We camped for the first time a couple nights ago (fifth wheel) & while walking around the campground noticed that most people with fifth wheelers had a tripod gadget under the king pin.
Maybe this is a stupid question but.....what are they and what are they for? Are they just a backup for the landing gear?
Thanks, Bob
Terry and Jo said
05:12 PM Aug 8, 2009
Bob,
While I have never used one, I have read that most people employ them to cut down on "rocking" of the fifth wheel. Basically it is adding an additional point of contact with the ground to give additional stability.
Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Saturday 8th of August 2009 05:12:26 PM
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Saturday 8th of August 2009 05:13:09 PM
Racerguy said
06:11 PM Aug 8, 2009
We bought one for our 5ver,the jury is still out on it.We still had a lot of movement in the trailer.Could be because we were in a spot that was very uneven.Pinbox was almost 6 feet off ground and I had to put blocks under the 3 legs of the tri pod.Hope to try it out on a better spot soon.(RV-Dreams Rally).I'm assuming they work or there wouldn't be so many out there.
Luvglass said
06:19 PM Aug 8, 2009
We have one, but hardly use it any more. We find that a pair of screw jacks placed in the center, just in front of the wheels works much better to eliminate the bounce.
Judy said
09:21 PM Aug 8, 2009
We have one with our rig and use it when we are to be in one spot for a month or more. southwestjudy
dream reachers said
09:35 PM Aug 8, 2009
We have one it helps a little on reducing movement in the trailer. I like Freds ' idea, think I'll try it.
Racerguy said
09:41 PM Aug 8, 2009
That's what I like about this forum,there are always so many good ideas.I also like Fred's idea and will try it.It makes sense to support the center area of your trailer.
Linda said
11:19 PM Aug 8, 2009
I thought I would throw in my two cents worth.
We use ours all the time. Is it a must? No! But I will say this, I can always tell when Howard has not installed it. It does make a difference in the movement of the rig.
macattack said
02:52 PM Aug 9, 2009
We have the Trail Air hitch and the tripod stabilizer will not work because of the air bag and shock that is on the hitch. I installed the Eliminator stabilizing rods on the front jacks and they take virtually all of the movement out of the rig.
Judy said
05:56 PM Aug 9, 2009
I might add that we also use the screw jacks, I think with the heavy rigs you need tripod and screw jacks. I am like Linda I can tell when Bob hasn't installed them. southwestjudy
traveljunkie said
05:00 PM Aug 26, 2009
We purchased a Tripod with lock a few years ago to use with our first fifth wheel, a Montana Mountaineer. It seemed to help but sometimes we couldn't use it because the fifth wheel king pin would be too low. I ended up purchasing extra chain so I could spread the legs out further if needed.
Our new rig came with 6 hydraulic stabilizer jacks which really make the rig steady and basically eliminated the need for the Tripod.
So to make a long story short, I set the tripod out in front of our rig at our permanent site with a for sale sign...ended up getting $75 for it the same day I set it out. I can't remember what I paid for it but felt it was a fair deal.
Maybe this is a stupid question but.....what are they and what are they for? Are they just a backup for the landing gear?
Thanks,
Bob
While I have never used one, I have read that most people employ them to cut down on "rocking" of the fifth wheel. Basically it is adding an additional point of contact with the ground to give additional stability.
Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Saturday 8th of August 2009 05:12:26 PM
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Saturday 8th of August 2009 05:13:09 PM
southwestjudy
We use ours all the time. Is it a must? No! But I will say this, I can always tell when Howard has not installed it. It does make a difference in the movement of the rig.
southwestjudy