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01-15-2017, 07:57 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Milpitas
Posts: 1,625
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Use Stabilizers while storing
Why don't trailer owners lower the stabilizers why storing trailers. It seems logical that reducing the motion caused by winds would lower the stresses for the entire trailer. I must be missing something simple. Thanks
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01-15-2017, 08:03 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 2,872
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How much effort do you feel when trying to stay upright in the wind? That strain is shifted somewhere. It seems that rolling with the wind may be less stressful.
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2017 JayFlight 21QB
2021 Ford F150 SCrew 3.5 Eco, 157”, 3.55, Tow Pkg
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01-15-2017, 08:11 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: FL
Posts: 11,281
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Quote:
Originally Posted by travelingjw
Why don't trailer owners lower the stabilizers why storing trailers. It seems logical that reducing the motion caused by winds would lower the stresses for the entire trailer. I must be missing something simple. Thanks
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My trailer is next to my house with the stabilizers down. We do that because it seems, for a number of reasons, we are frequently in it.
I don't understand why having the stabilizers down would lower stresses on the trailer due to winds. Having the trailer rocking on the springs due to wind wouldn't seem to increase the stresses. Am I missing something?
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01-15-2017, 08:26 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posts: 1,789
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I don't know, I think we are grasping straws that wind is causing such strain on the camper. The easiest thing to "give" on a trailer is the suspension and tires. Seems it would cause LESS stress to allow the trailer to lean slightly in a very strong wind, rather than forcing the walls to flex, or putting sideways tension on the jacks, or wherever else that movement gets transferred.
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01-15-2017, 08:30 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: MD
Posts: 3,856
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spoon059
I don't know, I think we are grasping straws that wind is causing such strain on the camper. The easiest thing to "give" on a trailer is the suspension and tires. Seems it would cause LESS stress to allow the trailer to lean slightly in a very strong wind, rather than forcing the walls to flex, or putting sideways tension on the jacks, or wherever else that movement gets transferred.
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I would agree with this... stabilizers are to reduce movement for our sake while in the camper... not because it lessens any stress on the camper.
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2017 JayFlight 28BHBE
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01-15-2017, 08:53 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Michigan
Posts: 2,650
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If I was worried about stress on the walls I sure wouldn't drive it down the road at 70 mph.
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01-15-2017, 10:12 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Indiana
Posts: 1,424
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A big concern as well would be a flat tire or sinking/shifting into gravel or soft ground during storage and overloading stabilizer jacks. It's why the manual says "Never store trailer with stabilizer jacks in the down position"
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01-15-2017, 11:01 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 181
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I've had mine both down and up when parked at the house. I prefer them down, because it would otherwise feel like I'd just embarked on the SS Minnow when I walked in it. Of course, I can monitor for flats since it's right beside the house (under a metal carport), and have treated 2x6 boards to put under the foot pads to give it more surface area. Haven't had any problems yet! However, I have had issues with ants... Seems they treat the stabilizers like highways. Have to spray around the foot pads to keep them off...and then they crawl up the tires.
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01-15-2017, 11:15 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Bellingham,Wa.
Posts: 6,649
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Mine is next to the house on concrete and I keep the stableizers down thinking that they help keep the frame straight. After 6 years all windows work, door closes and locks and the same with the bathroom door. No trim has worked loose and slide is tight in all 4 corners.
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01-15-2017, 11:23 PM
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#10
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
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travelingjw,
When not in use I keep my stabilizers 'up' and a little nose high......, especially during outside winter storage.
If your going to extend a slide and/or tent ends, then I would recommend having the stabilizers down.
Bob
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1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
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01-16-2017, 06:56 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Dacono
Posts: 255
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I have tried both ways, and thus far have no "Set" preference
Stabilizers UP:
- Lessens access from rodents
- Allows for quick hookup and go when picking up the trailer
Stabilizers Down:
- Increases stability during higher winds
- Increases security, by slowing down would be quick hook up
Seems interesting that on the dealer lots around here, they never deploy them.
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01-16-2017, 07:44 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Southwest Ohio
Posts: 281
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we have debated this in our circle of friends.
We store at home and inspect weekly. We often extend the slide so we have opted to leave stabilizers down.
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2018 Cheverolet Silverado 2500HD 6.0 4WD | 2016 White Hawk 27DSLR
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01-16-2017, 08:16 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Duxbury
Posts: 7,113
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Our unit is at home and can be closely monitored. During the season we have the unit leveled, stabilized and slides open as we're in and out a lot. For winter storage the slides are in, stabilizers are up, and nose is high. We're also on gravel and I don't want to run the risk of settling/frost heaving twisting the frame with the stabilizers down.
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01-16-2017, 08:42 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 857
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stormpod1
we have debated this in our circle of friends.
We store at home and inspect weekly. We often extend the slide so we have opted to leave stabilizers down.
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We do the same. It seems that we are always doing a repair, cleaning, or making a mod in it, or having "camp driveway" nights. We also inspect the entire unit often (including tires).
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01-16-2017, 08:52 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Maine
Posts: 2,618
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We keep em down. Wood under everything that touches the ground including the tires. Its messy in the spring and with all the weight on the tires we fear that the whole trailer would sink in mid season.. At least the weight is spread out.
The other issue is that tires freeze to the ground.. And we are going on a trip in two weeks. Its bad enough having to remove snow from around the trailer ( feet sometimes)
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01-16-2017, 09:15 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,714
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Stabilizers down ... just another way for mice to gain access to your rig
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Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
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01-16-2017, 09:28 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Maine
Posts: 2,618
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Our stabilizers are entirely external.. If the mice wanted in they could jump up on the tires..
I think some obsess.. We have a ultrasonic repeller in the unit.. It works off shore power.
Being able to check on the interior without the unit sinking in the gravel and stone is handy in the winter.
Gonna get more snow tomorrow. Our snow looks kind of tacky now.. at least the driveway is not shining with an inch of ice anymore.
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2021 GMC Canyon
2021 Jayco 212QB
WDH ; Anderson
2012 Honda Ridgeline not towing anymore
2016 195 RB traded in
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01-16-2017, 09:45 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NW AR (God's Country)
Posts: 2,051
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As far as stress goes, I don't think it matters either way.
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Skip
2012 Eagle Super Lite HT 26.5RKS
2005 GMC 2500 SLT HD D/A
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01-16-2017, 10:50 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 942
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We park ours on our concrete driveway during the summer, and since we're in and out of it all the time, we keep the stabilizers down. We're also walking right by it a few times a day so we can tel if any tire is getting low. But when it goes into winter storage, the yard where it sits is packed gravel so the stabilizers are up.
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Winnipeg, Manitoba
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01-16-2017, 01:00 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Weatherford
Posts: 505
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When towing the relative wind is pretty high. If you're towing 65 mph into a 20 mph headwind, the relative wind is 85mph. I doubt that even when it's blowing 30 - 35 that it causes enough movement to worry about. I leave mine up for 2 reasons. First when the wind is blowing everything moves. With the stabilizers down this wears on all the stress points and the stabilizers will continually get looser and looser and not do their job as well. Sitting on the tongue jack and tires will allow it to move by flexing the tires and suspension very slightly. Second, they are another path for vermin to follow when the trailer is stored. Why give them more opportunities to enter the trailer than necessary? YMMV... enjoy!
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