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Old 07-04-2016, 10:01 PM   #1
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RV stabilizers, so many options...

We are looking to put stabilizers onto the jacks of our TT to get rid of some or most of the shaking when people are moving around, if our 75 lb dog or 6 yr old DD start walking around we can feel it especially while laying in bed. Our TT is a Passport 3220BH it has scissor jacks on the corners. Hopefully with help of the good people here I can get some help on which product to pick being that they are all in roughly the same price range $210-280. The only one of these products that I know anything about is the JT Strongarms, my parents 5er came from the factory with these but it is almost like comparing apples to oranges. Being that ours is a TT with 4 scissor jacks that has lots of movement and my parents is a 5er with auto leveling system which is very stable without even using the stabilizers.

So first off, are stabilizers at the jacks the way to go to stop movement? I already chock the wheels when we setup.

Here are the options I am currently looking at, I am open to all recommendations and brands.

1. https://www.amazon.com/Stabilizer-Sy...abilizer&psc=1

2. (note: these come is pairs, I was looking at getting 3 pairs. 2 pairs for the front jacks and 1 pair the rear)
https://www.amazon.com/BAL-23216-Loc...=rv+stabilizer

3. https://www.amazon.com/Lippert-19102...=rv+stabilizer
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Old 07-04-2016, 10:05 PM   #2
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I'll give a +1 to the JTs. Just be aware that "JT" was bought out by Lippert recently. Overall, good product. Here's a good thread about them:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ms-105861.html
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Old 07-04-2016, 10:17 PM   #3
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I installed JT's on my hybrid, REALLY a big difference! It is like walking in a house! I am really happy with them, I can't imagine not having them now, I thought they would help a little but I am surprised how much of a difference they make. I can weld and fabricate but I am glad I bought them instead of making them, I think the Jt Strongarms are made well, and they are well thought out as to how they hook on, no nonsense, just a product that works.
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Old 07-04-2016, 10:52 PM   #4
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I've had SteadyFast and UltraFab Eliminators (which are JT knockoffs). The SteadyFast performs better.

http://www.learntorv.com/2016/04/pro...abilizers.html
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Old 07-05-2016, 07:50 AM   #5
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As we often do we're venturing south of the border into NY state to camp this coming weekend, and we'll be picking up a couple of these Valterra 020106 RV Stabilizers from the MyUSAddress warehouse where they're waiting for us.

I'll report back afterwards.
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Old 07-05-2016, 08:13 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JD and Beastlet View Post
As we often do we're venturing south of the border into NY state to camp this coming weekend, and we'll be picking up a couple of these Valterra 020106 RV Stabilizers from the MyUSAddress warehouse where they're waiting for us.

I'll report back afterwards.
I hope they work better for you- I found no difference with one of them.
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Old 07-05-2016, 08:36 AM   #7
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We use the BAL Strong Arms with no issue. Easy installation and setup. Only thing I gotta remember to loosen the bolts when packing up camp Also the BAL's do come 2 arms to a box.
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Old 07-05-2016, 08:48 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by ependydad View Post
I hope they work better for you- I found no difference with one of them.
We have BAL X-chocks which help a lot with fore-and-aft movement. We tried an experiment on our past trip - I lay in bed while DW walked normally, then in a side step. The latter was a lot less disruptive. I am planning to place these stabilizers laterally - one at the back of the frame and one under the A-frame at the front.

We shall see!
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Old 07-05-2016, 01:33 PM   #9
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I had a similar problem with my dual axle TT and found that the X-chocks that mount between the two wheels make a huge difference when used with the normal scissor leveling jacks. You put them on after leveling the TT and they must come off before moving it. If your wheels are not widely spaced (over 4 -8 inches between tires) Camco (https://www.amazon.com/Camco-44622-W...rv+stabilizers) make an inexpensive device that has a manual screw knob to tighten the wedges against the tires. I found it best to tighten again after the tires cooled for several hours to get a good tight fit. There are several other types that you adjust for you tires and then you only have a lever to install and release the stabilizers. Another slightly more expensive stabilizer was made to chock both tires from the inside and you stepped on a bar between the chocks to set them and pulled a cable to release the bar. These would work well but I have not used that type. All are can be had for much less than the permanently attached stabilizers and are portable between trilers if you change trailers in the future.
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Old 07-05-2016, 03:58 PM   #10
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Before we bought the JT's for our fifth we had scissor jacks installed in front of the tires to help with the spring action. My wife sits over the wheels and doing needle work My walking made her giggle. Easy install and very effect even now with the Jt's. labarn
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Old 07-05-2016, 04:18 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by labarn View Post
Before we bought the JT's for our fifth we had scissor jacks installed in front of the tires to help with the spring action. My wife sits over the wheels and doing needle work My walking made her giggle. Easy install and very effect even now with the Jt's. labarn
I had actually looked at that since I have an each pair of scissor jacks laying around. Unfortunately the LP pipe runs right down the bottom of the frame rail and there are 3 Ts right in front of the forward most axle.
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Old 07-05-2016, 07:11 PM   #12
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Maybe a plumbing job is needed. The action from the springs will not go away with out supporting the center of the trailer. Hope it works for you.


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Old 07-06-2016, 07:38 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JD and Beastlet View Post
As we often do we're venturing south of the border into NY state to camp this coming weekend, and we'll be picking up a couple of these Valterra 020106 RV Stabilizers from the MyUSAddress warehouse where they're waiting for us.

I'll report back afterwards.
we just purchased our second set of these and they work... thus the second set.
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Old 07-06-2016, 09:22 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by labarn View Post
Maybe a plumbing job is needed. The action from the springs will not go away with out supporting the center of the trailer. Hope it works for you.


labarn
I was thinking about this at work today. This weekend I think I will take a look and see how much of a PITA it will be to re-plumb the gas line. The other idea that I thought of was to see if I could just build a bracket to go around the gas pipe.

On our Passport there is almost 29' between the front and rear jacks. Placing a jack just forward of the front axle, which would be as close to center as I could get.
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nights camped:
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with 2012 Grey Wolf 26BH: 2012-19, 2013-24, 2014-11, 2015-6
with 2013 Passport: 2015-13, 2016-15 booked
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Old 07-06-2016, 10:01 PM   #15
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between the scissor jacks 4 corners , 4 6ton screw jacks placed in front of and behind the axles and the 2 BAL-X chock I'm very happy with the results total cost $70.00
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Old 07-06-2016, 10:18 PM   #16
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Were using the SteadyFast DW loves them. Shipping and their customer support was outstanding. As far as the instructions for installation super easy to understand and easy to follow. SteadyFast: 5th Wheel and RV Trailer Stabilizer
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Old 07-13-2016, 04:58 AM   #17
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I to vote for the steadyfast. Well engineered, ease of use, works very well. Only 3 bars instead of 6 that some use. Install was not bad at all.
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Old 07-13-2016, 06:10 AM   #18
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Jt strongarms!


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Old 07-13-2016, 09:59 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MilCop4523 View Post
we just purchased our second set of these and they work... thus the second set.
Good to hear. We had to cancel last weekend's trip but we'll be heading to the same park on labour day weekend and will pick up the stabilizers then.

Last trip I asked DW to try walking in the trailer while I lay in bed. She walked to the back of the trailer then side-stepped back to the front. Regular walking was much more keenly felt, which suggests to me that I place the stabilizers laterally instead of longitudinally.

We shall see!
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Old 07-17-2016, 03:14 PM   #20
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we just purchased our second set of these and they work... thus the second set.

Just purchased one for the backend of camper. Had a springboard effect back there with bunk beds and kids moving. This in conjunction with jt's should shore things up. Amazon has a decent price at $45 including prime shipping. Click image for larger version

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