New Owner Q: Stabilizer Jacks

[redwake]

Hi - have been camping in a travel trailer for a little over a decade but we just upgraded to a 282 wildwood with the outdoor kitchen and all the automatic/remote control jacks and stuff.

our last camper had scissor jacks on it and we were warned do not use those to level, do not over torque them so on so on.

so i'm paranoid with these automatic jacks.. are these also not designed for leveling? i push the button is see them make contact i go just a little further and i stop...

the motors seem quite happy to keep on lifting but i'm afraid i will damage them... do they automatically stop and i shouldn't be afraid to keep lifting?

[m35a2]

It rather depends on what kind of jacks they are.

If they are stabilizer jacks, then you shouldn't use them for leveling.

My camper has electric stabilizer jacks with a remote. No good for leveling.
If they are leveling jacks or part of an automatic leveling system, then you are good to go.

[redwake]

the buttons on the remote say stabilizer jacks and landing gear... my concern is them not having an automatic shut off... i haven't really pushed them far enough to see if they have it or not. usually by the time i setup camp i've only had 1 maybe 2 beers.. not enough to start breaking things.

[m35a2]

Originally Posted by redwake

the buttons on the remote say stabilizer jacks and landing gear... my concern is them not having an automatic shut off... i haven't really pushed them far enough to see if they have it or not. usually by the time i setup camp i've only had 1 maybe 2 beers.. not enough to start breaking things.

On mine, one switch (or the remote) controls both jacks. One always hits the ground first and stops while the other one continues down.

I just run them down until they are both firmly planted and then I let off the button. I haven't tried it but I'm almost certain that I'd either pop a fuse or break something if I let them continue to extend.

[Iwannacamp]

If you mean these...
https://www.etrailer.com/Camper-Jack...FZu3wAod5bgI6w

The way mine are made...the center section slides back and forth as the retract and extend. This causes one side to touch first until it centers again. Then it applies more pressure to both evenly.

[Mars]

They are not for leveling. Most will stall before they do any damage. (resettable breakers)
Level rig with boards/blocks, run them down till they strain then stop.

[JimMorrell]

My Wildwood advises "Do Not Use Jacks As A Leveling Device". Yes...justa little extra pressure after touching the ground and then STOP!

[dbledan]

On mine if you keep going they blow the breaker. The guys doing the PDI put them up to far and they stopped working. After watching that I don't test it.

I have watched others with same stabilizers level front to back with them and not use the tongue jack but I would not try it. I have used mine to hold while dropping the foot on the tongue jack. I don't see how you could level sideways with them.

[phillip252]

Don't use the for leveling, I have the same stabilizers on my TT .

[Jhkahuna]

Still learning about my trailer... Great posts helping me through this!
Found the remote panel and fuses... Under the fridge on mine; right next to the water pump :-)

In my case, the remote stabilizers work fine, it's the switch mounted to the trailer that does not work. I read on here that they are two independent power systems... Any clue where the primary fuse is located (front stabilizer.)
2015 Wildwood 28'dbhd

[Jhkahuna]

Originally Posted by Jhkahuna

Still learning about my trailer... Great posts helping me through this!
Found the remote panel and fuses... Under the fridge on mine; right next to the water pump :-)

In my case, the remote stabilizers work fine, it's the switch mounted to the trailer that does not work. I read on here that they are two independent power systems... Any clue where the primary fuse is located (front stabilizer.)
2015 Wildwood 28'dbhd

Bump... Anyone?

[Fishtexx]

Originally Posted by redwake

the buttons on the remote say stabilizer jacks and landing gear... my concern is them not having an automatic shut off... i haven't really pushed them far enough to see if they have it or not. usually by the time i setup camp i've only had 1 maybe 2 beers.. not enough to start breaking things.

That's funny right there! ROFL!!!

[Murbella7]

You will get the same advice everywhere... the rear stabilisers are just for keeping the van steady when you are dancing around the living space, stops the seasickness syndrome.

The front landing legs are for supporting the bulk of the weight of the van, along with the wheels/axles, and can be used to ASSIST with levelling. You should use packing (expensive plastic rubbish or cheap but heavy sections of timber - get the drift here) under the wheels first, then use packing (again short timber blocks, bricks, used kids toys, nah, too fragile) under ONE of the legs (or both if needed) to 'tune' the level.

Most of us have mounted a spirit level under the nose (of a 5th wheel) to give a rough guide to level, then check with a 'proper' spirit level inside the van on the floor and/or counter top. Remember to check both nth/sth and e/w directions before you unhook.

[Jhkahuna]

My question was related to the stabilizer fuse location.

[stevensmith2859]

My wife and I have them on our 28dbud. She usually puts the jacks down. She puts them down until they stop. Depending on how the trailer settles or if the ground is soft, I have to adjust them a few times a trip. I personally dislike them as I dont think they really stop any side to side swaying.