Stabilizer Jacks
OK, we are getting very close to purchasing our first travel trailer in over 20 years. Had a few small to mid-size trailers and 1 pop up, in the past but nothing for quite some time now. Kind of have ...
Forum Discussion
I have both. You still need to use wood or something under the tires to level the trailer side to side. The electric or manual stabilizer jacks won't do it.
Folks talk about frame flex, but that's not really a big reason why trailers still shake after the stabilizers are down.
The main reason is that almost all the trailer weight still sits on the springs. Those things designed to allow the trailer frame to move and avoid road shocks.
If you look at leveling jack systems on Class A, Class C, fifth wheels - you will see that the main jacks are close to the axles. The way those systems level and stabilize those rigs is to get weight off the springs/ suspension.
Adding one manual scissor jack to my TT on each side just behind the rear axle has done more than anything to minimize trailer shaking while we are moving around inside. My 5 ton scissor jacks lift the frame about three inches.
I also have BAL extenders on the rear stabilizers which prevent the side to side and front to back movement inherent in those type stabilizers.
Electric stabilizers look like they put the pressure near the ends of the trailer. But if you take a good look at where the weight is actually held - it is very close to the trailer centerline. Which of course enhances side to side movement of the trailer on the springs. Electric stabilizers will seem to increase movement if a person is uses to four manual scissor jacks on the corners.
However, electric stabilizers will speed your setup/ teardown time a little bit.
(PS - one thing I did after I got this TT was to use the manual backup cranks raise/ lower the rig. On the stabilizers, on the tongue jack and the slides. Just to be sure I knew how to do it, how it felt, and how much effort it took. Did that on the dealer lot after the PDI with the techs watching.)
I'm never buying another rig without an electric or hydraulic leveling system.
Folks talk about frame flex, but that's not really a big reason why trailers still shake after the stabilizers are down.
The main reason is that almost all the trailer weight still sits on the springs. Those things designed to allow the trailer frame to move and avoid road shocks.
If you look at leveling jack systems on Class A, Class C, fifth wheels - you will see that the main jacks are close to the axles. The way those systems level and stabilize those rigs is to get weight off the springs/ suspension.
Adding one manual scissor jack to my TT on each side just behind the rear axle has done more than anything to minimize trailer shaking while we are moving around inside. My 5 ton scissor jacks lift the frame about three inches.
I also have BAL extenders on the rear stabilizers which prevent the side to side and front to back movement inherent in those type stabilizers.
Electric stabilizers look like they put the pressure near the ends of the trailer. But if you take a good look at where the weight is actually held - it is very close to the trailer centerline. Which of course enhances side to side movement of the trailer on the springs. Electric stabilizers will seem to increase movement if a person is uses to four manual scissor jacks on the corners.
However, electric stabilizers will speed your setup/ teardown time a little bit.
(PS - one thing I did after I got this TT was to use the manual backup cranks raise/ lower the rig. On the stabilizers, on the tongue jack and the slides. Just to be sure I knew how to do it, how it felt, and how much effort it took. Did that on the dealer lot after the PDI with the techs watching.)
I'm never buying another rig without an electric or hydraulic leveling system.
