RV Stabilizer Positioning

[far733]

I own a 30 foot travel trailer with quad bunks in the back and the master bedroom in the front. I snug up each of the scissor jacks and I use two Bal X-Chocks between each set of tires. However, there is still quite a bit of movement within the trailer.

I am interested in getting a set of RV stabilizers (either Bal Lock-Arm or Steadyfast). I was considering installing one stabilizer on each scissor jack going from side to side. This should stop most side to side motion. I figure that the X-Chocks are stopping most of the the fore/aft movement so there shouldn't be a need to mount any of the stabilzers front to back.

What are your thoughts/opinions on this?

[Huntindog]

Your TT is long enough that it would probably benefit from another set of jacks close to the axles. This would stop frame flex which you are probably having. The X chocks only stop tire movement. Since the tires are not mounted solidly to the frame, but are on a flexible spring suspension... There will be some movement in this area.

[far733]

myredracer wrote:
If you have electric stabilizer jacks, if you have some at home, you could try a couple of screw or bottle jacks at the rear and see what that does. The elec. stab. jacks really move around a lot. If the jacks don't do enough, then you need the diagonal braces. I think for elec. stab. jacks you need two at the front and two at front to get it solidly triangulated. We spent a lot of $$ to get elec. stab. jacks only to find out how much they move. The thought of having to spend another $250-300 for stabilizers for the "stabilizer" jacks is frustrating.

If you have manual scissor jacks, just one brace at front and rear should be all you need.

A jack under the frame on each side at the axles can help a lot.

Instead of buying a set of six stabilizers, I would try just a pair of them, at least at first. As suggested above, one at front and one at rear. BAL sells them by the pair or pack of six. There's 4 or 5 manufacturers of these but am not sure if they sell them by the pair only. If you have X-chocks, I don't think fore/aft braces will make for much of a noticeable improvement.

If you find just screw or bottle jacks are doing enough, they sell aluminum stacking jacks for TTs.

I do have the manual scissor jacks and I agree with your above bolded statement.

I am leaning toward the Bal Lock-Arm b/c they are sold in pairs and they are considerably cheaper than the other systems.

I'm still torn on the best way to install them. I'm pretty sure that I will purchase two sets (4 stabilizers). I have considered installing all 4 going side to side. However, I'm wondering how it would work if I installed them on opposite corners with one pair installed on one rear corner for both side to side and front to rear and then another set on the front opposite corner, same relation. It seems that this way would support the triangulation theories.

[myredracer]

If you have electric stabilizer jacks, if you have some at home, you could try a couple of screw or bottle jacks at the rear and see what that does. The elec. stab. jacks really move around a lot. If the jacks don't do enough, then you need the diagonal braces. I think for elec. stab. jacks you need two at the front and two at front to get it solidly triangulated. We spent a lot of $$ to get elec. stab. jacks only to find out how much they move. The thought of having to spend another $250-300 for stabilizers for the "stabilizer" jacks is frustrating.

If you have manual scissor jacks, just one brace at front and rear should be all you need.

A jack under the frame on each side at the axles can help a lot.

Instead of buying a set of six stabilizers, I would try just a pair of them, at least at first. As suggested above, one at front and one at rear. BAL sells them by the pair or pack of six. There's 4 or 5 manufacturers of these but am not sure if they sell them by the pair only. If you have X-chocks, I don't think fore/aft braces will make for much of a noticeable improvement.

If you find just screw or bottle jacks are doing enough, they sell aluminum stacking jacks for TTs.

[Helmsey]

On our last 5er I had the BAL lock arm's on it had them mounted for side to side movement. The X chocks between the tires did a good job of minimizing the front to back movement so I didn't feel it necessary to add them that direction as well.

[djcjc]

set and level the trailer get everything else squared away then go back and tighten every one of the trailer suppports up with more tension. There will always be some movement nature of the beast if this is still to much movement for you than you will need to add additional jack supports to the rig placed under the frame probably 4 more supports will do the job good luck.

[goducks10]

One in the front and one in the rear running diagonally opposite each other should do the trick. I found that on a TT just having them on the front doesn't take all the movement out, since there's still some flex in the tongue jack post and the tire sidewalls. Just do the front, then walk back to the rear and push sideways. There will still be movement. Add one on the rear and that movement disappears.

[the_bear_II]

I used to use these when we had a TT
http://www.bandrstamping.com/LEVELING_JACKS.html

Made it rock solid..

I would level the trailer side to side using blocks under the tires. Then place two of these jackstands at the rear on the frame. Raise the front using the tongue jack to just a little past level and place two in the middle of the TT. Then place the two at the front and lower the tongue jack to put weight on the front jackstands.

[jmiller]

Yardvarkers wrote:
Something to consider,

http://www.steadyfast.com/whyitshakes.html

I have steadfast and love it!!! Takes all of the shaking out of the trailer.

[far733]

Thanks for the response! I have not decided which set I am going to go with.

I'm trying to figure out the best way to install them minimize the movement (i.e. one pair in the front for side to side and then another pair on the back for side to side; one pair for side to side and the other pair for front to rear; one pair for side to side and the other pair for front to rear with both placed in either the front or back; or one pair installed on one corner for both side to side and front to rear and then another set on the opposite corner, same relation). Even with my scissor jacks fully extended and with two X-chocks, my TT has a considerable amount of movement.

[Yardvarkers]

Something to consider,

http://www.steadyfast.com/whyitshakes.html

[fla-gypsy]

It will significantly improve the movement which is quite common in longer trailers. There are other brands also you did not mention that are essentially the same. Shop around for the best price and ease of installation.