Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Learn How To Stabilize A Parked Travel Trailer

By Ruth Robinson


Many people dream of traveling the country, but they may not want to spend a ton of money on airplane flights hotels, not to mention the high cost of having to eat out for every meal. You can lower all these expenses significantly and still travel if you do so by driving with a trailer. Before you go, you should learn how to stabilize a parked travel trailer so that you do not run into any problems when parked later on down the line.

It is not an absolute necessity to stabilize your rig each and every time you park. If you are just parking for one night or are in, say, a parking lot with concrete, then you can skip, But on unstable ground for any length of time, it is a good idea to stabilize to ensure things do not shake or become unsteady.

The smaller your rig is, the more unstable it can become after being parked for awhile. So if you are traveling light, you really should carry equipment to stabilize with you. Luckily, the equipment is not very big or heavy, and some models even come with a dedicated space to store them while you are on the road.

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.

Wood blocks are another tool that many people use when stabilizing, no matter what the size of the trailer they are using. The 2x6 size is most common, and easily available in many lengths at your local hardware store.

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.

As technology surrounding plastic increases, manufacturers can make plastic blocks that are just as strong and steady as wood ones, but more compact and lightweight. Consider using these instead of wood.

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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