SUBJECT: # 8620: unsteady 5th wheel

Submitted by joe v (67.26.125.67) from PENNSYLVANIA on 1/30/03 8:11:00 PM

I hope i can get some imput on this problem from you great people out there. When i set up to camp somewhere i block my wheels and let down the stabilizer legs. When this is all done you still rock a little when walking around especially in the bed room which is up front. I know there are typs of tripods i could buy, but i was just wondering if there was another cheaper way . thanks joe v

1. 1/31/03 6:51:00 AM Submitted by Bassman IA from IOWA says something doesn't
   sound right Joe. If you have the jacks down everything should be fine. Check the stabilizers to make sure they are not bent or loose. For a cheap solution I would purchase some bottle jacks, they can be the small ones since they won't really be trying to carry the weight. 4-6 of them and a few lenghts of 2X4's and set them up under the cross beams on the floor.

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2. 1/31/03 6:07:00 PM Submitted by Farallon (67.104.23.66) from ALABAMA says Similar Experience
   I have experienced the same thing. I have a trailer in a trailer park, many years ago, we thought we were going to get flooded, many of us moved our trailers. My trailer is a park model (no 12volt, no holding tanks), so I spent the night in a neighbor's trailer (not a 5th wheel). The trailers don't rock when they are in their spaces because of the jacks and blocks we use, but when we were on the levy, we didn't use jack stands or blocks, just the hydraulic (electric ?) stabilizers built into the trailer.

   I think you need blocks under your stablizers and a stand for the hitch and blocks for the stand. I've seen stands and stabilizers sink into asphalt. I use blocks cut from 4"x12" lumber. I tried concrete stepping stones, but they cracked after a couple of years.

   I used to have a neighbor who had a 5th wheel, his wife wouldn't sleep in the bedroom because she was afraid the rig would tip over. The owner solved that problem by getting a stand for the hitch (coupling ?). A plus of the hitch stand, the owner stopped trying to walk under the overhang, he would usually bump into the hitch.

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3. 1/31/03 6:53:00 PM Submitted by Gkbird (12.150.148.130) from NORTH CAROLINA says Fifth wheel
   i got a 30ft fifth and notice the same thing i found a fix ( do not let the front jacks down so far put more blocks under them ( it like trying to walk on rubber legs the legs are to long use more block this is a sure fix gaurntee also use more on the back

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4. 1/31/03 9:24:00 PM Submitted by Jim L (68.154.152.205) from SOUTH CAROLINA says 5th whl
   My 26 ft is the same way. I've just grown accustomed to it. If you think about the play in the tires and suspension there's no way to completely stabilize it with just the jacks. I've heard the tripods help although I haven't tried one yet as they cost about a hundred bucks. Gkbird makes a good point about the jacks and legs also keep the distance out --short. Any way you do it though you will get a little movement it's not a permanent setup.

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