Motorhome Stability

[erice1098]

I have been searching around the forums here for an answer to my question but have been coming up short and/or not finding what I am specifically looking for so here we go....

I have a 2009 Four Winds Hurricane 31D (GVWR = 18000 and GCWR = 26000).

There are no leveling or stabilizing jacks on the coach. I am currently using wheel levelers/blocks to drive up on when I find we are camped in a unlevel spot.

My question is related to stabilizing the coach to reduce movement of the coach while walking around inside. What is the best, reasonable priced i.e. cheapest, way to reduce this movement?

I looked at different basic jack stand options, but I get confused over weight restrictions, etc.

Thanks!

[captmetal]

stabilizing and raising the coach off the ground are 2 different issues.

if driving up on blocks to level is ok and you want to stop the rocking any cheap 1 ton or above jack will do, it will not have much load on it as it is only stopping the rocking,

if you want to use it to level the coach then a higher weight rated jack will be needed, take the weight of the coach and double it then divide by 4 and you have the min rating needed with safety factor,

now for leveling the more important issue is sway ( rocking) if the jack get very extended it become more unstable. so for safety you don't want to run a jack at full extension as it could fail or get stuck.

so which way do you want to go????

[Laco]

We went from a very large DP, equipped with an auto-level jack system. The Gemini had none, didn't realize how much I would miss that. I recently bit the bullet and had and HWH hydraulic leveling system and stabilizing jacks installed. What a difference!!! I now know better to ever buy any RV that is not equipped with leveling/stabilizing jacks, or plan to add them.

[jpmihalk]

There are aftermarket leveling jacks that are available but are not cheap. They range from automated leveling systems to manual systems where you need your own levels. Anything you do purchase will need to be attached to the frame to stabilize the RV, and even then you will still have SOME rocking going on.

[bigben]

The motion is coming from your RV sitting on the suspension - tires, axle and springs. To stabilize you must get the weight of your RV up and off the springs/suspension. Not in total but enough to reduce the travel on the springs. Most straight forward way is jpmihalk stated above.

[Laco]

Not all leveling jacks are stabilizers too. HWH accomplishes that, by increasing the hydraulic pressure at each jack head, once the MH is level.

[Chance]

Originally Posted by Laco

Not all leveling jacks are stabilizers too. HWH accomplishes that, by increasing the hydraulic pressure at each jack head, once the MH is level.

I'd like to learn more about this difference you refer to. Can you post a link to the HWH leveling jacks that have this stabilizing feature?

[erice1098]

Originally Posted by captmetal

stabilizing and raising the coach off the ground are 2 different issues.

if driving up on blocks to level is ok and you want to stop the rocking any cheap 1 ton or above jack will do, it will not have much load on it as it is only stopping the rocking,

if you want to use it to level the coach then a higher weight rated jack will be needed, take the weight of the coach and double it then divide by 4 and you have the min rating needed with safety factor,

now for leveling the more important issue is sway ( rocking) if the jack get very extended it become more unstable. so for safety you don't want to run a jack at full extension as it could fail or get stuck.

so which way do you want to go????

All I am looking to do is to reduce/stop the motion while walking inside... not level it as well. I do just fine leveling where we go with driving up on the wheel levelers/blocks.

Where is the best place to locate the 1-Ton jacks at? I assume somewhere along the frame on all four corners?

Thanks you

[JamieGeek]

You can get Scissor jacks that handle 7500 lbs per jack:
BAL - Innovative Products for the RV Industry

[jpmihalk]

Yes, along the frame outside of the wheels would be best.

[erice1098]

Originally Posted by Laco

We went from a very large DP, equipped with an auto-level jack system. The Gemini had none, didn't realize how much I would miss that. I recently bit the bullet and had and HWH hydraulic leveling system and stabilizing jacks installed. What a difference!!! I now know better to ever buy any RV that is not equipped with leveling/stabilizing jacks, or plan to add them.

I looked into them, but I have no plans to get into that kind of expense for this coach. When we purchase our next one, we will definitely choose one with the auto leveling/stabilizing system!

Right now, just looking to reduce the motion while walking inside, nothing more.

[lazinskm]

I don't think this is exactly what he is looking for, but I didn't know if anyone had experience w/ this stabilizer bar. I am just looking to stop a little sway in back where we sleep and the kiddos move at night- the rest of it doesn't bother me....
Universal RV Stabilizer - Valterra 020106 - Stabilizing Jacks - Camping World

[erice1098]

Originally Posted by lazinskm

I don't think this is exactly what he is looking for, but I didn't know if anyone had experience w/ this stabilizer bar. I am just looking to stop a little sway in back where we sleep and the kiddos move at night- the rest of it doesn't bother me....
Universal RV Stabilizer - Valterra 020106 - Stabilizing Jacks - Camping World

I did see those myself while digging around for a solution. I haven't spoken with anyone down at Camping World yet about them, but it seems they would more of a fit for a much lighter/smaller type of camper. The biggest thing that was throwing me off when looking around was weight limits of the different jacks...

[erice1098]

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

You can get Scissor jacks that handle 7500 lbs per jack:
BAL - Innovative Products for the RV Industry

Thank you. The whole jack weight limit vs the RV weight was confusing me initially when I was looking at these, but it make sense as I am just stabilizing and not lifting.

[erice1098]

Originally Posted by jpmihalk

Yes, along the frame outside of the wheels would be best.

Thank you!

[erice1098]

Originally Posted by Chance

I'd like to learn more about this difference you refer to. Can you post a link to the HWH leveling jacks that have this stabilizing feature?

https://www.hwhcorp.com/

https://www.hwhcorp.com/ml56900_lesy_aftermarket.html

https://www.hwhcorp.com/ml44100m5f5.html

[Bob Denman]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFWw1w-vT2Y

[Laco]

Originally Posted by Chance

I'd like to learn more about this difference you refer to. Can you post a link to the HWH leveling jacks that have this stabilizing feature?

Installing dealer pointed this out as an advantage over other brands, and HWH in a phone conversation confirmed. I did see something in writing, somewhere, of course can't find it just now. Will keep looking.

[erice1098]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Har de har har... such a comedian!

[Laco]

Originally Posted by erice1098

I looked into them, but I have no plans to get into that kind of expense for this coach. When we purchase our next one, we will definitely choose one with the auto leveling/stabilizing system!

Right now, just looking to reduce the motion while walking inside, nothing more.

They do not give them away, and you are correct the expense is considerable. We essentially bought a floor plan and chassis, that was pretty vanilla, and feature free, which kept the purchase cost, in relative terms low. I bought with the intent of having accessories and equipment added after we used it a bit, and knew what I wanted added. Between the 11K in adds I forced the dealer to do when we bought, and the 10K I did, its a very different coach than the one we bought. I have had a good time customizing this one the way we want it for our use, and would probably buy the same way again, if we ever buy another RV, though we are getting older, and both my wife and I are pretty sure this will be the last one, but who knows!!!!!!!!!