If you suffer the downsides of a “shifty RV,” the best RV stabilizer jacks can solve your problems. Without proper stabilization, you’ll feel every movement when people walk around in your RV. You’ll also feel your trailer or motorhome buffeting about in high winds.
Stabilizer jacks give your RV extra points of contact to limit movement when you’re stationary. They’re great if you camp with kids who like to run around or if your partner gets up multiple times at night and you’re a light sleeper.
You’ll find electric or manual stabilizing jacks on most towable RVs and built-in leveling systems designed for added stabilization on most motorhomes. However, you can further stabilize your RV using aftermarket stabilizers, especially if your RV is still moving more than you prefer.
Camping World’s Best RV Stabilizer Jacks
Here are a few of our recommended products for supplementing, repairing, or replacing your RV’s current stabilizer jacks:
Best Overall: Valterra Universal RV Stabilizer
This universal stabilizer is a great supplement to the existing electric or manual stabilizing jacks on your RV. The manufacturer recommends using two – one on either side of your RV or one in the front and one in the rear – for optimal stabilization.
Each stabilizer is manufactured with corrosion-resistant aluminum with a maximum weight rating of 250 pounds. They will fit RV frames from 14” up to 28” high and easily fold to be stored underneath your RV between uses.
Order your universal stabilizer.
Best Fifth Wheel Stabilizer Jack For the King Pin: Ultra-Fab Heavy Duty King Pin Stabilizer
This stabilizer is designed to stabilize the king pin of a fifth wheel. Depending on your fifth wheel’s floorplan, this added stabilization and support may be vital. For instance, many rear living fifth wheel floorplans have the bedroom at the front, meaning this stabilizer will give you added support so you feel less movement while trying to sleep.
This king pin stabilizer adjusts from 37” up to 50” high and weighs less than 25 pounds. The threaded cup at the top makes it easy to adjust to fit your fifth wheel’s king pin to provide front-to-back and side-to-side stabilization.
Find this king pin stabilizer at your local Camping World.
Best Replacement RV Stabilizer Jack: Ultra-Fab 24” Scissor Jacks
If you need to replace broken manual stabilizing jacks on your travel trailer, this set is a great option. Start by checking the extension height and mounting pattern for your existing stabilizer jacks and checking with your RV’s manufacturer to see if these will be a compatible replacement.
Technician Tip: Retail specialists at a nearby Camping World can also help you find replacement stabilizer jacks for your towable RV. And this tutorial walks through the basics of installing new scissor stabilizing jacks on your RV.
These scissor stabilizer jacks retract down to 4.25” when traveling. They are rated for up to 6,500 pounds per jack and offer 5” x 9” foot pads to help prevent tilting or sinking once extended, although you should consider using stabilizer jack pads below them to keep them out of the dirt.
Check the price on this pair of scissor stabilizing jacks.
Best for Slide-outs: Camco Eaz-Lift Slide-out Support
Slide-out supports are really only something you should employ for long-term stationary RV living. Their main benefit is relieving the stress on your slide-out’s mechanical components when extended, but they also reduce swaying, rocking, and slide-out sag.
However, your coach must be properly supported with jacks and/or jack stands before installing slide-out supports. This article explains why. If you’ve done that, you can use these Camco supports that extend from 19” up to 47” high and are rated to support up to 5,000 pounds each.
Learn more about these slide-out supports.
Are Jack Pads Necessary for RVs with Stabilizing Jacks?
Some campgrounds require jack pads below your RV’s leveling system or stabilizing jacks. Even if the campgrounds you frequent do not, jack pads prevent the feet of your stabilizer jacks from sinking, which can cause your RV to shift or tilt as you move about inside.
The benefit of jack pads is most readily experienced when camping on less durable surfaces (i.e., any unpaved campsite). When the ground beneath your RV is dirt, grass, mud, or even rock, there’s a higher likelihood for the feet of your stabilizer jacks to sink or shift during your stay.
Here are a few stabilizing jack pads for different applications:
- For Lightweight Travel Trailers: Camco Stabilizing Jack Pads
- For Heavier Fifth Wheels or Travel Trailers: Camco Heavy-Duty Stabilizing Jack Pads
- For Fifth Wheels or Motorhomes: SnapPad Permanent Stabilizing Jack Pads
Can You Level an RV with Stabilizer Jacks?
It’s never a good idea to attempt to level an RV with stabilizer jacks. There’s a reason why you’ll find leveling blocks as a separate solution that should be used in tandem with stabilizer jacks for towable RVs. There’s also a reason why many motorized RVs are built with hydraulic leveling systems.
RV stabilization happens after your unit is level. Depending on your RV, you’ll use leveling blocks, your manual or electric tongue jack, and/or a hydraulic leveling system to level your RV. You’ll then employ stabilizer jacks to reduce shifting and movement inside your coach.
How To Stabilize an RV Trailer
The exact process for stabilizing an RV trailer will vary based on the products you’re using. However, it’s important to remember that stabilizing your RV always comes after you level it in all directions. This video walks you through the basic steps for leveling and stabilizing most RVs.
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We also have a written tutorial with tips on stabilizing a travel trailer, fifth wheel, or motorhome that you should read if you haven’t already.
It’s important to understand the different RV essentials you’ll use when setting up and breaking down each time you reach a new destination. Here are a few more helpful resources:
- Camping World’s Guide to RV Leveling Systems
- Troubleshooting Your Power Tongue Jack
- 55+ RV Essentials for Beginners
What questions do you have about RV stabilizer jacks? Let us know in the comments below.
