Wobble Stoppers?

[BurbMan]

Another trip in the books with the new rig! Had a few issues but no show stoppers!

One item on my fix-it list is stopping some of the bounce and wobble in the trailer. Current setup is all factory, landing gear in the front and crank-down stabilizers in the back. I also use a set of X-chocks between the wheels on both sides. Front-to-back movement seemed minimal, it felt like a lot of movement was lateral. I've seen the braces that form an X between the landing gear, also a tripod device that goes under the king pin, etc. but don't want to waste money on junk.

I wanted to get opinions from the experienced 5er guys on what's the best bang for my buck in stopping the wobble?

[JIMNLIN]

burbman wrote:
I have these in the rear:

I've used the same on the last three 5th wheel trailers. Along with my bipod pin stabilizer and adjustable chocks both sides eliminates any side to side/up and down movement on my trailers.
Like everything else their cost has risen. I gave 89.95 for the 1st set in '90

All three trailers came with 4 screw type jacks. Gave the first two sets away and the 3rd set has been in the trailer barn for 20 years now.

[padredw]

Ford Truck Guy wrote:
Smart move upgrading the AC before stability.... I would MUCH rather be cool then a bit un stable.....

Over 25 years ago our first "used" fifth wheel came with a tripod. It did not take me long to realize it had little or no effect upon stability. Over those more than 25 years, four different fifth-wheels, and nearly 200,000 miles of towing, we have found that "stability" is not a problem for us. We often do not even put down the rear stabilizers when only overnight or if the site makes that difficult. Maybe for us it is like being on a cruise ship: movement that we can live with.

This is only to share our experience and our preference. I am not trying to change the preference of those for whom "stability" is an issue and I am not saying that my preference is superior to theirs. But it is my experience and my preference.

[ford_truck_guy]

Smart move upgrading the AC before stability.... I would MUCH rather be cool then a bit un stable.....

[BurbMan]

TXiceman wrote:
But the most sure-fire way to stop the wobble is to place solid blocks about every 4 feet under the frame and get the trailer totally off the tires.

Ken

Yeah, but I don't want to spend 1/2 a day setting up....

I have these in the rear:



So it sounds like my best bet is this JT Strongarm Set:


It's gonna have to wait a while....I just went for $700 on a new cooling unit for the fridge, and there's already talk of adding the second a/c in the bedroom....I appreciate the info, at least I have something specific to add to the list.

[TXiceman]

I tried a tripod and finally gave it away. A major waste of your $$$$. J.T.'s Strongarms do better than anything else. Also put blocks under the jacks to keep the jack extension as short as possible.

But the most sure-fire way to stop the wobble is to place solid blocks about every 4 feet under the frame and get the trailer totally off the tires.

Ken

[Cummins12V98]

Tripod, is another word for boat Anchor.

I would get a kick seeing people use a tripod with an air bag pin box. Things that make you go HMMMMM.

[ACZL]

Another vote for ditching the Trip-pod and getting the JT's. Also, re-tighten the X-chocks after tires cool down and if possible, add more blocks of wood under any points of contact the front legs/rear stabs have w/ the ground to shorten the extension of said components. But all in all, the JT's will be your best friend.

[ford_truck_guy]

Back before we had the 6 point system, we did the following . .

Got a tripod... gave the tripod away after 1 use... added a pair of telescoping jacks at the axle, added JT's, added a pair of jacks at the rear bumper as there was a decent overhang.. cut some 6x8x8 wood blocks to allow the jacks to be a bit more stable, all movement was pretty much eliminated . . .

[JIMNLIN]

JTs or a similar product work great for lateral and up and down movement.

I've used a aluminum bipod pin stabilize since our first 5th wheel trailer in 1990. Didn't take but one trip till the brain kicked in and figured out it can only stop lateral movement at the front of the trailer.
Bought a BAL telescoping stabilizer for the rear of the trailer which stops lateral moves back there ....and adjustable chocks between the tires that eliminated fore and aft movement for a rock solid trailer.
I've used this method on three different 5th wheel trailers.

[msmith1_wa]

Another vote for stabilizer jacks near the axles.

[BurbMan]

Thanks guys. Need new landing gear pins so am gathering my order together. I just realized my typo in my original post, I don't have a tripod or anything right now, I meant to say I've seen them around a lot.

[Lantley]

Another vote for JT Strongarm stabilizers

[larry_barnhart]

frankwp wrote:
Yes, toss the tripod. If you install a set of strong arms, you can go to regular wheel chocks because the X-chocks won't be adding any stabilities at all. Depending on the length, you may want to even add crank down stabilizers next to the axles.

We did what you said on our alpenlite because the wife sat above the wheels and did needle work so a set of scissors jacks in front of the wheels fixed the issue but later added the Jt's for sitting the 6 months in Az. Nice to have the stable fifth when the wind blows hard.

chevman

[frankwp]

Yes, toss the tripod. If you install a set of strong arms, you can go to regular wheel chocks because the X-chocks won't be adding any stabilities at all. Depending on the length, you may want to even add crank down stabilizers next to the axles.