Adding extra set of stabilizer jacks to TT

Bradlo3 · 05-03-2018, 07:40 PM

Thinking of adding a third set of manual stabilizer scissor jacks to my 28 foot travel trailer. As I often see, the bigger trailers/ 5ers have three sets of stabilizer jacks or hydraulic jacks. One set towards the front, one towards the rear, and another set in front of the front axle around midship. I currently have sets on the front and the rear and also use the fast a way tire chocks. I know that I always have some movement but just wanted to see if anybody has ever done this and do you think it would continue to minimize movement?

Kimber45 · 05-03-2018, 08:01 PM

I believe most of the 6 point hydraulic ones are factory. never seen power units added to the middle? but could be possible. I have a 40 ft 5th wheel with only the front landing gear and one set of rear power stabilizers. I bought a cheep pair of bottle/screw type stabilizers but only go to the trouble if camping for more then 2-3 days.

coachjeff1 · 05-03-2018, 08:04 PM

I added a 3rd set in front of the axles on my trailer and it helps wonders. It takes the flex out of the frame and the leaf springs.

Brother Les · 05-03-2018, 08:21 PM

They do help a little. Money well spent...? not really, but if you have money and time to burn...

Are your front and back 'jacks', electric 'stabilizers' or Scissor jacks? ,The 'stabilizers' on my units did not work all that well, as they did not 'lift' the unit to stop any up/down, forward/back, movement. I installed scissor Jacks in the front and back, next to the 'stabilizers'. These scissor jacks do 'lift' my unit and stop almost all movement. Scissor jacks in the middle of the unit will add to this lift and stop more movement.

Briyoung · 05-03-2018, 08:39 PM

We're trying slideout supports to try to get rid of some bounce. Our old trailer only had one slide out and we had X chox's and there was basically no bounce but this new trailer has 4 slideouts (well one is only a wardrobe) but I've read a lot of reviews that said once these are in place it got rid of bouncing. They should be here in a day or two, we'll see.

**bikendan** · 05-03-2018, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Briyoung

We're trying slideout supports to try to get rid of some bounce.

Doing that will void any future warranty issues regarding your slideouts and possibly the frame.

All RV manufacturers expressly warn against using them.

Jmkjr72 · 05-03-2018, 09:49 PM

We haven’t added the extra stabilizers yet. But we do have extra jack stand style supports that when we are set up for more then a weekend we place in front of the axle and they do help

itat · 05-04-2018, 06:05 AM

My Rockwood Signature TT has Dexter Torflex axles so I bought a couple scissor jacks that I’ll have someone fabricate brackets for so they can be mounted to the cross member since Dexter says it’s load bearing. Here are a couple pics that I got from forum member Herk7769 showing what I’m aiming for.

Briyoung · 05-04-2018, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikendan

Doing that will void any future warranty issues regarding your slideouts and possibly the frame.

All RV manufacturers expressly warn against using them.

I've heard both, yes it will and no it won't but as long as I'm not jacking up the slide out in any way what would be an issue. I would literally get it to the height of the slide out track and give it a 1/4 turn.

5picker · 05-04-2018, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Briyoung

I've heard both, yes it will and no it won't but as long as I'm not jacking up the slide out in any way what would be an issue. I would literally get it to the height of the slide out track and give it a 1/4 turn.

And what happens if a tire happens to go low while you are sitting there?
Or the ground settles a bit?

I would only ever think about slide jacks IF I had the frame on blocks/piers.

Scrapper · 05-04-2018, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5picker

And what happens if a tire happens to go low while you are sitting there?
Or the ground settles a bit?

I would only ever think about slide jacks IF I had the frame on blocks/piers.

Having the trailer on blocks doesn't stop it from settling. I had to re-level my trailer last summer after sitting for 3 years.

coachjeff1 · 05-04-2018, 07:51 AM

I also added a scissor jack under my entry steps, I wanted to get the moryde steps but my door only opens a little past 90 degrees due to a slide so I added the jack under the steps and it helped alot when someone entering and leaving the trailer.

Brother Les · 05-04-2018, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrapper

Having the trailer on blocks doesn't stop it from settling. I had to re-level my trailer last summer after sitting for 3 years.

The dialog on that is about 'slide out supports'...

IF the rest of your unit 'settles' a couple of inches (flat tires?).... a 'support under the slide out will jack the slide out, out of alignment and may break/bend/twist something.

KenandCarol · 05-04-2018, 11:36 AM

I have two of these in my class C when I need a little extra stability:

https://www.campingworld.com/universal-rv-stabilizer

Cheap and portable.

Coop067 · 05-04-2018, 01:02 PM

Put your stabilizers down and let the family inside walking around. Watch your tires and see if the are moving back inforth a little. Mine did even though the wheels were chocked. I bought the x chocks and it made the world of difference. There is no more front to back movement or bounce. I have a 32’ Ultra Lite 2706WS.

Electra glide · 05-04-2018, 01:10 PM

I added extra scissor jacks to mine and it made no difference in mine. I also have the x chocks and upgraded my rear jacks. I ordered the SteadyFast system and it will be here next week in time for me to install next weekend.

* I replied earlier but my post went missing...

ard58 · 05-04-2018, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5picker

And what happens if a tire happens to go low while you are sitting there?

If you have the stabilizers down, you shouldn't notice a low tire.

**Iwritecode** · 05-04-2018, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ard58

If you have the stabilizers down, you shouldn't notice a low tire.

The tires are what support the weight of the trailer. The stabilizers aren't meant to support much weight. So if a tire goes low, the stabilizers could easily fail.

Brother Les · 05-04-2018, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5picker

And what happens if a tire happens to go low while you are sitting there?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ard58

If you have the stabilizers down, you shouldn't notice a low tire.

Stabilizers will bend or break.....

Scissor jacks 'may' hold it up for a while.... but there is a point that too much weight on those and they will bend/fail....

Briyoung · 05-04-2018, 03:15 PM

After talking to our dealer and points made on here decided to not even open the box and send the slide supports back and get a smaller set of X chocks. Just stinks because I have a brand new (used twice) set of them but they are for the extended wide wheels. If anyone wants a great deal let me know

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