5 replies to this topic

[Wolfpackers]

Was looking at products to limit/stop movement of the RV while camped and found a lot of systems out there to consider. First there are the locking arms that Leon and maybe some others have used. Of the three I looked at, I liked the Steadyfast system as it utilizes 3 arms instead of 6, so set up would be simpler and the locking mechanisms appear to be located where you could get to them more easily. The use of 3 vs 6 seems to accomplish the same purpose, but the proof is in the pudding I'm sure.

Steadyfast
Plug It Right
JT Strong Arm
and I know there are several systems that look just like the last two.

I also saw a post on another forum where a guy used cargo bars like you would use in the bed of a truck to keep items from sliding back/forth, but it appeared he welded/bolted some brackets to the frame to be able to lock the bar in between the frame and landing gear/rear stabilizers.

For the cat's meow, there are electric and hydraulic systems to level your RV, but I don't recall if they claim to keep it from rocking or swaying now that I think about it. The two systems I've found so far are Ground Control and Level Up.

Ground Control is electric, but says it's fast vs the slow electric landing gear most of the fivers have. Level Up is a hydraulic system. Systems cost from $3000 to $4000 plus installation, based on what I've found so far.

I think until I'm in my final RV or win the lottery, I'll stick with manual leveling and maybe add the stabilizer arms. When I upgrade to another fiver in the next year or so (hopefully), I can find one that comes with the leveling system and be able to afford it...

Just thought I'd share what I found and hopefully some can add comments as to their experiences with or thoughts about these type systems.

Brent

[campingnut]

wow brent, i didnt know the cats made the camper bounce that much...

but like you. ive been looking. and i found on the open range
they come standard on the camper.

i just love the new floorplan they have.
lamar

[Crawfish]

Well Brent, let me put my 2 cents worth in about what I know about stabilizers and levelers. First there is no stabilizer on the market that will take out 100% of the shaking. I had the JT Strong Arm system on my last 5er. I can tell you for a fact that system took out at least 85% of the shake. The only shake we had left was if someone was in one of the slides and sit down in the couch or chair it would move the camper a bit that you could notice. If I had slide stabilizers I would be willing to bet it would have corrected that small amount of shake.

The other two stabilizer systems you have listed I have no experience with or know anything about them. I did watch the video on the Steadyfast. If you watch it real close you will notice that when he pushes on the camper without the system locked in he really has to push on it to get it started but after he locks the system it looks like he is not pushing very much or none at all.

Now for the leveling systems. The only experience I have with leveling systems are two things. First, 90% of the shaking is caused by the tires being in contact with the ground. Leveling systems lifts the camper up off the ground so the tires are not touching. I works on the same principle as a mobile home being setup on blocks and the wheels taken off. Second, while at the RV shows in Tampa, FL and Atlanta, GA, I told myself this would be a great time to see if the leveling systems really worked. I knew they would level the camper but I was not sure if they would take care of the shaking. While I was inside the campers with leveling systems, I would sit on the couch and see if I could feel the camper shaking while there were at least 10 to 15 people in the camper moving around. There was zero movement, none at all. I am sold on leveling systems for leveling the camper and taking all the shake out of it. And the best thing of all, you can do both by just one touch of a button. I plan on having one installed on my camper before Margaret and I go fulltime.

I hope this might have helped a little. I know looking for the right system for stabilizing campers is a hard decision to make. The price of all the systems are a little pricey to say the least but getting the right system is the main objective.


Leon

[Wolfpackers]

Crawfish, on 30 March 2011 - 02:57 PM, said:

If you watch it real close you will notice that when he pushes on the camper without the system locked in he really has to push on it to get it started but after he locks the system it looks like he is not pushing very much or none at all.

I did make note of that and guess I wasn't imagining it since we both noticed it.

Crawfish, on 30 March 2011 - 02:57 PM, said:

While I was inside the campers with leveling systems, I would sit on the couch and see if I could feel the camper shaking while there were at least 10 to 15 people in the camper moving around. There was zero movement, none at all.

Now that is good info...glad you thought to do that.

I'd love to have the leveling system on my next camper...maybe I can negotiate getting one at a good discount with the purchase of the RV.

Brent

[Wolfpackers]

campingnut, on 30 March 2011 - 02:05 PM, said:

wow brent, i didnt know the cats made the camper bounce that much...

but like you. ive been looking. and i found on the open range
they come standard on the camper.

i just love the new floorplan they have.
lamar

Lexie does bounce off the walls...literally. Maybe when she's a year or two older, she'll calm down.

I've seen some of the Open Range models...they are nice.

Brent

[Reverie]

I cannot speak to stabilizing a 5th Wheel but I have lots of experience with a regular trailer. The best thing I have ever done was installing four scissor jacks while retaining the four stabilizers. It may sound like overkill but stay with me. When I park, after I chock the wheels I raise the four scissor jacks. I used to jack them high but have learned that all I have to do is lift the weight off of the tires. The tire should remain in contact with the ground (you wouldn't want to suspend that much weight with the scissor jacks because it would just case the trailer to bounce between the jacks). Once I have leveled the four scissor jacks I set the two front stabilizers, followed by the two rear and finally the tongue jack.

I have found that I don't want the trailer perfectly level. I just don't want the trailer to have a twist. That is actually the hardest part. If I do it right everything works well. If I do it wrong I can't open the bathroom door.

Just my two cents,

Reverie