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  1. #1
    Seasoned Camper Jim & Deb's Avatar
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    Blocks to put under landing gear and stabilizers

    Hello all,
    I'm a newbie with 1 trip under my belt. I notice a lot folks use wood blocks under the landing gear and stabilizers. I'm assuming it's to minimize the distance they are extended. My question is how high can they be stacked? I was thinking maybe 3 or 4 2x12x12 pieces stacked for a total of 6 inches. Is that to many or is it ok to go with more?

    Jim
    Jim & Deb
    Michigan
    2016 Reflection 337RLS
    2015 GMC Denali 3500HD Duramax, 4wd, Crew Cab, 6'6" box, SRW

  2. #2
    Seasoned Camper redram's Avatar
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    Just one 2x12 is all you need. You don't need to build it up just need a board to spread out the area for weight distribution. Don
    2014 Reflection 303//2013 Ram 2500 turbo diesel Spring, TEXAS

  3. #3
    Big Traveler
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    What redram said, but I know some people say stacking under rear stabilizers makes them more stable. Idk because I use JT strongarms stabilizers, but it might help.
    Scott and Jan Platt Ocala, FL
    Cameron(Son) & Chica(chihuahua)
    2014 Reflection 337RLS
    2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD 4X4, Crew Cab, Dually, Diesel
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

  4. #4
    Norcalrv1
    Guest
    Jim, you are exactly right. The front Jacks will only extend so far. If they will not lift the front high enough to hitch onto you truck you are in trouble. I always use 2 4X6 under each front jack and last week 3. Last week I was on a soft surface which was not level and the 5th wheel dropped when I unhitched. I needed lots of extension to get it high enough to hitch up. Give yourself lots of margin or you could be in trouble. Good observation on your part.

  5. #5
    notnsuv
    Guest
    I use blocks cut from the lightweight material used for the flooring in big rig sleepers. Non-porous and strong, much lighter than wood.

  6. #6
    Site Sponsor Justaguy's Avatar
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    I was given several pieces of advice from a RIVA cert repairman. One such piece of advice was (without JT STrongarms) the more you have to extend the jacks and stabs, the less stable the unit will be. We use 1"x12" cut 12" sq. 5 pieces all screwed together with drawer pulls for handles. We use them on the jacks and stabs. All four fit nicely curb side basement plastic tray. Works for us. YMMV
    Dean and Cindy
    2014 337 RLS
    Firestone Ride - Rite Airbags
    Ford F-250 6.7 Diesel

  7. #7
    Site Sponsor
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    A voice of caution- when you stack anything under the front landing gear, be very positive you chock behind the tires of your fifth wheel or travel trailer. If you are re-hitching and apply any backward pressure to the kingpin/ ball hitch, the resulting drop of the front of your unit gets caught by the box sides or floor of the bed, or lands on the jacks. (Dodge) Rams are tough trucks, but it's a very bad feeling in the pit of your stomach! I think you all know how I know this!
    AKA Steve and Lynne
    Storm the Black Lab
    Reflection 337 RLS vin 573FR3628E3300393
    2008 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab Longbox
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  8. #8
    Seasoned Camper JustinThyme's Avatar
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    Blocks to put under landing gear and stabilizers

    The less extended the stabilizers and landing gear are the more stable they will be. My rig is on a seasonal site and I have both ends built up with cinder block piers. My landing gear is only down a few inches and the stabilizers about 10 inches. I did find that you can have the rear stabilizers up too high. At first I had them down only a few inches like the landing gear but noted that you could not get enough torque on them close to the raised end of the screw. There is a huge difference between fully extended with only a pad and with them as short as practical. I also use X chocks in the wheels. The only time I feel movement at all is when the kids are clowning around in the bunk house well behind the wheels. Other than that its really stable.

    You can see the piers under the landing gear in this photo
    2015 Reflection 323 BHS #589
    Still working Electrical Engineer
    Rob, Maureen, Dakota, Jacob and Murphy the Lab
    JustinThyme (Just In Time) is a forum handle

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