My TT has a slide where the kitchen table and couch slide out and I was wondering if I need to be using some type of stabilizer when it is in the out position. If so, which ones are the best without costing a fortune?

No they are not required.Some use scissor jacks under the trailer frame. You can buy them at a junkyard for about $10. Look for ones with a 3/4" nut to raise and lower them, then get a cordless drill, and use that to put them up and down. This will keep the trailer from swaying side to side. Trailer leveling systems are a pair of scissor jacks mounted to a frame, with quick turning handle to deploy them and retract quickly, but the drill is much faster.. .Fred.

Crambo wrote:My TT has a slide where the kitchen table and couch slide out and I was wondering if I need to be using some type of stabilizer when it is in the out position. If so, which ones are the best without costing a fortune?If anyone does, they are just asking for a big problem. So...No, to your question.Think about it, if a stabilizer (or jack) should fail or sink, what do you think is going to happen to the slide if the stabilizer under it doesn't sink?The slide out are designed to carry a whole bunch of weight, probably much more than you could on it normally.Ron

no, was always told that if you put something under slide out, and you have a flat tire on that side it will ruin the slide out

Some people do. I never would. There is no need and the problems already posted are the reasons I would recommend against it.

Does anyone use stabilizers under their slide out?

72 Replies

Huntindog
Explorer
Nov 24, 2015
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Here is what Jayco RV has to say in their Owners Manuals

CAUTION
Additional support jacks are not needed under the slideout.
Damage can occur to your slideout room from improper use of aftermarket support jacks
Game, Set, Match.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Nov 23, 2015
Here is what Jayco RV has to say in their Owners Manuals

CAUTION
Additional support jacks are not needed under the slideout.
Damage can occur to your slideout room from improper use of aftermarket support jacks
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Nov 23, 2015
Bird Freak wrote:
Crambo wrote:
Guys, I didn't mean to get an argument going. I was just digging through an RV catalog and was looking for gift ideas since everyone is asking me what I want. I have never felt a need for them but thought I would ask before putting them on my must have list. I have been out of the RV game for several years so I am eager to gather items that I might need.
LOL Don't worry about starting an argument here. There are some here that live for it and would argue with a rock. :B

THATS FOR SURE !!!

As hohenwald48 says those type stabilizers come from another era before the modern powered slide outs. Tips outs or pull outs as they were called required the stabilizers. These types wer all pulled out by hand. My first unit with a pull out came with the stabilizers.

Now would I use them on modern hydraulic or gear drive slide outs I've owned. Nope...especially where we camp. Now if I had 200 lb kids romping around then I might consider them.

Will you need them ?? I doubt it...unless your 200 lb kids get rowdy :)
Bird_Freak
Explorer II
Nov 23, 2015
Crambo wrote:
Guys, I didn't mean to get an argument going. I was just digging through an RV catalog and was looking for gift ideas since everyone is asking me what I want. I have never felt a need for them but thought I would ask before putting them on my must have list. I have been out of the RV game for several years so I am eager to gather items that I might need.
LOL Don't worry about starting an argument here. There are some here that live for it and would argue with a rock. :B
avoidcrowds
Explorer
Nov 23, 2015
" the other tire and the screw jacks kept everything intac"

That was part of my point - if the other supports hold, then there will be no additional pressure on your slide. That bolsters the opinion of those that a flat tire is no big deal. If, on the other hand, one or both of the corner stabilizers collapsed or sunk into the ground, there could be a different outcome.

Thus, it depends on what one thinks is most-likely, somewhat-likely, or not-very-likely to happen in a flat tire situation, if someone thinks a slide support is a good idea, or not. Personal preference for perceived risk.
jaycocreek
Explorer II
Nov 23, 2015
If a tire went flat, and at least one corner stabilizer settled, but the slide support did not settle, there could be some damage to the slide, depending on how far the slide was pushed up from the normal position

I have had a flat tire with the supports on,nothing happened at all as the other tire and the screw jacks kept everything intact.

What bothers me on any subject,is when people chime in negatively on a product they have never used and criticize those that have actually used the product and write positively about it.

Could I get by without them,of course but my review would be just like the rest...Very positive!

My trailer did not come with tire covers,air conditioning cover/a proper sewer set-up/an adapter for 50 amp service/external propane adapter/generator or a toaster(I could go on and on) but they make life in an RV much more pleasant as does the slide out stabilizers.
Crambo
Explorer
Nov 23, 2015
Guys, I didn't mean to get an argument going. I was just digging through an RV catalog and was looking for gift ideas since everyone is asking me what I want. I have never felt a need for them but thought I would ask before putting them on my must have list. I have been out of the RV game for several years so I am eager to gather items that I might need.
avoidcrowds
Explorer
Nov 23, 2015
jaycocreek, you can cite all the positive reviews you want, and some will not acknowledge the validity of a differing opinion. While I am also an 'old curmudgeon', I see valid points on both sides of the discussion.

If a tire went flat, and at least one corner stabilizer settled, but the slide support did not settle, there could be some damage to the slide, depending on how far the slide was pushed up from the normal position. How often do people get a flat in a campground and have at least one stabilizer settle? Very rarely. Therefore, few people may have a negative comment about them.

On the other hand, having the trailer more stabilized by having some support under the slide sure seems like a benefit that will be noticed daily.

As with most things RV, it all depends on personal preference, and the amount of risk one wants to accept. If you feel it will be a benefit, with very minimal risk, you are welcome to use slide supports. It doesn't matter what I think, as it is your RV and your money. I can give you my opinion, but you doing something contrary to my opinion does not make you (or me) wrong. Do what you want, as long as it doesn't hurt someone else. :)
Huntindog
Explorer
Nov 23, 2015
jaycocreek wrote:
As with anything in life,one shoe does not fit all.If I were to call the trailer manufacturer and ask if LT tires were needed,what do you think the reply would be?What about tire covers to protect the tires from the sun that were not provided my the manufacturer or on and on..

I have used them and have a pair and my reply is based on actual experience using them not agreeing with others who have not used them, to be political.

I just do not see how so many can chime in with negative opinions based on never having used the product in question.
As you well know, there are some TTs that come with or can be optioned with LT tires....

But as far as slide supports, I have never heard of ANY manufacturer saying that they are OK to use. Both of my TTs with slides had warnings about using them in their manual.

Point me to a link where a MANUFACTURER reccommends them.
jaycocreek
Explorer II
Nov 23, 2015
A couple e-trailer reviews for everyone that has not used them so you can see what others that have used them say.None of them say they harmed there RV in any way....

Besides stabilizing the slide out they make the whole unit solid with little to no rocking as you can see with these two reviews.

Really helped stabilize my fifth wheel camper slides. I have three slides and bought 2 sets (one set per slide, bedroom slide excluded) Very easy to install and great design. Camper doesn't rock in gusty winds and really makes a difference when walking around inside. Very happy overall.

This product is exactly what we where looking for. The nut on the jack is the only way to go if you are buying this product. I have had others that don't have the bolt and they are not functional. The jacks provide wonderful stability to the slide out and additional stability for the entire trailer. Without them and all four scissor jacks down there was still a little of movement when someone sat in the slide out. However, with these jacks in place it is solid as a rock. Love the product. Very glad we purchased them. Excellent customer service from etrailer as well. Shipment was to me before the promised date

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Does anyone use stabilizers under their slide out?

72 Replies

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