Stability issues in 5th wheel

Old-Biscuit wrote:
First off.......

Remove those slide out supports. Slide outs are 'self supporting' and do NOT need supports under them.
Those aftermarket items can cause damage to slide out from the upward pressure especially should RV settle.
They are just a means of getting your RV Monies.
If needed the RV MFG. would have included them with the rig.

And if you think this is just my opinion..check with your RV MFG. about their use

As for stabilizing the rig..

Adding an aftermarket item that DOES help is JT Strong Arms or any other brand.
They are criss-cross supports that go from front landing gear to frame and rear stabilizers to frame.
They remove that side to side sway

X-Chocks between tires both sides ....they help remove that for/aft motion

And one thing I do to make rig more solid:
After rig is leveled side to side and getting ready to unhook truck I run landing gear down several inches THEN drop inner leg and pin them
Less inner leg used---less wobble

I run landing gear until rig is level front to rear
Lower front landing gear 1" below level
Run rear stabilizers down TIGHT
Then run front landing gear back up the 1" to level

Still will have a 'little' motion due to tires/suspension
But you can also place a couple of bottle jacks under frame by wheels to minimize/stop that motion

Everything that OB said.
With emphasis on a good set of chocks that do NOT allow any wheel movement!

Add to that - a rear stabilizer which mounts to the rear of the frame.
It's either manually cranked down or by electric motor.
(Doesn't lift the trailer - *NOT* a leveling system like Big Foot -or?......similar to what you would find fore & aft on TTs)
This type of stabilizer is standard equipment on a lot of 5ths.
My 5th came with an electric one - which I never bother to use!


An alternative to the bottle jacks OB mentioned - buy a set (4) of aluminum tripod type simple screw supports - again like what was supplied with every TT "back when".
Inexpensive (should be about the cost of one bottle jack), and they "stack" for storage.
Note: They're not intended to *lift* the trailer, as you could do with a bottle jack.

Place under each side of frame (front and rear), adjust the height of the screw until it contacts the frame - then add a couple of turns until it's tight.

Again - can't emphasize enough - you're chocking set-up should *NOT* allow any wheel movement....at all!

Trial and error will help find out what works for you - without spending a lot of $$.

:C