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Post by garybushey on Jan 16, 2018 12:28:28 GMT -5
I have seen a lot of other 5th wheels with a tripod under the hitch to provide stabilization. 1) Do others use those? 2) Does it seem to help a lot? 3) If the answers to 1&2 are yes, any recommendations on a good brand.
Along the same lines I have seen jacks that go under the slides to provide extra support. They are supposed to take the strain off the slide mechanism when the slides are out for extended periods of time. Has anyone used those?
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Post by Chuck on Jan 16, 2018 13:18:30 GMT -5
garybushey I for one do not use a tripod under the hitch to provide stabilization, I also do not believe it helps any since we have the six way leveling system, we put 8x10 blocks under our stabilizers, others use the yellow blocks from amazon or camping world... Thus providing more support do to the fact the stabilizers as not extended allot ,,, I have to say we bought a tripod years ago with our old 5th wheel, it only had the screw down stabilizer jack in the back an the front landing gear in the front, that was all, even then I didn't think it help, again we just used blocks under the jacks an landing gear to help provide stabilization ... The jacks under your slides unless on cement are a no-no, if you put such under your slide's an your unit/camper/5th wheel settles you may tweak your slide's to the point that worse case they may not close  Even then if your tires happen to loose pressure over time you may tweak the slide... Some people use them but I for one am not a fan of such .... Safe Travels  Don't forget about the Kz national Rally this Summer !!! Chuck |
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Post by Edd505 on Jan 16, 2018 14:46:05 GMT -5
third 5W and never used one.
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Post by ronc on Jan 16, 2018 16:20:05 GMT -5
X3 on the tripod ... extra stuff to carry, extra stuff to set up and tear down ... not enough benefit for the hassle.
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Post by johnr on Jan 16, 2018 16:42:09 GMT -5
I know people that swear by the tripods. I bought one, all steel, and used it a handful of times. It was too heavy and too big to mess with. It's sitting in my barn taking up space. The campsite had to be within a certain set of parameters for the thing to even work. If the nose was too close or too far from the ground, you're out of luck.
If you're going to buy one, look for the all aluminum ones. They are much lighter. I would have to say that I felt it did make a difference when I used it.
My Durango came with JT strong arms, and I wouldn't trade them for the world. I would definitely put those on all future campers.
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Post by garybushey on Jan 16, 2018 18:43:34 GMT -5
I also do not believe it helps any since we have the six way leveling system, we put 8x10 blocks under our stabilizers, others use the yellow blocks from amazon or camping world... What do you mean when you say 8x10 blocks? Wood? Concrete? Other? I have some of those yellow blocks that I needed to buy since my rear supports couldn't extend far enough but was wondering if some good old pressure treated wood would work better. |
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Post by RdRmr on Jan 16, 2018 20:50:14 GMT -5
I used to use a bipod (two legs) for the pin, it had like a car bumper jack on one leg. It worked fine as long as you didn't make it too tight. Our 315RKD came with a strong arm system on the front legs and self leveling so I no longer use the bipod. It worked for us. The wood blocks are for storage on the concrete. Happy Campin....
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Post by Chuck on Jan 17, 2018 0:17:52 GMT -5
I also do not believe it helps any since we have the six way leveling system, we put 8x10 blocks under our stabilizers, others use the yellow blocks from amazon or camping world... What do you mean when you say 8x10 blocks? Wood? Concrete? Other? I have some of those yellow blocks that I needed to buy since my rear supports couldn't extend far enough but was wondering if some good old pressure treated wood would work better. I use 8x10 wooden blocks 12 inches long, they are sealed with Clear Gloss Water-Based Exterior Spar Urethane... I have an eyelet screwed into the end of the block an have a rod with a hook on the end so I do not have to been down to pull them up  |
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Post by Edd505 on Jan 17, 2018 16:05:25 GMT -5
I carry three bags of the lego blocks and use them as needed. On gravel or dirt I use at least one for a broader weight spread on the leveling legs.
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Post by rvdude on Jan 17, 2018 21:43:24 GMT -5
Mine is a travel trailer not a 5th wheel, but I bought an 8 foot treated 4 x 6. I had the lumber yard cut it into 8 pieces, 1 foot each. Works great for me and is a whole lot cheaper than the yellow blocks. As usual, anything "rv" is 3 or 4 times the price. You could use 6 x 6 or whatever you need for your legs to sit on.
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Post by joecamper on Jan 17, 2018 23:20:52 GMT -5
Back on topic for a note: Older (much older) 5th wheels weren't built to the same standards as newer 5th wheels, and probably benefited by the stabilizers. Most newer 5th wheels don't need them.
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Post by johnr on Jan 18, 2018 7:58:07 GMT -5
Joe, I think I'm going to have to disagree with you somewhat. I think the higher end 5ers have stuff built into them for stabilization as you suggest. However, I think the mid-range and low-end 5ers still don't have that stuff. The manufacturers have to cut a lot of things to fit into the price range to be competitive, especially for those ultralight models that you see all over the place.
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Post by laknox on Jan 22, 2018 14:53:57 GMT -5
I have seen a lot of other 5th wheels with a tripod under the hitch to provide stabilization. 1) Do others use those? 2) Does it seem to help a lot? 3) If the answers to 1&2 are yes, any recommendations on a good brand. Along the same lines I have seen jacks that go under the slides to provide extra support. They are supposed to take the strain off the slide mechanism when the slides are out for extended periods of time. Has anyone used those? My new 1500 277RLT came with the JT's. I haven't even camped in it yet, but set them tight in my barn and just walking around inside is =noticeably= more stable than my old Komfort was with nothing. After reading RV fora for the past number of years, IMO, you should spend the money you'd spend on a tripod, add a few bucks and install the Strongarms, or other stabilizers. You'll likely be much happier and you won't have an unused pile of metal laying around. :-) Lyle |
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Post by RdRmr on Jan 22, 2018 15:36:28 GMT -5
This is what I use while on the road. Works for us. Happy Campin....
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Post by Chuck on Jan 23, 2018 14:01:26 GMT -5
RdRmr I use the same thing, the orange pad, but only a 8x10 block but not the 2 by under it. I also have a eyelet screwed into my blocks instead of rope, thus I have a long rod that I can hook into the blocks an pull them without bending over  I carry 10 blocks an 6 orange pads but only use 2 blocks, one under each leg under my landing jacks in front ... Safe travels an don't forget about the Kz rally in Aug..... Chuck |
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Post by RdRmr on Jan 23, 2018 17:47:48 GMT -5
Chuck,
That eye bolt and rod idea doesn't sound too bad, might have to try that. I had some scrap lumber laying around and made them out of a 2X8 and a 4X6, screwed them together with coated deck screws a coat of paint and good to go. Happy Campin....
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Post by Chuck on Jan 25, 2018 11:45:32 GMT -5
RdRmr
I also carry one 4x6 plank about 6ft long for more leveling if I need such, also a couple of 4x6 short peaces of wood about 2ft
long just in-case for extra leveling ... I guess it's an old habit from past trailers that didn't have the leveling system that the
new trailer has, have not used either last year with the new trailer ...
Safe Travels
Chuck
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Post by RdRmr on Jan 25, 2018 12:37:14 GMT -5
Chuck,
X2 on the extra boards, been hauling them around for two years but afraid to take them out for fear I will need them at some point. Like you said, old habits die hard. Used them all the time for our previous 5TH wheel. The four and six point leveling systems are a great upgrade, get it in position, stand back and push the button wife loves it. Happy Campin....
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Post by johnr on Jan 25, 2018 15:49:44 GMT -5
RdRmr, you're not supposed to let the wife (or S/O) know that it's so much easier. It's more fun to putz around outside, talk to the neighbors, maybe have a beverage; reminisce on how long it used to take, talk to the neighbors some more, etc. until you get called in. Unless it's raining, then they're like wow, you set up and are in already?!
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Post by Chuck on Jan 25, 2018 22:21:10 GMT -5
johnr I setup while the DW walks the dogs, problem is she's really fast doing such  When she get back it's " Is it ok to go in now I need to use the little girls room !" " Why aren't the slide's out yet so I can put the dogs away" " Is the water on so I can fill the dog dishes" "Is the sewer hooked up yet" UGH !!!!! all this in the 1st 15 minutes unless it's raining then it's 10 minutes  Safe travels Chuck |
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Even then if your tires happen to loose
