Mont G&J
Missoula, MT
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Joined: 09/29/2005
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I believe it could be mathematically proven, preferably by someone with a mechanical engineering degree, that there is less movement in a fifth-wheel that is supported by five stabilizers rather than four.
Maybe BIG ones are exempt from the rule though
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austinjenna
Columbus, Ohio
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Joined: 03/27/2002
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I used a tripod on my old fiver and it did stop some of the movement. On the new rig I went with JT's and they definately do a better job then my tripod did. The tripod was big, heavy, pita to load and unload and ended up selling it.
2010 F350 CC Lariat 4x4 Short Bed
2011 Crusader 298BDS 5th Wheel
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smkettner
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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Mine keeps me from hitting my head on the pin box. Well worth it 
Oh and it does help a little on stability but you will not suddenly think you are on a concrete foundation.
2001 F150 SuperCrew
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
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Voyager Mike
Hamilton, MT
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Joined: 10/06/2007
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When we switched to a fiver we went with a heavy steel very adjustable tripod. Since then we added stabalizers and rarely use the tripod any more. I only take it along if we will be camping where little kids are in the group. We learned the hard way that little kids (and me) look at the ground when they walk. The tripod prevents someone getting knocked out.
As for strength, first of all, I can raise the front of the trailer with my particular brand of tripod. I can also (accidentally) raise the front landing gear off the ground with the tripod set up.
But for the last few years, we don't bother or even take it along. That is, unless we are camping with friends. I hate to apologize to little kids for the grease mark on their heads.
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mbrule
Massachusetts
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Joined: 08/10/2011
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Voyager Mike wrote:When we switched to a fiver we went with a heavy steel very adjustable tripod. Since then we added stabalizers and rarely use the tripod any more. I only take it along if we will be camping where little kids are in the group. We learned the hard way that little kids (and me) look at the ground when they walk. The tripod prevents someone getting knocked out.
As for strength, first of all, I can raise the front of the trailer with my particular brand of tripod. I can also (accidentally) raise the front landing gear off the ground with the tripod set up.
But for the last few years, we don't bother or even take it along. That is, unless we are camping with friends. I hate to apologize to little kids for the grease mark on their heads.
Mike can you provide the brand and model. My "new to me fiver" came with a bipod, and I want to upgrade to a tripod (or somthng likt JTs, not sure which yet). Yours sounds like a nice stong unit.
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dianizon
Cincinnati
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Joined: 06/04/2010
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Thanks to all of you for suggestions. We did get X chocks which are supposed to be better than blocking the wheels. Will probably try it without the tripod support for a while and see if it's necessary.
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NC Hauler
Asheville NC
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I've had a steel tripod for about 10 yrs. now..heavy? yep, I carry mine in the basement of my 5er...My 5er has a GVW of 16,900#, loaded just recently to 15,400#....does it help "stabilize" the front end of "my" 5er? yes it does....to me, seeing as how I've had it for almost 10 yrs. now and really have nothing invested in it, it's worth it to me....I can tell a difference in the front end being more stable...especially when the washer/dryer combo goes into spin cycle..can hardly tell it with the tripod up front....never even noticed until I did a "before and after" comparison.....
Jim & Kathy
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C Schomer
Buckeye, Az.
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Joined: 12/26/2000
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I found a OSHA tripod in a scrap pile. It's for pulling a person out of a manhole. It has alum. telescoping legs and I built a new head to encircle the pin so the legs butt up against the plate. It's rated 5k lbs so I put nearly all the front weight on the tripod and just enough on the front gear to stabilize those corners. The bottom of each leg has a hook for a chain to adjust the leg angle and spread. It's rock solid. It would be a breeze to build something similar. Craig
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diesel man 03
the north country
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Joined: 01/08/2011
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We were not happy with ours, don't bother to put it up anymore.
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mr. ed
Madison, SD (but usually elsewhere)
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Joined: 02/06/2002
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I haven't read all the posts but my logical way of thinking indicates to me that a tripod under the pin box couldn't be much help, especially with side-to-side movement. Additionally, the front jacks won't allow any front to back movement, assuming the rear stabilizing jacks are in use as well. I know people swear that they work for them but I can't figure out how a supporting device under the pin box can make any difference in an area that is already pretty stable...
Mr. Ed (fulltiming since 1987)
2007 Hitchhiker II LS Model 29.5 LKTG
2007 Dodge Ram 3500/6.7 CTD/QC/4X4/SB/SRW/6-speed man/Big Horn edition
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