Jack Stands? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

MrG · RV-Dreams Family Member

Jack Stands?

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

Could you ask the previous owners? May have been for stability when parked. What kind of "Rig"?

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

To help answer Bernie's question, Thomas's fifth wheel is a 2005 Alfa Leisure See Ya 5th Wheel. I would also be inclined to think that the jacks would be used for helping to stabilize the trailer. I don't know about the Alfa's, but many others that old didn't have the hydraulic leveling jacks that many newer ones have. If they are for stabilization, I think most have placed those near to the wheels and axles, and always up against the actual frame of the coach, not any of the suspension.

Terry

MrG · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks Terry...TRAILERKING it is a 'new to us' '05 Alfa 5th Wheel. So far we've just 'camped' in the driveway with it, as we get it in shape for us and our future dreams. I've already learned how to get the furnace up and running. It was working, but stopped completely. Read up on it, watched a BUNCH of you tube on it, and took apart what I thought needed to be cleaned, put it back together and like magic...it worked! biggrin I also had to do the same with the hot water heater. And BOOM! We've got hot water! Okay, got a little off subject, but just had to gloat a bit about what I've accomplished in a short time, cause unlike my wife Lori, I am a real NEWBIE at anything that has to do with camping! (and so it begins!)

So, back to the original topic, these (2) jacks are 2 ton and extend to just over 17". Terry you're probably correct about the stabilization of the rig with these. I'll give it a try this weekend and see if it makes any difference.

Tom

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

When you were playin' with your water heater..............The "BOOM" part got me a little worried. Hahaha
Yes Youtube can be your friend. A lot of useful stuff on there.

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

I would say for mid frame stabilization.

Our alfa see-ya has some bounce mid frame and the jack stands really help.

I raise the front jacks up a little past level. Place one jack stand under the frame just in front of the front axle on each side.

Lower the front jacks to level.

Then I lower the rear stabilzers and tighten.

-- Edited by The Bear II on Tuesday 6th of May 2014 08:11:45 AM

igotjam · RV-Dreams Family Member

On our 2011 KZ Escalade, we level the trailer with the front about 1 inch low. We put down the rear stabilizers and put the jack stands snug to the frame behind the wheels. We then raise the front to level. This puts a lot of weight on the jack stands removing weight from the suspension. WE found this makes the trailer much more stable than using the factory supplied JT stabilizers. Everyone has a stabilizing procedure...this is ours.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

TRAILERKING wrote:
When you were playin' with your water heater..............The "BOOM" part got me a little worried. Hahaha
Yes Youtube can be your friend. A lot of useful stuff on there.

Yeppers on the "Boom" part. Anyone that has ever worked around LPG, as I have, hates sudden loud noises. I always hated the 4th of July when I used to haul and deliver LPG. It can amaze one to see how high a grown man can jump at sudden noises.

Terry