5th Wheel King Pin Stabilizer and Generator/Solar

[RBul31]

I am new to 5th Wheel RV's so I will probably be back with tons of questions. Right now I was wondering if a 5th Wheel King Pin Stabilizer is worth the investment or if the Auto Leveling jacks take care of things?
What size of Generator would be recommended? I have two AC units and plan on heading Southwest alot. Would I be better served to get Solar panels rather than a generator? When we were in California the last time they shut off power to the whole area because of the heat. I have two dogs and I can't afford to have them cook in the RV.

[mhs4771]

To run the AC on Solar would need a pretty big bank of panels and batteries. Most onboard gennys in trailers run on Propane, good for short term but if you need to run for multiple days something external running a Gasoline would be better.
As for the Stabilizer most don't think they're worth the expense and bother, yet some swear by them. I would try a while without and see what you think.

[AZ Traveler]

Welcome to the forum!

-Don't waste your $ on the stabilizer. Search the forum and you will find info on them.

-Lots of options with gennys - I recommend a pair of Honda 2200s or similar. They are easier to handle than bigger ones.

-Solar is great if you are going to boondock at least part of the time. Solar will not replace a genny - you want both. Solar will not provide enough power to run your ac and you will deal with some cloudy days. Again search the forum - there is a lot of info on solar and gennys.

[Jeff n Susan]

Look into the JT Strongarms. They stabilize our 2020 330RL quite well. Good luck!

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by RBul31

I am new to 5th Wheel RV's so I will probably be back with tons of questions. Right now I was wondering if a 5th Wheel King Pin Stabilizer is worth the investment or if the Auto Leveling jacks take care of things?
What size of Generator would be recommended? I have two AC units and plan on heading Southwest alot. Would I be better served to get Solar panels rather than a generator? When we were in California the last time they shut off power to the whole area because of the heat. I have two dogs and I can't afford to have them cook in the RV.

We travel all over the SW but have never had power cut due to heat......but I don't go to CA.

If you go (come) to the SW you don't need solar or a genny if you stay in developed campgrounds. If you want to boondock you should probably have all the above plus slide toppers, shade trees, lots of water and very efficient ACs. But rolling blackouts, no power due to shortages? That's pretty well isolated to particular areas.

[DQDick]

Welcome to the forum! Many of us were suckered into buying a stabilizer when we were new to 5th wheels, only a few of us were able to find someone to buy it cheap. Most had to give it away and some couldn't even do that. Solar isn't practical to try and run even one AC so a generator will be necessary.

[h2ojocky]

If you are not boondocking and only want the generator for back up, I would look into the
Harbor Freight Predator 3500 generator. I don't think it would run both A/C units. It runs my 15K A/C perfectly. You may also want to look into micro air
https://www.microair.net/products/ea...nt=30176048267

[rohrmann]

It would help knowing what rig you have. Also, what pin box you have. We have a MORryde pin box and a pin box tripod would do nothing as the pin would float. If you have a rigid pin, then a tripod might help a bit. Running A/C’s definitely requires a generator, and to run both needs a large generator.

[phillyg]

I've never thought the pin stabs would do much, even less so with 6-pt leveling. I can run one AC and the MW on a 3200w genset. Think you will need 4000+ to run two ACs

[Code80]

I almost hate to reply. We have the Moryde box, we went without a stab after reading many posts to try without one. Even with the 6 point leveler we found if one of us is laying down in the bedroom and the other us walking around in the RL area the bedroom shakes. We bought a stabilizer on Amazon for less than $100.00 and it solved the issue. We only use it for longer term parking not 1 or 2 nights. I agree with previous post try without before you buy.

[beeje]

As mentioned do not waste a nickel on a king pin stabilizer they are worthless. Also mentioned JT strong arms they are great they will stop most if not all movement.

Our rig with six point hydraulic level up still moves quite a bit. And I've never seen the JT strong arms in my situation

[MikeRP]

Originally Posted by beeje

As mentioned do not waste a nickel on a king pin stabilizer they are worthless. Also mentioned JT strong arms they are great they will stop most if not all movement.

Our rig with six point hydraulic level up still moves quite a bit. And I've never seen the JT strong arms in my situation

I use Anderson Jack Blocks. They widen the contact area of the jacks, keep them out of the dirt and they extend when leveling a lot less. My trailer is like a rock with them. Peace

[BobStack]

I have a 3781RL and use a WEN 3800 generator to run both AC’s but it’s close to its max amp output. You can run lights AC’s and everything but need to turn one ac off for the boss to use her hair dryer. As far as pin stabilizer I have mixed opinions, does it help? Yes but not huge, i have auto levelers and use it at home but not on the road.

[beeje]

Originally Posted by MikeRP

I use Anderson Jack Blocks. They widen the contact area of the jacks, keep them out of the dirt and they extend when leveling a lot less. My trailer is like a rock with them. Peace

I saw those in use somewhere. Definitely a good idea but on the expensive side for plastic. A hunk of 6 by 6 or 8 by 8 would serve the same purpose for almost nothing

[jsb5717]

Welcome aboard! Look into both the JT Strongarms and BAL stabilizers - pretty much the same idea on both of those. SteadyFast has a similar product that is equally effective. We have the Strongarms. We also have a 4pt leveling system. With the JTS we have all the stabilization we need. The benefit of these kinds of stabilizers is there is nothing to store, haul out, set up. Just tighten when you're set up, loosen with you retract...boom.

[432bartman]

Originally Posted by MikeRP

I use Anderson Jack Blocks. They widen the contact area of the jacks, keep them out of the dirt and they extend when leveling a lot less. My trailer is like a rock with them. Peace

Got the Anderson blocks too and really like them.

[mlh]

Most people have already thrown their stabilizers away but if you can find someone with one they would probably be happy to give it to you.
Lynwood

[jsb5717]

Originally Posted by mlh

Most people have already thrown their stabilizers away but if you can find someone with one they would probably be happy to give it to you.
Lynwood

True, although there are some who still seem to use and like them. I found it very helpful in my 1996 Road Ranger that didn't have any other stabilization. I sure don't miss it now and just don't need it. I let it go with the Road Ranger.

[Dam Worker]

When it comes to king pin stabilizers I would like to have my old bipod stabilizer back to help with my six way hydraulic system. I also would like something for the extended overhang on the rear ended of my 3160. Maybe I am more sensitive to motion or others have just learned to accept the wiggle when people are walking around. I would like a bit less wiggle. My worry is clearance when traveling as I would not really want to drag my bottom and rip them off.
I have the Onan 5500 genset that was installed at the factory. It runs both AC’s, just remember it has two different circuits, one thirty and one twenty if I remember correctly. That is how Keystone gets away with using the size of wire that they do. There are some on the forum that have a device that automatically starts the generator if the temperature gets above a set point if and when the shore power goes off unexpectedly. I would recommend a set of bigger propane tanks if you are planning on using the generator a lot. 30’s should be replaced with 40’s. I also carry a small gas generator for boon docking and I only need the tv/satellite etc to be powered.

Happy and safe roads to you.

Tom Marty

[R.S.O'Donnell]

We've found that if we can minimize extension of the jacks it make a world of difference. We've got two packs of leveling blocks and use every one.