How Much Tension on Stabilizers

**RickLight** · 07-30-2022, 10:50 AM

I've heard the warnings on forcing these for decades. Then I discovered most crank versions are rated for 5000lbs! Since my trailer is 10,000 max I've stopped worrying.

You can bend or twist the frame if you start lifting off the main supports. But that takes some serious work.

**masterdrago** · 09-20-2022, 06:12 AM

Still not sure how much "torque" to apply to these "non-leveling" jacks. From comments, I'm seeing not just until they touch the ground. Do I let the drill spin the screw until the stabilizer jacks just begin lifting the frame? So far, I've apparently not applied enough "torque" to reduce or prevent shaking when DW walks from the kitchen, to the bathroom. Is there a rune of thumb?

**FlyStar** · 09-20-2022, 07:08 AM

Originally Posted by masterdrago

Still not sure how much "torque" to apply to these "non-leveling" jacks. From comments, I'm seeing not just until they touch the ground. Do I let the drill spin the screw until the stabilizer jacks just begin lifting the frame? So far, I've apparently not applied enough "torque" to reduce or prevent shaking when DW walks from the kitchen, to the bathroom. Is there a rune of thumb?

Well. I crank it until I see the trailer lift just a little. Like 1/2”. Also use a couple of valterra stabilizer which work pretty good.

Valterra 020106 RV Stabilizer https://a.co/d/e7M4CIg

**masterdrago** · 09-20-2022, 08:23 AM

One more ? Lube? Light red wheel grease? Oil? Some NASA approved spray lube? What is the recommended lube for the long stabilizer screws?

**BobinICT** · 09-21-2022, 09:04 AM

I use a SnapOn 14.4 volt long neck ratchet to operate my stabilizers up and down. I stops at about 35 foot pounds and from there just a little more snug and good to go. Love that beast. No getting down on knees, just bend over and go buuur. But not cheap. All my cordless tools are SnapOn 14.4. I believe Harbor Freight has copied the ratchet but not sure of the quality.

**NB Canada** · 09-21-2022, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by BobinICT

I use a SnapOn 14.4 volt long neck ratchet to operate my stabilizers up and down. I stops at about 35 foot pounds and from there just a little more snug and good to go. Love that beast. No getting down on knees, just bend over and go buuur. But not cheap. All my cordless tools are SnapOn 14.4. I believe Harbor Freight has copied the ratchet but not sure of the quality.

Yup my wife and I chuckle hearing that sound carry across the campground

**BobinICT** · 09-21-2022, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by NB Canada

Yup my wife and I chuckle hearing that sound carry across the campground

If I think I will be disturbing someone I feather the trigger and run it slow. Can sound like an impact at full throttle but not as nearly loud.

**masterdrago** · 10-06-2022, 12:15 PM

So I've added some tension to those stabilizer jacks. Maybe ~1/2" lift. Our unit still appears to have a good bit of shimmy. Someone suggested to raise the base of the stabilizers using jack blocks. Another suggestion was using an X-Chock.

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**DougW9876** · 10-06-2022, 04:18 PM

With the travel trailers I have had I usually put a couple of inches of lift on the stabilizer jacks before they actually stabilized the trailer nicely. I use a 19V screwdriver and run the jacks until the screw driver stalls. The weight rating on the jacks usually is enough so there is no worry about damaging the jacks and the front of the trailer is certainly strong enough for a good bit of lift, it supports the trailer on the tongue plus the stress of the equalizer hitch and the rear frame is made of the same piece of metal.