Make Your Travel Trailer More Stable: A Step-by-Step Guide
Ensure your RV is stable and level with the right tools like stabilizer jacks, X chocks, wheel chocks, and levelers to prevent discomfort and damage, no matter the terrain.
Traveling in a recreational vehicle (RV) provides a unique experience of freedom and adventure. However, the comfort and safety of this adventure heavily depend on the stabilization and leveling of your RV.
Whether you’re parked for the night or setting up camp for a week, it’s crucial to have your RV level and stable.
With the right tools and knowledge, you can ensure that your RV is well-balanced, no matter the terrain.
Stability issues can result from several factors such as uneven terrain, wind, and movement within the RV.
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When the RV isn’t properly leveled, it can lead to problems like poor drainage, difficulty in operating doors and windows, and discomfort while walking or sleeping in the RV.
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Stabilizing Tools for Your Travel Trailer
Fortunately, there is a range of tools and accessories available to assist in stabilizing and leveling your RV.
These include stabilizer jacks, wheel chocks, levelers, and X chocks, among others. By understanding the function and usage of each, you can significantly improve the stability and level of your RV.
Stabilizer Jack
Stabilizer jacks are designed to prevent rocking and movement when your RV is parked. They bear some of the weight of your RV, reducing the load on the tires and suspension.
They come in various types including manual and electric jacks, scissor jacks, A-frame trailer jacks, and truck camper jacks.
Manual jacks require physical effort to crank them down and lift the RV. On the other hand, electric jacks do the heavy lifting for you at the push of a button.
While manual jacks are more affordable and can work without electricity, electric jacks offer convenience and ease of operation.
X Chocks
Secure your RV with Nilight X-Chocks! Heavy-duty wheel stabilizers fit 3" to 10" gaps, keeping your camper safe and steady during travel.
X chocks are placed between the tandem tires of an RV to reduce sway and add stability. They work by applying opposing force to the tires, which prevents any movement even on uneven surfaces.
X chocks are particularly useful for larger trailers that have more space between the tires.
Wheel Chocks
Wheel chocks are wedges placed in front of and behind the wheels to prevent them from rolling, adding another layer of stability. They are especially important when parking on an incline or uneven ground.
Levelers
Levelers help adjust the height of your RV to make sure it’s perfectly horizontal, which is essential for the proper functioning of appliances and systems within the RV.
Additionally, having a level RV makes the living space more comfortable and safe to move around in.
Proper Usage of RV Stabilizer Jacks
While having the right tools is important, knowing how to use them correctly is equally crucial.
Improper usage can not only lead to ineffective stabilization but also damage your equipment and potentially compromise safety.
Stabilizer jacks are not designed to lift your RV off the ground completely; they are meant to stabilize and support it.
Attempting to lift your RV with stabilizer jacks can cause damage to the jacks and the RV frame.
When using stabilizer jacks, ensure your RV is parked on a flat and solid surface. Lower the jacks until they touch the ground and apply a little pressure.
Remember, the aim is not to lift the RV but to create enough resistance to eliminate any rocking or swaying motion.
The effectiveness of your stabilizer jacks can be amplified by using them in conjunction with wheel chocks and levelers.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using Stabilizer Jacks
Here are the steps to using stabilizer jacks:
- Park your RV on a flat, solid surface.
- If you have a towable RV, unhook it from the towing vehicle.
- Use a bubble level to determine if your RV is level. If it’s not, use levelers to adjust the height.
- Once your RV is level, lower your stabilizer jacks until they make contact with the ground.
- Apply enough pressure to create resistance but not so much that the RV begins to lift.
- Check the RV for any rocking motion. If it’s still not stable, adjust the jacks accordingly.
- Finally, use wheel chocks for added stability.
By following these steps, you can ensure your RV is stable and ready for use.
Additional Tips for Increasing Travel Trailer Stability
While the tools mentioned above can greatly enhance RV stability, there are additional practices that can further improve it.
Let’s take a look at some of them.
The Impact of Leveling and Chocking on Stability
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Proper leveling and chocking go hand in hand with stabilization. An unevenly parked RV can put undue stress on one side, causing instability.
Similarly, without proper chocking, your RV can roll or shift position, leading to potential hazards. Therefore, always ensure that your RV is properly leveled and chocked before deploying stabilizer jacks.
How X-Chocks Improve Stability
X-chocks provide added stability by preventing the tires from rolling, which is a common cause of swaying in RVs.
They are easy to install and can make a significant difference in RV stability, especially in windy conditions or on uneven grounds.
Precautions to Take When Using Stabilizers on Different Surfaces
The type of surface on which you park your RV can impact the effectiveness of your stabilizers. On soft surfaces like sand or loose gravel, the stabilizer jacks may sink into the ground, reducing their effectiveness.
Using jack pads or boards can help distribute the weight and prevent sinking. On the other hand, on slippery surfaces like wet grass or mud, there’s a risk of the jacks sliding.
In such cases, using wheel chocks and non-slip pads can help enhance stability.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I stop my camper from shaking when walking?
A common complaint among RV owners is that their RV shakes when they walk around inside. This can be minimized by using stabilizer jacks and wheel chocks.
These tools work together to prevent any rocking motion and keep your RV steady even as you move around inside.
How do I stop my camper from rocking?
Rocking in an RV can result from wind, uneven ground, or movement within the RV. Stabilizer jacks, wheel chocks, and X-chocks can all be used to minimize this rocking motion. Proper leveling of the RV is also crucial in preventing rocking.
How do you stabilize a camper in high winds?
In high winds, the sway and rocking of an RV can be quite severe. In addition to using stabilizer jacks and wheel chocks, consider parking your RV with the front end facing into the wind.
This can help reduce the side-to-side rocking caused by wind. Additionally, retract your awning and secure any loose items outside your RV to prevent them from being blown away or causing damage.
Why does my camper wiggle?
A wiggling or swaying RV can be due to various factors including uneven surfaces, high winds, or movement within the RV.
Proper use of stabilizing tools like jacks, chocks, and levelers can help eliminate this wiggling and provide a more stable and comfortable RV experience.
