Windjammer Stabilization

[Road-King]

We bought our 3001W the end of June, I am trying to figure out how to make the TT more stable when its at the campsite. Seems alittle shakey side to side?

I have two BAL x-chocks and two pyramid jacks and still haven't got all the shakes out. I know with the weight on the wheels that I probably can't get it all out, but I think I can get more out. I just need to find the sweet spot to put the pyramid jacks.

I have tried the pyramid jacks between the wheels up to the undercarriage frame. With the full under cover, I was a little uneasy placing the jacks under the TT frame.

Any one with a suggestion?

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by Road-King

We bought our 3001W the end of June, I am trying to figure out how to make the TT more stable when its at the campsite. Seems alittle shakey side to side?

I have two BAL x-chocks and two pyramid jacks and still haven't got all the shakes out. I know with the weight on the wheels that I probably can't get it all out, but I think I can get more out. I just need to find the sweet spot to put the pyramid jacks.

I have tried the pyramid jacks between the wheels up to the undercarriage frame. With the full under cover, I was a little uneasy placing the jacks under the TT frame.

Any one with a suggestion?

Stabilizers for your jacks such as bal or steady fast .
Or make them as I did .
Triangulation is your key to stabilization !

[Road-King]

I had a 5th wheel before and using 2 cargo locker bars in an X pattern on the landing gear worked great for me. I did try using them on this TT, between the axles, from the top of the running gear frame to a block of wood behind each set of tires. No luck.

On this TT, the BAL's are doing the job for front to back movement and the pyramid jacks work for middle bounce. My TT has two slides on the same side so when open there is a lot of weight on that side. I would think some slide supports would fix it. But I have also read on here where you should not use those.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Road-King

I had a 5th wheel before and using 2 cargo locker bars in an X pattern on the landing gear worked great for me. I did try using them on this TT, between the axles, from the top of the running gear frame to a block of wood behind each set of tires. No luck.

On this TT, the BAL's are doing the job for front to back movement and the pyramid jacks work for middle bounce. My TT has two slides on the same side so when open there is a lot of weight on that side. I would think some slide supports would fix it. But I have also read on here where you should not use those.

Suggest you put the cargo locker bars on the stab jacks, front and back and forget putting them on the axles. Put your pyramid jacks between the axles against the mounting surface and take some of the weight off the tires.

[Lanningjw]

Originally Posted by dunnnc

Suggest you put the cargo locker bars on the stab jacks, front and back and forget putting them on the axles. Put your pyramid jacks between the axles against the mounting surface and take some of the weight off the tires.

What are cargo locker bars?

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Lanningjw

What are cargo locker bars?

Adjustable bars truckers use to secure loads(boxes). They are usually placed between the walls on semi trailers to keep boxes from falling/sliding, etc.

[Vern]

Originally Posted by dunnnc

Adjustable bars truckers use to secure loads(boxes). They are usually placed between the walls on semi trailers to keep boxes from falling/sliding, etc.

Got a photo to share, Dunnc?

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by Vern

Got a photo to share, Dunnc?

Look in my profile. Albums

[Road-King]

Originally Posted by Lanningjw

What are cargo locker bars?

The ones I'm talking about you can get them at Home Depot, Lowe's, Harbor Freight or Northern Tools. They are around $20 each. They are designed to use in a pickup. They go from side to side held in place by tension to keep cargo in the bed from sliding around.

Like these...

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_12114_12114?cm_mmc=Google-pla-_-Auto%20Accessories-_-Cargo%20Haulers%20%2B%20Ladder%20Racks-_-33038&ci_sku=33038&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw={keyword}

Or what they said... LOL

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Vern

Got a photo to share, Dunnc?

I don't use them, I made my own stabilizers. Was just using the terminology the OP refered to. Google them.

[Road-King]

Originally Posted by dunnnc

Suggest you put the cargo locker bars on the stab jacks, front and back and forget putting them on the axles. Put your pyramid jacks between the axles against the mounting surface and take some of the weight off the tires.

I am going to try this, thanks for the idea. I'm still not sure it will get rid of the movement I have.

The movement is different in this TT then it was in my 5th. In the 5th, the side to side movement was straight line wiggle, if that makes sense, and the cargo bars with the triangulation stopped that. On the TT I would describe it more of a side to side rocking, like a boat...

[Lanningjw]

Will a 70 inch cargo bar be long enough to reach between the stab jacks? The Jammer is at the resort and unable to get the messurements?

S Line Ratcheting Pickup or SUV Bar – 60in. - 72in. Adjustment | Cargo Bars| Northern Tool + Equipment

[Vern]

So I'm looking at the cargo bars in the product link provided by Lanningjw and I've seen dunnnc's recommendation and the photo example in f1100turbo's photo album.

Up to this point, I've just accepted the boat-like rocking of the Windjammer as unavoidable, but now I am intrigued. However, I am out of my league a little in understanding how exactly I could use these "cargo bars" with my Windjammer's stabilizer jacks. Unlike turbo's jacks on his 5'er as shown in the photo, the Windjammer has scissor-style stabilizer jacks both front and rear.

So I would brace from what to what? Would it necessarily involve a permanent modification attaching the bars to the frame and/or jacks? Suggestions, anyone?

[Road-King]

I'm not positive ether.

My plan is to run the cargo bars from the top of say the left stabilizer jacks, where they mount to the frame, to a 4x4 block of wood under the right stabilizer jack. Also from the top right to a block under the left, making an X pattern. The weight on the jacks should hold the block in place, but also give if there is too much pressure applied.

Still not sold that this will get rid of the rocking, but it is worth a try...

[Vern]

I thought about that configuration, too, Russ. However, I am pretty sure I have not been putting enough weight on the stabilizer jacks for them to hold my wood blocks in place if I really crank on the cargo bars (against my wood blocks). Maybe I need to be more bold about how much weight to put on the stab jacks, but up to this point I've followed the standard admonitions about "stablize but don't lift" pretty closely.

[OldCoot]

The way most stabilizers are used is from the top of the left to the bottom of the right jack pad and from the top of the right to the bottom of the left. You have to have enough wt on the jacks to prevent them from moving on the blocks. Most people will permanently anchor them by either bolting them on to brackets or welding brackets on the pads so they can swivel up and down when the jacks are retracted or extended. I have pictures in my profile of the ones I made and installed.

If you put a little pressure on the stabilizer and it moves the block under the opposite jack, you do not have enough wt on the stab jack.

[Road-King]

Lee,
I just fired a email off to Forest River. I asked about using slide out supports. I know they are not recommended on here, but I wanted to get their thought's on using them. I would think slide out supports would really help with the rocking.

[Vern]

Russ:
I'll be interested to hear what you learn. Be sure to report back on that. Thanks.

[Lanningjw]

In my mind I was thinking you take the cargo bar and place it beween the middle of the diamond shaped jacks or the sand pads?

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Lanningjw

In my mind I was thinking you take the cargo bar and place it beween the middle of the diamond shaped jacks or the sand pads?

You have to place the cargo bars so there is a triangle from the top of one to the bottom of the opposite one. Placing them parallel to the ground or trailer bottom will do nothing for stabilization.