Limit Trailer Sway (when parked)

[El Camino Man]

Hey guys. Not sure if this is the correct place to put this but here it goes:

I took my FR on its maiden voyage last month. One thing became very obvious instantly: this thing rocks like crazy! You can tell if anyone is walking up the stairs or moving around at all. Iv looked around on Amazon just to see what they have and Iv found a couple ideas but was wondering what the "best" approach was.

The first is the most common: the pin box stabilizer. I prolly said it wrong but its the 3 leg device that locks to the pin. Im sure this helps some but Iv also heard it doesn't do a whole lot.

The other is some sort of device that locks both front legs together one way or another. This is a more expensive approach of course.

Iv also had 2 ideas of my own. The feet of the front jacks are removeable. I was wondering if I could put some wider feet on the front jacks and if thatd help any. I could see a problem though if I am on uneven ground and bending the feet.

The other was run a piece of all-thread through a hole on both front jacks locking them together. This would help with side-to-side sway but I don't believe itd help front-to-back sway.

What do you guys think?

[wrvond]

BAL LockArm stabilizers.

Video 7 BAL LockArm Stabilizers - YouTube

[ependydad]

Generally I haven't heard much good about pin box stabilizers. Occasionally you read that someone had good luck with them, but most folks say they don't see much difference (in my readings, at least).

The first thing you should look at is locking the stabilizers and front landing gear down with triangulation. Either using a ready-made product like SteadyFast, JT's StrongArms, UltraFab Eliminators or BAL Something or your own DIY solution.

Next, you want a good between-the-wheel chock. I personally like the RotoChocks, but there are also X-Chocks that folks use.

Next, you want to stabilize the steps. OldCoot made up some homemade DIY ones, or there are also ready-made commercial products for this.

And finally, you want to add stabilizer jacks just in front of the axles. This is my next planned addition- adding a pair of scissor jacks there. OldCoot (the mastermind that he is), took an old busted up set of the electric stabilizers from another FRF member, rebuilt the legs on them and mounted them in the same location - stability and convenience, the big jerk.

[El Camino Man]

Tons of info there! That's pretty well everything Iv seen on the internet. I guess instead of picking one product and hoping it works, I need them all to effectively eliminate the sway lol.

Good thing Christmas is coming up!

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by El Camino Man

Tons of info there! That's pretty well everything Iv seen on the internet. I guess instead of picking one product and hoping it works, I need them all to effectively eliminate the sway lol.

Good thing Christmas is coming up!

Do them progressively. You could be happy after just adding the stabilizers. Or, you could camp with my mother-in-law who still wears sea-sick bands to go to sleep in our camper!

[OldCoot]

Here is what I've done to get about as close to 0 movement as possible. I also added a step support and a pair of Bal XChocks.

Forest River Forums - OldCoot's Album: Homemade Stabilizers

[Flying dutchman]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Here is what I've done to get about as close to 0 movement as possible. I also added a step support and a pair of Bal XChocks. Forest River Forums - OldCoot's Album: Homemade Stabilizers

El camino man: if you want your problem solved follow what OldCoot has done.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by ependydad

...the big jerk.

Admit to being a jerk, but I'm not big and definitely not a mastermind.

[DutchF]

Thanks for the idea, OC. I think I'll take a stab (sort of a pun) at building stabilizers, similar to what you have.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by DutchF

Thanks for the idea, OC. I think I'll take a stab (sort of a pun) at building stabilizers, similar to what you have.

Also look in my profile albums to see what I've made for stabilizers.


Turbs

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by DutchF

Thanks for the idea, OC. I think I'll take a stab (sort of a pun) at building stabilizers, similar to what you have.

If you run into a problem, just pm me and I'll try to help in anyway I can.

[TURBS]

Old coots step support.