How To Stabilize A Parked Travel Trailer With Tools

By Ruth Robinson


The dream of seeing the countryside on your own terms can take a long time and lot of money to accomplish. There are airplane flights to consider, plus hotels that can cost a lot of money. If you are in a hotel, you will not be able to cook, so you are forced to eat out for every meal and snack, which may be the biggest of all the expenses. To save money and take your time traveling, do so in a trailer. Just make sure you learn how to stabilize a parked travel trailer first.

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.

Trailers come in a wide variety of sizes, and the larger ones tend to be much more stable overall, all on their own. The smaller ones are less stable, so if you are using one of those, then you definitely want to get stabilization tools before you start traveling. Thankfully, they are not very big or cumbersome to carry or store.

Finding a good parking spot is the essential first step to successfully stabilizing your rig. You can find good ones at camp sites or RV parks, as they specialize in being a great place to park this type of vehicle. They also may have water and sewer hookups so you can cook and bathe. Even if you do not use a campground, look for a space that has a concrete pad if you can find one. Muddy or grassy areas can cause sinkage.

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, generally wooden ones, are another great tool to have in your arsenal. Most people like the 2x6 size, and they can be anywhere from six to eight inches in length. The actual length depends upon the size of the rig that you wish to stabilize.

If you really want to go for the utmost in stabilization, think about using both jacks and blocks. They are great for any surface, but you should especially use them if you decide to park in a rainy area or where the ground is soft.

Though wood is the most common materials for blocks, there are also plastic ones available. These are light but very sturdy and thick, and are easy to stack to keep them in a compact space while driving.

If you do choose to use both, you use the jack the same way you normally would, only you place one or more of the blocks on the ground first. The jack then goes on top of the blocks, allowing for extra safety. The way to use the jack depends on the model you are using, as there are many different types from scissor to basic varieties.




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