RV Levelers
Many people who own recreational vehicles, trailers, or fifth wheels, at one time or another have experienced a situation where a leveling system would create a more stable parking situation. Although, many places where RVs are allowed the facilities most of the time provide stable and level parking spots. Even though these parking spots can be leveled, the leveling jacks, or leveling systems create a more solid stance for your vehicle, which in turn provides less movement when moving around inside , on the trailer or RV.
RV Levelers Create Stability
Creating a stable environment for your vehicle is not always necessary, but will provide a more pleasant stay in your RV when you are on vacation. There are many different types of levelers and stabilizers for your trailer or RV. Some RVs and travel trailers already are constructed with stabilizing levelers attached to the vehicle itself, usually near the rear. If your vehicle does not already have stabilizing systems, you should consider installing them for this will make stabilizing the vehicle much easier.
Research Lift Capacity
If you do decide to install leveling jacks to your recreational vehicle, it is always a must to consider the lifting capacity before purchasing. The scissor type levelers generally have the greatest lift capacity. Always before using the jacks, make sure the frame of the RV is able to handle the jacking without causing damage to the vehicle itself. Some fifth wheels and RVs come equipped with the crank down type stabilizers that are already installed. When you are trying to level the RV or trailer from front to back, be sure that the stabilizer jacks are snug before lowering the front landing gear. When traveling in an RV it's always a good idea to have 6 to 8 inch long 2 x 6 boards to go along with your stabilizing jacks to help stabilize and give the jacks a more level surface.
Hydraulic Jack
Many motor homes today are much larger than those of the past, also having hydraulic slide outs to provide more space inside. These hydraulic systems are also used in combination with the hydraulic jack leveling systems. The hydraulic pump uses the same hydraulic fluid along with the same reservoir and of course the pump so that the RV can not only control the slide out but can also lift and level the vehicle.
The Scissor Jack
The telescoping jacks and scissor jacks have a weight limit of 5000 pounds in most cases. Many of the smaller travel trailers like pop-ups for example, are whipped with a combination of two scissor jacks and a 12 V jack in the front. For colder climates, many of these RVs are equipped with electric powered units to keep you from having to get out in the cold and level the vehicle manually.
King Pin Jack and Kick-Down Straight Acting Jack
The King pin jack or the tripod jack is a jack that supports the fifth wheel overhang. These jacks give an additional front to back and side to side stability, and the legs are extendable to adapt to the most un-even terrain. These jacks are normally available in manually operated types and also available in hydraulics.
The straight acting jack or kick down jack is a jack that is ideal for the smaller camper or the class C motor homes. These smaller jacks are stored horizontally in most cases, and when they are ready to be used, they are kicked down and extended downward to level the camper for small trailer.
These are a few types of leveling stabilizer systems that are common in the recreational vehicle market. Custom leveling systems are available for he higher end vehicles. The Internet is full of information and answers to any questions about leveling system.
