Stabilizer jacks.

[khbama]

Maybe off topic

1) how tight should you get the stabilizing jacks?

2) is it true, the more blocks you use, the more effective the stabilizing jacks are?

Thanks

[Oaklevel]

This was in our Forest River Manuel

[Macrosill]

Originally Posted by khbama

Maybe off topic

1) how tight should you get the stabilizing jacks?

2) is it true, the more blocks you use, the more effective the stabilizing jacks are?

Thanks

I run the stabilizers down until the motor loads up and maybe a second more. On the manual ones I loaded them until I felt a bit more effort was needed to lower them more.

As for the blocks making them more effective, it has to do with leverage. The further down they extend the more wiggle they have. If you add blocks under them and extend the jacks less they will have less wiggle.

[Timeking]

Originally Posted by 5picker

No.

Many of us have discussed this issue and there are lots of prior posts about this.

Yes they work. They are stabilizers... not levelers.

In my case (and many others) you need to have the slide side(s) slightly higher when leveling so that when the weight of the slide cantilevers out over the frame, it drops things back to level. The amount you need to raise varies and you'll quickly learn what is needed.

I get what you are saying, and thanks, but that is really not a workable solution unless you are just going somewhere for a weekend or two, not spending months out on the road. To put this another way: You luck out and get a site that is completely level, then you stick a board under the tires to make it non-level. And if the site is unlevel, you'd have to stick 2 or 3 boards under the tires to make it unlevel on the side where the slideouts are. That's really not a good solution.

[eye95]

Well, using the stabilizers as levelers is certainly a bad solution.

I'd take 5picker's advice. It's reasonable, doesn't add hardly anything to setup, and he sure sounds like he knows whereof he speaks.

[Timeking]

I am going to look into the LT Strongarms as a solution.

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by Timeking

I get what you are saying, and thanks, but that is really not a workable solution unless you are just going somewhere for a weekend or two, not spending months out on the road. To put this another way: You luck out and get a site that is completely level, then you stick a board under the tires to make it non-level. And if the site is unlevel, you'd have to stick 2 or 3 boards under the tires to make it unlevel on the side where the slideouts are. That's really not a good solution.

After you have done it a year ,two, twenty you learn what works and how. A little off is not that big of problem...........

Don't sweat the little things !!

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Timeking

I am going to look into the LT Strongarms as a solution.

Do as you like.
JT's StrongArms, SteadyFast or any other triangulation system will do nothing as far as leveling your rig.

[SuicideSaints]

If you want the best of both worlds, level and stabilize, install a self leveling system. With the touch of a button the jacks come down and self level as well as stabilize. Look into the lippert ground control system or something similar.

[SuicideSaints]

Originally Posted by Timeking

I get what you are saying, and thanks, but that is really not a workable solution unless you are just going somewhere for a weekend or two, not spending months out on the road. To put this another way: You luck out and get a site that is completely level, then you stick a board under the tires to make it non-level. And if the site is unlevel, you'd have to stick 2 or 3 boards under the tires to make it unlevel on the side where the slideouts are. That's really not a good solution.

I'm confused by what you're saying? Not a good solution? How do you level now?

This is the way it's done for years , if your sites not level you add blocks or boards under the tires. Just on your slide side add one extra....

[mkosu04]

I added manual scissors jacks just in front of my tires. This helps take out the frame flex/bounce and makes leveling a lot easier.

I get it close with blocks (if needed), and then tweak the last <1" with the scissors jacks. Then I lower my stabilizers and put out my slideouts.

You can get a set of scissors jacks much cheaper than the strongarms setups, and they are actually made for leveling.

[Cowracer]

Originally Posted by khbama

Maybe off topic

1) how tight should you get the stabilizing jacks?

2) is it true, the more blocks you use, the more effective the stabilizing jacks are?

Thanks

1) I cheat mine a little. I start with the camper a wee bit nose-down. Then I run the rears down till they stall. I then use the tongue jack to level up. This puts a bit extra load on the jacks but not the motors. Then I run the fronts down till they are solidly planted, but not so much that they unload the tongue jack. This has worked well with both my old Roo (manual scissor jacks) and my new Rockwood (electric jacks).

Of course, with a 30+ foot long camper, its never going to be a stable as a house, but mine way makes the best use of the available options. I keep toying around with the idea of a 3rd set of electric jacks about midway of the frame. they would be just in front of the axles and could only help make it more solid.

tim

[DarChar]

We actually have the same camper! We purchased a set of Anderson levelers that have proven invaluable! After leveling we set the stabilizers pretty snug to the ground and have had pretty good success. We've camped a dozen times in our unit and LOVE IT!

[sunseeker56]

Originally Posted by DarChar

We actually have the same camper! We purchased a set of Anderson levelers that have proven invaluable! After leveling we set the stabilizers pretty snug to the ground and have had pretty good success. We've camped a dozen times in our unit and LOVE IT!

Thanks! Where do you put them on the frame of the RV?

[5picker]

Originally Posted by DarChar

We actually have the same camper! We purchased a set of Anderson levelers that have proven invaluable! After leveling we set the stabilizers pretty snug to the ground and have had pretty good success. We've camped a dozen times in our unit and LOVE IT!

Originally Posted by sunseeker56

Thanks! Where do you put them on the frame of the RV?

Do a Google search on Anderson Levelers.
They do not attach to the frame. You drive up on them.

[khbama]

Anderson levelers are worth every penny IMO

[DarChar]

At $75 for the set, I must agree! We've used ours like a pro from day one! Super duty too!!

[sunseeker56]

Originally Posted by DarChar

At $75 for the set, I must agree! We've used ours like a pro from day one! Super duty too!!

Thanks!

[172av8r]

Originally Posted by khbama

Anderson levelers are worth every penny IMO

+1 for the Anderson Levelers. It's a must-have piece of camping gear!

[llr]

or maybe Camco if your wheels are close together, same idea but shorter and don't need to cut them like the Anderson. I have only used mine once so far but seem to work well