Tripod brace for 5th wheel...really necessary?

[Flinx777]

I have a tripod brace to put under the kingpin on my 5th wheel to minimize bounce while walking inside the RV bedroom. Is it really needed though? My 5th wheel is fairly long (about 36ft) and we're heading out full-time this well. Space is limited since we'll be bringing a decent amount of stuff. I'm trying to shed unnecessary stuff in preparation for heading out and the tripod takes up a lot of space in the basement. Curious what the community's opinion is on this matter.

[Flinx777]

Been on the road 6 months now and glad we brought it. Really keeps the RV steady.

[Dutch___Di]

Yes you can. Just watch your hitch height as you are doing so. We do it fairly often with no problems. Di

fulltime5er wrote:
Along these same lines, can you leave the trailer hooked to the truck, and still use the leveling system? For instance, when you are only staying overnight, and really don't want to unhook.

[fulltime5er]

Along these same lines, can you leave the trailer hooked to the truck, and still use the leveling system? For instance, when you are only staying overnight, and really don't want to unhook.

[mr__ed]

DHCamper wrote:
Mr Ed wrote:"it does not compute in my brain how a kingpin brace can have any effect"
The effect comes from sharing the load distribution normally carried by the two jacks with the tripod. Talked about this with a young couple that was camping in a tripoded Cougar ultralight tonight. They also agree that it makes a big difference when your rocken the forward bedroom area. If you aren't involved in that kind of movement, you probably don't need a tripod.

Well since I'm never involved in "that kind of movement" (I have a vague idea what that might be...it's been a long time) I guess I'll never be needing a tripod brace....:B

[Hamops]

We went from a kingpin tripod to JT StrongArms. The tripod will probably make a good boat anchor but not much else.

[DHCamper]

Mr Ed wrote:"it does not compute in my brain how a kingpin brace can have any effect"
The effect comes from sharing the load distribution normally carried by the two jacks with the tripod. Talked about this with a young couple that was camping in a tripoded Cougar ultralight tonight. They also agree that it makes a big difference when your rocken the forward bedroom area. If you aren't involved in that kind of movement, you probably don't need a tripod.

[mr__ed]

It does not compute in my brain how a kingpin brace can have any effect. It appears that many who use them say they help but how is that possible? I'm not saying they're wrong, I'd just like to know the science behind it.

My line of thinking: The stabilizer (brace) is located under the kingpin. The landing jacks already stabilize the front of the 5er. That being so, plus the deployment of the rear stabilizer scissor jacks should prevent any front-to-back movement. As far as side-to-side movement goes, how can a brace under the kingpin prevent that? An inquiring mind want to know.....

[gailgold]

If I am set up more than 2 nights, I use mine. It doesn't take long at all to set up, and it does eliminate the bounce in the front.... which I prefer. It is for certain, a personal preference thing, not a necessity....

[Cummins12V98]

One came with our 32.5' Avion P{latinum. Tried it with and without and then gave it away!

[jnharley]

We had been carrying our tripod around for about nine years still in the unopened box. Tried to sell it at a yard sale last week with no luck. Donated it to Good Will, thank goodness it is gone.

[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.

[DHCamper]

Our tripod anchors our 30ft ultralight really well. Friends with much heavier FWs say they don't notice a difference. Seems like tripods are best suited for the lighter crowd.

[IND_navyvet]

We have our FW on a seasonal site and were on a seasonal site last year. Last year we went the whole summer without using our tripod and never really noticed movement. This year we moved to a different site in the same campground and the movement was bad enough we are using the tripod and still get a little movement. The only thing I can think of causing our problem this year, is possibly the ground we are on. Last years site seemed to have more gravel. So I think it might depend on your campsite. If you have 1 I would say keep it, if you don't have 1 wait and see how much movement you do have then make your own decision.

[frankwp]

@rwhite I agree with you. The quality is absolutely top notch & the kit includes all the hardware needed for just about any fifth wheel. Well worth what I paid.