible solutions but not what I'm looking for. The original stabilizer was stored in the bay and inserted into the receiver after leveling up. No pin was required since friction kept it from falling out and all the work was done without bending, stooping or crawling around on the ground. I'll probably have to fab this up from memory but was hoping to find someone who'd done it to keep me from having to work through the bugs of a first time build.
    Thanx,
    Jim


    Slightly more expensive but they have rear stabilizers with electric motors so you don't have to bend over.
  • cpaulsen's avatar
    cpaulsen
    Explorer
    Oct 04, 2018
    I just inserted a ball mount in my rear receiver and use a crank up tongue jack and cranked it up till there was a little pressure in the ball mount and took alost all the bounce out of the back of the 5ver.
  • quasi's avatar
    quasi
    Explorer
    Oct 04, 2018
    That's exactly what I'm looking to do. I think I have a design in my head so I'll start there.
  • memtb's avatar
    memtb
    Explorer
    Oct 04, 2018
    With a heavy unit, and a good rigid frame, it shouldn’t be needed.....unless you are far heavier than me (200 pounds) and are doing “ aerobicize” workouts!

    Obviously, with a lighter unit ( especially if the jacks/stabilizers are close to the rear wheels and there is a lot of rear overhang)...this will always be an issue! I can certainly see the benefits of of the “ball type” rear stabilizer!
  • fj12ryder's avatar
    fj12ryder
    Explorer III
    Oct 04, 2018
    valhalla360 wrote:
    quasi wrote:
    All good possible solutions but not what I'm looking for. The original stabilizer was stored in the bay and inserted into the receiver after leveling up. No pin was required since friction kept it from falling out and all the work was done without bending, stooping or crawling around on the ground. I'll probably have to fab this up from memory but was hoping to find someone who'd done it to keep me from having to work through the bugs of a first time build.
    Thanx,
    Jim


    Slightly more expensive but they have rear stabilizers with electric motors so you don't have to bend over.
    You may not need to bend over, much, but you have to be really patient. Those things are glacially slow.

About Fifth Wheel Group

19,006 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 13, 2025