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04-25-2016, 09:18 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Port St. Lucie
Posts: 327
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Blocks for stabilizers and landing gears?
The reason why I'm asking is that I was told 2 different things. One tech told me never to use any blocks for landing gears the other tech told me to use 6" by 6" or 8" by 8" blocks for both landing gears and stabilizers. This gives more support as it shortens the extension leading to more stabilization. We have the Flagstaff 8528 IKWS. Who do I listen to?
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04-25-2016, 09:22 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 981
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It also gives the jack a larger footprint which is important on a grass surface.I have a variaty of different sizes in a milk crate in the back of the truck.
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04-25-2016, 09:42 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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The "Thickness Thread" of Block's / Pad's has been beat to Death here! I do find it Courteous to Use Block's/Pad's between your jacks and any surface to prevent Damage to the Campsite surface,be it "Concrete,Black top,dirt",think of the "Next Guy"! Youroo!!
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04-25-2016, 09:44 AM
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#4
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Frog-Toberfest Organizer
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Iowa
Posts: 1,331
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trbomax
It also gives the jack a larger footprint which is important on a grass surface.I have a variaty of different sizes in a milk crate in the back of the truck.
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Now I want milk crates. I currently use totes with lids and they are a little annoying but handy. I carry different sizes with me, mostly 2x6 in various lengths.
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2016 Vengeance 320A
2015 Chevy 2500HD LT 6.6L 4x4 ccsb Z71 trim
2012 HD Electra Glide
Andersen Ultimate Aluminum fifth wheel hitch V2
Days camped '16=43, '17=47, '18=57 '19=47 '20=47 '21=64 '22=62 '23=72 '24=0
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04-25-2016, 09:52 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Brazoria County, Texas
Posts: 1,460
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I use blocks / pads under everything, mainly when I'm on dirt to give things a wider foot print. It's possible when the guy said not to use them on landing gear, he was thinking about the gear slipping off if the blocks were too narrow. Due to the weight on them, I'd make sure there was a pretty good sized margin of error in case something did shift.
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2015 Chevy Silverado LTZ - HD tow package
2017 Rockwood 2703WS Emerald Edition
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04-25-2016, 11:46 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 593
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I do not use over 6 inches to avoid an unstable situation.
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04-25-2016, 11:52 AM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Northen IL
Posts: 8,288
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I always used the Lynx Levelers a.k.a. "lego blocks" under my stabilizers.
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04-25-2016, 11:52 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 236
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I bought the snap pads for my Cardinal 3250. I've installed them but haven't used them yet. Lots of good reviews though so I'm anxious to try them out.
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Bill
2016 Forest River 3250 Cardinal
2016 RAM 2500 Longhorn
Previously: 36' Country Coach
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04-25-2016, 12:00 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 172
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Large lego works great, plus a few pieces of 2x8s.
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04-25-2016, 12:26 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: La Crescenta, CA
Posts: 243
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I use 4 X 6 wood blocks under the front landing jacks and 2 X 6 wood blocks for the rear scissor jacks. I chock wheels front and rear both sides. I see others using the plastic pads and they deteriorate rapidly. The wood is a bit heavier, but safer.
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04-25-2016, 12:43 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: In a big child free home - except for me
Posts: 1,682
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I had some LVL beam material left over. dense material less compression. and it happens to be painted yellow so i can't forget it in the green grass.
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TV 2018 Ford F250, hauling a 2018 KZ 331 TH 12 Sportster 5th wheel, packing a 2015 CF MOTO 800 U-Force SXS
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04-25-2016, 01:10 PM
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#12
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Northen IL
Posts: 8,288
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Big bird
I see others using the plastic pads and they deteriorate rapidly.
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My blocks are close to 15 years old and still look great. I've never seen any deterioration of them.
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04-25-2016, 01:18 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: In a big child free home - except for me
Posts: 1,682
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we use teh lynx levelers as well and have since 2011. we crushed one but thats it.
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TV 2018 Ford F250, hauling a 2018 KZ 331 TH 12 Sportster 5th wheel, packing a 2015 CF MOTO 800 U-Force SXS
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04-25-2016, 04:33 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 981
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2x12 fits perfectly in a milk crate.Cut the 12" long and you can get 10 of them in there standing on end.
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04-25-2016, 04:57 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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Will only use blocks if stab jacks won't reach the ground. So far, it's never happened in 50+ yrs of camping. I carry Lynx blocks in the bed of the truck but have never used them.
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04-25-2016, 06:50 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 230
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Blocks will add stability broadening the base imprint . A note on using blocks under front jacks, ALWAYS put the blocks down to run the same as the trailer. I see too many people knock the trailer off the blocks when backing in to hook up or lock in their fifth wheel by putting the block cross way to the trailer.
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04-25-2016, 06:58 PM
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#17
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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 hillsdaletc
Blocks will add stability broadening the base imprint . A note on using blocks under front jacks, ALWAYS put the blocks down to run the same as the trailer. I see too many people knock the trailer off the blocks when backing in to hook up or lock in their fifth wheel by putting the block cross way to the trailer.
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That is exactly why I leave the Bal X Chocks on until I get hitched. They are the first thing installed and the very last thing removed and stowed and only after the parking brake is engaged and the transmission is in park.
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04-26-2016, 08:48 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Kiski River Valley
Posts: 62
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Stability of stab jacks
Quote:
Originally Posted by OldCoot
Will only use blocks if stab jacks won't reach the ground. So far, it's never happened in 50+ yrs of camping. I carry Lynx blocks in the bed of the truck but have never used them.
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I recently read a post here that stated that the jacks were in their most stable position when extended over 12". This changed my thoughts on using blocking as I used them so I wouldn't have to crank as far. Since then I've got a bit for my cordless drill and use blocking sparingly.
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Larry & Chris (Abbey & Brody camping cats)
2016 Ford F-150 XLT Sport, Super Cab, 3.5 EcoBoost, 3.55, 4x4, MaxTow w/36 gal fuel tank
2015 Rockwood MiniLite 2104S, EMS-30HW, Carchet TPMS
Days Camped: 2015 = 51; 2016 = 59; 2017 = 20; 2018 = 12; 2019 =
If you're lucky enough to be camping......You're lucky enough.
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04-26-2016, 09:10 AM
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#19
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,074
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Quote:
Originally Posted by beagle22b07
I recently read a post here that stated that the jacks were in their most stable position when extended over 12". This changed my thoughts on using blocking as I used them so I wouldn't have to crank as far. Since then I've got a bit for my cordless drill and use blocking sparingly.
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This depends on the design of the jack/stabilizer.
Typical 'scissor' jacks are the most stable when the two upper arms and the two lower arms are extended far enough to form a square.
Stabilizer jacks (electric and manual) are the most stable when the cross arm (sometimes painted yellow/sometimes black) extends to the point where it forms a right angle with the ground contact leg.
Front landing gear/jacks on 5th wheels are most stable retracted, using the inner leg as the needed extension.
Sturdy blocking to get what is described for any of the above, will not affect stability.
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2017 Ford F-Series SCREW 4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=86
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04-26-2016, 10:22 AM
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#20
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,074
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I had a PM to explain what I meant by the stab jacks forming a 90º right angle.
Here's a drawing I hope helps.
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2017 Ford F-Series SCREW 4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=86
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