Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Keystone RV Forums > Keystone Fleet | Keystone RV Models > Fifth Wheels
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 06-10-2019, 08:42 PM   #1
penra
Member
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Sequim
Posts: 53
Stabilizing Fifth Wheel

We are getting the Montana 3120RL, upgrading from TT. I see some different looking setups on the fifth wheels around the park and wondering what I should invest in.
1. Tripod under the king pin
2. Cross bars from the lower part of the jacks to the underbody.

What is recommended and good for stabilizing? We will be parked mostly lengthy stays so stable is worth the time and money.

thanks to all for your contributions!
penra is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2019, 04:18 AM   #2
spicercars
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Saginaw Mn
Posts: 1,716
The JT strong-arm system is probably the best if it's in you budget. I use a tripod in the front and x chocks on the wheels and it works good for me.
__________________
2012 Keystone Retreat 39 FDEN
99 Dodge One Ton Diesel Dually
spicercars is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2019, 04:40 AM   #3
rhagfo
Senior Member
 
rhagfo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,176
Quote:
Originally Posted by spicercars View Post
The JT strong-arm system is probably the best if it's in you budget. I use a tripod in the front and x chocks on the wheels and it works good for me.
I had the tripod and it didn't do much, caught a sale at CW on line and got JT Strongarms for $184, 5er is now like a rock!
__________________
Russ & Paula and Belle the Beagle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 14,000# GVWR (New TV)
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS 32’ GVWR 12,360
Visit and enjoy Oregon State Parks
rhagfo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2019, 04:55 AM   #4
Mroe67
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Scottsdale
Posts: 138
On our 3120RL we have 6 hydraulic stabilizing jacks, don't see a need for a tripod jack, as it seems pretty stable as is
Mroe67 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2019, 05:08 AM   #5
Fishsizzle
Senior Member
 
Fishsizzle's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,138
Yeah, looks like the strong arms are not made for 6 point hydraulic systems.

Ours is solid with the 6 point as well. No tripod, no chocks.

OP, what does your Montana have?
__________________
2017 Alpine 3661FL: For Sale
2021 Vilano
2020 F350 Crew DRW 6.7, 4x4, 10 sod auto, 4:10 gears
Fishsizzle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2019, 05:11 AM   #6
jsb5717
Senior Member
 
jsb5717's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Milwaukie, OR
Posts: 1,388
"Stabilized" is a pretty subjective notion. There will always be movement. For me "stabilized" is when the amout of movement is less than a level that bothers me.

Our 4-point level-up system is pretty solid all by itselt but still a little movement when someone is up in the bedroom. That bothers me. The JT Strongarms did it for us. Feels great and no additional large piece of equipment to haul around and set up.
__________________
Jeff & Sandi (and Teddy - 7lb Schnorkie)
2018 Montana High Country 305RL
2015 RAM 3500 Crew Cab 4x4 DRW
Demco Recon Hitch on RAM Puck Ball
jsb5717 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2019, 07:42 AM   #7
penra
Member
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Sequim
Posts: 53
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fishsizzle View Post
Yeah, looks like the strong arms are not made for 6 point hydraulic systems.

Ours is solid with the 6 point as well. No tripod, no chocks.

OP, what does your Montana have?
It does have six hydraulic jacks. I have X chocks so maybe I'm ok.
penra is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2019, 08:24 AM   #8
travelin texans
Senior Member
 
travelin texans's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
Quote:
Originally Posted by penra View Post
It does have six hydraulic jacks. I have X chocks so maybe I'm ok.
We had the 6 point & found if you add blocks under each jack to reduce the length they must extend helps the stable feel as much as any add-ons.
Totally agree the tripod was a waste of $$, it was bulky, heavy, didn't help much & never found a good storage spot while traveling. Spend the $$ on the JT system if you need more stable.
__________________
Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
travelin texans is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2019, 05:22 PM   #9
Ksupaul
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Olathe, KS
Posts: 124
Quote:
Originally Posted by travelin texans View Post
We had the 6 point & found if you add blocks under each jack to reduce the length they must extend helps the stable feel as much as any add-ons.
Totally agree the tripod was a waste of $$, it was bulky, heavy, didn't help much & never found a good storage spot while traveling. Spend the $$ on the JT system if you need more stable.
Never thought of it that way. Makes perfect sense!
Ksupaul is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2019, 05:27 PM   #10
penra
Member
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Sequim
Posts: 53
Quote:
Originally Posted by travelin texans View Post
We had the 6 point & found if you add blocks under each jack to reduce the length they must extend helps the stable feel as much as any add-ons.
Totally agree the tripod was a waste of $$, it was bulky, heavy, didn't help much & never found a good storage spot while traveling. Spend the $$ on the JT system if you need more stable.
Good point!
penra is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2019, 06:53 AM   #11
jsmith948
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Central San Joaguin Valley, CA
Posts: 2,117
On our Cougar, we used x-chocks and Bal stabilizers, plus a home-built diagonal stabilizer bar from the bottom of one rear scissor jack to the top of the other - very solid.

Our Laredo came with the Ground Control 3.0. We don't use the x-chocks anymore as the auto level removes a good bit of weight from the tires rendering the x-chocks less effective. We do still use the Bal stabilizers on the landing gear and we place rubber chocks fore and aft under the tires. Very stable.
__________________

Jack & Marty
2018 Laredo 298 SRL
2011 F-250 SB Crew Cab 4x4 6.7L
jsmith948 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2019, 07:44 AM   #12
penra
Member
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Sequim
Posts: 53
Has anyone used the Anderson Jack Blocks? https://andersenhitches.com/Products...ck-6-pack.aspx
penra is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2019, 08:11 AM   #13
JRTJH
Site Team
 
JRTJH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,836
Quote:
Originally Posted by penra View Post
Has anyone used the Anderson Jack Blocks? https://andersenhitches.com/Products...ck-6-pack.aspx
I do the same thing with 6x6x6 cedar blocks. Mine didn't cost $269, but they aren't red either, so maybe, for some applications, it's the way to go ?????

As for durability, on lighter trailers in warm weather, they probably will be reliable. On heavy trailers, in freezing weather, I don't know if the plastic would get brittle and break with movement (think wind during storage and walking inside the trailer during use). Long term reliability would be my concern.
__________________
John



2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
JRTJH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2019, 04:37 PM   #14
roadglide
Senior Member
 
roadglide's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: nm
Posts: 1,833
I use my tripod always at 3000 pounds tongue weight the tripod takes weight off the front and it stabilizes the fifth wheel it works for me. My tripod is Is homemade And will hold the camper with the jacks up you need to put a lot of pressure on the tongue for them to work.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	image.jpg
Views:	222
Size:	531.8 KB
ID:	22234  
roadglide is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2019, 04:47 PM   #15
hankaye
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Arrey,
Posts: 2,368
Howdy All;

What I got for mine is The Steadyfast system;
http://www.steadyfast.com/index.html

Been holding my 5er steady for 5+ years now.

hank
__________________
Striving for a less complicated life since 1949 ...

Home: 2008 Cougar 278 RKS
T.V.: 2004 F-250 4X4, Level III BulletProofed , Detroit Tru-Track Differential (915A550)
Dog: 2006 Border Collie (Rascal) aka Maximum fur dispersal unit. (08/04/2006 - 12/16/2017) RIP.
hankaye is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2019, 04:48 PM   #16
cookinwitdiesel
Senior Member
 
cookinwitdiesel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Fairfax
Posts: 507
We have 6 point electric jacks on our Solitude S-Class (similar to a Montana High Country) and I was extremely impressed with

a) the auto leveling - that was just awesome
b) how stable it is with JUST the 6 jacks and wheels on the ground. I haven't even put the x-chocks in place yet
__________________
2019 GMC Sierra 3500HD Denali Diesel DRW (Crew Cab | 8 Ft bed | OEM Puck System | Curt Gooseneck Ball for OEM Puck)
(OLD) 2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali Diesel (Crew Cab | 6.6 Ft bed)
2019 Grand Design Solitude S-Class 3740BH-R Fifth Wheel (Onan 5500W LP Generator | MORryde SRE4000 Suspension | 3x Cross Members | Sailun S637 ST | Reese GooseBox 20k 2nd Gen)
(OLD) 2018 Keystone Hideout 28RKS Travel Trailer
cookinwitdiesel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2019, 07:54 PM   #17
CaptnJohn
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Ocean Isle Beach
Posts: 1,431
The front living room seems to have less movement than when we had front bedroom units. Hardly noticed with the hydraulic 6 point system. After adding Snap Caps even less noticeable.
__________________

2022.Montana 3855 BR
2019 F350 6.7 4X4 DRW
CaptnJohn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-16-2019, 07:27 AM   #18
donajohn
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Fines Creek, NC
Posts: 8
Do a web search for "Wayne's Stabilizer". $27-ish each. Use one in front or back, one on side. Position under a fixed point like the frame (not bumper). Can usually find a suitable spot. I use it any time we're in one spot for more than a couple days. Easy to set up.
donajohn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-16-2019, 07:39 AM   #19
bfisher003
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Palm Coast, FL
Posts: 64
I agree

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mroe67 View Post
On our 3120RL we have 6 hydraulic stabilizing jacks, don't see a need for a tripod jack, as it seems pretty stable as is
We have a 2019 3121RL and with the six auto level jacks down it is very stable. We see no need for anything additional.
bfisher003 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-16-2019, 07:57 AM   #20
Fuzion 369
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Cameron Park
Posts: 38
Ours is very stable with 6 point hydraulic as well
Fuzion 369 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
fifth wheel

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates in any way. Keystone RV® is a registered trademark of the Keystone RV Company.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:57 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.