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Old 04-24-2014, 04:48 PM   #1
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Anyone else using large blocks like this?

Helped a friend "set up" his 5'ver a couple weeks ago. As he backed into his site, I noticed a pile of blocks in the rear of his truck bed. I asked him what he had all the stock for. His response, I'll show you. As we set up, he stacked the blocks together and barely lowered his jacks. I asked why, his response "minimal movement". So I had to try. A couple weekends ago, I did the same thing and I have to admit, I like it. Reduced the movement dramatically. I think I will take them along from now on. Not as heavy as they look but it worked.Click image for larger version

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Old 04-24-2014, 04:54 PM   #2
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There's a sawmill down the street from me that has a ton of these stacked up for sale. I haven't picked any up because the seem a little big to carry around in my truck, but if it does reduce the camper movement as you say, guess I'll have to reconsider.
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Old 04-24-2014, 04:56 PM   #3
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I don't know if the block stack makes it stable, but when you go to do the pull test, as you should for a 5th wheel, it's going to be a long drop to the ground. That if the hitch didn't hook. I just use a 2x under mine and have a tri-pod stabilizer. I do use big blocks under my back stabilizer.
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Old 04-24-2014, 04:59 PM   #4
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There's a sawmill down the street from me that has a ton of these stacked up for sale. I haven't picked any up because the seem a little big to carry around in my truck, but if it does reduce the camper movement as you say, guess I'll have to reconsider.
I as well as DW immediately felt a difference. We had some friends over and they had little ones running around. It would have been miserable if I had just set up like normal using a 4" X 6" block. This was much better and all 8 pieces lay flat between my hitch and the tailgate. I'm going to make some homemade x chocks to go between the tires and I'll be set. It worked best when we were in the bed. Whenever one rolled over, it was way less movement than before.
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Old 04-24-2014, 05:00 PM   #5
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I have scissor jacks, and I'm guessing the less you have to extend them, the less movement you'll get from them flexing. I don't expect to achieve zero movement, but any reduction is a bonus in my book.

Edit: Thanks for the feedback BombDoc, that's exactly when I want reduced movement...bed time!
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Old 04-24-2014, 05:04 PM   #6
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We've been using the big wooden blocks under our rear stabilizers for a while now. It seems I read here somewhere that the less the stabilizers are extended, the less movement there will be.

works for us
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Old 04-24-2014, 05:05 PM   #7
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I use 6x6s doubled up under my scissors and it is alot more steady that a longer extended jack. Just make sure that you stack them at 90 degrees to the last row... Quite a bit stronger..
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Old 04-24-2014, 05:20 PM   #8
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JT Strong Arm type stabilizers will do the same and eliminate the need for the big blocks. The electric stabilizers in the rear when they have blocks under them are subjecting the legs to the most leverage to bend them at their weakest point and if for some reason or other the front landing jacks are extended inadvertently, the rear jacks will bend. I reinforced the legs and try to get them at least to 45° or greater. JMO
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Old 04-24-2014, 05:23 PM   #9
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I've been using 6x6's under my frt jacks since day 1...made a HUGE difference in side to side sway
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Old 04-24-2014, 05:25 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by OldCoot View Post
JT Strong Arm type stabilizers will do the same and eliminate the need for the big blocks. The electric stabilizers in the rear when they have blocks under them are subjecting the legs to the most leverage to bend them at their weakest point and if for some reason or other the front landing jacks are extended inadvertently, the rear jacks will bend. I reinforced the legs and try to get them at least to 45° or greater. JMO
Thanks for the opinion, that's what I was looking for
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Old 04-24-2014, 05:40 PM   #11
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At my age and heightened level of laziness, I don't want to carry blocks, etc to have to put under 6 jacks and then have to pick them up and store them especially in the rain. Push 3 buttons, tighten 4 L bolts and it's finished.
Just wish the jacks had a high & low speed.
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Old 04-24-2014, 05:42 PM   #12
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When I have my 5er in storage I use old railroad ties under the front jacks
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Old 04-24-2014, 07:41 PM   #13
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To me this is another reason this forum is so great.Everybody helps everybody clear down to what kind of blocking to use. A person can't help but learn something every time you log in.
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Old 04-24-2014, 09:07 PM   #14
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Old 04-24-2014, 09:11 PM   #15
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if you want to carry such a stack of blocks, I can see how it would make a huge difference. The landing gear flexes a lot, this would eliminate almost all of that.
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Old 04-27-2014, 05:02 PM   #16
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i put gate handles on my blocks makes it easier to pick them up
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Old 04-27-2014, 05:06 PM   #17
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if you want to carry such a stack of blocks, I can see how it would make a huge difference. The landing gear flexes a lot, this would eliminate almost all of that.
As posted before, JT Strongarm type stablilzers eliminate the need for blocks under the landing jacks and you don't have to store them.
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Old 04-27-2014, 06:32 PM   #18
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As posted before, JT Strongarm type stablilzers eliminate the need for blocks under the landing jacks and you don't have to store them.
that's why I said "if you want to carry them". I have the JT stabilizers up high on my wish list. Right now I have to weld together a kayak support to go in the front hitch I put on the truck yesterday. $25 worth of square steel tubing to build what costs $250 to buy. Maybe I can build my own stabilizer bars
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Old 04-27-2014, 06:41 PM   #19
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that's why I said "if you want to carry them". I have the JT stabilizers up high on my wish list. Right now I have to weld together a kayak support to go in the front hitch I put on the truck yesterday. $25 worth of square steel tubing to build what costs $250 to buy. Maybe I can build my own stabilizer bars
I built 8 stabilizers for less than $100 out of square tubing and probably could have done it cheaper with round tubing. I kept 4 sets and put them on our 5er. 2 on the landing jacks and 2 front to back on the rear stabilizer jacks.
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Old 04-27-2014, 06:46 PM   #20
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I built 8 stabilizers for less than $100 out of square tubing and probably could have done it cheaper with round tubing. I kept 4 sets and put them on our 5er. 2 on the landing jacks and 2 front to back on the rear stabilizer jacks.
I was eyeing some round tubing while shopping. Just need to find something for the brackets. Sure is nice to have access to everything I need in the shop at work, and I live across the street from it
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