We had a bi pod for years but it didn't help. Dutch even added an extra set of arm jacks to the very rear of our Carriage. Better but not good enough for me. We are 16 year fulltimers and I didn't want to live with unwanted movement.
Installing permanently mounted stabilizers did the trick and have made the last 6 years so much more pleasant than the 1st 10. Diana
1996 Dodge Dually, Max Brake Controller, Mor/Ryde Susp Rear Spgs, Air Bags, Tailgate Easylift,
1996/2010 Triple Slide Carriage, Mor/Ryde Susp, Kodiak Disc Brakes, Big Foot Auto Leveling System, TST TPMS
dianizon wrote: We traded our TT for a 5th wheel and would like to ask current 5th wheel RV's if they recommend using the tripod stabalizer under the 5th wheel hitch and does it help with stabalizing the trailer when set up?
Crash and Diane
Absolutely they work. Simple to set up and easy to take down.
Do not buy a bipod. They will not work.
You'll get different results with different rigs, but my experience has been that they work very well if used properly. Most people don't seem to understand how to use them. You must put some significant weight on them to work.
I've used the same tripod on our last 4 fivers. Huge difference without them.
Me and my 3 girls
2013 Cougar 293SAB
2011 F350 CC SWB 6.7
Biggziff wrote: You'll get different results with different rigs, but my experience has been that they work very well if used properly. Most people don't seem to understand how to use them. You must put some significant weight on them to work.
Ya - its always operator error right! I could stabilize that little Cougar of yours with a 2x4, so I'm pretty sure a tripod would work.
Don't stereotype those that found no use for them on the bigger rigs as incompetent!
2006 Ford F350 4X4 SB CC SRW Powerstroke 6.0
2013 Redwood 36RL - full paint - disk brakes
"Comparison is the thief of joy! - Theodore Roosevelt"
The user has to understand the pin stabilizer can only stop side to side wiggle at the front.
I use the BAL telescoping stabilizers at the rear and adjustable chocks beteween the tires that eliminates fore and aft movement. My pin stabilizer takes care of the front end wiggle.
The JTs or simular products do the same thing and are located at both ends.
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" ............ Will Rogers
'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach
'97 Park Avanue 28' 5er 11200 gvwr two slides
Biggziff wrote: You'll get different results with different rigs, but my experience has been that they work very well if used properly. Most people don't seem to understand how to use them. You must put some significant weight on them to work.
Ya - its always operator error right! I could stabilize that little Cougar of yours with a 2x4, so I'm pretty sure a tripod would work.
Don't stereotype those that found no use for them on the bigger rigs as incompetent!
How about stabilizing a Monaco McKenzie 32 foot triple slide?
My tripod worked well under it.
I would level the trailer, then raise the front about 1 inch. Install the tripod, tighten it firmly, then lower the front of the trailer onto it so it was VERY tight. Then I would lower the rear stabilizers, getting them as tight as I could with the speed handle.
the only "chocks" used were a couple pieces of 2 inch lumber in front of and behind the tires.
Sorry, but quite often it IS "operator error", whether it be a tripod or a fixed arm towbar or a dolly or something else. If it is perceived as "too inconvenient" by someone, they dismiss it as "useless". A lot of us just go quietly on our way, putting up with the "inconvenience" (or not even admitting that it exists), happily using the items that the naysayers and doomsayers don't want to bother with!
As I previously stated, some swear BY the tripods, some swear AT them.
I am firmly in the "swear BY" camp. It worked for me.
CM1, USN (RET)
2002 Fleetwood Southwind 32V, Ford V10
Toad: 2006 Jeep Rubicon LJ
Other toad: '06 PT Cruiser, Kar Kaddy dolly
Toy: 1977 Dodge W100 CC SWB, 3/4 ton axles & springs
"When seconds count, help is only minutes away!"
Biggziff wrote: You'll get different results with different rigs, but my experience has been that they work very well if used properly. Most people don't seem to understand how to use them. You must put some significant weight on them to work.
Ya - its always operator error right! I could stabilize that little Cougar of yours with a 2x4, so I'm pretty sure a tripod would work.
Don't stereotype those that found no use for them on the bigger rigs as incompetent!
How about stabilizing a Monaco McKenzie 32 foot triple slide?
My tripod worked well under it.
I would level the trailer, then raise the front about 1 inch. Install the tripod, tighten it firmly, then lower the front of the trailer onto it so it was VERY tight. Then I would lower the rear stabilizers, getting them as tight as I could with the speed handle.
the only "chocks" used were a couple pieces of 2 inch lumber in front of and behind the tires.
Sorry, but quite often it IS "operator error", whether it be a tripod or a fixed arm towbar or a dolly or something else. If it is perceived as "too inconvenient" by someone, they dismiss it as "useless". A lot of us just go quietly on our way, putting up with the "inconvenience" (or not even admitting that it exists), happily using the items that the naysayers and doomsayers don't want to bother with!
As I previously stated, some swear BY the tripods, some swear AT them.
I am firmly in the "swear BY" camp. It worked for me.
I would expect nothing less from you! You are a legend! And I'm pretty sure that you've never went "quietly on your way" about anything!
Get some JTs sometime to see how worthless that tripod really is. Your's too will be holding up some satelite dish or a birdhouse like mine is.
Last time I checked setting up a tripod wasn't exactly rocket science: raise the 5er, insert tripod, lower 5er onto tripod so it's good and solid. If you have a bitty 5er they may work okay, but if you got a big'un, not so much.
Biggziff wrote: You'll get different results with different rigs, but my experience has been that they work very well if used properly. Most people don't seem to understand how to use them. You must put some significant weight on them to work.
Ya - its always operator error right! I could stabilize that little Cougar of yours with a 2x4, so I'm pretty sure a tripod would work.
Don't stereotype those that found no use for them on the bigger rigs as incompetent!
"I'm pretty sure that you've never went "quietly on your way" about anything!"
I used to. Then I realized how much fun it is pointing out the foolishness of some posts, especially if I can quote personal experience that is different from the hyperbole that is often spewed with abandon!
And, in my just over 70 years of combined military and civilian life, I have a LOT of varied experience to draw on!
Yeah, in many cases, been there, did that, learned from the experience.
We spent over two years full-timing in a fifth wheel, moving every 13 weeks. I used the tripod every time I set the fiver up. It worked for me. The trailer: a Monaco McKenzie 32 foot triple slide.
* This post was
edited 05/02/12 03:10pm by mowermech *
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