TT guy with a 5er question

[bsbeedub]

Just curious since I know very little about 5th wheel trailers. At the campground this weekend there were many 5ers and some had just the landing gear down while others had the landing gear down as well as a tripod under the pin. What does the tripod add? Why do some use it and others don't ?

[Dennis_M_M]

It makes the fiver just a bit more stable, and doesn't hurt a thing. Without it I can feel a little movement when I am sitting in the rear and DW is moving around in the bedroom; with it that slight movement is gone. Plus it is a handy place to lock the bikes.

We use it when we are parked for 5 months during the winter, otherwise I never mess with it.

[Dtank]

bsbeedub wrote:
Just curious since I know very little about 5th wheel trailers. At the campground this weekend there were many 5ers and some had just the landing gear down while others had the landing gear down as well as a tripod under the pin. What does the tripod add? Why do some use it and others don't ?

As others have said ......for "stability".

The resultant "stability" may be real or imagined.

No big deal - if the 5th owner likes to use one, his choice.
Not an expensive item - or difficult to use.

Another use:
The tripod under the pin *will* keep you from walking under and putting a divot in your noggin from the pin.
(Otherwise you must remember what Dick Cheney *didn't* say while bird hunting!)

Never used one - or felt the need.
Real easy - but don't bother to put the rear (electric) stabilizers down.

If I *don't* use my Roto Chocks - we do notice a "wiggle".

Bonus: If the wiggle is there - nobody will be knockin' if the trailer is rockin'........:W

.

[Allworth]

My wife thinks it makes the overhanging front bedroom on our Titanium more stable.

As long as she believes that; I believe it is worth setting up if we are in the same place more than one night.

Setting it up; a little trouble.

Silence: Priceless.

[Wishbone51]

Thanks! I always wondered what it was for, but not enough to search for the answer. 🙂

[hone_eagle]

At a recent full timers rally in Tennessee not one tripod was in use - FWIW

[time2roll]

Also keeps me from bashing my head on the pinbox.

[6_7_tow_rig]

bsbeedub wrote:
Just curious since I know very little about 5th wheel trailers. At the campground this weekend there were many 5ers and some had just the landing gear down while others had the landing gear down as well as a tripod under the pin. What does the tripod add? Why do some use it and others don't ?

Funny you ask that, because this weekend as we were walking around we wondered the same thing. I thought maybe some had a heavier pin weight or something and they had to have the support when not on the truck. Now I know the real answer.

[C-Bears]

I have used our tripod with our 2008 fiver and now with our new fiver with 6-point level up. For us it has never made any difference in making the unit more stable.

We never use it while traveling. The only time it is placed under the kingpin is when we are in one spot for a month or longer. During the Christmas holidays we decorate it like a Christmas tree, during other times we use it to chain our bicycles to.

[garysol]

Count me as another guy who gave their tripod away. I could not a tell difference if I used it or not.....

[ford_truck_guy]

I just sent my barely used tripod to another forum member last week... They are old school and had their place back in the day.. There are so many different , better ( different) options now.

[Karenys]

Our bedroom is over the kingpin and I do think the tripod takes some of the wiggle out of the front. We use it if staying more than overnight in the same place.

[time2roll]

For just a night or two I often skip the tripod. It just takes some of the wiggle out.

[MTPockets1]

Used the tripod on and off for a year traveling full time.... Never did really detect much difference if any, so we got rid of it. The difference in fifth wheel frame & structure may make a difference, but for our rig, not really.

[newman_fulltime]

Tripod is old school it strong arms are much beter