Trailer stair bounce

[LOFAT36]

What do you use outside to stop the trailer stair bounce ? Small bottle jacks ?

[GMandJM]

larry barnhart wrote:


I make 2 of these and give them away each winter.

chevman

Very cool!

[larry_barnhart]

I make 2 of these and give them away each winter.

chevman

[fj12ryder]

"Agree with you. Our 5th wheel is pretty stable when inside. Using the steps without the load lock causes the trailer to move."

Exactly my point, it's the suspension moving, not the steps flexing.

[JohnG3]

LOFAT36 wrote:

LOFAT36 wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:

restlesswind wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:

restlesswind wrote:
A quick "google" search "RV step support" will bring up several different types available. Two are needed, one will be "OK" but two will be much better!

Over time the bounce will cause wear in the pivot points and you will find that the steps will need replacing or repairing.

I don't see how the movement of his 5th wheel is going to cause wear in the pivot points. It's not the steps that are bouncing, it's the movement of someone going up and down the stairs that is causing the 5th wheel to move on it's suspension. Keep the steps from flexing from weight on them and you should solve most of the issue.

A simple prop under the bottom most step that doesn't pivot should help. A prop under the bottom step will stop it from moving, but you'll still have movement when you step from the bottom step to the next one if your bottom step pivots because your steps are hinged at various places, and not solid.

The OP said that the stairs were bouncing,not the trailer.

Seems pretty obvious that if it was just the stairs bouncing you wouldn't even feel it, so the trailer is bouncing because of the weight on the stairs. Ergo, it's the trailer bouncing. If the trailer were solid the stairs wouldn't be an issue. Stopping the stairs moving stops the trailer rocking.

I disagree. When I put any weight on the bottom step the stair flexes.

Agree with you. Our 5th wheel is pretty stable when inside. Using the steps without the load lock causes the trailer to move.

[LOFAT36]

LOFAT36 wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:

restlesswind wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:

restlesswind wrote:
A quick "google" search "RV step support" will bring up several different types available. Two are needed, one will be "OK" but two will be much better!

Over time the bounce will cause wear in the pivot points and you will find that the steps will need replacing or repairing.

I don't see how the movement of his 5th wheel is going to cause wear in the pivot points. It's not the steps that are bouncing, it's the movement of someone going up and down the stairs that is causing the 5th wheel to move on it's suspension. Keep the steps from flexing from weight on them and you should solve most of the issue.

A simple prop under the bottom most step that doesn't pivot should help. A prop under the bottom step will stop it from moving, but you'll still have movement when you step from the bottom step to the next one if your bottom step pivots because your steps are hinged at various places, and not solid.

The OP said that the stairs were bouncing,not the trailer.

Seems pretty obvious that if it was just the stairs bouncing you wouldn't even feel it, so the trailer is bouncing because of the weight on the stairs. Ergo, it's the trailer bouncing. If the trailer were solid the stairs wouldn't be an issue. Stopping the stairs moving stops the trailer rocking.

I disagree. When I put any weight on the bottom step the stair flexes.

[LOFAT36]

fj12ryder wrote:

restlesswind wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:

restlesswind wrote:
A quick "google" search "RV step support" will bring up several different types available. Two are needed, one will be "OK" but two will be much better!

Over time the bounce will cause wear in the pivot points and you will find that the steps will need replacing or repairing.

I don't see how the movement of his 5th wheel is going to cause wear in the pivot points. It's not the steps that are bouncing, it's the movement of someone going up and down the stairs that is causing the 5th wheel to move on it's suspension. Keep the steps from flexing from weight on them and you should solve most of the issue.

A simple prop under the bottom most step that doesn't pivot should help. A prop under the bottom step will stop it from moving, but you'll still have movement when you step from the bottom step to the next one if your bottom step pivots because your steps are hinged at various places, and not solid.

The OP said that the stairs were bouncing,not the trailer.

Seems pretty obvious that if it was just the stairs bouncing you wouldn't even feel it, so the trailer is bouncing because of the weight on the stairs. Ergo, it's the trailer bouncing. If the trailer were solid the stairs wouldn't be an issue. Stopping the stairs moving stops the trailer rocking.

[fj12ryder]

restlesswind wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:

restlesswind wrote:
A quick "google" search "RV step support" will bring up several different types available. Two are needed, one will be "OK" but two will be much better!

Over time the bounce will cause wear in the pivot points and you will find that the steps will need replacing or repairing.

I don't see how the movement of his 5th wheel is going to cause wear in the pivot points. It's not the steps that are bouncing, it's the movement of someone going up and down the stairs that is causing the 5th wheel to move on it's suspension. Keep the steps from flexing from weight on them and you should solve most of the issue.

A simple prop under the bottom most step that doesn't pivot should help. A prop under the bottom step will stop it from moving, but you'll still have movement when you step from the bottom step to the next one if your bottom step pivots because your steps are hinged at various places, and not solid.

The OP said that the stairs were bouncing,not the trailer.

Seems pretty obvious that if it was just the stairs bouncing you wouldn't even feel it, so the trailer is bouncing because of the weight on the stairs. Ergo, it's the trailer bouncing. If the trailer were solid the stairs wouldn't be an issue. Stopping the stairs moving stops the trailer rocking.

[JohnG3]

I've used an adjustable load lock under the top step. Solved the problem and much lighter than the bottle jack.

[restlesswind]

fj12ryder wrote:

restlesswind wrote:
A quick "google" search "RV step support" will bring up several different types available. Two are needed, one will be "OK" but two will be much better!

Over time the bounce will cause wear in the pivot points and you will find that the steps will need replacing or repairing.

I don't see how the movement of his 5th wheel is going to cause wear in the pivot points. It's not the steps that are bouncing, it's the movement of someone going up and down the stairs that is causing the 5th wheel to move on it's suspension. Keep the steps from flexing from weight on them and you should solve most of the issue.

A simple prop under the bottom most step that doesn't pivot should help. A prop under the bottom step will stop it from moving, but you'll still have movement when you step from the bottom step to the next one if your bottom step pivots because your steps are hinged at various places, and not solid.

The OP said that the stairs were bouncing,not the trailer.

[holstein13]

LOFAT36 wrote:
Got the pair of Camco supports today. They work slick & with coarse thread they spin up fast. My lady & I are quite pleased.

Thanks for posting this update. Glad it worked out for you. I think you'll love them.

[LOFAT36]

Got the pair of Camco supports today. They work slick & with coarse thread they spin up fast. My lady & I are quite pleased.

[fj12ryder]

restlesswind wrote:
A quick "google" search "RV step support" will bring up several different types available. Two are needed, one will be "OK" but two will be much better!

Over time the bounce will cause wear in the pivot points and you will find that the steps will need replacing or repairing.

I don't see how the movement of his 5th wheel is going to cause wear in the pivot points. It's not the steps that are bouncing, it's the movement of someone going up and down the stairs that is causing the 5th wheel to move on it's suspension. Keep the steps from flexing from weight on them and you should solve most of the issue.

A simple prop under the bottom most step that doesn't pivot should help. A prop under the bottom step will stop it from moving, but you'll still have movement when you step from the bottom step to the next one if your bottom step pivots because your steps are hinged at various places, and not solid.

[LOFAT36]

Just ordered two Camco supports through Amazon

[restlesswind]

A quick "google" search "RV step support" will bring up several different types available. Two are needed, one will be "OK" but two will be much better!

Over time the bounce will cause wear in the pivot points and you will find that the steps will need replacing or repairing.