slide out stabilizers
Does anyone use a stabilzer under the slide out when extended? Just wondering if this is something else I should buy. My slide is large and has the table and sofa so there is weight on it when in use. Thanks
Forum Discussion
That is not typical TT usage. Most go for a quick weekend, get it fairly level and deploy the factory equipped stabilizers.... With your vast experience in the matter, should such a person use slide stabilizers?
Owe Blue dog,I wouldn't bet the bank on it. What takes me a long time to do is quick for the young ones. When my son goes for a weekend, he does the same thing. Individual screw jacks down on 2x6 to an already level trailer.. It doesn't take that long to do things right.
And your question for a weekender and slide stabilizers, as long as there factory equipped stabilizers are called screw jacks,yes it wouldnt hurt anything and be more stable with less movement but If there the long arms and electric, never.
If I was ever typical, I would have to shoot myself in the foot.:Bjaycocreek wrote:
opnspaces wrote:
I get what you are saying about how a properly supported trailer with the screw jacks down should not move and therefore should not affect slideout supports. But I've also read multiple postings on this forum where long trailers with the jacks properly down have a lot of bounce as people move around inside. This is caused by the frame flexing, the leaf springs flexing, and the tires flexing.
I'm old school so this frame flexing is a new word to me but I get the meaning. I really don't get the bounce as some do but my 4 corner jacks are not connected to the trailer so I put them where there needed.Tire chocks really help in movement....
Not sure how everyone sets up but it appears we all don't do it the same. As I mentioned, once level I put 2x6 blocks under every jack to minimize movement and sinking and check then regularly. I also tighten up the screw jacks only until they make contact with the frame with a 18 volt drill... Then I use the hand crank on the jacks and either count turns or by feel so every jack is tightened the same or as close as possible. This eliminates most of the so called frame flex because the frame is being tightened or raised the same on all or one side if need be.
And yes, I sometimes use my heavy duty screw jacks to slightly raise one side or the other for a perfect (not close) level. I'm a,the refrigerator must be level freak.. Replaced the cooling units to many times on used trailers.
And if it isn't stable enough, I still have the factory electric worthless stabilizers to put down.:B
I put alot of work into setting up, it has to be just right for me with know short cuts but we stay for a long time so it has to be right the first time for the refrigerator/slide and frame.
Now we are finally making some progress. It is true that if the TT absolutely cannot move, nor can the slide supports... Then there will be no harm in using them... And you now admit that you spend a considerable amount of time getting it just right, as you stay a long time.... That is not typical TT usage. Most go for a quick weekend, get it fairly level and deploy the factory equipped stabilizers.... With your vast experience in the matter, should such a person use slide stabilizers?opnspaces wrote:
jaycocreek wrote:
Maybe instead of posting an argumentative post you can consider the reasons posted then show, through your actual experience, where these fears might be unfounded. That would be positive.
Gotcha..... The reason and the only reason a slide cannot move is if the trailer frame is supported fully. Those that have, if they have, had problems and damaged there slide using stabilizers did not have the trailer frame supported properly or they were using electric stabilizers instead of screw jacks rated for the job.
I used to set up mobile homes, same principal. I-Beam frame and blocks and some with expandos. In this case the 4 screw jacks I have are rated over 24,000 lbs all together and more than capable of holding the trailer frame up without tires or axles without movement there for the slide cannot move up or down as long as the frame is supported.
Jaycocreek, just a thought and to set the record I have never owned anything with a slideout, don't have a dog in this fight, and have no opinion of whether to use slideouts or not.
I get what you are saying about how a properly supported trailer with the screw jacks down should not move and therefore should not affect slideout supports. But I've also read multiple postings on this forum where long trailers with the jacks properly down have a lot of bounce as people move around inside. This is caused by the frame flexing, the leaf springs flexing, and the tires flexing.
I imagine that without supports the slideout will move as one with the frame flex.I'm assuming no bounce as the flex is a slow up and down motion and not a sharp bounce as if a platoon of Marines were doing jumping jacks in the trailer.
With a slideout support the frame will flex, but the slide will stay put. It seems like this will cause a lot of stress on the rollers and mechanism that is extended like a lever out of the side of the trailer.
I wonder if the manufacturers recommendations not to use supports are because they have had issues with the mounting points between the slide and the RV becoming elongated and weakened.
We have a Winner!!!!!:Bopnspaces wrote:
I get what you are saying about how a properly supported trailer with the screw jacks down should not move and therefore should not affect slideout supports. But I've also read multiple postings on this forum where long trailers with the jacks properly down have a lot of bounce as people move around inside. This is caused by the frame flexing, the leaf springs flexing, and the tires flexing.
I'm old school so this frame flexing is a new word to me but I get the meaning. I really don't get the bounce as some do but my 4 corner jacks are not connected to the trailer so I put them where there needed.Tire chocks really help in movement....
Not sure how everyone sets up but it appears we all don't do it the same. As I mentioned, once level I put 2x6 blocks under every jack to minimize movement and sinking and check then regularly. I also tighten up the screw jacks only until they make contact with the frame with a 18 volt drill... Then I use the hand crank on the jacks and either count turns or by feel so every jack is tightened the same or as close as possible. This eliminates most of the so called frame flex because the frame is being tightened or raised the same on all or one side if need be.
And yes, I sometimes use my heavy duty screw jacks to slightly raise one side or the other for a perfect (not close) level. I'm a,the refrigerator must be level freak.. Replaced the cooling units to many times on used trailers.
And if it isn't stable enough, I still have the factory electric worthless stabilizers to put down.:B
I put alot of work into setting up, it has to be just right for me with know short cuts but we stay for a long time so it has to be right the first time for the refrigerator/slide and frame.- I bet the original poster never dreamed his question would raise so much discussion! This is all good. I love it!
jaycocreek wrote:
Maybe instead of posting an argumentative post you can consider the reasons posted then show, through your actual experience, where these fears might be unfounded. That would be positive.
Gotcha..... The reason and the only reason a slide cannot move is if the trailer frame is supported fully. Those that have, if they have, had problems and damaged there slide using stabilizers did not have the trailer frame supported properly or they were using electric stabilizers instead of screw jacks rated for the job.
I used to set up mobile homes, same principal. I-Beam frame and blocks and some with expandos. In this case the 4 screw jacks I have are rated over 24,000 lbs all together and more than capable of holding the trailer frame up without tires or axles without movement there for the slide cannot move up or down as long as the frame is supported.
Jaycocreek, just a thought and to set the record I have never owned anything with a slideout, don't have a dog in this fight, and have no opinion of whether to use slideouts or not.
I get what you are saying about how a properly supported trailer with the screw jacks down should not move and therefore should not affect slideout supports. But I've also read multiple postings on this forum where long trailers with the jacks properly down have a lot of bounce as people move around inside. This is caused by the frame flexing, the leaf springs flexing, and the tires flexing.
I imagine that without supports the slideout will move as one with the frame flex.I'm assuming no bounce as the flex is a slow up and down motion and not a sharp bounce as if a platoon of Marines were doing jumping jacks in the trailer.
With a slideout support the frame will flex, but the slide will stay put. It seems like this will cause a lot of stress on the rollers and mechanism that is extended like a lever out of the side of the trailer.
I wonder if the manufacturers recommendations not to use supports are because they have had issues with the mounting points between the slide and the RV becoming elongated and weakened.I have never shot myself in the foot. Therefore I have no experience in the matter. But I still would advise against it..... Is that nonsense as we
We agree, I strongly advice people not to shoot themselves in the foot and I do not have experience in doing that but... It happens all the time from people that think:
It can't happen to me!
:B- Now that last post above is positive and makes your point well. Thank you. :)
BTW - have no clue what you are talking about with elextric stabilizers. These are under the trailer frame not under the slideouts.
They are and they are worthless in my opinion. I would never use slide supported with only the electric stabilizers that are prone to movement and bending. Yes, it happened to me.
I think for those that have not used stabilizers on the slide, there is a misconception thinking there like any other stabilizer, there not. You don't snug them up like you do on the trailer putting some force on them....
You just take them up to where they touch the rail without force or pressure. All jacks should be supported by something, just not the ground. I use 2x6's under all my jacks and check them regularly for sinking of on dirty or if it rained or snowed... I don't wait, slide support or not for the trailer to feel unlevel before I check my jacks for sinking and the problems it brings.
I just feel it is rediculous to assume stuff without actual experience even though they sometimes differ or are interpreted differently.
The basic fact is, when the trailer frame is supported properly, the slide cannot move as it is attached to the frame.....
So be it, that is my actual experience doing it in different environments.I don't always use my supports. Usually on long stays and when my grown boys.. Just me and the wife, I don't but I do run the slide atleast once a month.jaycocreek wrote:
I have never shot myself in the foot. Therefore I have no experience in the matter. But I still would advise against it..... Is that nonsense as well.:BAgreed. Maybe he is not considering that and maybe he has been lucky so far. That does not mean that the other opinions are nonsense in this case.
How can you give advice without experience?Nonsense is giving advice on something you have never done or tried.
Lucky-No... The slide cannot and I repeat, "cannot" move if the trailer frame is supported.Period.com.. It is virtually impossible for that to happen with four quality jacks not these electric stabilizers!
