Side to side movement- stabilizers

[ependydad]

As of now, I have Rotochocks between the wheels and have tried originally the UltraFab Eliminators (originally) and now the SteadyFast system. I've always had a fair amount of movement. It's definitely better than without- but, I can tell when either kid rolls around in the bunkhouse (3 and 11). I can only imagine "what" they feel with us in the bedroom (aghast! gasp!).

I have read here over and over that adding stabilizers just ahead of the axles should take out the remaining movement (except when someone is coming up the outside steps and step stabilizers takes care of that). Recently on my blog, the creator of the SteadyFast system indicated that a good bit of movement is coming from the rear electric stabilizers and that I would get good results if I added screw stabilizers back there.

So one of my recent Amazon orders was a pair of screw jacks. I first tried them at the rear of the camper and other than taking weight off of the rear stab jacks, I couldn't tell a difference.

I moved the jacks to just ahead of the axles and twisted them up as far as I could go. AND... no difference!

So seriously... for you all with 40'+ fifth wheels who claim you've got "rock steady" setups. Please tell me wtf I'm doing wrong!

[ependydad]

I know I'm wordy. So, longest story short:

A) am I setting my stabilizers wrong?

B) is "rock steady" not really a thing?

I get that it's a house on a suspension and all; but your claims make me question it.

[bob caldwell]

B and B has rear stabilizers on his Rockwood....might ask him. Strongarm style

[dieselguy]

I've always had 33' - 37' fivers and have always had JT Stabilizers on them resulting in little "wiggle" or side to side movement. I don't see how adding jacks under the frame will get rid of side to side movement. Fiver's will always have "bounce" since they most always rest on their suspension ... any version of triangulated brace arms like JT's will eliminate 90% of wiggle if setup per manufacturers guidelines. Adding 4X4 or 6X6 blocks under your jack feet to reduce the amount of extension will help

[Harkerr]

Every bit of stabilization helps but always some left. I believe most of remaining is side to side bigger blocks and shorter jacks helps

[Major]

Part of the wiggle, especially from side-to-side is from the weight of the RV sitting on the tires. Tires wiggle. The stabilizers are just that; stabilizers.

Most don't really take the weight off the tires unless your RV has a hydraulic leveling system. That's a different story as you typically won't get wiggle because these take the weight off the tires.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by dieselguy

I've always had 33' - 37' fivers and have always had JT Stabilizers on them resulting in little "wiggle" or side to side movement. I don't see how adding jacks under the frame will get rid of side to side movement. Fiver's will always have "bounce" since they most always rest on their suspension ... any version of triangulated brace arms like JT's will eliminate 90% of wiggle if setup per manufacturers guidelines. Adding 4X4 or 6X6 blocks under your jack feet to reduce the amount of extension will help

I guess I'm wondering if I'm setting mine up appropriately. The UltraFab Eliminators are essentially JT Knockoffs. The SteadyFast system is the same triangulating concept just implemented slightly differently.

I think it is definitely side to side movement that I'm seeing from sitting under the camper while people moved around.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Major

Part of the wiggle, especially from side-to-side is from the weight of the RV sitting on the tires. Tires wiggle. The stabilizers are just that; stabilizers.

Most don't really take the weight off the tires unless your RV has a hydraulic leveling system. That's a different story as you typically won't get wiggle because these take the weight off the tires.

I tried cracking these up as much as I could, but with the small handle- I hit my limit pretty quick. I'm a weakling.

[OldCoot]

I do not put blocks under any jacks and extend them as far as necessary to slightly lift the 5er. My 2 sets of stab jacks have the legs reinforced so I am not worried about bending them. If you look at the design/construction of the stab jacks, they will move side to side if you don't get the legs as near vertical as possible. The axle stab jacks take the bounce out of the suspension.

Try the following, just extend the stab jacks down about 6" without them touching anything and then grab ahold of either leg and jerk it in or out and it will slide back and forth, the jack assy slides in another channel on the frame, that's why they do not take the side to side movement out if they set on tall blocks.

[ependydad]

Makes sense, OC- any idea for what I might be doing wrong? Should I opt for scissor jacks instead of these screw jacks?

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by ependydad

Makes sense, OC- any idea for what I might be doing wrong? Should I opt for scissor jacks instead of these screw jacks?

Don't have any idea (pictures)how you are set up. I just know I don't have any movement, front to back, up or down or side to side.

[bob caldwell]

Screw type jack-stands are what's being tried

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Don't have any idea (pictures)how you are set up. I just know I don't have any movement, front to back, up or down or side to side.

Ok, so here is the current setup:

- in the front, I have the SteadyFast Stabilizers going 2 ways:


- in the rear, I have electric stabilizers (they lift he camper slightly before I stop) and have SteadyFast running across the width of the camper:



- I've tried 2 positions for the screw jacks- just ahead of the axles and split between the tires and rear stabilizers. No difference in either position.

Here's the passenger/door side:



Here's the driver's side:


Oh, and forgot- I have Rotochoks between the tires.

[OldCoot]

I have X homemade JT's on the front, nothing on the landing jacks going front to back, Use Bal X chocks, front to back homemade JT's on the back and the reinforced stab jacks in the front of the axles. I lift the axle jacks until the motor just about stalls and the rear ones at least 1" -2".

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

I have X homemade JT's on the front, nothing on the landing jacks going front to back, Use Bal X chocks, front to back homemade JT's on the back and the reinforced stab jacks in the front of the axles. I lift the axle jacks until the motor just about stalls and the rear ones at least 1" -2".

So, similar concepts all around EXCEPT that I'm not getting much lift out of my axle jacks.

With the screw jacks in the rear, when I crank them up- I take weight off of the rear stabilizers. Which if I then readjust, it takes weight off of the screw jacks. It was a lose/lose situation.

So, I think I might look for something different for stabilizers at the axles.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by ependydad

So, similar concepts all around EXCEPT that I'm not getting much lift out of my axle jacks.

With the screw jacks in the rear, when I crank them up- I take weight off of the rear stabilizers. Which if I then readjust, it takes weight off of the screw jacks. It was a lose/lose situation.

So, I think I might look for something different for stabilizers at the axles.

Why have both on the rear? Reinforce the stab legs and put some pressure on them. I lift the rear at least 1"-2".

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Why have both on the rear? Reinforce the stab legs and put some pressure on them. I lift the rear at least 1"-2".

The creator of the SteadyFast system does not have good things to say about rear electric stabilizers and recommended these there.

I also tried the screw jacks just ahead of the axles with similar (lack of) results.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by ependydad

The creator of the SteadyFast system does not have good things to say about rear electric stabilizers and recommended these there.

I also tried the screw jacks just ahead of the axles with similar (lack of) results.

So, essentially he admitted his system needs help. All I can tell you is what works for me. I'll just use my crude homemade/modified stuff.

Until you triangulate across the trailer (BOTH WAYS) you are going to have movement.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

So, essentially he admitted his system needs help. All I can tell you is what works for me. I'll just use my crude homemade/modified stuff.

Ehh- I heard the same thing about JT StrongArms. I can't talk about your homemade stuff.

[bob caldwell]

Could you use the screw ones as a pivot and raise front high, slide stands back to in front of axle, let front down to level, then use rear to slightly lift.......