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, 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.

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.

All you have to do is place the blocks neatly underneath the trailer, then put the jacks on top of them. Then use the jacks as directed in the instructions. There are many different types of jacks, from basic to scissor jacks, so no two are exactly alike when it comes to operation. As long as you follow the directions, you can stabilize the rig and make your travels much safer.




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