Electric stabilizer jacks

thanks for the advise.

DE88ROX wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
They are 'stabilizer' jacks NOT lifting jacks so little weight is removed from suspension when they are used.
They help make trailer solid (take wiggle out)but are not 'load carrying' devices

Our 5th wheel is here at house......fully set up/functional 'man cave'

Rear stabilizers set just as if I was out camping, fridge on , water in fresh water tank and plugged in to 30A

I know they're not supposed to be load carrying devices, but all stabs are is your basic automotive jack, just altered to fit the frame of the trailer.

Each one of my jacks (i have 4) is rated at 3,000lbs each.

I recently removed my tongue jack to swap it out, and all that was holding up the front of the trailer were the two front stabs.

The jacks may be rated to carry the weight, but the trailers frame is not. When I start putting weight on mine I can hear the entire trailer groan and strain from the stress. The frame is not meant to carry that load in one area, and you can wind up stressing the chassis so that things break inside. I can see letting up on the front jack for a few minutes, just dont go inside the trailer or open any exterior doors when it is.

What I do with mine is lower them when I plan to be in it, and raise them up when not. Only takes a few minutes to do so, and this way they are not in dirt since I park in grass during the summer.

We kept our previous trailer at our house and the stabilizers were down in case I went out to work on something. New trailer is in storage and the stabilizers are left up.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Our 5th wheel is here at house......fully set up/functional 'man cave'

Ditto. :)
The mailman, Fed-Ex and Ups drivers deliver to it .
Neighbors ask me if I live there.
Some ask to rent it.
Most all the wives now hate me and come there to retrieve their husbands. Poor guys, they look so sad going back home.

Thanks again to all, it's good to get everyone's take on it.

Leave mine up. Unless I know I'm going to be on the roof. Then they go down.

I leave mine down all the time. Takes 1-2 mins with my cordless. Not any different than someone that's full timing. Never had any issues with bugs or critters. If they want in they'll get in. Not buying into the flat tire myth. That would be really rare to have a tire go flat just sitting there.

The bugs and critters would appreciate another access point with them down.

Store ours with the jacks up, mostly because I am too lazy to lower them since we will not be inside except to load up or unload so it does not have to be solid. :)

Thank you all for your advice, good to get everyone's take on it.