5ER Kingpin Stabilizers

[Wingate]

Looking at making a purchase of one in the very near future, was wondering which brands are the better ones? 2leg vs 3 leg? Aluminum vs steel? Which ones store the most compact?

 

[Dutch & Di]

We tried the 2 leg or Bi-Pod for several years. We didn't find sufficient elimination of movement with it so we added an additional set of arm jacks at the rear of our 38'Carriage but still had unwanted movement. It wasn't until we added permanently installed stabilizers, which we attached to the 4 corners of RV, almost 8 years ago, that we achieved success. Once the jacks are lowered and the rig is level, tightening the knobs gave us virtually no interior movement.
I think some of it depends on what type of RV'ing you do and what you want to achieve. For some, interior movement isn't a problem but being fulltimers I wanted our "home" as stable as possible. If some movement doesn't bother you or your are an occasional Rv'er a bi or tri-pod might work for you. Another bonus for us is that we don't have to take anything up or down or find a place to store it. hugs, Di

 

[MelvinPierce]

Never use mine. Trailer is stable enough for us. Voltage 3600 toyhauler. I do have the 6 point level, so have 6 jacks down, plus the wheels.

 

[Hoefler]

Adding JT Strongarms type stabilizers to the landing gear and rear stabilizers do the best job for the money.

 

[MLee]

My take on this is, I made my own LIKE strongarms and they work good. My Friend has the tri-stand for the king pin of Aluminum, and he likes his. mine is so long that I get a bit of movement cause it so long and thats because of lack of support in the middle around the axles, called jounce (up and down) not bad just noticeable when sitting in the coach. Also the chocks that lock up the tires help.

Its your choice, go camping and get nosy and ask campers that have these set-ups, and ask to try there rigs set up.

 

[Jim W]

Winegate;
If I was a full timer than I would purchase the JT Strongarms stabilizers and install them on all 4-corners of the camper but I am not a full timer. We tend to camp anywhere from 6 to 7 times a year and a couple of weeks for a long trip each year. So I do use the king pin stabilizer and two X-chocks between the wheels. I have found that this eliminates most but not all of the motion in the fiver. One feature of the king pin stabilizer that I have found is you do not hit your head on the king pin when you are under the overhang at least for me.

Now I purchased the three leg steel king pin stabilizer from camper world.

Jim W.

 

[Wingate]

Thanks to everybody for the responses!. We aren't full timers, but we camp OFTEN!. One to two times a month. I will have to look into the stabilizers for the 4 corners.
MLee, thats a great suggestion I hadnt thought of, will ask some of the other campers.

 

[Powder Extreme]

I used a triple leg kingpin stabilizer along with the power fold down jacks on the rear of my old 38' quad slide. The stabilizer made a very substantial difference. Well worth it in my opinion. I have an aluminum model with all 3 legs extendable. Popular brand I've seen often. Can't remember the name though.

My new trailer is a 42' with 6 automatic leveling jacks, the stabilizer doesn't seem to make much difference because the trailer is so stable to begin with. It still makes a discernible difference though.

 

[ScottLewis]

If you're using a Kingpin stabilizer, then 3 legs is the way to go. I added 4 corner JT types and find them superior to other methods even with locking chocks. By setting them near the desired level, locking them and then moving them just until they feel solid, you get the best stability. It only takes a few minutes more than using just the landing gear and rear jacks. I use a cordless drill to run the rear jacks up and down. Quick.