Stabilizing the Stabilizer?
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2574
Printed Date: 16 May 2025 at 1:22am
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Topic: Stabilizing the Stabilizer?
Posted By: Bill-GA
Subject: Stabilizing the Stabilizer?
Date Posted: 16 May 2012 at 1:58pm
When I first purchased my RPod (from a private party) I discovered a very bent "stabilizer. I ordered one from FR for under $30 (shipping was more!!!). I've been out several times and I'm still concerned about making my Pod stable. Yes, I twist the large nut 1 or two turns past the ground contact, but it still has some wiggle. I have "Y" type stabilizers and I understand new RPods have scissor jacks, but they both look like a wobbly solution. I'm a big guy and I feel like I have to tip-toe in the camper. 
Has anyone come up with an improved technique / solution? I found this link, which creates a triangular solution that looks solid, but it seems very pricey. http://www.steadyfast.com/index.html - http://www.steadyfast.com/index.html
------------- Bill & Bev 13 yr old dachshund 'Elsa' 2010 RP-176T (tent & slide-out) 2011 Toyota Tundra 2WD TV |
Replies:
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 16 May 2012 at 8:12pm
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I have the scissor jacks on our 177 and also am large. It doesn't wiggle a bit.
------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: Bill-GA
Date Posted: 16 May 2012 at 9:50pm
Keith-N-Dar, Do you jack the 177 up off the wheels? What's your technique ? "x" turns after contact? From the pics I've seen, the scissor jack still looks like a single point on the frame to a single point ( e.g. Pad) on the ground. Does anybody know the dif. between a stabilizer and a scissor jack? Is the jack more stable? Thanks.
------------- Bill & Bev 13 yr old dachshund 'Elsa' 2010 RP-176T (tent & slide-out) 2011 Toyota Tundra 2WD TV |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 16 May 2012 at 9:58pm
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Since our pod didn't come with the front stabs, I've been using jack stands up front and the stabs in the back. Makes the platform rock solid. Bill, as far as I know they are one and the same. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 16 May 2012 at 10:49pm
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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. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: FISHTAIL
Date Posted: 17 May 2012 at 9:10am
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That's interesting. I use mine to level the camper all the time and I've never had an issue. |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 17 May 2012 at 9:55am
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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. ------------- |
Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 17 May 2012 at 10:32am
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I have a set of screw jacks that I sometime put midline on the frame (about center around the axle) to take some of the bounce out. |
Posted By: tpierce220
Date Posted: 17 May 2012 at 11:15am
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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. ------------- Adventures with ¡Podtástic!--Life in a Forest River RPod 182G with Tim and Louis and our two cats, Desi and Lucy. Check our website at http://podtastic.info for information on our journeys. |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 17 May 2012 at 9:40pm
As a rule with any camper, never use them to level. First level side to side with something under the wheels while still hooked up, then level front to back with the tongue jack after unhooking. The stabilizers should touch the ground then one or two turns max. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: Bill-GA
Date Posted: 20 May 2012 at 7:44pm
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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. Bottom line, I'll live with the stabs as they are with 'some' wobble ... using the 2 crank rule - and hoping all my sites are fairly level. ------------- Bill & Bev 13 yr old dachshund 'Elsa' 2010 RP-176T (tent & slide-out) 2011 Toyota Tundra 2WD TV |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 20 May 2012 at 8:20pm
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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.
------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: Bill-GA
Date Posted: 21 May 2012 at 10:23pm
Yes Yes Yes! I have a set of the Lego style levelers for the wheels and even a plastic cone for the tongue jack. I also have a new set of four plastic pads (similar) to use on each of the stabilizers. I AM ready and good to go.  ------------- Bill & Bev 13 yr old dachshund 'Elsa' 2010 RP-176T (tent & slide-out) 2011 Toyota Tundra 2WD TV |