Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Learn How To Stabilize A Parked Travel Trailer

By Ruth Robinson


Traveling is a great way to spend time, but it can also be costly if you have to fly and pay for hotels. One way to avoid that is to drive, and tow a travel trailer with you to stay in. Seeing the country this way means you get to do things at your own pace, and it makes things so much more affordable. But you do have to make sure you know how to stabilize a parked travel trailer to keep you and your travel companions safer.

Stabilizing the trailer is actually not a must, but it is a good idea to do it. If you do not and something breaks or slips, then you could have a minor or even a major disaster on your hands. It also makes being inside the RV much more pleasant, as there will be little to no rocking or instability.

Larger trailers tend to be more stable on their own than smaller ones, so if yours is of a smaller variety, you should ensure you have the proper equipment to stabilize before you start on your journey. The tools you need are not that big, and if you get the right ones, they should not take up too much of your valuable space.

In order to do this, you must first find a good parking spot. Many people go to camp or RV sites so they have facilities nearby and often have hookups for sewer and to get fresh water into your tanks. You should be careful which spot you choose. A good concrete pad is always nice, or a place that does not have a lot of mud, as mud can be quite destabilizing. The most important thing is that the spot is level, as this helps with stability.

Jacks are a mainstay of people who do this type of traveling. They are generally very affordable and any good auto parts store worth its salt will have them in stock at all times, so you can find them easily.

Blocks are another way to go. Most people use 2x6 blocks that are anywhere from six to eight inches in length. The length of these blocks, which are usually made of wood, largely depends upon the size of the trailer you are trying to stabilize.

Some people use both jacks and blocks to make things even more secure. This is especially a good idea if you are parked anywhere that has soft ground, or if the area has recently seen rain or will see rain, which will make the ground even softer.

When it comes to blocks, most people only think of wood. But you should also consider using new plastic ones, as they are very light but very thick and sturdy, and compact to boot.

Once you have the tools, you can place the blocks first, then the jacks right on top. Then just follow the instructions for the jack and you are done. There are many jack types, from specialty stabilizing ones, to scissor jacks and more. Each one has different methods of operation, so follow the instructions and you will see how easy it is to make your rig more stable.




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