5 Best Ways to Stabilize Your Camper
Springs and rubber tires on campers naturally make campers shake and bounce. By design, rubber tires and springs are meant to be flexible, and it is common to feel shake and bounce as you are walking throughout your camper. Many camper owners feel more bounce in the rear of their camper than the front, and this is because you are located closer to the tires and springs in the back of the camper. The front of your camper also has the jack to act as a stabilizer. If you easily experience motion sickness, or if you want a steady camper, several tools can help you minimize or eliminate the shaking and bouncing of the camper.
X-Chocks
One of the most popular ways to stabilize your camper is with X-Chocks. X-Chocks (Check them out on Amazon) are made for double and triple axle trailers. You place the X-Chocks between the tires and then tighten the mechanism so that the X-Chocks fit firmly. This will help eliminate rocking, particularly with back and forth motion. Although you may not remove all the sway in your camper, you will definitely feel an improvement.
The Valterra RV Stabilizer
Valterra RV Stabilizers (Check it out on Amazon) are a favorite of Campers and Campfires. Place these stabilizing devices under your trailer, and feel the increased stability of your camper compared to the sole use of factory stabilizing jacks.
Campers and Campfires use two Valterra RV Stabilizers and a set of X-Chocks. With these stabilization tools, minimal movement is felt within the camper. One of the stabilizers is placed under the rear bumper, and the second one is situated near the front of the camper, in between the stairs and the battery box. The stabilizers are adjustable for various heights depending on terrain and camper ground clearance. Valterra uses a simple ratchet system for tightening.
Slide Stabilizers
Stabilizing jacks made specifically for slides are available for purchase. If your camper has multiple slides or an extra-large slide, these stabilizing jacks are imperative. Slide stabilizers will minimize shaking while your slide is out, and it will provide long term stability and support for normal wear and tear.
Many owners who park their camper long term find that their slides become damaged over time due to weight. These stabilizers are made for hydraulic slides as they support the bar that retracts and extends with the slide. After research, Campers and Campfires recommend the Camco EAZ-Lift Heavy Duty Slide Stabilizer (Check it out on Amazon). The Camco stabilizer is easy to use and will adjust to heights from 19-47 inches. The stabilizer can also be used to stabilize the rear bumper or your camper.
Stabilize Your Steps
Traditional camper steps fold down but never reach the ground. These steps have a tremendous amount of give when you step on the stairs causing the entire camper to shake as people go in and out the door.
Manufacturers are progressing towards a more solid set of stairs that are adjustable to the terrain. When these steps fold down, they rest on the ground creating a more stable environment. These stairs also eliminate bounce throughout your camper. Campers and Campfires recommend Mor/Ryde Step Above (Check them out on Amazon) or Lippert Solid Step (Check them out on Amazon).
Both brands fold up into your camper while traveling, and both are height adjustable. The stairs are not difficult to install yourself but measure your door’s width and ground clearance to ensure that you select the correct stairs for your camper. Watch the video to learn how to select the correct steps for your set-up.
Another great product that will help stabilize your steps for less than $20 is the Camco Save-a Step Brace (Check it out on Amazon). This simple device adjusts from 7 5/8 to 14 inches and fits between your bottom step and the ground. The brace locks into place and stabilizes your stairs.
Tri-pod stabilizer for Fifth Wheels
The X-Chocks, Valterra Stabilizers, slide stabilizers, and steps will minimize movement on pull-behind travel trailers and fifth wheels. Fifth wheels are unique because the entire front end of the unit lacks stabilization. Specific fifth wheel stabilizers are available. Tripod stabilizers are a popular choice among fifth wheel owners. Using a front end stabilizer on a fifth wheel along with the options mentioned above will drastically decrease the bounce in your rig.
Our favorite is the BAL RV Products Group BAL FastJack Tripod (Check it out on Amazon). The FastJack Tripod is lightweight and can be easily set up in a matter of minutes. The stabilizer is simple to install, and it is meant to be used with a kingpin. However, you can purchase an adapter (Check it out on Amazon) so that the tripod can be used with a gooseneck hitch. You attach the stabilizer using the kingpin, lock the stabilizer into place, let the legs drop from the tripod, ratchet them tight, and you are ready to go.
Campers are meant to be mobile, so there are no stabilizers that will eliminate 100% of the shaking and bouncing. However, adding stabilizers such as those mentioned will significantly minimize the natural bounce in a trailer. Using stabilizers will add a few minutes to your set up time, but your camping trip will be much more enjoyable.
How do you add more stability to your camper? We would love to learn from you. Please leave us a comment in the section below.
