EllieThomas
Redding, California
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I am planning a long trip next summer, staying just one night and moving on until I get there. I have never done this... just gone camping in one place.
If I leave the traier hitched with equalizer on, is it advisable to put the stabilizer jacks down? Now for the silliest part: do you you put the tongue jack down or leave it alone?
I know how bouncy the trailer is when hitched, but I know I am lazy enough not to want to unhitch for one night at a time.
Thanks,
Ellie
Redding, California
2006 Jayco Jayflight 20BH
2006 Chevy Silverado Duramax with Allison
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Rollincool
Always Rollin
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Joined: 08/10/2007
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Ellie,
No, not crazy, it's done all the time. Just make sure the truck is out of the way and just unplug the electric cord from truck.
You can put the tongue jack down to make it more stable, yes.
-Joe
2008 Chevy Silverado 4x4 3500 RC/LB 6.0 
2007 Chevy GS Conquest Super C 6340DK
2007 Chevy HHR Toad 2LT 2.4
1990 Chevy G20 Cargo Van 305 
1967 Chevy Camaro Pro Street 468/650hp BBC 
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DeutscheMan
Oregon Coast
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We do it all the time. Yes, you can put the stabilizers down, as well as the tongue jack. What difference does it make between being on the road with your rig hooked up, and sitting on an RV pad? Most of the time, on a quick overnighter, I don't bother to put the stabilizers down. The tongue jack is great for that extra "anchor" for the night. Some people will tell you to unhook the electrical from the TV, but if you are hooked up to shore power, it isn't necessary. I find it's really nice to pull into a pad that is actually "level" and I don't have to do anything except hook up power, water and let the DW fix the cocktail! If you feel the need to put down the stabilizers, go ahead. Mine are electric, so I usually manage to push four buttons while I'm having my toddy. BTW, I notice you're in Redding. We love the JGW RV Park on the Sacramento River. That's our halfway point when we travel to see the kids in CA..
Bill
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ScottG
Bothell Wa.
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Joined: 02/25/2005
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I put down the tongue jack to stabilize things and release the tesion on the spring bars. No need to maintain the strain on them needlessly.
Scott, Grace and Wesly
2003 Dodge 3500 4x4 Cummins (lightly bombed),
2004 Forest River 25RKS many, many mods.
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FamilyCamping
CA
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Joined: 08/19/2005
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We've done it many times day after day with no problems. I always put the tongue jack down enough to help keep it from wiggling too much. Also, I put at least the rear stablizers down(don't take long with cordless drill & 3/4 socket). I have never bothered with un-pluging the electric cord to the pickup, & not sure why you would need to either.
Have a great trip!
1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Quad-Cab Long-bed Auto 4X4 3.55LS 285/75/16 tires.
2000 30' Layton bunkhouse TT with 15' slide out.
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EllieThomas
Redding, California
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You guys are too kind. I was really worried on this one that someone would say, "duh" but as usual, only the best folks on this forum.
Thanks a lot... now I know it will be ok to either use the stabilizers or not and I think I will put the tongue jack down just as you've said, to stop the wiggle and give it an extra anchor. I suppose if I do that, it will indeed lessen the strain on the equalizer bars. Way cool.
Bill, I pass that park every day going to and from work. It looks nice and shady. In fact when we were thinking we might have to evacuate because of the fires, I thought of parking the trailer there.
Thanks a lot,
Ellie
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Gdetrailer
PA
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Joined: 01/05/2007
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We do that all the time, helps breakup a 14 hr drive to stop overnight.
I would suggest trying to get trailer as close to level as possible though, your fridge will thank you with a longer happy life. I put a board under the tires on one side when needed and have even put a board under the rear TV tires to help with front to back level.
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DeutscheMan
Oregon Coast
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That wouldn't be a bad place to hang out if you ever had to. They have some nice sites on the river. I worked for Redding PD many, many years ago, when all that was just ranch land. We started going there before the trees were "trees". Anyway, good luck with your new rig, hope you have many great aventures.
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wtravlr1
Palm Harbor, Flordia, and Geneva-on-the-lake, Ohio
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ScottG wrote:I put down the tongue jack to stabilize things and release the tesion on the spring bars. No need to maintain the strain on them needlessly.
do the same
2007 Forest River Sierra 31fkd (37') dual slides
chevy suburban 2003 2500-8.1 L.4.10's
prodogy/reese dual cam
rollgard springs
Fulltiming it since 2004.
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Mamzerook
Okanagan B.C.
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Joined: 03/27/2008
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wtravlr1 wrote:ScottG wrote:I put down the tongue jack to stabilize things and release the tesion on the spring bars. No need to maintain the strain on them needlessly.
do the same
Unnecessary I think, as they are spring steel like the tv suspension. You are then unloading all weight onto the back of the tv. I dont think it can hurt the hitch bars
1995 K3500 Silverado 6.5l TD
2008 Jay Flight G2 27BH
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