Stabilizing the Stabilizer?

Originally posted by Keith-N-Dar If you don't already have them get a set of Lynx Levelers, the Legos that we talk about and use them to level your trailer side to side, use the tongue jack to level it back to front, and use the stabilizers to stabilize.

Thanks all for your comments.  Here's what I think I've figured out.  The old-style "Y" stabilizers are OK as front-to-back forces are well absorbed because the "Y"  runs parralel to the frame. However, side-to-side forces can potentially cause the "Y" style to fail/bend as in the bent one I had to replace (and another that's slightly bent). So I agree with the "one to two turns ONLY" rule when the pads hit the ground.  My bent stabs may have been caused by prev owner cranking stabs too high.

I've noticed it depends on where we're at.  I find that the bounce is noticeable on gravel and less so on a solid ground surface or on concrete.  

We do a bit of final leveling with the jacks. We have 4 scissor jacks. Use the blocks to get it close side-to-side, then the tongue jack to get it level front-to-rear.. and then final left/right with the jacks, never have to do much "lifting". By the time we have it to that point, it's plenty stable enough for us. I am 6' and 210lbs.

I use a battery drill and run the pads down on the ground.  That is it.  The dealer made a point of telling me several times not to use the jacks as anything other than stabilizers.  He said it was possible to rack the chassis to the point where I would not be able to open the door.