Tripod thing?

[Charlie 3931fb]

Hey All,

Wife and I are camping this weekend. we took a nice walk around the campground's today and we were looking at the different RV that are here. I notice on 3 fifth wheels that have the auto level systems, they were still using the tripod's that go under the king pin. I was told by the dealership not to use that device with the auto level. This bring's me to 2 question's...


1 Was I told the truth about that?

2 What is the purpose for using the tripod? For leveling, or for stability, or for keeping the trailer hitch up?

In all of the years that I have had 5er I never had a problem with the trailers being stable or getting out of level from the hitch so I never looked into getting this tripod. Thank again for your input's.


Charlie

[jsb5717]

The purpose of the tripod is stabilization. I had one for an older 5er that didn't have autolevel or any other stabilizers and it did a good job...especially when we were in the front of the 5er.

However, I find it pointless with this 5er. Between the autolevel and the StrongArm Stabilizers there's no need. The result is I don't need to store and haul that behemoth nor do I have to set it up.

[jeffba]

The sales literature says it is to add to teh stabilization. In fact it is a device aimed at taking up room for other useful fun things.

[mlh]

The main purpose of the tripods is to get your money. They were the hottest gimmick a few years ago and there are plenty of gimmicks in the RV industry.
Lynwood

[Montana Man]

They worked pretty good pre-hydraulic leveling. Mine was dangerous because of the way it folded up. It was like 3 giant scissors waiting to take off a finger.

[DQDick]

We also got suckered in when we were new at 5th wheels and we were one of the lucky few who were able to find someone to sell it to. Many folks have tried to give them away at the national rally and some have been seen in the dumpster at the end of the rally.

[Ram Montana High Country]

Might be some project steel when at S&B

[gjennings]

My buddy still uses his to keep him from walking into the kingpin when when walking around the 5th wheel... So I guess it’s now a safety device.... lol

[kingdaddy]

Mine is for sale cheap. Can no longer use it due to having a Reese Goosebox rather than a typical pinbox.
Only used it before that when long term camping (6 months) in one spot.
Gotta get it out of the basement...

[Fred]

I have seen many campers say that they no longer use theirs.

However IMHO; I just bought one from e-trailer for $175 for safety reasons not for stability. I bought the 5,000 lb. rated goose neck version with an aluminum ball (yes, I love my Reese Goosebox). I'm going to make a storage box for it in the basement compartment and it should be no trouble sliding it in and out and setting it up (yes it can hurt you, as noted, if you are not careful).

Safety you ask? Because I recently had the front hydraulic landing gear bypass a little fluid due to a failed internal seal on a 2019 unit and the front gear dropped 6". As a result of the rig dropping the door wouldn't open because the Morryde stair lifted up and jammed the entry door closed (I'm one of those people that actually prefer the old folding stairs, I miss those).

This minor emergency event can only be taken care of from outside by lifting the gear or taking off the stair feet. Which means getting out through a window. Fortunately this happened when I was away for the day and I was able to lift the rig with the hydraulic pump because the leak was slow.

My son-in-law's mother sometimes visits and we let him take the Montana for her use and there is no way she could get out if this ever happened again. Also, I will use the tripod when the unit is in storage just to be sure. Granted the tripod is not intended to replace the landing gear, but this is a significant safety thing for me. I no longer have 100% trust in the hydraulic gear (I never felt this way about our prior electric jacks) .

One more thing. When the unit went out of level is was hell on the refrigerator compressor. The compressor made some awful noises for a few hours after I got it back level. I just hope it wasn't damaged.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

[1retired06]

Could not even give ours away, so tossed it.

[timandsusan]

Best day in camping was the day ours was tossed out! Not been missed for years!

[richfaa]

The general consensus is that it serves no real purpose we like others had one and got rid of it. If I was to use one it would be on concrete .

[mhs4771]

I always get a kick out of people using a tripod on their TrailAir air king pin.

[BB_TX]

Got lucky with mine. After one season of use, I set in front of the trailer at an RV park with $40 sign on it. And sold it!!! Of course, that means I still lost nearly $100 on it.

[PSFORD99]

Originally Posted by mhs4771

I always get a kick out of people using a tripod on their TrailAir air king pin.

It kept that airbag exercised.

[PSFORD99]

Originally Posted by BB_TX

Got lucky with mine. After one season of use, I set in front of the trailer at an RV park with $40 sign on it. And sold it!!! Of course, that means I still lost nearly $100 on it.

When I bought my first fifth hitch it was a Reese 16K slider ,it was a nearly new used one, they also offered a kingpin stabilizer for $25, they actually had a custom made heavy duty zippered bag made for it ,that came with it. Heck of deal. I used that stabilizer for about two years until I realized it pretty much worthless.

Fast forward I finally got tired of it in my garage after several years, and got it sold , don't remember what I sold it for . The best part of the whole deal was that zippered bag ,perfect length for my electric trolling motor for my one man pontoon boat I fish with. Have used that bag for years now to keep that motor in.

[mazboy]

1 Was I told the truth about that? It was just his opinio, not fact. just don't do auto with the tri stand still in place.

2 What is the purpose for using the tripod? For leveling, or for stability, or for keeping the trailer hitch up? Just to stablize the trailer, but it isn't necessary unless you want it.

[Camp CA]

Ditto jsb5717..............We just took our lightly used tripod our Montana 5th wheel trailer and put it in the original box..............waiting to sell it or give it away vs. landfill.

[Ohioken7]

Well, I am in the “get one” camp. We full time and use it all the time. Our washer/dryer in the front shakes us a lot less with it. The test I tell people, when asked is, stand outside and push on the front side of your rig, try to move it. If it moves, the tripod will help. If it is solid and doesn’t move, it won’t help. Ours helps.