Help me pick a stabilization system

[Re_and_Cheryl]

Well the wife wants me to do something about the amount of movement out new 36' Coachmen has. Our old Prowler had a lot too, but she didn't want to put money into that as we knew it was a temporary step when we bought it.

I've been doing some research and most say kingpin supports do little to nothing and suck up storage room. The leading stabilization units I have found are the JT strong arm and the Steady Fast system. Both seem to accomplish stabilization the same way but the Steady Fast only braces on one front and one rear jack, it's also more expensive.

Looking for your thoughts and/or experiences

Re'

[Dutch___Di]

Just about all aftermarket stabilizer systems will work to help eliminate movement. We have been extremely happy with our stabilizers for 7 years. We added the Big Foot leveling system in 2010 and while it did help some with movement, it didn't take long but a quick walk through our 5th wheel for us to put our stabilizers back on. We are nice and stable all the the time on grass, gravel or concrete and unless there is a gust of wind that hits directly at the side of our Carriage, I don't even realize how windy it is until I step outside. Diana

[nremtp143]

x2 on the Winfield RV stabilizers. 10 minute install and work great!

[WeBeFulltimers]

pcm1959 wrote:
We have the 4 point Quadra Big Foot hydraulic leveling system on our Carriage Cameo. I went with the Steadyfast due to the simplicity and only 3 knobs to turn. It is awesome! Love it and our coach is virtually motionless now - even with the tires off the ground. You will not regret your purchase. Phillip

We have the Lippert 6 Point hydraulic leveling system on our Montana and have not had to add anything. Solid as a rock! No bouncing tires either.

[Re_and_Cheryl]

big bird 2 wrote:
I never had a stabilization problem with my backpacking tent!

Your tent never had air conditioning and a queen size bed

Re'

[waltbennett]

wandering1 wrote:
When someone is walking around inside the 5er it will bounce/wiggle. Rubber tires will bounce, suspension systems are made to bounce. To eliminate the bouncing/wiggling you need to keep the weight from pushing down on the tires and suspension by making sure your stabilizers are tight between the 5er and the ground. Don’t just let them out far enough to touch the ground, turn the crank more to make sure they are tight so they will not allow the 5er to push down on the tires. Use a bipod/tripod under the king pin. Make sure it is tight between the ground and the king pin, don’t just adjust it till it touches, tighten it so the front overhang will not move. Make sure to check the stabilizers and bipod/tripod every couple of days because they will loosen up over time.

Doesn’t make sense spending a lot of money on landing jack stabilizers when the landing jacks are stable and don’t bounce up and down. If you have properly adjusted the stabilizers and bipod/tripod then you shouldn’t have any bouncing/wiggling. This has worked for me over the past 15 years.

Chocks are to keep the 5er from rolling forward or backwards. They do not eliminate the weight of the 5er from pushing down and causing the bouncing/wiggling. If you park on a site that has a incline/decline then you probably want to use chocks to keep your 5er from rolling when you unhitch.

There are a lot of other options out there to “eliminate” the bouncing/wiggling if you have the extra money and want to spend it.

I agree completely that tires and suspension flex will make things bounce, but if you read the instructions for 5ers, you're not supposed to try lifting the trailer off the ground with your jacks or stabilizers. I also agree completely that spending as much as we do for one of these things SHOULD mean we don't have to fix them right away!

I will try unloading the suspension by finding out where level is, letting the front down a bit, putting the stabilizers down to the ground, then leveling by lifting with the landing jacks. Don't lift the unit off the ground, but do take weight off the axles. Still use chocks and wedges, but there is also still some movement after everything's done. That's why I'm going to have to add a Steadyrest system next year.

[broark01]

larry barnhart wrote:

netjam wrote:
Unlike previous posters I have JTs (factory installed) and don't like them. I have stopped using them and have purchased 4 screw jacks from Camping World for $40. They are kind of like auto jack stands that you tighten up between the ground and the frame. Works great (they have 6000# each capacity) and I use them in locations I stay at longer than a week.

Anything is better than nothing but your system will not help when the wind blows hard for side to side movement.
chevman

Yes it will, it will take the flex in the suspension out of the equation.

[wandering1]

When someone is walking around inside the 5er it will bounce/wiggle. Rubber tires will bounce, suspension systems are made to bounce. To eliminate the bouncing/wiggling you need to keep the weight from pushing down on the tires and suspension by making sure your stabilizers are tight between the 5er and the ground. Don’t just let them out far enough to touch the ground, turn the crank more to make sure they are tight so they will not allow the 5er to push down on the tires. Use a bipod/tripod under the king pin. Make sure it is tight between the ground and the king pin, don’t just adjust it till it touches, tighten it so the front overhang will not move. Make sure to check the stabilizers and bipod/tripod every couple of days because they will loosen up over time.

Doesn’t make sense spending a lot of money on landing jack stabilizers when the landing jacks are stable and don’t bounce up and down. If you have properly adjusted the stabilizers and bipod/tripod then you shouldn’t have any bouncing/wiggling. This has worked for me over the past 15 years.

Chocks are to keep the 5er from rolling forward or backwards. They do not eliminate the weight of the 5er from pushing down and causing the bouncing/wiggling. If you park on a site that has a incline/decline then you probably want to use chocks to keep your 5er from rolling when you unhitch.

There are a lot of other options out there to “eliminate” the bouncing/wiggling if you have the extra money and want to spend it.

[Ron_Nielson]

Another thought - Why don't RV manufacturers mount the front landing legs so that there is little to no wobble? Mine wobble quite a bit and I , like many other 5th wheel owners had to buy an aftermarket unit (Steadyfast - Big triangles make stronger braces!) to stabilize my trailer. I have to think that there is a way, and a lot cheaper ultimately than adding aftermarket stabilizers. Crazy to buy a $30K to $65K (or more) 5th wheel and than have to FIX IT!! Doesn't make sense to me.

[shadows4]

I went with the "Bal" lock arm stabilizers. They are similar to the "JT's" but cost less and to lock them you use the same "3/4" wrench that is used for the rear jacks. Works for me.

[JohnG3]

Here is a link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTLU0725CSU

[JohnG3]

Winfield Stabilizers out of San Diego. No holes to drill and about a minute to set up once installed. Had them on our Titanium and moved then to our Montana.

[larry_barnhart]

netjam wrote:
Unlike previous posters I have JTs (factory installed) and don't like them. I have stopped using them and have purchased 4 screw jacks from Camping World for $40. They are kind of like auto jack stands that you tighten up between the ground and the frame. Works great (they have 6000# each capacity) and I use them in locations I stay at longer than a week.

Anything is better than nothing but your system will not help when the wind blows hard for side to side movement.
chevman

[Trail-Mate]

I Love my factory Installed JT's, They have worked flawlessly for 3 years. Very little if any movement in the 5th wheel. Very Stable.

[netjam]

Unlike previous posters I have JTs (factory installed) and don't like them. I have stopped using them and have purchased 4 screw jacks from Camping World for $40. They are kind of like auto jack stands that you tighten up between the ground and the frame. Works great (they have 6000# each capacity) and I use them in locations I stay at longer than a week.