swaying/rocking

[Grunt]

Considering buying xchocks and slide out stabilizers for my 5th wheel to help with rocking and movement while moving around inside. Does anyone else have these that would suggest to buy or not to buy?

[Mharris403]

Originally Posted by Grunt

Considering buying xchocks and slide out stabilizers for my 5th wheel to help with rocking and movement while moving around inside. Does anyone else have these that would suggest to buy or not to buy?

I bought Slide stabilizers off Amazon for our large living room Slide. They help reduce the little bounce you feel when others walk around. Don’t need them on shorter slides.


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[NewBlackDak]

Originally Posted by Grunt

Considering buying xchocks and slide out stabilizers for my 5th wheel to help with rocking and movement while moving around inside. Does anyone else have these that would suggest to buy or not to buy?

Manufacturers caution against slide stabilizers. They can cause slide timing issues.


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[Jdmcla]

Following...just because I've been pondering doing the same. Curious about how/why stabilizers would mess with the timing if they were placed/removed before the slide retracts or extends...I can picture a possible reason as to why in my head, but I often everything stuff.

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[norty1]

Flat tire would be one. It's happened to me while parked.

[Force]

X-Chocks are a start but I also added JT Strongarms to really firm up the corners, which helped considerably

I have not entertained slide supports for various reasons (cost, effort to set up, risk of forgetting the things and then trying to move the slide in, a flat tire or rain softening up the ground resulting in added pressure, etc.)

[Quantum]

I've heard that xchocks can also damage your RV if not used properly.

People over tighten them, forcing the axles apart. Not sure if that's true or not, but it's what I've read.

Take it for what it's worth.

[Force]

You'd be hard pressed to damage the axle with the tool that comes with them. Maybe if you added a cheater-bar and really cranked the heck out of it...

It's my experience that damage is more likely to happen if you try to drive away with them still installed.

[DonaandDon]

Thought about putting another set of rams at the rear corners? How about a tri-pod for the front?

[vcbice]

We have x chocks, JT strong arms, slide stabilizers and jack stands.

The one that made the most difference were the jack stands at the rear of the trailer. Next most helpful were the JT strongarms. Xchocks and slide stabilizers did not do much. I use the xchocks cause they are easier to setup than std chocks.

I use slide stabilizers because we both sit in the slide area (dinette and recliners) a lot. FWIW, the dealer recommended them for long term use. Yes, they could mess up the system if the trailer was not supported by jacks and the tires lost air. With the extra jacks on ours it is not an issue. If you are on soft ground, eg, anyplace the trailer might 'settle', then don't use them.

The cheapest solution is to get 4 or 6 jack stands (the screw type) and place appropriately.

[poohbear]

We left the factory front & rear electric jacks on when adding the 6pt levelers since we had installed the Steadyfast arms. I level rv ( also use x-chock ) then just let the old jack with the cross arms just touch the ground & lock arms. The rv isn't moving. It looks funny with all that stuff but it works.

[DonaandDon]

Originally Posted by vcbice

We have x chocks, JT strong arms, slide stabilizers and jack stands.

The one that made the most difference were the jack stands at the rear of the trailer. Next most helpful were the JT strongarms. Xchocks and slide stabilizers did not do much. I use the xchocks cause they are easier to setup than std chocks.

I use slide stabilizers because we both sit in the slide area (dinette and recliners) a lot. FWIW, the dealer recommended them for long term use. Yes, they could mess up the system if the trailer was not supported by jacks and the tires lost air. With the extra jacks on ours it is not an issue. If you are on soft ground, eg, anyplace the trailer might 'settle', then don't use them.

The cheapest solution is to get 4 or 6 jack stands (the screw type) and place appropriately.

Did you use the scissor jacks or added a set of rams?

[GrumpyDad]

I really like the look of those X-chocks. One thing I'm not sure of is if I should be getting the extended length version.

My tires are 9 inches apart at the closest point, and the "regular" X-chock says it's goo out to 10 inches. Now obviously, that chock doesn't contact the tires at the closest part . . .

My trailer isn't one that advertises the "wide track" suspension, but it's sorta wide.

Any real world advice on this?

[North of 49°]

Originally Posted by Force

You'd be hard pressed to damage the axle with the tool that comes with them. Maybe if you added a cheater-bar and really cranked the heck out of it...

It's my experience that damage is more likely to happen if you try to drive away with them still installed.

I would think that driving down the highway at normal speed would put more force on the axles, springs and wheels than what I could do with a 3/4" wrench. FWIW, while setting up, the first thing I do is put the X-Chocks on and crank down the stabilizers, finish setting up, then go around and tighten everything again. Again, just using hand power.

There is some wiggle in the trailer, but not much. If I notice it after a day or two, then I go around again and tighten again. It's usually because the trailer has settled a little, or something has worked itself loose.

We don't use a slide stabilizer because of the horror stories I've heard about them. Besides, it's only the dinette in our slide and we're not large people, so there isn't a lot of weight there.

I'm thinking of getting another pair of stabilizers and mounting them just in front of the wheels. It might take a little bit of creative engineering since I'm not sure there's enough room between the front axle and the door step.

FWIW, X-chocks work great with Andersen levelers!

[vcbice]

Originally Posted by DonaandDon

Did you use the scissor jacks or added a set of rams?

NOT scissors jacks. Scissors jacks are 'unstable' in the cross direction.

You want something like these.
Telescopic Stacking Jacks - Camco 48860 - Stabilizing Jacks - Camping World

Get ones with the largest footprint you can find and the shortest distance from the tripod to the frame, ie, the less distance it is extended the more stable it will be.

FWIW, you can also use concrete blocks and wood wedges to do the same thing if you are going to be in one place longer.

[NewBlackDak]

Originally Posted by North of 49°

I would think that driving down the highway at normal speed would put more force on the axles, springs and wheels than what I could do with a 3/4" wrench. FWIW, while setting up, the first thing I do is put the X-Chocks on and crank down the stabilizers, finish setting up, then go around and tighten everything again. Again, just using hand power.

There is some wiggle in the trailer, but not much. If I notice it after a day or two, then I go around again and tighten again. It's usually because the trailer has settled a little, or something has worked itself loose.

We don't use a slide stabilizer because of the horror stories I've heard about them. Besides, it's only the dinette in our slide and we're not large people, so there isn't a lot of weight there.

I'm thinking of getting another pair of stabilizers and mounting them just in front of the wheels. It might take a little bit of creative engineering since I'm not sure there's enough room between the front axle and the door step.

FWIW, X-chocks work great with Andersen levelers!

I’ve seen those Andersen levelers split in pretty dramatic fashion too.


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