Trailer Stabilization

RonJ

Advanced Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2018
Messages
41
We are fairly new to RV'ing and so are unsure how much trailer bounce and movement is "normal". I expected a more stable platform when set up with wheel chocks and stabilizers down. Not that I expected you could jump up and down without notice. But I would not have expected that you would always notice movement with someone simply walking through. It is always noticeable. Fortunately for us it does not bother us as it might some. It is just bothersome.
Is this just to be expected, or am I missing something? Our unit is a 2018 Fun Finder 26RB. We have tried varying the amount of pressure on the stabilizers. We have also tried different pads under the stabilizers, wood, hard rubber, none.
 
You should have stabilizers that wind down on all four corners? Either manual or electric. It solves the walking/bounce thing. Note they are NOT for jacking up a side to make it level. The trailer should be level before you wind down the stabilizers.

Oh and if they are manual you should have a weird bent bar kind of thing you use to put on the socket to wind down each stabilizer. Sometimes you have to get down pretty low to see where to fasten on the winder bar thing. (No idea what the term is ��)
 
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Yes we had the four stabilizers down and tried varying the amount of pressure on the stabilizers.
 
Is your model tandem axle? If so I have had a noticeable increase in stability when I went to x-chocks that go between the wheels.
 
Yes, tandem axle. I had looked at the x-chocks but found some mixed reviews as to it helping with stability.
Might reconsider. Thanks
 
I bought an extra set of 2 ton scissor jacks and I place one behind the steps and one on the opposite side of the trailer, under the slide out, and that helped immensely. May even consider getting another set and run it the opposite direction on the frame, when on sale. Really does not take that much longer to setup the extra jacks when using a cordless drill or impact gun. The trailer movement was much more pronounced when I did not use them on short 2 night stays, that I decided to put them up regardless of how many nights we were camping.
Also, the one behind the steps also eliminates the bouncing of the steps when someone is coming in or leaving the trailer. Much more solid of a feel.
 
I still have some movement, but a noticed decrease with them. With the bunks at the opposite end as the queen it seems to have almost a see-saw effect. I have also had luck with a bit of experimenting when it comes to the right amount of pressure with the stabilizers. They are not very rigid and i have some ideas to triangulate them which i think would help but i bought a new house this year and with moving and such never made time to tinker or even get my boat or camper out on a good weekend. I bought my x-chocks off amazon, way cheaper than any box stores had them.
 
I bought the bal x-chocks that go between the wheels from camping world for about $80 and they make the trailer real stable! Also use regular chocks too! The wife and I were really glad we got them.
 
We experienced the same thing with our 189FDS. We have leaned a couole of things. First, the stabilizers are only as firm as the groud they are in contact with. Forest floors have more give then a paved pad. Also, the factory ones are set to far inset so to not be a tripping hazard around the trailer. We replaced them and did 2 things different. First we got some strong enough to slightly lift the trailer, reduceing the effects of the suspension. Secondly I welded some brackets to allow me to install them further out, give it a wider stance.

Lastly - remember your trailers suspension is ‘preloaded’ based on the weight of the trailer. So if you set the stabilizers, then unload the trailer making it lighter - the suspension will slightly raise the trailer, reducing the tension between the stabilizers and the ground. . So either unload the trailer before setting it up, or reset them after unloading.
 
If you have 4 wheel chocks available, there is another way. When you pull into campsite, while still hitched, place chocks in front of both front trailer wheels. Drive forward a few inches on the chocks. Set parking brake to prevent rollback before putting in park. Then place chocks behind rear trailer wheels. Place transmission in neutral and release parking brake allowing trailer to center between chocks. Should be very stable. Unhitch, level and set jacks etc. When leaving, save chocks for last after hitched and jacks up. Pull forward a few inches, set brake, pull out rear chocks, backup few inches and pull front chocks. In practice, takes same time as x-chocks and works same. Good luck.
 
Our FF seems very stable but in the past I have used low-cost scissor jacks from Harbor Freight and found them to be effective. I mounted them with bolts to the frame. I also suggest putting a larger 'foot' against the ground rather than just a narrow or small foot. A brick or 4X4 a foot long works great.
 
Thanks. We have limited experience and aren't sure what would be normally expected. We been putting plastic leveling blocks down, might try wood blocks next time out.
 
Well my 2010 189FBR feels quite stable when the jacks are down. I think the difference comes down to the length of the trailer and rigidity of the frame. Clearly the flex of the frame will increases the longer it gets. And maybe they are making trailer frames lighter to save weight/cost, hence making a less rigid and more flexable trailer floor. One last thought is that maybe what your feeling is flex in the wood decking and not the frame.
 
Thanks. Luckily is just something we notice when one of us moves around. If we had kids moving around in there all the time I think it would be annoying.
 
Thanks. Luckily is just something we notice when one of us moves around. If we had kids moving around in there all the time I think it would be annoying.
 
Just another thought. How much of an angle are your stabilizers at when lowered? If they aren't at much of an angle (meaning close to vertical) when fully extended they won't provide much stability. I know other people on here have posted that their jacks were too short and in some cases didn't reach the ground when fully extended.
 

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