DIY Stabilizer

[George]

In another thread I posted a "Youtube" of a 2x4 lumber stabilizer idea that was labeled "Too cheap". 😜 @Lantley 🙃
Here's my flavor of that idea. It works very well and cost next to nothing since I had all the supplies. Plus, I don't think it looks "cheap"😉.
☑️ I don't have many dimensions to share. They may be different for your rig anyway. I just eyeballed it. It works well at home on my level slab but has yet to see field tests. A sloping site may be a problem for the length of the 2x4's (mine are 44"). These rest under the upper flange of the frame I-beam. Future thought to be given to a design that can also hook onto the lower flange for extra length.
☑️ I mortised the 2x4's and pressed in a cutoff ¼-20 x 4" hex-bolt. If I made another pair I'd offset the bolt towards the outer face for more strength even though these seem to be plenty strong. I used the hex-bolt instead of an eye-bolt because I had the bolt. They also pack away easier without an eye-bolt sticking out.
☑️ The rubber is not for traction but for durability. The orange was for trip hazard but they're under the slides so...🤷🏼‍♂️
🔥🔥🔥 One thing to remember is to remove them before retracting the rear jacks. They'd probably splinter and punch holes in the plywood floor. 😬 I suppose that could happen with commercial ones too.

 

[Lantley]

Ingenius.Nice I like it. NIce DIY job.
All this stabilizer talk has led me to put a set of the Amazon Ratchet straps on my wish list to order in the Spring.
I was sort of dealing with the wiggle and vibration but it is much more noticeable in my current Paradigm 380MP vs. my prior 5th wheel.
To be fair my prior 5th wheel came with factory installed JT Strongarms.
In my quest to own every RV accessory know to man . I will likely be ordering a set of the stabilizers shown below soon.

RV I-Beam Mount Stabilizer Heavy-Duty Aluminum, Adjustable 17''-35'', Anti-Sway

 

[Flyer32RLS]

Ingenius.Nice I like it. NIce DIY job.
All this stabilizer talk has led me to put a set of the Amazon Ratchet straps on my wish list to order in the Spring.
I was sort of dealing with the wiggle and vibration but it is much more noticeable in my current Paradigm 380MP vs. my prior 5th wheel.
To be fair my prior 5th wheel came with factory installed JT Strongarms.
In my quest to own every RV accessory know to man . I will likely be ordering a set of the stabilizers shown below soon.

View attachment 4551 RV I-Beam Mount Stabilizer Heavy-Duty Aluminum, Adjustable 17''-35'', Anti-Sway

Looks nice but the draw back for me would be that they do not appear to be permanently attached to the frame. Can you bold them on? Looks like the just hook over the frame lip and you tighten the down with the strap. Not permanent, a no go for me. Don't need something else to haul around and store.

 

[George]

Looks nice but the draw back for me would be that they do not appear to be permanently attached to the frame. Can you bold them on? Looks like the just hook over the frame lip and you tighten the down with the strap. Not permanent, a no go for me. Don't need something else to haul around and store.

Thank you and you are correct in that they are loose — but they don't cost $100 either 😜

 

[Flyer32RLS]

I think if I was inclined to add those to my RV, I would attempt to permanently attach them to the frame. Much less hassle!!

 

[Lantley]

I think if I was inclined to add those to my RV, I would attempt to permanently attach them to the frame. Much less hassle!!

I agree having them attached is way more convenient and honestly the better way to approach the issue. I had JT strong arms on my last RV and they worked create. I believe JT strongarms are a better product, but they are 4 times the cost. The wiggle and shake is simply not a $400.00 problem for me. With cost in mind. the unattached ratchet strap stabilizers are a less costly viable solution.
Assuming the ratchet strap stabilizers are equally effective, they can be seen as a better value at 1/4 the cost of the attached stabilizers

For shorter stays I don't think I will bother using them because as you mention they become one more thing to set up and put away. But on longer stays the economical ratchet strap stabilizers give me the option to stop the wiggle and shake and still afford to buy beer