
If you're looking to stop your camper from shaking, there are several steps you can take. Firstly, identify the reason for the shaking, which could be due to uneven ground, lack of support under the camper, or issues with suspension, tires, or other RV parts. Next, gather the necessary tools such as tripod for the front jack leg, leveling blocks or pads, a level monitor, lug wrench, digital tire gauge, and portable air compressor. Then, find a suitable parking spot, use your leveling tools to ensure your RV is balanced, and adjust as needed. Once your RV is level, lower the stabilizing jacks and add extra jacks or pads if necessary. Finally, open up the slides and test out your handiwork by walking around inside the camper to see if it still shakes.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Leveling blocks | Camco Heavy-Duty 10 pack |
Wheel chocks | X-Chock Wheel Stabilizer |
Fifth Wheel Tripod | A-KARCK King Pin Adjustable Tripod |
X-Brace Hitch Mount Stabilizer | MOR/RYDE MORryde SP54-182 Hitch Mount Stabilizer |
RV Step Stabilizer | Camco Self Stor RV Step Brace |
Slide-Out Stabilizers | WEIZE Heavy Duty Slide Out Support |
Stabilizing Jacks | Libra True Set of 4 9K lb Heavy Duty 24" RV Trailer |
What You'll Learn
Use stabiliser jacks
Stabilizer jacks are a great way to stop your camper from shaking. They are designed to provide stability and reduce movement when you are camping in your trailer. Most travel trailers and fifth wheels are equipped with stabilizer jacks. Travel trailers usually have at least four stabilizer jacks, while fifth wheels have "landing gear" acting as a stabilizer upfront and additional stabilizers at the rear.
When using stabilizer jacks, it is important to park on level ground as much as possible to avoid having to do a lot of wheel blocking. Before unhitching, chock your wheels to prevent any rolling. You can use stop chocks that go between the tandem tires and lock them against each other on both sides of the trailer.
Stabilizer jacks are for stability and should not be used to level your camper. Make sure your camper is level before deploying the stabilizers. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your stabilizer jacks, if available. If not, some general guidelines include using jack pads to protect the ground and prevent the jack from digging into soft ground. For scissor-style jacks, they are typically strongest when the angle of the scissor opening is less than 90 degrees. Do not extend the jacks too far, as this can reduce their weight capacity.
You can also use additional jacks or blocks under the stabilizers to reduce bouncing or shaking. Some people use concrete blocks, lumber, or cribbing to support the trailer frame. Others use electric or manual stabilizer jacks, which can be placed under the axle or the trailer frame to provide additional support.
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Level your camper
An unlevel camper is likely to be more wobbly. To level your camper, you can use levelling blocks or pads made of wood, metal alloy, or polymer. Place these blocks under your tires and wheel chocks at the front and back of your tires to reduce the amount of bounce in your camper. You can also place the levelling blocks under your front tongue jack if it's a travel trailer to decrease the jack extension. For fifth wheels, blocks can be used under the landing gear.
Step 1: Find a Suitable Spot
Back your RV into the site and get it lined up. Stop a foot or two short of your final parking spot. Use your eyesight and a leveler (digital or bubble) to determine how balanced your RV is.
Step 2: Place Levelling Blocks
Once you find out which part of your RV needs to be levelled, place levelling blocks. You will need to level them based on how unleveled your camper is from the ground. Place the blocks behind the tire and drive backward onto them. After that, check your level and ensure that the RV is level. If it is not level, drive forward and add or remove blocks. Check again until the RV is level.
Step 3: Level Front to Back
Separate the trailer or the fifth wheel and use the tongue jack to move the camper up and down accordingly. Then, check your level to ensure the camper is level back to front. You can install a tripod instead of the tongue jack for a more effective solution.
Step 4: Lower Stabilizing Jacks
Once your camper is level, lower the stabilizing jacks and add extra jacks if necessary. If you have automated jacks, you can press a button, and the jacks will drop down. If you have manual jacks, use the hand tool made for jacks. To make things faster, you can use power drills, but this will eventually damage the jacks.
Step 5: Final Checks
Finally, open up the slides. Do not put your slides out until you make sure the camper is completely level. The sliders can get damaged if you try to open them without levelling the camper first. After all the steps are done, go inside your camper and walk around. You will see that your camper is no longer shaky or wobbly.
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Use wheel chocks
Wheel chocks are an effective way to stabilise your camper and prevent it from shaking. They are an essential part of your camper setup, ensuring a peaceful and comfortable experience. Here are some detailed instructions on how to use wheel chocks:
Firstly, identify a suitable parking spot for your camper. While finding a perfectly level and solid surface may not always be possible, try to avoid unstable, soft or wet ground as much as you can. Once you've found a relatively stable spot, position your camper and use your leveling equipment to ensure it's as level as possible.
Now, let's get to the wheel chocks. Place wheel chocks at the front and back of your tires. These chocks are designed to fill the gaps between the tires, providing a snug fit and restricting tire movement. This simple addition significantly reduces the bounce and wobble in your camper. If your wheel chocks have a curved top, use a mallet or hammer to gently pound them into the perfect position for added stability.
For best results, combine wheel chocks with leveling blocks. Position the leveling blocks under your tires to further minimise tire movement. This combination of wheel chocks and leveling blocks will greatly enhance the stability of your camper.
Additionally, consider investing in locking wheel chocks. These locking chocks provide an even more secure fit, further reducing any unwanted movement. The BAL locking wheel chocks are a popular choice and typically come with a wrench to help force the wheels apart for an even tighter fit.
Remember, while wheel chocks are a great solution, they may not eliminate all shaking, especially if you're dealing with strong winds or uneven terrain. However, by following these steps, you'll significantly reduce the wobble and create a more enjoyable living space in your camper.
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Use a tripod for the front jack leg
Using a tripod for the front jack leg is a great way to stabilize your camper and reduce shaking. This method is particularly useful for fifth-wheel trailers. A tripod stabilizer provides a wide footprint underneath the kingpin, helping to prevent movement.
There are several tripod stabilizers on the market that can be used for this purpose. Many of them are adjustable, allowing you to customize the height to fit your specific camper. Some popular options include:
- Ultra-Fab 5th Wheel King Pin Tripod Stabilizer: This tripod stabilizer is made of sturdy steel and is adjustable, making setup quick and easy. It helps to eliminate front-to-back and side-to-side motion in your camper.
- BAL 5th Wheel King Pin Tripod Stabilizing Jack: This jack is designed to stabilize the front of a fifth-wheel travel trailer by applying pressure against the kingpin. It offers full adjustability on each leg using a unique ratchet system.
- Husky Towing 5th Wheel King Pin Stabilizer Jack Stand: Made of high-quality, rust-resistant steel, this stabilizer has a weight capacity of 5000 pounds and is adjustable to fit kingpin heights between 33 and 55 inches.
When using a tripod stabilizer for your front jack leg, it is important to ensure that it is properly secured and adjusted to the correct height. This will help ensure the effectiveness of the stabilizer and maximize the reduction of shaking in your camper.
In addition to using a tripod for the front jack leg, you may also want to consider other stabilization methods such as leveling blocks, wheel chocks, and stabilizing jacks to further minimize shaking in your camper.
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Use a level monitor
A level monitor is an important tool to help stabilise your camper and prevent it from shaking. It is a simple yet effective device that helps you determine whether your camper is level when parked. While it may not seem like a big deal, parking on an uneven surface can cause your camper to shake and wobble as you move around inside.
There are various types of level monitors available, from basic bubble levels to more advanced digital levels. Some RVs even come equipped with built-in level monitors. If your camper doesn't have one, you can purchase a separate level monitor that adheres to the side of your vehicle. This will ensure that you always have an accurate reading of your RV's level.
Using a level monitor is straightforward. First, back your RV into the desired parking spot, stopping just short of your final position. Then, use the level monitor to check whether your RV is level from side to side and front to back. If it's not level, you can adjust by placing levelling blocks or pads under the tires and driving onto them. Keep checking the level monitor and adjusting as needed until your camper is level.
It's important to note that even with a level monitor, finding a perfectly level parking spot can be challenging. Don't get discouraged if you can't get your RV completely level. Just do your best to minimise the unevenness, and your camper will be much less shaky.
In addition to using a level monitor, you can also employ other stabilisation techniques, such as using wheel chocks and stabiliser jacks, to further reduce shaking. By combining these methods, you'll be able to enjoy a more stable and comfortable experience in your camper.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several reasons why your camper shakes. The ground where you park your camper is important. If you park on semi-solid or uneven ground, your camper will shake. Another reason is the lack of support under the camper. RVs come with four stabilizing jacks, but these alone cannot support the weight of the RV and furniture.
You can use tripod for the front jack leg of the camper, leveling blocks or pads (made of wood, metal alloy, or polymer), and a level monitor. You can also use a lug wrench, a digital tire gauge, and a portable air compressor to check and adjust your tire pressure.
First, find a suitable spot to park your camper. Back your RV into the site and get it lined up. Then, use a leveler to determine how balanced your RV is. Place leveling blocks behind the tire and drive backward onto them. Once your camper is level, lower the stabilizing jacks and add extra jacks if necessary. Finally, open up the slides.
You can use stabilizer jacks, leveling blocks, and wheel chocks to make your camper more stable. You can also use X-chocks, which are braces inserted between your tires after leveling, or a kingpin tripod for fifth-wheel trailers.