Does a King Pin Tripod Stabilizer Make a Noticeable Difference?

tld · 10-25-2017, 08:16 PM

I get a little more shaking than I like when parked and just was wondering if using a King Pin tripod stabilizer would make enough difference to be worth the cost and the hassle of hauling it around?

Magnolia Tom · 10-25-2017, 08:24 PM

Do you have JT strongarms? If not, I would look into those before the tripod. No hauling them around as they are permanently attached

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Chrisb-24 · 10-26-2017, 12:49 PM

Yes it will help but totally elimate your shake it won't. There are things to add to this problem which I will be doing down the road.

Packerbacker_TX · 10-26-2017, 02:36 PM

I've noticed the same thing with our 5th wheel - when it's parked and we're camping you can feel movement from the other end of the trailer. I can sit in the lazy boy watching tv and can feel my wife walking around in the bedroom on the other end. I've seen a few aftermarket options (fixed and temporary) but don't know what works the best to resolve the shifting around. Note: We've got a Lippert 4pt auto-level but that doesn't seem to do anything for the movement so much as the rig being level to the ground.

Magnolia Tom · 10-26-2017, 02:55 PM

Here is what I use on my trailer which pretty much eliminates (as much as can be with 3 kids jumping and running around) most movement.
I have 6 point leveling system with JT strong arm on the front landing gear. I also use X-chocks between the tires (in addition to regular wheel chocks).
I think the x-chocks are key. YMMV

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PlayersZ28 · 10-26-2017, 04:18 PM

I have a pin tripod and never use it. I leave it leaning against the side of the shed.

I fab'd a set of stabilizer arms for the front legs and they make the trailer rock solid when tight.

flyboy1 · 10-26-2017, 04:29 PM

You can't go wrong with the JT strong arm stabilizers. Had them installed on my Montana and it immediately eliminated any movement. Well worth the money and it added about an extra 60 seconds to the set up process.
While I'm here, has anyone added stabilizers to their auto leveling system? My is only a 4 point, small FW but we still get some movement.
Thanks in advance for any advise.

Packerbacker_TX · 10-26-2017, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlayersZ28

I have a pin tripod and never use it. I leave it leaning against the side of the shed.

I fab'd a set of stabilizer arms for the front legs and they make the trailer rock solid when tight.

PlayerZ28 - can you provide a picture of your stabilizer arms? - Thanks

PlayersZ28 · 10-26-2017, 07:34 PM

I made them up out of square tube and welded the supports for the lentghwise arms to the bottom of the main beam. The cross supports are held by a pair of angles I welded in under the center of the trailer. As the side supports are at a varying angle I uses a pair of 3/8" socket set universals to permit the motion. I used the holes in the legs to connect the lower ends. Total cost for materials was about 80$US

I've tried attaching a jpg using the "Add Video" button, don't know if that works. Any other forums I'm on allow uploading images to a post.

Edit:no picture showed up. how do I put a picture on a post?
Ed2:NVM, figured it out, lame arse forum software

poohbear · 10-26-2017, 07:48 PM

I don't walk into the pin box nearly as much with the tripod set up

DavidJay · 10-26-2017, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Packerbacker_TX

PlayerZ28 - can you provide a picture of your stabilizer arms? - Thanks

The BAL stabilizer system is a lot less expensive than the JT system. Not as elegant, but if you want to save money and aren't prepared to DIY, they are an option.

bdreinv · 10-27-2017, 09:51 AM

On my 16 Eagle only have 4 stabilizer jacks. The king pin stabilizer was only 79 bucks. Does make a difference, I think it also keeps a little stress off the front jacks. We use it all the time! Thanks

vcbice · 10-28-2017, 04:58 AM

They all make a difference to some extent.

The least expensive are to add some screw jacks under the frame. You can buy them in packages of 4 pretty cheap.

King pin will help some as well.

Good wheel chocks add quite a bit. X type are good but you can get the same result with regular wheel chocks if you take the time to 'wedge' them in place.

Stabilizer arms. We have the JT but any will work, including home made.

Bottom line. I found that the easiest to use are the X chocks and JT stabilizers (I didn't want to make my own) and those are the two we use.

The stabilizer arms make the most difference of any of the options listed. They do not remove ALL the shake, but, they do make a huge difference.

But....if you get 8 of the screw jacks and install them under the frame you will have probably the most stable setup. Not easy to get set up or take down, but, they work.

3'senough · 10-28-2017, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vcbice

They all make a difference to some extent.

The least expensive are to add some screw jacks under the frame. You can buy them in packages of 4 pretty cheap.

King pin will help some as well.

Good wheel chocks add quite a bit. X type are good but you can get the same result with regular wheel chocks if you take the time to 'wedge' them in place.

Stabilizer arms. We have the JT but any will work, including home made.

Bottom line. I found that the easiest to use are the X chocks and JT stabilizers (I didn't want to make my own) and those are the two we use.

The stabilizer arms make the most difference of any of the options listed. They do not remove ALL the shake, but, they do make a huge difference.

But....if you get 8 of the screw jacks and install them under the frame you will have probably the most stable setup. Not easy to get set up or take down, but, they work.

+1. This is what I do. Pretty stable once dialed all in. Nothing to carry or forget either.

Chrisb-24 · 11-10-2017, 09:54 PM

Yes it helps but doesn't elimate all the wiggle. On a weekend I don't use mine, but for a week or more it's in place.

troutslayer · 11-11-2017, 09:06 AM

On my previous 38' 5er the tripod helped somewhat but on my current 30' 5er it doesn't seem to help at all.

bdreinv · 11-11-2017, 09:31 AM

For our 16 Eagle 321 RSTS is was worth the 80 bucks we got the steel constructed unit.Easy to haul around and set up.Maybe takes a little stress off the front jacks, helps front end wobble.

fowl8717 · 11-12-2017, 07:36 AM

Use the tripod all the time and two screw type stabilizers on the rear bumper. Gets the job done.

PERFECT IS THE ENEMY OF GOOD ENOUGH

skijlw · 11-14-2017, 11:02 AM

We did not notice much difference in movement using a tripod. We no longer have one. A few things that help is to use more blocking under the levelers. The shorter the legs extend the less wiggle. Also don't drop the adjustable portion of the front legs down until they are just above the ground. Let the square tube do the lifting as they are more solid and you will have less chance of a leg losing it's memory location. (Got the memory location information from Lippert when I had a problem) Add wheel chocks and it will be pretty stable.

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