Kingpin Stabilizer
- Thread starter Dylan
- Start date
Re: Kinpin Stabilizer
They do help some. I have one and don't use it. It was more trouble to lug it around than it was to worth to me. But if you are going to be set up for three months........
Like many other things we buy, it is a matter of personal preference.
Peace
Dave
They do help some. I have one and don't use it. It was more trouble to lug it around than it was to worth to me. But if you are going to be set up for three months........
Like many other things we buy, it is a matter of personal preference.
Peace
Dave
Re: Kinpin Stabilizer
We bought the aluminum stabilizer from Camping World on sale plus free shipping promotion. We LOVE it! The light weight, easy to handle, and very simple to install. Ours can have a pad lock put on it for theft. As long as you have a fairly level crushed rock, or paved surface, it has made our 38 footer "rock" solid when we walk. Many people rave about the usefulness of the stabilizer with a washer/dryer. We don't leave home without it.
We bought the aluminum stabilizer from Camping World on sale plus free shipping promotion. We LOVE it! The light weight, easy to handle, and very simple to install. Ours can have a pad lock put on it for theft. As long as you have a fairly level crushed rock, or paved surface, it has made our 38 footer "rock" solid when we walk. Many people rave about the usefulness of the stabilizer with a washer/dryer. We don't leave home without it.
Re: Kinpin Stabilizer
Dylan,
We are by no means 5th wheel experts, and have never used the king pin stabilizer. Whether you "NEED" one is a matter of taste. Our Bighorn is pretty solid in the vertical direction, but when someone walks around, we get some fore/aft and side to side movement. After doing a lot of reading, we decided to go with the Steadyfast stabilizer http://www.steadyfast.com/ . I'm waiting for warmer weather to install it, but I can say it arrived well packed and looks to be quality hardware. I have read reviews of other systems such as the J T stabilizer and folks have had good results. These systems cost more than the kingpin tripod, but for us the ease of set up and not having to store anything was important. We have used the Bighorn for a year and a half without one, so we really did not "NEED" one. I do think it will improve our comfort, and that's worth something.
Just thought I'd throw these options out there as alternatives.
Enjoy your Bighorn,
Dylan,
We are by no means 5th wheel experts, and have never used the king pin stabilizer. Whether you "NEED" one is a matter of taste. Our Bighorn is pretty solid in the vertical direction, but when someone walks around, we get some fore/aft and side to side movement. After doing a lot of reading, we decided to go with the Steadyfast stabilizer http://www.steadyfast.com/ . I'm waiting for warmer weather to install it, but I can say it arrived well packed and looks to be quality hardware. I have read reviews of other systems such as the J T stabilizer and folks have had good results. These systems cost more than the kingpin tripod, but for us the ease of set up and not having to store anything was important. We have used the Bighorn for a year and a half without one, so we really did not "NEED" one. I do think it will improve our comfort, and that's worth something.
Just thought I'd throw these options out there as alternatives.
Enjoy your Bighorn,
Ray LeTourneau
Senior Member - Past Moderator
Re: Kinpin Stabilizer
Dylan, what year is your 3670? The earlier rigs had electric landing gear and if that is your situation, yes, a kingpin stabilizer will help some. JT Stabilizers or any brand of landing gear stabilizers will provide a more stable platform. Adding a set of scissors jacks to the center area of the frame close to the tires will help even more.
Dylan, what year is your 3670? The earlier rigs had electric landing gear and if that is your situation, yes, a kingpin stabilizer will help some. JT Stabilizers or any brand of landing gear stabilizers will provide a more stable platform. Adding a set of scissors jacks to the center area of the frame close to the tires will help even more.
Westwind
Well-known member
Re: Kinpin Stabilizer
I purchase one of aluminum the ones when we bought our new Bighorn a couple of months ago, right now I have it on the trailer with a good solid padlock since our FW sits in our driveway year round which is close to the road. It sort of works as a lock on the hitch pin. I haven't used it yet while using the trailer, but we have a WD and I figured we would need all the held we could get. It's nice and light and not difficult to setup and take down. I'll try and remember to post after we have tested it but I also have the tire locks on and I know that really helps.
I purchase one of aluminum the ones when we bought our new Bighorn a couple of months ago, right now I have it on the trailer with a good solid padlock since our FW sits in our driveway year round which is close to the road. It sort of works as a lock on the hitch pin. I haven't used it yet while using the trailer, but we have a WD and I figured we would need all the held we could get. It's nice and light and not difficult to setup and take down. I'll try and remember to post after we have tested it but I also have the tire locks on and I know that really helps.
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Westwind
Well-known member
Re: Kinpin Stabilizer
I didn't have much movement at all without the Kingpin Stabilizer, but as I said we haven't used the WD yet. If it serves any purpose at all it will keep us from walking into the hitch like my wife did the first week we had the trailer in the driveway. Besides almost being knocked out and a real ugly gash on her head I'm thinking the $135 bucks I spend might prevent me from doing the same.
I didn't have much movement at all without the Kingpin Stabilizer, but as I said we haven't used the WD yet. If it serves any purpose at all it will keep us from walking into the hitch like my wife did the first week we had the trailer in the driveway. Besides almost being knocked out and a real ugly gash on her head I'm thinking the $135 bucks I spend might prevent me from doing the same.
KENNY COCHRAN
MCNEESE STATE COWBOYS #1
Re: Kinpin Stabilizer
I bought one, used it several times, could not tell it was working at all. Made some home made jt stabilizers and they work a lot better. Also use the hd things between the tires.
I bought one, used it several times, could not tell it was working at all. Made some home made jt stabilizers and they work a lot better. Also use the hd things between the tires.
patrick1945
Well-known member
Re: Kinpin Stabilizer
I had one and it was a pain-gave it away.
I had one and it was a pain-gave it away.
Dutch & Di
Active Member
Re: Kinpin Stabilizer
We too tried a bi Pod 1at then added extra rear jacks and while they helped some they did not work for us. We added our permanently mounted stabilizers over 6 years and have been happy campers ever since. Hugs, Di
We too tried a bi Pod 1at then added extra rear jacks and while they helped some they did not work for us. We added our permanently mounted stabilizers over 6 years and have been happy campers ever since. Hugs, Di
Re: Kinpin Stabilizer
We have a 3585 and overall it is very stable. Like everyone we thought the kingpin was going to make a big difference, but it doesn't seem like it did. We did think that the tire locks on the other hand provided significant stabilization for the living room and kitchen.
We have a 3585 and overall it is very stable. Like everyone we thought the kingpin was going to make a big difference, but it doesn't seem like it did. We did think that the tire locks on the other hand provided significant stabilization for the living room and kitchen.
Westwind
Well-known member
Re: Kinpin Stabilizer
Rboehlke - I think your right, we have the tire locks and right from the beginning I felt that our new 3070RL was stable, one of the reasons I got the Kingpin Stabilizer was the WD that we have in the far front. I figured located in that spot the FW would need all the help it can get. I also feel the front legs being spaced on the outer front of the FW help make it stable.
Rboehlke - I think your right, we have the tire locks and right from the beginning I felt that our new 3070RL was stable, one of the reasons I got the Kingpin Stabilizer was the WD that we have in the far front. I figured located in that spot the FW would need all the help it can get. I also feel the front legs being spaced on the outer front of the FW help make it stable.
Re: Kinpin Stabilizer
I had the same question when we first started. After getting alot of good advice from this forum, we purchased stabilizers instead of a kin pin support. We purchased ours from Tweedy,s made by Ultra Fab---we have been very happy with the results.
al
I had the same question when we first started. After getting alot of good advice from this forum, we purchased stabilizers instead of a kin pin support. We purchased ours from Tweedy,s made by Ultra Fab---we have been very happy with the results.
al
A king pin stabilizer is like Rv toilet paper and holding tank deodorizer.Someone is making money from these products
but all make a <5% differance in RV lifestyle.We have one and use it mainly as a bike rack but if you have a light fifth wheel
it may make more of a differance it stabilization.The most important aspect of fifth wheel stabilization is wheel movement
but all make a <5% differance in RV lifestyle.We have one and use it mainly as a bike rack but if you have a light fifth wheel
it may make more of a differance it stabilization.The most important aspect of fifth wheel stabilization is wheel movement
porthole
Retired
Big benefit to the camp store, little benefit too you.
ncc1701e
Well-known member
By itself the kingpin stablizer does not do that much, but use it along with a good set of "X" chocks on the wheels and it all adds up to a much more stable rig. I also added JT struts on all four corners of the trailer. If I was to choose only one it would be the "X" chocks. The little extra time to lock the struts and put the king pin stand in place are worth the effor to me. You'll find as many who do as who don't.
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