Swaying trailer when parked - Montana Owners Club

M00N1 · 01-08-2006, 03:06 AM

could anyone help us with any fixes to stop the swaying, jiggling of the trailer when we are parked. Specifically what we were thinking about looking into were the jacks that go between the wheels and then tighten them up. Another system we have seen is two bars that go kitty corner from your jacks on the front. Sorry that is the best description I can give.

When we are sitting here and our 60 pound labradoodle decides to follow the dogs outside, we feel we are sitting on a train with all the swaying. Is there any true fixes for this. We have been told that the stabalizer jack on the pin is not the fix for this. What do you all think?

thanks for all your help.

Jo and Rob

DHenry · 01-08-2006, 03:31 AM

The front pin stabilizer seems to help ours somewhat, but the best is the between wheel chalks. I also added another set of stabilizers in front of the wheels (similar to the one that is in the back). All of these seem to minimize the motion but do not eliminate it entirely.

CountryGuy · 01-08-2006, 03:36 AM

Subject currently also being discussed at:

http://montanaadministrator.forumco....C_ID~13216.asp

here on our forum, might help ya

Montana Sky · 01-08-2006, 06:39 PM

I found having the king pin tripod has really helped with the movement in my coach. Does not take it away but sure limits the amount of movement.

ols1932 · 01-09-2006, 03:45 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by M00N1

could anyone help us with any fixes to stop the swaying, jiggling of the trailer when we are parked. Specifically what we were thinking about looking into were the jacks that go between the wheels and then tighten them up. Another system we have seen is two bars that go kitty corner from your jacks on the front. Sorry that is the best description I can give.
Jo and Rob

I think the expense of the extra bar system that you describe is not worth the money if you move a lot. If you are parked and living in your rig for 4-6 months between moves, well, then maybe. I've seen them demonstrated and they do seem to work. But I can't find the desire to use them. It's just another "nice" thing.

Garin1 · 01-10-2006, 01:55 AM

The kingpin stabelizer and BAL wheel chocks work to remove most of the sway and "wiggle-jiggle". Just remember, you are in a travel trailer.

dannyl · 01-10-2006, 08:41 AM

I have a 348rls RV and I have found that after I put down 2X6 blocks under the front and rear jacks most of the movement is gone.

I had alot of trouble when jacking up the RV into the dirt or gravel of a pad. Make sure the RV doesn't move back or forward after you lower the jacks or they will get into a bind.

kwbosch · 01-10-2006, 09:42 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by M00N1

could anyone help us with any fixes to stop the swaying, jiggling of the trailer when we are parked. Specifically what we were thinking about looking into were the jacks that go between the wheels and then tighten them up. Another system we have seen is two bars that go kitty corner from your jacks on the front. Sorry that is the best description I can give.

When we are sitting here and our 60 pound labradoodle decides to follow the dogs outside, we feel we are sitting on a train with all the swaying. Is there any true fixes for this. We have been told that the stabalizer jack on the pin is not the fix for this. What do you all think?

thanks for all your help.

Jo and Rob

Jo & Rob,

If you really want to eliminate the movement and money's no object, here's the system for you:

http://www.bigfootleveler.com/levelers.html

Ken

sreigle · 01-11-2006, 04:53 PM

We've not been able to totally eliminate the movement but have dampened it considerably. The kingpin stabilizer helps. Between wheel chocks on both sides helps. Those are for the horizontal movement. For the vertical movement we added a scissors jack on each side (can go behind or ahead of the wheels). That does pretty much totally eliminate the up and down bounce but not the side to side and fore-aft movement.

One thing, also. Don't crank those rear stabilizers down too hard. For us it seems to work best to bring them down until the pads are flat and snug against the ground. After both are this way I'll go back and crank them another half turn. Any more than that and I'm just lifting the rig off the suspension and trying to support it with those rear stabilizers. They don't do a good job of supporting.

Others may have better ways. This seems to work reasonably well for us. Also, the day after you set up you might go out and tighten the between wheel chocks. When the hot tires cool down they must shrink a little, slightly loosening the chocks. So it seems anyhow. I need to do that to ours soon.

CountryGuy · 01-12-2006, 01:48 AM

Steve

Watch for fire ants when you get down there to snug up those pads and chocks. Al got into them doing just that. Nasty critters!

M00N1 · 01-13-2006, 04:31 PM

thanks all for the advice. We are going to camping world to get the tri pod and go from there. Will have a check on the back jacks as well. Thanks, Ken, but money is unfortunately an object but looks like a great system.

sreigle · 01-14-2006, 06:05 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by CountryGuy

Steve

Watch for fire ants when you get down there to snug up those pads and chocks. Al got into them doing just that. Nasty critters!

I didn't get into any fire ants. Haven't seen any yet and hope I don't. I did get a mess of those little stickers, though. Nasty things those are.

Montana_3696 · 01-15-2006, 12:07 AM

Bal's Deluxe Locking Chocks are currently on sale at Camping World for the best price I have seen ...

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/s...11109&src=FPOS

Jim

bobgay · 01-15-2006, 05:50 AM

Thanks for the tip, Jim. That's a good price. I just ordered two.

glenwynn · 01-20-2006, 06:50 AM

I just had the bars you were taking about installed on the front and back jacks and they work great, a bit costly but they stop the rocking.
If you want to check them out you can send me a email a glenwynn@hotmail.com and i'll send you the phone number I know they are at Quartzsite till Feb

Glen

MIMF2 · 01-20-2006, 12:20 PM

MOON1,

Or if you happen to come to Goshen IN and want to pop for a set of Lippert Electric 1 piece rear stabilizers, we will install them at no charge!

Montana Sky · 01-21-2006, 11:20 AM

Dale,
Does the electric jacks provide any more stability over the "manual scissor" jacks? What would an electric set cost??? =)

MIMF2 · 01-21-2006, 02:17 PM

Montana Sky,

They have reduced the sway by, in my opinon, 70%. Several of the folks at the Reno Rally observed how they work. Maybe one or two of them can chime in here. I am really satisfied with how they work.

Unfortunatly, they do not come cheap. The suggested retail on these are $550.00. But, like I said, if anyone comes to Goshen and wants a set of these on their Monty, we will install it FREE!

In about two hours, you are on the way. It takes longer to wire up than it does to actually mount them.

Got any takers? In the last several months, we have put several of them on Cedar Creeks and one Montana. We need more of them on Montanas!

Montana Sky · 01-21-2006, 09:44 PM

Dale,
Oh how I wish my coach was not in storage and Goshen was not so far away. Might be up that way in July, going to Minn for family reunion. Not sure if coach is going or not as of yet, but.... free install.... ummm..... Will have to look at the calendar a little closer to see if I can swing it.

MIMF2 · 01-22-2006, 02:20 AM

Montana Sky,

If you decide to have one installed, all you have to do is call us about two days ahead of time to let us know when you want to be there and we will make it so.

That goes for all of you reading this thread. It applies to anything you want us to do to your coach as far as repair to slide systems, landing gear, stabilizers and storage trays. We have several good field service techs that can do whatever needs to be done.

Travel safe, everyone.

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