297rsts bouncing with stabilizers down

charley patton

Advanced Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2018
Messages
88
Location
North Carolina
my new trailer has much more floor bounce than my 303rls had. it's kinda annoying, but i admit i'm pretty heavy-footed when i walk.

has anyone been bothered by this to the point of doing something about it? i need some good ideas, maybe like a couple of bottle jacks to take the leaf springs out of the equation?

thanks
 
my new trailer has much more floor bounce than my 303rls had. it's kinda annoying, but i admit i'm pretty heavy-footed when i walk.

has anyone been bothered by this to the point of doing something about it? i need some good ideas, maybe like a couple of bottle jacks to take the leaf springs out of the equation?

thanks

I do notice bounce in our 297RSTS as well. Not any worse or any better than our previous Rockwood. I think this is pretty standard for a trailer with only stabilizer jacks that don't take weight off of the tires. One option that I have heard can help is if you put blocks under the stabilizer jacks so that you don't have to extend them very far. I have not tried that but have been thinking about trying it rather than extending them down really far.

Rob
 
I do notice bounce in our 297RSTS as well. Not any worse or any better than our previous Rockwood. I think this is pretty standard for a trailer with only stabilizer jacks that don't take weight off of the tires. One option that I have heard can help is if you put blocks under the stabilizer jacks so that you don't have to extend them very far. I have not tried that but have been thinking about trying it rather than extending them down really far.

Rob

good idea. i'll give that a whirl, full report forthcoming.....

thanks
 
Shouldn't make any difference how far the jacks extend. If they're heavy duty enough then they should not flex. No way should you get flex from the threaded rod and the threaded adjustment.
Only way to take bounce out is to install another set of jacks right near the axles. I would do it in front of the front axle. That way you can access them if needed when the slides are out.
 
Shouldn't make any difference how far the jacks extend. If they're heavy duty enough then they should not flex. No way should you get flex from the threaded rod and the threaded adjustment.
Only way to take bounce out is to install another set of jacks right near the axles. I would do it in front of the front axle. That way you can access them if needed when the slides are out.

I have read previously that the further you extend the stabilizers the more movement you get but hadn't tried it yet. If it's on the internet it has to be true:rolleyes: I like the idea of putting an extra set of jacks in front of the axle to reduce spring bounce from the suspension. May have to think about that as another mod.

Rob
 
Shouldn't make any difference how far the jacks extend. If they're heavy duty enough then they should not flex. No way should you get flex from the threaded rod and the threaded adjustment.
Only way to take bounce out is to install another set of jacks right near the axles. I would do it in front of the front axle. That way you can access them if needed when the slides are out.

janis is on her way to wallyworld to get a couple of those galvanized jack stands. i'll place them right in front of the front wheels and report on their effectiveness. in the interest of full disclosure, i found this solution on irv2 a little while ago. it might be a pretty inexpensive way to fix this issue.
thanks:brushteeth:
 
problem solved.

i nailed together six 2x6 blocks 8" long. i placed a campco stackable (or screw) jack on top of the wood platform and ran the jack up as tight as i could by hand to the chassis, right in front of the forward axle. literally, all the bounce is gone. i didn't have to mess with the factory stabilizers in terms of putting them on blocks. i used the wood blocks under the screw jacks, because they only extend to 17" and the chassis is 24" off the ground.
 
problem solved.

i nailed together six 2x6 blocks 8" long. i placed a campco stackable (or screw) jack on top of the wood platform and ran the jack up as tight as i could by hand to the chassis, right in front of the forward axle. literally, all the bounce is gone. i didn't have to mess with the factory stabilizers in terms of putting them on blocks. i used the wood blocks under the screw jacks, because they only extend to 17" and the chassis is 24" off the ground.

That is great news Charley. Now I know what I need to do to stop the bouncing on mine. Thanks.
Rob
 
my new trailer has much more floor bounce than my 303rls had. it's kinda annoying, but i admit i'm pretty heavy-footed when i walk.

has anyone been bothered by this to the point of doing something about it? i need some good ideas, maybe like a couple of bottle jacks to take the leaf springs out of the equation?

thanks


We use wood blocks under the jacks so they are not extended as much. We also use “X” chocks between the wheels on both sides.
https://www.amazon.com/X-Chock-Whee...v&qid=1580181286&sprefix=X+cho,aps,183&sr=8-4
These seem to help a lot. I will tighten them up a little more a few hours after we set up, after the tires have cooled down.

Mark
 
I have the same problem. The manual seems to indicate the stabilizers are weak, but really they should stop the roll without lifting the trailer. Seems to me the stabilizers are weak and flex themselves.I Feel it is because the pivot point for each leg is too close to the center-line of the trailer. Hope the blocks help....don't really want to buy screw jacks to load and unload each setup...space and weight are a premium.
 
Could you post a picture of your solution?

i don't have pictures, but it's easy. go to camping world and buy what they call "stack jacks." they cost $24 for two of them. they are made of aluminum and couldn't weigh more than two or three pounds. set them on a block of wood about 12" thick(nailed together 2x6's 6" long. set them right in front of the forward axle. it fixed 90% of my problem.

good luck
 
I do notice bounce in our 297RSTS as well. Not any worse or any better than our previous Rockwood. I think this is pretty standard for a trailer with only stabilizer jacks that don't take weight off of the tires. One option that I have heard can help is if you put blocks under the stabilizer jacks so that you don't have to extend them very far. I have not tried that but have been thinking about trying it rather than extending them down really far.

Rob

check out Sumo Springs , they seem a bit pricey but I think they could really help .
 
check out Sumo Springs , they seem a bit pricey but I think they could really help .

I thought Sumo Springs were only for trucks? Not sure if they can be used on the trailer or how that would help with trailer bounce when setup for camping. Be interested in understanding.

Rob
 
Rob,
They make them for RV's also. You might have to measure from the top of the leaf spring to the bottom of the frame rail . Just type in sumo springs & you will find out what is needed to buy
a set that will fit your needs.
Gary
 
i don't have pictures, but it's easy. go to camping world and buy what they call "stack jacks." they cost $24 for two of them. they are made of aluminum and couldn't weigh more than two or three pounds. set them on a block of wood about 12" thick(nailed together 2x6's 6" long. set them right in front of the forward axle. it fixed 90% of my problem.

good luck

So you just place them, one on each side of your trailer and jack it up to the frame in front of the first axel?
 
Rob,
They make them for RV's also. You might have to measure from the top of the leaf spring to the bottom of the frame rail . Just type in sumo springs & you will find out what is needed to buy
a set that will fit your needs.
Gary

Thanks Gary,

Had a look at them on the net. Seems like it could be a good idea for many reasons, even towing stability by acting like a shock absorber as well. May need to think about this.

Rob
 
Stabilizer Jacks

my new trailer has much more floor bounce than my 303rls had. it's kinda annoying, but i admit i'm pretty heavy-footed when i walk.

has anyone been bothered by this to the point of doing something about it? i need some good ideas, maybe like a couple of bottle jacks to take the leaf springs out of the equation?

thanks

I had same problem on my Jayco. Yes if you bring wooden 2x6 or 2x8 pads so the jacks don't extend as far it does make a world of difference. I am trading my Jayco Eagle in a week for GD 300RBTS and will be putting my pads under the new trailer.
 
Look for Wayne stabilizers that are made out of aluminum and they have a ratchet strap at the bottom , They work really well And are easy to use , The guy that used to make them sold out to one of the big companies and they changed the name , I think it’s valterra folding stabilizers now and you can buy them from etrailer
 

Try RV LIFE Pro Free for 7 Days

  • New Ad-Free experience on this RV LIFE Community.
  • Plan the best RV Safe travel with RV LIFE Trip Wizard.
  • Navigate with our RV Safe GPS mobile app.
  • and much more...
Try RV LIFE Pro Today
Back
Top Bottom