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Old 08-01-2014, 10:39 AM   #1
GreatWhite
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Frame Flex While Walking in RV

I am wanting to rid my 5er of what I call 'frame flex'. While either my DW or myself walk around.. even my 65# grandchild, there is bounce.. and it is annoying. There is a l-o-n-g distance between the front jacks and the rear stabilizers. The only thing in between are the wheels which are sprung.

My thought is to buy a pair of scissor jacks and bolt them to the frame.

Any other suggestions? I have some bottle jacks at home.. and they would work. The only problem I'd envision using them is on a wet pull in.. getting down on wet ground to set those jacks doesn't thrill me.

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Old 08-01-2014, 10:52 AM   #2
1retired06
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I have seen multiple rigs where stabilizer jacks have been installed right behind the tires for increased stability. Agree, bottle jacks would work if you don't move the rig routinely. The king pin tripod stabilizer has not worked too well for me, although I use when set up for six months in Florida this winter. There is a universal stabilizer that goes on each side that I saw at Camping world, with two feet per side, but have never seen one in a park. You also have the old fashioned manual telescoptic jacks as an option, although I would use the bottle jacks instead. I think after all is said, I would go with your option.
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Old 08-01-2014, 11:02 AM   #3
Trailer Trash 2
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here is what I use when I'm down for a while it gets rid of most bounce but never 100 %

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Old 08-01-2014, 11:07 AM   #4
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JT's Strong Arm Jack Stabilizers

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Old 08-01-2014, 12:08 PM   #5
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Even Level-up won't get rid of all of it.
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Old 08-01-2014, 12:22 PM   #6
nosticks
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I use four of the pyrimid type screw jacks, the four for $39 variety at CW of all places. They typically are used for travel trailers. One in front and one in back of the axles and the bounce is gone. Very inexpensive solution.
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Old 08-01-2014, 12:38 PM   #7
JandC
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by nosticks

I use four of the pyrimid type screw jacks, the four for $39 variety at CW of all places. They typically are used for travel trailers. One in front and one in back of the axles and the bounce is gone. Very inexpensive solution.
Same with us before we had level-up. The ones we had were aluminum and very light weight but worked pretty good. When not in use they all stacked inside each other and didn't take up much room while traveling.
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Old 08-01-2014, 01:04 PM   #8
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Level up is the way to go. Love how it doesn't bounce.
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Old 08-01-2014, 05:50 PM   #9
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Not being a wise acre here, but prior to purchase, surely one would assume an RV would have different stability characteristics than say a trailer house sitting on cinder blocks. All of the above prune down the issue, but in the end ... it's still an RV.
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Old 08-01-2014, 05:54 PM   #10
GreatWhite
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Thanks for all the suggestions. The JT's that "overlord' suggested would not solve ithe problem. I don't have forward/backward or sideways issues at all.. Just bounce from the unsupported center and very lightweight frame.
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Old 08-01-2014, 06:42 PM   #11
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by GreatWhite

Thanks for all the suggestions. The JT's that "overlord' suggested would not solve ithe problem. I don't have forward/backward or sideways issues at all.. Just bounce from the unsupported center and very lightweight frame.
I'll drink to that Great White about there frames.
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Old 08-01-2014, 09:52 PM   #12
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by GreatWhite

Thanks for all the suggestions. The JT's that "overlord' suggested would not solve ithe problem. I don't have forward/backward or sideways issues at all.. Just bounce from the unsupported center and very lightweight frame.
Bill it sounds like absolutely nothing will fix what you are talking about. Even if you mounted the rig on a regular house foundation you'd still have the motion you are talking about. But if you find a solution there are many of us who would like to know about it. Good luck. Dennis
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Old 08-02-2014, 01:54 AM   #13
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I would call it the nature of the beast and not worry about it! Consider this as you walk the floor gives a little bit and that might help your feet, knees and back as it would act like a shock as you walk! Just a thought!
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Old 08-02-2014, 02:10 AM   #14
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In the same vein, I bought a second set of scissor jacks that I was going to install on our now gone Titanium. These were going to be semi-permanently mounted between the front legs and the wheels as there is a pretty good span there. Has anyone done that? I expect that I'll put Strongarms or similar as well. Also, I use slide supports on the LR which will at least control some of the lever action. Oh and I've found after several TTs and 5ers. anything on springs and tires - gotta have some wiggle - it's just how much can you stand.
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Old 08-02-2014, 04:58 AM   #15
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Have been pleasantly surprised at how little movement with just the front landing gear,rear stabilizing jacks and a set of X-chocks between the wheels. Left the tripod at home as I never felt it did much on our last unit. Notice a little bit of jiggle if sitting in the l/r and DW is walking in the b/r but that's about it. Might spring for JT Stabalizer or similar at some point but really kicking myself for not spending the extra bucks and going with auto-levelling. Perhaps it will be an add on in a few years.
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Old 08-02-2014, 06:13 AM   #16
Carl n Susan
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On our old (pre-Level Up) rig we used the screw type adjustable stands under the frame near the wheels whenever we stopped for a few days. We found they really helped stop the bounce. Another member mounted a pair of rear stabilizer supports (surplus from a crushed Montana) near the wheels and they work wonderfully.
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Old 08-02-2014, 08:52 AM   #17
Trailer Trash 2
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My wife goes through the roof when we have F flex, me I just think I'm back on a ship in the Navy, or back home having a mild tremor from 18 wheelers going by my home on the freeway behind my house.
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Old 08-02-2014, 09:38 AM   #18
rmthelen
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I had a set of these for my last Montana and was totally impressed at how they stabilized the unit. I now have Level Up and sold them. There have been times I wish I still had them because they remove virtually all bounce and are very easy to install. Watch the video and you will see what I mean. http://www.rocknomore.com/
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