Bottle Jacks to stabilize

[Paul_G_]

I'm not sure if this is the right category but.... Our 5th wheel is on a site for the next 4 months and I would like to get rid of some of the bounce when inside.

Has anyone used a (4) small bottle jacks to put under the axle spring hangers to help stabilize their camper?

Will the jacks maintain a constant pressure?

Is there a chance of damaging the axle by having this constant pressure?

I'm not talking about lifting the camper off the ground, only enough to stop the bounce from the tires.

Thanks for any advice.

Paul...

[Horizon170]

Dr Quick wrote:
My recommendation would be that if you put jacks under axle, springs are still active and it will not eliminate bounce. I would try locating jacks on frame close to rear axle to stop bounce. Then deflate tires to eliminate any bounce from them.

X2

[Dr_Quick]

My recommendation would be that if you put jacks under axle, springs are still active and it will not eliminate bounce. I would try locating jacks on frame close to rear axle to stop bounce. Then deflate tires to eliminate any bounce from them.

[All_I_could_aff]

I do the same thing with scissor jacks, but I get the ones out of '80's and '90's GM cars that use a 19mm or 3/4 inch socket to operate. Perfect for my cordless drill. I get them out if junk cars at my job or the u pick it junkyard

[mbopp]

I use a couple of automotive scissors jacks to add stability. $5 flea market items.

[dewey02]

DutchmenSport wrote:
Get 4 of these. They won't unscrew, bleed off, hold a considerable amount of weight, are very light weight themselves, and relatively cheap. My dad used these in 1963 on his travel trailer. They are time proven and probably still the best you can get, if you don't mind setting them up manually, which is why they are not popular. I purchased 4 myself at a yard sale. I think I paid $2.00 for all 4 of them. They come in very handy, and do a pretty good job. I use them with my stabilizer jacks on my camper, which gives me 4 scissor jacks, 4 of the aluminum stabilizer jacks, and the tongue jack.

X2.
I do the same, but only have two. I put them just forward of the trailer axles. I believe they help considerably with the bounce.

[wa8yxm]

Bottle jacks not the best choice.. They tend to leak and if you will pardon the expression "let you down" over time.

Better choice is a bottle jack (or two) and a set of jack stands.

jack up too high, lower onto jack stand.. Or bottle jack (Cause it's easier to lift with one) and a screw jack (Solid for just the job you want by RV stores)

Many RV stores sell a stackable stabilizer.. Consists of a frame like a jack stand farme with a bolt and nut and pad and some stuff. Will try to find link on CW.
Note that the jack I link to may be too tall for your use, They come in diffent sizes but I'm mostly in giving you a look at 'em.

Stacker Jacks

[Potentnuts]

Go to the junk yard, and grab 4 car jacks that are the same. Scissor, or manual bottle jack. Most yards have a bin up front for them and can be had for a few bucks each. Works great

[Dick_B]

RR ties are much more stable and can be piled up to almost any height.

[azdryheat]

I've got 6-point leveling and two scissor jacks on the back and we still feel movement. I don't think anything can fix it.

[DutchmenSport]

Get 4 of these. They won't unscrew, bleed off, hold a considerable amount of weight, are very light weight themselves, and relatively cheap. My dad used these in 1963 on his travel trailer. They are time proven and probably still the best you can get, if you don't mind setting them up manually, which is why they are not popular. I purchased 4 myself at a yard sale. I think I paid $2.00 for all 4 of them. They come in very handy, and do a pretty good job. I use them with my stabilizer jacks on my camper, which gives me 4 scissor jacks, 4 of the aluminum stabilizer jacks, and the tongue jack.

[TakingThe5th]

Bottle jacks will bleed off. Scissor jacks might work depending on the weight involved. Jack stands?

[BFL13]

IMO, it would be about the same money to use those big jacks at each corner instead of buying a bunch of bottle jacks on the springs. Our 5er has special corner strong points to take such jacks.

They use those big jacks when working on the wheels to grease the bearings, etc.

IMO those king-pin tripods don't do much, and neither do those squeezie things they put between the tires. Maybe they do work for some people. Of course, once paid for, people will want to believe the things are doing something useful!

[gbopp]

Use Screw Jacks or scissor jacks.

They're simple and strong. And, there's nothing to leak.

They cost more than a similar rated bottle jack but, they will last forever with very little maintenance.

[agesilaus]

I suspect the pressure will bleed off after a few days.