side to side leveling 5th wheel with 1 slide out

would it be safe with 1 slide out to use bottle hydralic jacks to raise
the wheels on the low side to level the 5th wheel? doing that first,
chock the wheels then level front to back. or
is it better to use planks 2x6, 2x8 etc and drive the wheels onto the
planks? i do understand that i do not want to twist the frame.
which is more stable? or eaiser on the camper frame?
i have purchased 2 8 ton bottle jacks, but since have read that most
use planks to level side to side

2nd what is the advantage of the tripod stablizer connecting to the 5th
wheel hitch? i am fairly new to camping with a 5th wheel, have seen
alot of the tripods in camp grounds

thanks Jeff

jhock21 wrote:
> would it be safe with 1 slide out to use bottle hydralic jacks to raise
> the wheels on the low side to level the 5th wheel? doing that first,
> chock the wheels then level front to back. or
> is it better to use planks 2x6, 2x8 etc and drive the wheels onto the
> planks? i do understand that i do not want to twist the frame.
> which is more stable? or eaiser on the camper frame?
> i have purchased 2 8 ton bottle jacks, but since have read that most
> use planks to level side to side
>
> 2nd what is the advantage of the tripod stablizer connecting to the 5th
> wheel hitch? i am fairly new to camping with a 5th wheel, have seen
> alot of the tripods in camp grounds
>
> thanks Jeff
>
Never had a 5er but I've always used planks for leveling.
The only thing I use corner jacks for is stabilization.

I'd never put jacks of any sort under a slide unless maybe I
was on a concrete slab where I knew that nothing would move.
Even then I dunno.

I'm sure you'll get much better answers from those here with
a lot more experience than I have.

--
Steve

On 21 Nov 2006 19:24:16 -0800, "jhock21" <jhock21@>
wrote:

>would it be safe with 1 slide out to use bottle hydralic jacks to raise
>the wheels on the low side to level the 5th wheel? doing that first,
>chock the wheels then level front to back. or
>is it better to use planks 2x6, 2x8 etc and drive the wheels onto the
>planks? i do understand that i do not want to twist the frame.
>which is more stable? or eaiser on the camper frame?
>i have purchased 2 8 ton bottle jacks, but since have read that most
>use planks to level side to side
>
>2nd what is the advantage of the tripod stablizer connecting to the 5th
>wheel hitch? i am fairly new to camping with a 5th wheel, have seen
>alot of the tripods in camp grounds
>
>thanks Jeff


Use boards. Way easier, quicker, and easier on the knees. Do your
leveling before extending the slide.

I have a tripod. I only use it occasionally. Rear jacks and tight
chocking of the wheels will stop 90% of the movement.

Lon VanOstran wrote:
> then gave it away so I wouldn't have to screw with it anymore. No matter
> what you do, RVs jiggle a little. Get used to it.

My TT is rock solid with the tongue jack and the two rear stabilizers down.

I see where "jhock21" <jhock21@> contributed:
>would it be safe with 1 slide out to use bottle hydralic jacks to raise
>the wheels on the low side to level the 5th wheel? doing that first,
>chock the wheels then level front to back. or
>is it better to use planks 2x6, 2x8 etc and drive the wheels onto the
>planks? i do understand that i do not want to twist the frame.
>which is more stable? or eaiser on the camper frame?
>i have purchased 2 8 ton bottle jacks, but since have read that most
>use planks to level side to side
>
>2nd what is the advantage of the tripod stablizer connecting to the 5th
>wheel hitch? i am fairly new to camping with a 5th wheel, have seen
>alot of the tripods in camp grounds

Use planks. Bottle jacks are time consuming and potentially
dangerous.

The bipod (not tripod) stabilizers are for people who can't stand a
little jiggling.

Will Sill
The Curmudgeon of Sill Hill

>"jhock21" <jhock21@> wrote:

>2nd what is the advantage of the tripod stablizer connecting to the 5th
>wheel hitch? i am fairly new to camping with a 5th wheel, have seen
>alot of the tripods in camp grounds

We used one in our 35' fiver. It made a noticeable improvement in
stability when we could use it. It wasn't useable if the kingpin was too
close to the ground or too far off the ground.

Ours was a tripod--three legs. There are some that have only two legs. I
don't know if those work as well.

--
DD

"jhock21" <jhock21@> wrote in message
news:1164165856.533720.107640@h48g2000cwc. o...
> would it be safe with 1 slide out to use bottle hydralic jacks to raise
> the wheels on the low side to level the 5th wheel? doing that first,
> chock the wheels then level front to back. or
> is it better to use planks 2x6, 2x8 etc and drive the wheels onto the
> planks? i do understand that i do not want to twist the frame.
> which is more stable? or eaiser on the camper frame?
> i have purchased 2 8 ton bottle jacks, but since have read that most
> use planks to level side to side
>
> 2nd what is the advantage of the tripod stablizer connecting to the 5th
> wheel hitch? i am fairly new to camping with a 5th wheel, have seen
> alot of the tripods in camp grounds
>
> thanks Jeff
>
30 years of Rv'ing and I have seen lots of ideas. Jacking is not one of the
better ones. I always teach newbies to:
-drive in to their spot,
-put a level in the fridge and check side to side. If it needs to be raised
up, use 2x8's or 2x10's and stack them as needed. I usually use one set
under each wheel on one side only.
-chock the wheels
-then you level front to back.
- finally, now you drop your stabilizers.

The slides and your fridge will thank you.

wayne