Stabilization jacks down during storage?

[Ron045]

I read a old thread this morning on the 5th wheel forum about the use of stabilization jacks during winter storage. Some mixed reviews in there so I wanted to get some input from the Hybrid community.

About the best reason I saw for NOT using the stabilization jacks was in case tires loose air pressure then you would not have the extra weight of the camper resting on the stabilization jacks.

My unit is parked in our yard, wheels on wood boards, level and chocked. Stabilization jacks NOT in use.

Thoughts?
Ron

[brad2388]

Well this is coming from a guy that has had damage from a blow out.
Its cheaper for me to replace my tires every 3-4 years than risk the damage done with a blow out.
That said i dont store my fifth wheel on the level up because of the strain on the lines and pump. Plus the tires wont hardly get cracked up if you replace them 3-4 years.
Each to there own though.

Just my .02

[Ron045]

Originally Posted by brad2388

Well this is coming from a guy that has had damage from a blow out.
Its cheaper for me to replace my tires every 3-4 years than risk the damage done with a blow out.
That said i dont store my fifth wheel on the level up because of the strain on the lines and pump. Plus the tires wont hardly get cracked up if you replace them 3-4 years.
Each to there own though.

Just my .02

I'm sorry, I'm new at this. I do not know what this sentence is RED means? Lines and Pump? Is this something a Hybrid Camper has too?

So, you are saying you do not use the stabilization jacks?

Ron

[brad2388]

Originally Posted by Ron045

I'm sorry, I'm new at this. I do not know what this sentence is RED means? Lines and Pump? Is this something a Hybrid Camper has too?

So, you are saying you do not use the stabilization jacks?

Ron

No this is more on fifth wheels. They have self leveling jacks that are ran with hydralic pumps and have lines feeding the rams.

[5picker]

This is one of those... 'it depends' topics.

If you live where the ground freezes and heaves during the frost cycles, having the stabs down could put undue stress on the unit (and the stabilizers) as the ground moves during these periods

It is also another path for 'critters' to gain access to your unit.

And as mentioned, if a tire loses pressure, it could put undue stress on the unit.

Stabilizers are just that... stabilizers. They are not meant to hold the weight of a trailer or keep the load off your tires during extended periods of storage.

Hydraulic level-up systems and landing jacks (5th wheel) are different than stabilizers. They ARE meant to hold weight. But in freeze/thaw areas, understand if you park your rig on ground/gravel it could move several inches as the ground heaves. Even then, it isn't uncommon for the entire cement pad in front of our garage to heave up several inches in the winter. Stuff moves unless you are in a climate where that doesn't happen.

[aceinspp]

No reason to put down during storage. Later RJD

[GalsofEscape]

Stabs are up during storage, and while I do level side to side, I leave it either tongue up or down so water/snow melt can run off the roof.

[Canuckshaw]

You mentioned it is being stored in your yard. I kept my trailer in the driveway, fully connected and available to use as a spare room if needed. So, yes I kept my stabilizers down. If you will only be storing the unit and not using it I see not reason to lower the stabilizers.

Happy camping!

[RubyDually]

Stabilization jacks aren't meant to support the weight of your trailer so for storage only it wouldn't be necessary to lower them.

[Kanga99]

I have a 2015 Roo 23IKSS and store it exactly as you do. Wheels on boards -tongue jack deployed - except mine is not level, I put the front end up high so the melting snow runs off the back. Also, no stabilizers so the mice have less places to climb in and I sprinkle moth balls on the gravel around the wheels.

I also keep my battery in the box but on a tender so I can run out the slides on a nice day and either check things out or sometimes just sit on the couch and wish it was spring already.

Good camping!

[drelec]

No reason to stabilize if you are not walking around inside the unit.

[Cowracer]

I parked my both my former roo and my current TT on concrete and I always put the jacks down, just to take some strain off the springs/axles, and because I tended to go into it quite a bit and I preferred to have the jacks down if I did.


Also, the Roo tended to move around a bit in a good windstorm. I felt more at ease knowing it wasn't going to blow over as easy with the jacks down.

Tim

[bikendan]

Never have put the stabs down, during storage, in 10+ years of ownership.

[itat]

Another vote for leaving them up. I've had mice in the trailer this past year so I don't want to give them another way to access it.

[BigLou80]

Originally Posted by brad2388

Well this is coming from a guy that has had damage from a blow out.
Its cheaper for me to replace my tires every 3-4 years than risk the damage done with a blow out.
That said i dont store my fifth wheel on the level up because of the strain on the lines and pump. Plus the tires wont hardly get cracked up if you replace them 3-4 years.
Each to there own though.

Just my .02

Absolutely no reason not to leave pressure on the lines, and the pump is only used to move the piston once they are in position a valve holds it there not the pump. Infact there is probably pressure on the retract side of the system to hold them in the up position while not in use.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by itat

Another vote for leaving them up. I've had mice in the trailer this past year so I don't want to give them another way to access it.

I have found no evidence of mice in my unit and would like to keep it that way so the two stab jacks are up when I am not using it.

[onetonford]

After buying my fifth would always leave them down. However one time I found tracks and tail drag marks up the stabs legs (perfect ramps for them) I no longer do it. And I have a lot of outdoor cats!!!!