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Travel Trailer/5th Wheel -- Frame to Jack Stabilizers


BooneDocks

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Our next RV is likely to be a trailer of some sort. We recently found out that there are add-on stabilizers that run from the frame to the jack stand feet such as the ones from this company, http://www.lci1.com/jt-strong-arm.

 

We hope some of you can relate your experience with this kind of stabilizers.

 

Do they work as advertised?

 

How many are needed per trailer? Every corner?

 

Are scissor jacks still necessary between the wheels?

 

Are there better brands?

 

Thanks for any and all info!

 

 

 

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It would certainly depend on your individual rig, size, weight, tires, etc. Some rigs are going to require additional stabilization while others may only need a decent set of scissor jacks. It wouldn't really even be on my radar unless I found that there was a need after the fact. It also depends on your individual preferences. For myself, I have a 25' TT and travel as a single. I realize it's a travel trailer and a little "bounce" or a bit-o-sway in a strong wind doesn't bother me in the slightest... however... above and beyond my 4 scissor jacks I also added X-chocks to my rig which made a significant difference in my rigs overall stability. That's probably not the same as traveling as a couple though. "Bounce" is probably more noticeable to the one that is stationary and the other is traversing the rig. KMIW?

 

When I'm moving about I don't notice myself and wind sway is generally not severe enough to cause and difficulties with any of my systems (ie., fridge on LP). ;)

 

As far as do they work? YES! Remarkably well. How many are needed? As many as you want to reach your desired level of stability. One may be sufficient. If you want more stability.. add a 2nd.

 

Scissor jacks would actually be at each of the 4 corners rather than between the wheels. Did I mention X-chocks? :P

 

The other brand I would seriously consider would be SteadyFast. But honestly.. IMHO, either one might be a bit overkill for a TT unless your goal is to feel like you're sittin on a foundation. Besides cost to benefit you really want to consider ease of deployment (if you move around a fair bit) and weight. Many TT's don't have a great deal of cargo capacity so that needs to be carefully considered when installing a stabilization system.

 

Again though... I wouldn't try to fix what t'aint broke. Find your ideal rig.. live with it a spell.. then see where your cards fall.

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Our next RV is likely to be a trailer of some sort. We recently found out that there are add-on stabilizers that run from the frame to the jack stand feet such as the ones from this company, http://www.lci1.com/jt-strong-arm.

 

We hope some of you can relate your experience with this kind of stabilizers.

 

 

 

 

The interior movement bothered us even with a tri pod so we added our permanently installed stabilizers 10 years ago & would never be without them.

To answer your questions:

 

 

Do they work as advertised? Yes

 

How many are needed per trailer? Every corner?

Only you can decide if you need just the front or the front and rear stabilizers. For us, we have both the front & rear.

 

Are scissor jacks still necessary between the wheels?

Are you talking about chocks between the wheels? If so, that is again a decision only you can make. We do not put anything between the wheels of our 38' Carriage.

 

Are there better brands?

There are several brands out there so you'll have to check them all out and make the decision for you.

 

Thanks for any and all info!

Hope this answers your questions a bit. Hugs, Di

SKP #48048
2015 single Cab Ram 3500 Dually. Aisan Transmission, 410 gear. Pace Edwards automatic roll top cover. AMP running boards & tailgate step.
1996/2010 Triple Slide Carriage, Mor/Ryde Suspension, Kodiak Disc Brakes, Big Foot Leveling System & Plug It Right Stabilizers.
www.plugitright.com Plug It Right Stabilizer, TST, Quadra Big Foot Lever Tailgate Easy Lift Distrubitors
http://www.plugitright.com/5thwheelREDO.html e-mail: plugitright@gmail.com

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We had the JT Strong Arm stabilizers on our last fifth wheel and, yes, they worked as advertised. It kept the fifth wheel rock solid even when the washing machine was in its spin cycle.

 

We had two sets installed...one set for the front, one set for the back.

 

We never used anything between the wheels...we would chock the wheels, only so the rig didn't move when we hooked up or unhooked.

 

There are other brands, but we have no experience with them.

LindaH
2014 Winnebago Aspect 27K
2011 Kia Soul

 

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Yes, when I asked about scissor jacks between the wheels I was meaning X-Chocks

I was sure that was what you meant but I learned a long time ago that it was better to double check by asking rather than assuming. I was just being sure. Hugs, Di

SKP #48048
2015 single Cab Ram 3500 Dually. Aisan Transmission, 410 gear. Pace Edwards automatic roll top cover. AMP running boards & tailgate step.
1996/2010 Triple Slide Carriage, Mor/Ryde Suspension, Kodiak Disc Brakes, Big Foot Leveling System & Plug It Right Stabilizers.
www.plugitright.com Plug It Right Stabilizer, TST, Quadra Big Foot Lever Tailgate Easy Lift Distrubitors
http://www.plugitright.com/5thwheelREDO.html e-mail: plugitright@gmail.com

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Our tri axle weighs 18,000#....... With the scissors down under the rear corners it barely moves. That said, a little movement doesn't bother me. But also spending time on boats has set my bar pretty low...... ^_^

i'm really happy for you oscarvan. I think you're quite lucky. Our Carriage is 22.8K and the movement for me was intolerable. Dutch even added an extra set of rear arm jacks but it didn't help, nor did the Bi-Pod we lugged around with us. I will say that being fulltimers, no movement is very important to me. If I were a weekender or such, I may have lived with it.

If you know me at all, you know my motto is "if interior movement doesn't bother you", don't change a thing. Hugs, Di

SKP #48048
2015 single Cab Ram 3500 Dually. Aisan Transmission, 410 gear. Pace Edwards automatic roll top cover. AMP running boards & tailgate step.
1996/2010 Triple Slide Carriage, Mor/Ryde Suspension, Kodiak Disc Brakes, Big Foot Leveling System & Plug It Right Stabilizers.
www.plugitright.com Plug It Right Stabilizer, TST, Quadra Big Foot Lever Tailgate Easy Lift Distrubitors
http://www.plugitright.com/5thwheelREDO.html e-mail: plugitright@gmail.com

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