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09-08-2014, 09:03 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 40
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Leveling question
Just got back from another camping trip over the weekend. I noticed that with all four stabilizer jacks down and the camper sitting level, I can still feel it move when someone walks around or enters the camper.
Does anyone have any extra leveling or stabilizing that they do?
A neighbor guy on one of our camp sites recommended putting a small hand crank jack up under the middle axle of the RV. He said this would keep it from bouncing around with the suspension.
Anyone ever do this?
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09-08-2014, 09:37 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 710
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mattp160
Just got back from another camping trip over the weekend. I noticed that with all four stabilizer jacks down and the camper sitting level, I can still feel it move when someone walks around or enters the camper.
Does anyone have any extra leveling or stabilizing that they do?
A neighbor guy on one of our camp sites recommended putting a small hand crank jack up under the middle axle of the RV. He said this would keep it from bouncing around with the suspension.
Anyone ever do this?
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Sounds like a good way to get an axle mis-aligned or worse bending it. I'm sure others will chime in how they take some of the bounce out of their trailers, but for us we just don't worry about it. It's a camper, not a house built on a concrete foundation. But again, I would not support the trailer with a jack under the axle under any circumstance. IMO
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Heartland Big Country 3150RL
2013 Ford SD F250 4x4 SC; 6.2
Reese 18K Elite w/slider - Rockford, Michigan
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09-08-2014, 09:46 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Fulltimers
Posts: 234
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lloydg
but for us we just don't worry about it. IMO
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X2
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F-350 Dually
Cedar Creek Silverback
Mazda Miata TOAD for sex appeal 
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09-10-2014, 06:54 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Anytown, NM
Posts: 140
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Have the 6502 Vibe and notice it as well... I just put up with it 
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09-10-2014, 07:14 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 167
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I push the auto level button, crack open a beer, and let the 6 jacks do their thing. When all is level, I complain to DW about how hard it is to level this big of a coach and that she needs to bring me another beer. 
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2013 Sanibel 3600 5th, 2007Dodge 2500 Cummins Turbo Diesel, 2WD, 4.10gears, Banks equipped, 18" factory rims
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09-10-2014, 07:32 PM
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#6
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lloydg
Sounds like a good way to get an axle mis-aligned or worse bending it. I'm sure others will chime in how they take some of the bounce out of their trailers, but for us we just don't worry about it. It's a camper, not a house built on a concrete foundation. But again, I would not support the trailer with a jack under the axle under any circumstance. IMO
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I saw that too and after thinking about it, I think the OP meant "between the axles", not in the middle of the axles.
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09-10-2014, 07:43 PM
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#7
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Always Learning
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,891
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I agree with the above- don't jack up the axle, put the jack on the frame of the camper and support that.
There are 3 main components of stabilization that can be attempted one after another:
1) A good between-the-wheel chock
2) Triangulation at the stabilizers (Steadyfast system, JT StrongArms, BAL, homemade, etc.)
3) A jack near to the frame near the axles
4) Support under the entry step
Some do some, some do all. Your preference matters.
For us, it wasn't about preference as we had to get as much stabilization as possible- my mother-in-law gets motion sick extremely easy and as much as I'd like to ditch the b..witch, we had to do something so she could stay with us.
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Officially a SOB with a 2022 Jayco Precept 36C
Checkout my site for RVing tips, tricks, and info | Was a Fulltime Family for 5 years, now we're part-timing on long trips
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09-10-2014, 07:50 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Seaford, De
Posts: 2,377
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no matter what you do, its still sitting on bouncy rubber tires. I use X-chocks between the wheels. The more wood blocks you stack under stabilizers it helps. The further the jacks are extended, the more flex they have.
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David & Lynn 2014 Coachmen Chaparral Signature 327 RLKS 2016 Ford F350 Lariat CC Dually
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09-10-2014, 07:57 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Hattiesburg, MS
Posts: 1,658
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ependydad
I agree with the above- don't jack up the axle, put the jack on the frame of the camper and support that.
There are 3 main components of stabilization that can be attempted one after another:
1) A good between-the-wheel chock
2) Triangulation at the stabilizers (Steadyfast system, JT StrongArms, BAL, homemade, etc.)
3) A jack near to the frame near the axles
4) Support under the entry step
Some do some, some do all. Your preference matters.
For us, it wasn't about preference as we had to get as much stabilization as possible- my mother-in-law gets motion sick extremely easy and as much as I'd like to ditch the b..witch, we had to do something so she could stay with us.
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2012 Flagstaff V Lite 30 WRLTS
2005 Dodge Ram 2500 5.7 Mag Hemi 3.72 Rearaxle
Nights camped 2015 = 23
Nights camped 2016 = 25
Nights camped 2017 = 13
Nights camped 2018 = 3
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09-10-2014, 07:58 PM
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#10
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by davel1971
no matter what you do, its still sitting on bouncy rubber tires. I use X-chocks between the wheels. The more wood blocks you stack under stabilizers it helps. The further the jacks are extended, the more flex they have.
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Jacks between the axles or directly in front of the axles like I did takes the suspension/tires out of the bounce equation.
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09-10-2014, 08:00 PM
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#11
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ependydad
...my mother-in-law gets motion sick extremely easy and as much as I'd like to ditch the b..witch, we had to do something so she could stay with us.
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If that is the case, DO NOT EXTEND ANY JACKS.
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09-10-2014, 08:02 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Seaford, De
Posts: 2,377
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OldCoot
Jacks between the axles or directly in front of the axles like I did takes the suspension/tires out of the bounce equation.
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I've been wanting to experiment with that. What works best here, pair of small bottle jacks?
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David & Lynn 2014 Coachmen Chaparral Signature 327 RLKS 2016 Ford F350 Lariat CC Dually
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09-10-2014, 08:07 PM
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#13
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by davel1971
I've been wanting to experiment with that. What works best here, pair of small bottle jacks?
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Being extremely lazy and not wanting to carry/stow extra jacks, I installed a modified set of elec stab jacks with reinforced legs. Just flip a switch and the jacks go down or up as desired. Works great and takes the tires/suspension out of the bounce equation.
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09-10-2014, 08:09 PM
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#14
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DW's 401(k) Plan
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Western MD
Posts: 2,372
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OldCoot
Being extremely lazy and not wanting to carry/stow extra jacks, I installed a modified set of elec stab jacks with reinforced legs. Just flip a switch and the jacks go down or up as desired. Works great and takes the tires/suspension out of the bounce equation.
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On his "Strictly Stock 5er".
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"Sunny" the 2017 Sunseeker 3010DS
2006 Jeep Liberty Toad
.... and lovin' life........MOST of the time.
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09-10-2014, 08:30 PM
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#15
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DaGrinch
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You got that right!
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09-10-2014, 08:34 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Lower Michigan
Posts: 1,471
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Quote:
Originally Posted by davel1971
no matter what you do, its still sitting on bouncy rubber tires. I use X-chocks between the wheels. The more wood blocks you stack under stabilizers it helps. The further the jacks are extended, the more flex they have.
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X2
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Bill & Pam
2014 Trilogy 3650RE
2015 F350 PSD
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09-10-2014, 08:34 PM
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#17
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Site Team
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: top side land of Lincoln
Posts: 7,509
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OldCoot
Jacks between the axles or directly in front of the axles like I did takes the suspension/tires out of the bounce equation.
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do it all the time also the X-chocks help too
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2014 LaCrosse 323RST-TE-C
2009 Chevy 2500HD Z71
Seasonal
Zelda the campin dog
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09-10-2014, 08:37 PM
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#18
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Site Team
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: top side land of Lincoln
Posts: 7,509
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Quote:
Originally Posted by davel1971
I've been wanting to experiment with that. What works best here, pair of small bottle jacks?
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I use this Amazon.com: Camco 57371 Olympian Telescopic Jack - 2 pack: Automotive
shop around for the best price.
works good
__________________
2014 LaCrosse 323RST-TE-C
2009 Chevy 2500HD Z71
Seasonal
Zelda the campin dog
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09-10-2014, 08:38 PM
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#19
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by davel1971
no matter what you do, its still sitting on bouncy rubber tires. I use X-chocks between the wheels. The more wood blocks you stack under stabilizers it helps. The further the jacks are extended, the more flex they have.
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Not if you can reinforce the legs similar to what I did. The closer to vertical, the more stable the jacks are IMO.
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