Can't Level the Trailer/Slide

[Mustang65]

Harbor Freight 5000 pound leveling scissors jacks (#96406). They are heavy duty and SOLID.

I just picked them up before we took the TT to Bald Mountain (GA). When I bring the TT back home I will weld them to the frame.

The TT does not have any movement when I come up the stairs, or walk from one end of the TT to the other.

They also have an electric version for $70 each... I am not that lazy yet

WELL WORTH TEH INVESTMENT

Don

 

[Rustysocket]

Are you setting your stabilizers down at all four corners prior to pushing the slide out?

It would seem to me if all stabilizers are down prior to moving the slide out, then there would be no way the trailer could lean. No? If the the trailer leaned that would mean the stabilizers on the opposite side of the slide would be off the ground.

That's exactly what happens.

 

[oldmanAZ]

Harbor Freight 5000 pound leveling scissors jacks (#96406). They are heavy duty and SOLID.
...snip...
The TT does not have any movement when I come up the stairs, or walk from one end of the TT to the other.
...snip...
Don

Don

So... In addition to the tongue jack, do you now have 8 stabilizer jacks supporting your trailer? Or just the 4 new stabilizer jacks? Or ??

Do you believe flexing/light duty construction of the OEM stabilizer jacks is the reason for trailer movement?

 

[Mustang65]

Don

So... In addition to the tongue jack, do you now have 8 stabilizer jacks supporting your trailer? Or just the 4 new stabilizer jacks? Or ??

Do you believe flexing/light duty construction of the OEM stabilizer jacks is the reason for trailer movement?

I left the stabilizers on the TT. I also have them extended, to help stop any TT movement at the far ends of the TT. The 4 Harbor Freight jack keep the TT rock solid. You can watch the stabilizers flex and move a little.

I have tried the stabilizers on a 2" piece of wood, on large concrete block (15x8x8???) plastic blocks, TT still had movement. I believe the issue is that they are located at the far ends of the TT and cause flexing in the middle. When you step on the stairs a little leverage goes into play, just like the 500+ pound slide-out. The best place that I found is to put the jacks 1/2 way between the stabilizers and the wheels.

Don

 

[Rustysocket]

For stopping the side to side motion and to increase the overall stability of the trailer I found these BAL chocks to be the best of all the ones I've tried over the years.

 

[Paintinfool3]

I level then put stabilizers down then I have two scissor jacks attached right in front of axle I put down. then I deploy the slides as I have 2 on one side and one on the other. It stays level

 

[olyelr]

My experience:
I snug (3/8" drill stalls) all 4 stabilizers on mine before running out the slide. But after running out the slide, the two stabilizers opposite the slide are not as tight as the slide side stabilizers. I then snug those two again.

My reasoning why this happens:
There is some flexibility in the frame etc., plus the slide hangs 'outside' of the tires and the stabilizers on the slide side; the slide-side tires and stabilizers become the fulcrum. The weight of the slide then pivots on the fulcrum to raise the non-slide side. In addition, as the slide extends, it is removing the slide's weight from nearer the center of the trailer and moving it all to the slide side so the tires, springs, and stabilizers on the non-slide side are carrying less weight.

That totally makes sense.

 

[olyelr]

That's exactly what happens.

I will have to pay more attention to mine next time I set it up. I have not noticed any issues with swaying, though.

 

[stratos19]

Don,

I have the same trailer as you do and find the electric stabilizers to be useless as well.
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll be picking up some scissor jacks soon.

 

[apr67]

One word. Steadyfast.

Works wonders on taking the jounce out of a big trailer.