If the Trailer's a Rockin'....

hohenwald48 wrote:
However, the fully extended one is longer providing a longer lever which makes it less stable.

Um... isn't this what I stated?

2012Coleman wrote:
The farther the jacks are extended, the less stabilizing they will do. Put a couple of boards under the over extended ones.

And so yes - by your statement, the skinny one (read - fully extended) is less stable.

Just trying to put it in understandable terms.

Double post

2012Coleman wrote:

samhain7 wrote:

2012Coleman wrote:
The farther the jacks are extended, the less stabilizing they will do. Put a couple of boards under the over extended ones.

I have read the complete opposite on the forum. Advice that says, the further they are extended the more stabilization.
(I honestly don't know the answer to this, I am only commenting what I read).....

Look at a fully extended stabilizer jack, then look at one that's extended about half. The first one is skinny and the second is fat. The fat one is more stable than the fully extended jack.

Actually, skinny/fat is not relevant as the weight bearing foot print and side bracing are exactly the same extended or not. However, the fully extended one is longer providing a longer lever which makes it less stable.

Take a 4" pipe and cut a piece 3 inches long and try to stand on it. No problem. Take a 4" pipe and cut a piece 2 feet long and try to stand on it. You'll probably fall on your behind. Not because one is skinny and one is fat but because one provides a longer lever which causes a higher center of gravity and less stability.

As said, level side to side using boards or blocks before you unhook. Lifting wheels will cause the frame to flex and doors and other stuff will not work. Put blocks on the corner so the stabilizers are no more than half way. Have never heard the more the better, have always read the less the better. Our last trip we needed an extra 6 inches under the front jack to level front to back.

Thank you for the comments. I will put more blocks under the extended stabilizers and the tongue jack.

Once I do it, I will update.

Sort of setting the TT frame on blocks or multiple jacks, I have never seen a way to stabilize a TT for any length of time.

I do not think the TT frame is stiff enough to dampen vibrations unless supported at multiple points.

samhain7 wrote:

2012Coleman wrote:
The farther the jacks are extended, the less stabilizing they will do. Put a couple of boards under the over extended ones.

I have read the complete opposite on the forum. Advice that says, the further they are extended the more stabilization.
(I honestly don't know the answer to this, I am only commenting what I read).....

Look at a fully extended stabilizer jack, then look at one that's extended about half. The first one is skinny and the second is fat. The fat one is more stable than the fully extended jack.

2012Coleman wrote:
The farther the jacks are extended, the less stabilizing they will do. Put a couple of boards under the over extended ones.

I have read the complete opposite on the forum. Advice that says, the further they are extended the more stabilization.
(I honestly don't know the answer to this, I am only commenting what I read).....

The farther the jacks are extended, the less stabilizing they will do. Put a couple of boards under the over extended ones.

You got a problem if you pick up a tire. Stabilizer jacks are not meant to be able to do that. You should have blocks of some sort under the wheels as needed to level, then put stab jacks down just to keep it from bouncing on the springs.

@jpr26789 is right, put 6x6 under the stab jacks, as the shorter extension they have, the more stable they'll be.

And boy, if it feels bouncy/rocky to you, that is a sure sign that it is THIS close to falling off those jacks, tongue jack included.

And you do not want it falling off those jacks. That bends things in ways you do not want to see. Don't ask how I know.

I've been on slopes like that in the mountains, and getting the trailer both level and stable can be a real challenge. As is, sometimes, that bottom step getting in and out of the trailer.