Best stabilization upgrade(s)?

the e-man wrote:


Here is what we have tested so far.

Hush Pad under jack stand. It's a nice thick pad. But it didn't decrease motion significantly.

Stabilizer jack pads. These are nice. Provide some protection for the scissor jacks from the ground. But they didn't decrease motion significantly.

New chocks. Ours were old. Trying a new set. They are plastic but don't interlock with the leveling blocks. Motion increased as it is hard to secure these on the side where blocks are in place.

Super Grip Chock. These are placed between the wheels similar to an X Chock. This did reduce some of the motion and we are happy with the improvement. As others have mentioned, we use these in conjunction with regular chocks.

To prevent bouncing motion, you have to put enough tension buy raising the trailer on the jacks to the point that it is not resting totally on the tires.

We are working through the same issue. Too much movement in a longer travel trailer. Thanks for the suggestions so far - looks like I have a few more things to try.

Here is what we have tested so far.

Hush Pad under jack stand. It's a nice thick pad. But it didn't decrease motion significantly.

Stabilizer jack pads. These are nice. Provide some protection for the scissor jacks from the ground. But they didn't decrease motion significantly.

New chocks. Ours were old. Trying a new set. They are plastic but don't interlock with the leveling blocks. Motion increased as it is hard to secure these on the side where blocks are in place.

Super Grip Chock. These are placed between the wheels similar to an X Chock. This did reduce some of the motion and we are happy with the improvement. As others have mentioned, we use these in conjunction with regular chocks.

Gdetrailer wrote:
With a 31ft trailer, add a set of jacks near the center of the trailer which will be in front of the axles.

That cuts the unsupported span in half and will go a long ways to reducing the shake, rattle and roll.

Not to mention cheap fix.

Do this, I put a set of scissor jacks behind the axle, because I don't have room in the front. They made a huge difference in the stability.

Another vote for the JT Strongarm system. I added it a couple of years ago and it made a big difference.

With a 31ft trailer, add a set of jacks near the center of the trailer which will be in front of the axles.

That cuts the unsupported span in half and will go a long ways to reducing the shake, rattle and roll.

Not to mention cheap fix.

Cheap aluminums stack staabillier worked for me. But I have to use my SUV hydraulic jack to raise it up a little first so that the RV will firmly resting on it.

I saw scissor jacks in all four corners of RVs. I think this will work very well too.

Unless you place the trailer on concrete blocks you will almost always get a bit of movement or shaking in the trailer. It sits on tires and a suspension so you cannot get all movement out but the use of the JT Strongarm stabilizer kit will stop most of it. Also use a good set of tire chocks (I use RotoChocks but they are not available anymore). There are other brands similar to the RotoChocks.

I also, when staying in one place for a long time, like snowbirding in the winter, will put another set of support stands under the frame just in front of the axles.(Aluminum Jack supports)

We have found that the use of the chocks, built in four corner stabilizers, and the additional jack stand supports makes our 30 foot long trailer quite solid except for the occasional shake when someone starts dancing in the living room. ;)

JT strongarm (or similar) do make a huge difference.

Particularly on longer trailers, you may actually get a little flex in the middle, We've had good luck with the simple aluminum stands right next to the axles (on the frame not the axles which wouldn't eliminate spring movement). When I get around to it, I'll probably add a set of installed stabilizers right behind the axles.

Locking chocks will help reduce the rolling of the tires. There are two main versions, the X-chock which you tighten between the tires and the Onestep chock which places opposing chocks on the ground between the tires.

I prefer the Onestep, because its an actual chock and prevents rolling. The X-chock isn't really a tire chock, you still need to block your tires. I think they both work reasonably well, its just personal preference.

The next thing that you can add on is the JT's Strongarm system (not sure if there are other brands of this or not). They are triangular braces that attach to your frame and then come down to your stab jack and help reduce the motion that way. I haven't used these, but I've heard lots of good things about them.

If you find you get a lot of up and down movement from your suspension, perhaps adding another set of jacks just ahead of your axle will help with that.

The last suggestion is just to walk more gently. My kids and wife like to stomp when they walk. You can clearly feel more shaking and swaying when they walk. I've got friends that are heavier but walk more gently and the motion is quite reduced just from that.