Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 01-08-2019, 11:03 AM   #1
OneReallyOldGuy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Georgia
Posts: 154
Stability and stabilizers, pads, etc.

Like everyone else I’m usually parked on hard packed gravel. Concrete pads are rare. Sometimes I’m pretty stable. Other times it feels like I haven’t put down a stabilizer at all. I’ve tried various amounts of wood stacks, rubber pads and no pads. No matter what it’s still hit or miss.
I’m pretty high in the nose here so I put down a two stack and a three stack of 2x12’s before disconnecting then I used my rubber pads on the rear stabilizers. It feels like a bounce house inside. My feeble little mind assumes the shorter the legs extend the better but is that wrong? Do these 5° legs have to extend further for more stability? Would a king pin tripod help enough to justify the cost?
Here’s the setup;
2019 DRV 39DBRS3, right at 20k, six leg autolevel, no wheel chocks
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 45568899-B44D-49EE-ADF6-F2508BEB371F.jpg (334.1 KB, 6 views)
File Type: jpg 819621BB-A4DB-4165-A30D-8CC0B2A40DC2.jpg (462.3 KB, 4 views)
__________________

OneReallyOldGuy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2019, 12:12 PM   #2
Walt
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Northern California
Posts: 136
Shorter the better in my opinion. I have 9 layers of 2" X 8", crisscrossed, under the front stabilizers and none on the rear ones. I'm on gravel right now. No movement at all.
__________________

__________________
Walt and Judy
2019 Mobile Suites 36RS3 #396674
2022 GMC Sierra Denali 3500 DRW 4WD
Walt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-09-2019, 07:56 PM   #3
wingnut60
Site Team
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Where we park it
Posts: 2,838
Movement is perceived by some more than others. I always use a super solid 16x16x1 plastic square + 14x14x4 on top of that and a 12x2x6 on top of that, for the front jacks, unless pad is lower to rear. 14x14x4 under all stabilizers all the time. The Suites moves some, and with the washer its noticeable, but we are ok with it. Have used a tripod in the past, but it was more trouble to use with little/no improvement + very heavy/hard to tote around. I also vote for shorter is better.
__________________
2016 Tiffin 40 QBH
2015 38RSSA, traded
2005 TK3 #1869, 10 yrs of memories,
2017 F450 KR--one more Ford is it
2009 F450 4x4-died; 2010 F450-retired
wingnut60 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2019, 02:23 PM   #4
OneReallyOldGuy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Georgia
Posts: 154
Thanks for the replies guys. I was hoping to get more input on this subject. Perhaps I posted it in the wrong section?
OneReallyOldGuy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2019, 03:54 PM   #5
Rcmadman
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 2
I put JT stabilizers on my new unit, these with the 4 point leveling system, I use 4 blocks under each jack. Super solid and no movement on my 40 foot , front living unit
Rcmadman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-25-2019, 07:29 PM   #6
Hanr3
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 34
I made a couple of platforms for under my stabilizers. I find that after a day the legs need to be extended slightly to adjust for the settling. When I get wobble in the camper, I go outside and extend the stabilizers a little bit. That usually fixes the problem.
Hanr3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-27-2019, 07:34 PM   #7
wingnut60
Site Team
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Where we park it
Posts: 2,838
You may find a lot more info on IRV2.com many more members there. But, see nothing wrong with your blocking, except the pic of the front jacks seems to really be extended a lot--wobble, wobble.
__________________
2016 Tiffin 40 QBH
2015 38RSSA, traded
2005 TK3 #1869, 10 yrs of memories,
2017 F450 KR--one more Ford is it
2009 F450 4x4-died; 2010 F450-retired
wingnut60 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-29-2019, 04:40 AM   #8
Notanlines
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Germantown, Tennessee
Posts: 716
Most later model larger RV's only have jacks so there is no stabilizer for us to adjust. I put 16x16x1.5 inch treated plywood first and then auto-level. On occasion I may hit auto-level one more time after a month or two. If you are on sandy soil you'll probably not be pacified ever. Very few people are happy with their tri-pods for the king pin. It is very common for RV'ers offering to give one away here and there.
__________________
Jim and DW 50 years Brenda
2018 40rssa and 2021 Jayco Eagle 40'
2019 F450, ruby red
Harley Road King & sidecar
Notanlines is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-29-2019, 09:33 PM   #9
Suite Sweets
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 107
Old guy - you mention no chocks. As was explained to me - the legs are made for vertical loads, and they don't like lateral pressures. We now use chocks to keep the trailer from moving forward when unhooking, and chocks to keep the trailer from pushing backward when connecting, the later being more important in my mind. Once I've put the chocks into place - they just stay there. I don't know if that's the reason, but we have very little movement of our DRV
Suite Sweets is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-02-2019, 10:23 AM   #10
wingnut60
Site Team
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Where we park it
Posts: 2,838
I have a X chock that I place only when on very off-level sites. Otherwise, the fiver is heavy enough to stay where it is when I unhitch/hitch up. Easy does it either way...
Haven't ever noted less movement when using the chock.
__________________
2016 Tiffin 40 QBH
2015 38RSSA, traded
2005 TK3 #1869, 10 yrs of memories,
2017 F450 KR--one more Ford is it
2009 F450 4x4-died; 2010 F450-retired
wingnut60 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-02-2019, 03:37 PM   #11
Suite Sweets
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 107
wingnut, I agree with you - ours stayed in place, as well. But pistons are designed to move laterally inside their cylinders, so when someone pointed out the value of the chocks, I switched to the chocks. I'd never used them before to keep the 5th wheel in place, and didn't feel (and don't feel) they were needed for that reason. We now chock front and back of at least one tire, on each side of the rig
Suite Sweets is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-04-2019, 11:22 AM   #12
MTK46
Senior Member
 
MTK46's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Desert Hot Springs Ca.
Posts: 362
Quote:
Originally Posted by Suite Sweets View Post
wingnut, I agree with you - ours stayed in place, as well. But pistons are designed to move laterally inside their cylinders
That's a new one to me. Being a retired city fleet manager & now a service manager at a tractor dealership I've dealt with many cylinders over 35+ years.
If the pistons move laterally they are worn out.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with wheel chocks. As wingnut and you have said my M.S. doesn't move around, unless I'm towing it.
__________________
Mike & Trish Romans 10:9
2011 Mobile Suites 36RSSB3 #5556
2017 F-350 CC 6.7 diesel dually, Banks Derringer tuner with super gauge
MTK46 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-04-2019, 08:00 PM   #13
Hanr3
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 34
My 5er is light by comparison and I use wheel chocks. They stop the camper from rocking forward/backward. I use the legs and stabilizers to keep the camper from bouncing up/down and side to side.

Typically after a day or two I have to extend the rear stabilizers due to settling. But once done she is rock solid, even with grandkids running in/out through out the day.
Hanr3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-05-2019, 07:31 AM   #14
OneReallyOldGuy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Georgia
Posts: 154
Thanks again guys. I’m thinking about getting a pair of stabilizer jacks to put under the frame at the rear of the unit. There’s a lot of real estate behind those rear stabilizers and sitting on the sofa while wifey is padding around in the front of the fiver is when I really feel the wiggle. I found a pair on amazon so if I don’t feel an improvement after a week I can return em.
OneReallyOldGuy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2019, 09:12 PM   #15
wingnut60
Site Team
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Where we park it
Posts: 2,838
More support the better...just don't lift it.
__________________
2016 Tiffin 40 QBH
2015 38RSSA, traded
2005 TK3 #1869, 10 yrs of memories,
2017 F450 KR--one more Ford is it
2009 F450 4x4-died; 2010 F450-retired
wingnut60 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2019, 08:19 AM   #16
OneReallyOldGuy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Georgia
Posts: 154
I bought a pair of stabilizer jacks from Walmart online. 40 bucks. Set em up at the rear most point on the frame. No more wiggle when sitting on the couch even when the washer is on the spin cycle. (I have no idea why my pics posted sideways, sorry)
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 6E8CC17D-AAC6-4DA8-90F7-61E76657FD98.jpg (187.0 KB, 4 views)
File Type: jpg 283AD655-D735-4B06-8869-A5AB3541A59F.jpg (162.0 KB, 4 views)
OneReallyOldGuy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2019, 08:40 AM   #17
wingnut60
Site Team
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Where we park it
Posts: 2,838
Not a bad idea...
__________________
2016 Tiffin 40 QBH
2015 38RSSA, traded
2005 TK3 #1869, 10 yrs of memories,
2017 F450 KR--one more Ford is it
2009 F450 4x4-died; 2010 F450-retired
wingnut60 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2019, 02:45 PM   #18
MTK46
Senior Member
 
MTK46's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Desert Hot Springs Ca.
Posts: 362
Quote:
Originally Posted by OneReallyOldGuy View Post
I bought a pair of stabilizer jacks from Walmart online. 40 bucks. Set em up at the rear most point on the frame. No more wiggle when sitting on the couch even when the washer is on the spin cycle. (I have no idea why my pics posted sideways, sorry)
Just wondering what model M.S. do you have? Just asking as mine doesn't move around. It maybe yours is longer & has more overhang then my 36' which measures 38' 3" over all.
Is your washer in the bedroom slide?
As I bought mine used we haven't used the washer yet. Maybe mine will have some movement to if washer is on.
__________________
Mike & Trish Romans 10:9
2011 Mobile Suites 36RSSB3 #5556
2017 F-350 CC 6.7 diesel dually, Banks Derringer tuner with super gauge
MTK46 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2019, 11:24 PM   #19
OneReallyOldGuy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Georgia
Posts: 154
It’s a 39DBRS3, bath and a half unit, 42’ cap to ladder.
OneReallyOldGuy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2019, 03:39 PM   #20
MTK46
Senior Member
 
MTK46's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Desert Hot Springs Ca.
Posts: 362
Quite a bit larger and newer then mine. Distance between rear axle & tail end will be longer then mine also. That to me would be the main reason why you feel movement & I don't.
__________________

__________________
Mike & Trish Romans 10:9
2011 Mobile Suites 36RSSB3 #5556
2017 F-350 CC 6.7 diesel dually, Banks Derringer tuner with super gauge
MTK46 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:52 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
×