Trailer stair bounce
What do you use outside to stop the trailer stair bounce ? Small bottle jacks ?
Forum Discussion
28 Replies
larry barnhart wrote:
I make 2 of these and give them away each winter.
chevman
Very cool!
I make 2 of these and give them away each winter.
chevman- "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. LOFAT36 wrote:
LOFAT36 wrote:
I disagree. When I put any weight on the bottom step the stair flexes.fj12ryder wrote:
restlesswind wrote:
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 wrote:
restlesswind wrote:
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 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.
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.
Agree with you. Our 5th wheel is pretty stable when inside. Using the steps without the load lock causes the trailer to move.LOFAT36 wrote:
I disagree. When I put any weight on the bottom step the stair flexes.fj12ryder wrote:
restlesswind wrote:
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 wrote:
restlesswind wrote:
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 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.
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.fj12ryder wrote:
restlesswind wrote:
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 wrote:
restlesswind wrote:
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 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.
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.restlesswind wrote:
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 wrote:
restlesswind wrote:
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 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.
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.- I've used an adjustable load lock under the top step. Solved the problem and much lighter than the bottle jack.
fj12ryder wrote:
restlesswind wrote:
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 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.
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.LOFAT36 wrote:
Thanks for posting this update. Glad it worked out for you. I think you'll love them.
Got the pair of Camco supports today. They work slick & with coarse thread they spin up fast. My lady & I are quite pleased.
