Our new single axle Salem ultra light camper unit, isn't very stable, it is a little over 20 ft. ( not an issue till once in bed for the evening)My issue is the amount of movement that I recognize once Im in bed for the night.Wife has the kid o s up front. Any stirring they do is quite noticeable .I did install front end stabilizer sciccor (sp) type jacks. 4 jacks plus tongue jackSpot is level un attached to vehicle. Tires are on the pavement, Perhaps this low end unit ( you get what u pay for). Maybe others have tips.Master bed is in the rear.Thinking out loud. The table bed in front an those trips outside in the late night , maybe another set of jacks?

How much pressure do you place on the stabilizers? Sounds to me like your not exerting enough pressure. Also, do you use wheel chocks?

Sure sounds to me like you are not putting enough pressure on the stabilizers. When I screw mine down (as tight as can get them) I also will make at least one more pass. That first one could get lifted as you do the others.One thing I have seen people do that I strongly DO NOT recommend is lowering or raising the the lift jack and extend your stabilizers then setting back down. Stabilizers are not meant to lift the TT. You will bend them.

I used to run the tongue jack down slightly bellow level and then drop the rear stabilizers. Now run the tongue jack back up to level and drop the front stabilizers. This will unload the suspension slightly and make a more stable trailer. As posted above chock the tires from both sides to reduce fore/aft motion.

We used 4 jack stands like used on mobile homes like these:http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Jack/Ultra-Fab-Products/UF48-979003.htmlThey remove all bounce from the frame and suspension. Lower the front place two at the rear, raise the front just past level and place the two in the front then lower the front onto the jack stands. Place one under the frame on each side at each corner. Rock solid.

I had this problem. Greatly reduced it once I realized it was caused by the tires rolling slightly. I made a wheel brake that goes between the two axles. Your dilema being a single axle is different. I would suggest blocking both tires at both ends and see if that helps.

Any help appreciated | Good Sam Community

GaryWT
Explorer
Jun 16, 2015
You will always have some movement but I always heard shorter trailers were not as bad as the longer ones. Our 35 footer has movement for sure. Once you put your 4 corner jacks down and take care of the wheels I wouls think you would be good. If you tighter the jacks too much you will find that the bathroom door as an example might not close good. They do sell items that can go under the bumper or frame or tie the corner jacks together that can help.
campinia
Explorer
Jun 16, 2015
X3 on what SoundGuy said. I had the BAL single axle tire chocks for my PUP, then when I bought a Jayco 18 foot single axle trailer, I used the tire chocks on it and it made a big difference. I wish I would have kept them and used them on opposite sides of my current trailer as they work very well.
Rookiecamper
Explorer
Jun 16, 2015
x2 on what SoundGuy said...but depending on the actual weight of your trailer, I prefer the BAL Leveler. You didn't really mention how the wheels were chocked, but that is very often where movement comes from. Even if you have super duty stabilizers, putting too much pressure on them can sometimes damage the frames on these ultralight trailers.
Need-A-Vacation
Explorer
Jun 15, 2015
Also, I have noticed after being set up a day that the scissor jacks can be snugged up again as things have "settled".
BubbaChris
Explorer
Jun 15, 2015
I'd look at adding a pair of the screw jacks near the axle once you're setup. Some of the trailer flex may be coming from the unit's suspension.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Jun 15, 2015
rickhise wrote:
Our new single axle Salem ultra light camper unit, isn't very stable ...

Since you have to chock your single axle trailer anyway I'd suggest you use a set of BAL Single Axle Tire Chocks on both sides of the trailer. Since they can be adjusted to grip the tires they'll not only not slip out of position as can plastic chocks but they'll also tend reduce rotational movement of the axle, which along with previous suggestions should help reduce this suspension movement you're noticing.
coolmom42
Explorer II
Jun 15, 2015
the bear II wrote:
We used 4 jack stands like used on mobile homes like these:
http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Jack/Ultra-Fab-Products/UF48-979003.html

They remove all bounce from the frame and suspension. Lower the front place two at the rear, raise the front just past level and place the two in the front then lower the front onto the jack stands. Place one under the frame on each side at each corner. Rock solid.

Do this, plus chock the tires front & back on both sides.

Stabilizer jacks are not adequate to stop the movement. I'm like you, any movement in the trailer drives me crazy when I'm trying to sleep.
arto_wa
Explorer
Jun 15, 2015
Should this discussion be in the travel trailers forum?

Oh, I was two minutes late!
Reddog1
Explorer II
Jun 15, 2015
Moved from the Truck Camper Forum.

Wayne
Moderator
Bedlam
Moderator
Jun 15, 2015
eichacsj wrote:
One thing I have seen people do that I strongly DO NOT recommend is lowering or raising the the lift jack and extend your stabilizers then setting back down. Stabilizers are not meant to lift the TT. You will bend them.

That will depend on the stabilizers that were installed on the trailer. I have seen scissor jacks that were capable of carrying the entire trailer weight and could actually be used for tire changes. The flimsy ratchet jacks on my tent trailer had less strength and rigidity than pool noodles.