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Post by rocnroll on Feb 28, 2024 3:36:21 GMT -5
We just picked up our new unit after purchasing at the Tampa Supershow. After stopping at a couple campgrounds on our way home, we have discovered an issue that concerns me. During setup we level the unit and extend the stabilizers. What we discovered, though, is once both slides are extended the unit is no longer level! The unit is rolling down on the slide side due to the weight of the slides being extended. This is very concerning, as I feel this is a terrible design flaw. Please help!
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WrkrBee
Weekender RV’er
Retired
Posts: 87
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Post by WrkrBee on Feb 28, 2024 8:59:06 GMT -5
I'm assuming the opposite side is raising up. Slide side stabilizers could be sinking into the ground, so will need a board under them to increase the footprint size. When the slides extend past the stabilizers, that weight takes the load off the other side of the camper. That removes all the clearances in the axle suspension, stabilizers, and the frames flex. I believe most people learn, after a couple of setups, how much out of level to setup before extending the slides. Not a design flaw, but a terrible design.
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Post by lynnmor on Feb 28, 2024 9:51:35 GMT -5
After looking at the photos on the KZ website, it appears that there are stabilizer jacks in the middle near the axles. If yours does not have them, it would be a good thing to add. The only way that a trailer being supported with proper jacks can lean is by frame twisting, the key words are "proper jacks".
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WrkrBee
Weekender RV’er
Retired
Posts: 87
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Post by WrkrBee on Feb 29, 2024 7:46:19 GMT -5
I dislike the term "stabilizer jack". It makes some people think that the stabilizers can be used to level the camper. Camper frames are not strong enough to be leveled with the stabilizers. Stabilizers should carry very little load. If you've ever taken a stabilizer apart or looked close at one, they are mostly just stamped metal bolted together. Even the "teeth" on them are stamped out of thin steel.
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Post by rvcouple on Feb 29, 2024 15:24:47 GMT -5
Are they hand cranked stabilizers, or electric? Electric ones have clutches in the motors that can slip. I had electric ones on my previous trailer and went back to hand crank with an electric drill on the newest because of settling issues.
With that said, I have the C261RB with the theater seating and dinette on the slide out. I have very little "settling" when the slide goes out. At most 1/4" per the LevelMate Pro and that was recalibrated with trailer leveled then the slide taken back in. That way when you level per the LevelMate and put the slide out, it is again level even though it reads 0.25" low on the slide side.
Those stabilizers at scissor jacks, most rated at 2,500 to 3000 lbs. The frames are strong enough to stay straight with the bounce and loads between the hitch and axle and the axle and unsupported bouncing rear of the trailer. For 21 years with 3 trailers I've done some lifting and leveling, up to an inch or so, with the stabilizers and never had an issue with the frame or the stabilizers.
I found out with our '99 Wilderness, I could lower the tongue jack all the way, extend the rear stabilizers all the way and lift all four wheels off the ground by raising the tongue with the jack. Never hurt the stabilizers or the frame. Made packing the wheel bearing a lot easier.
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WrkrBee
Weekender RV’er
Retired
Posts: 87
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Post by WrkrBee on Feb 29, 2024 21:44:02 GMT -5
Those stabilizers at scissor jacks, most rated at 2,500 to 3000 lbs. The frames are strong enough to stay straight with the bounce and loads between the hitch and axle and the axle and unsupported bouncing rear of the trailer. For 21 years with 3 trailers I've done some lifting and leveling, up to an inch or so, with the stabilizers and never had an issue with the frame or the stabilizers. I found out with our '99 Wilderness, I could lower the tongue jack all the way, extend the rear stabilizers all the way and lift all four wheels off the ground by raising the tongue with the jack. Never hurt the stabilizers or the frame. Made packing the wheel bearing a lot easier. I hope you use jack stands, under the frame, when the camper is supported with the stabilizers. My front stabilizers were damaged when I bought the camper from an elderly lady. I don't know how it happened, but it had to do with grand kids playing with the power tongue jack (obviously overloading the front stabilizers). |
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Post by rocnroll on Mar 2, 2024 22:00:10 GMT -5
Thank you all for your replies. During our last stop I made sure the slide side was higher with the bubble about 3/16" out before extending the slides. Checked again after and the unit is level. The stabilizers are electric and are not close to the axles. Since they are nothing more than supports to prevent rocking while walking around in the unit, I did not extend them until after the slides were out. I may look into adding additional manual jacks between the electrics on the slide side just for additional piece of mind. Once again, thanks!
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