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RV leveling jacks and RV stabilizer jacks may look similar, but they do have different purposes. Using these items incorrectly can cause serious damage to them and your rig.
We want you to understand the difference and avoid damaging your RV. So today, we’re sharing a bit about these items and will provide you with the best options for both. Let’s get started.
How Important Are Leveling Jacks on an RV?
Leveling your RV isn’t just about comfort. Many important appliances in your RV, especially if they use propane, must be level to run efficiently.
For example, propane refrigerators in RVs typically struggle to maintain safe temperatures for food when unlevel. You risk food spoiling and increasing the wear and tear on the sensitive fridge components.
Leveling jacks can help assist once you place your RV in your campsite. Many newer RVs come with auto-leveling systems that raise and lower the jacks at the press of a button.
However, even if your RV has an auto-leveling system, you still want to do your best to level as much as possible before initiating it. Having this technology on an RV is a game-changer for many who previously manually did most of the work.
What Is the Difference Between RV Leveling Jacks and RV Stabilizer Jacks?
The two jacks may seem similar, but they’re certainly different. Both jacks do specific and important jobs. Leveling jacks lift and hold the weight of an RV and level it.
Stabilizer jacks help reduce the bounce and movements felt inside the RV to make it more stable. It can minimize shaking and help you feel more secure in your rig.
Can You Level an RV with Stabilizer Jacks?
Under no circumstances should you attempt to level your RV with your stabilizer jacks. You will even find a sticker or two on each of your stabilizer jacks warning you not to lift your RV with them. Stabilizers only work for support, not leveling.
When extending your RV stabilizer jacks, you should stop once they meet resistance. You want them tight enough to absorb the shock, but not so much that they lift the trailer. Putting excessive amounts of weight on these jacks can cause permanent damage.
The Best RV Leveling Jacks
You may want to help your RV run efficiently. So here are a few of the best RV leveling jacks you can purchase.
1. Lippert 3500LB Power Tongue Jack
- EASY INSTALLATION — Complete with all necessary hardware and pins, installation for the Power Tongue Jack is fast and...
- TIME-SAVING — Say goodbye to cranking your manual jack. With the push of a button, you can raise or lower your a-frame...
Made by one of the leading names in the RV industry, the Lippert 285318 is a powerful tongue jack. Although it only weighs 10 lbs, it can lift up to 3,500 lbs. If your RV didn’t come with a power tongue jack, you can install this one in minutes.
It comes with four LED lights that can help light up the area to help you avoid making a mistake while hitching or unhitching. You can quickly and easily raise and lower your rig from front to back, no matter what time of day it is.
2. Husky 4500LB Brute Power Jack
- Powered trailer jack with 4,500 pound rating, 12-volt operation, hardened steel gears, and soldered connections
- 18-inch full stroke with 6-inch adjustable drop-down leg reduces time to set jack and reduces wear on motor
The Husky HB4500 Brute is a tough and rugged power jack. It comes with a 3-side LED light system and a full 18 inches of stroke. The adjustable drop-down leg provides an additional 6 inches to help minimize the wear on the motor.
Husky designed the Brute with a ball screw, which minimizes friction and maximizes the life of the ball bearings to work less, draw less power, and produce less noise.
Many leveling jacks will blow a fuse when extended or retracted too far. However, Husky has created an automatic shutdown to avoid accidental blowing of fuses. Another smart move by Husky was giving the jack a 5.5-inch diameter foot pad to help make stable and secure contact with the ground.
3. PRO Series A-Frame Jack
- Package Dimensions: 23 L x 3.5 H x 7.5 W (inches)
- Package Weight : 9.69 pounds
If you want to save a buck, the Pro Series EA20000303 is a manual jack that can get the job done. While you’ll have to rely on your muscles to turn the crank to level your rig, this budget-friendly one can lift up to 2,000 lbs. It provides 14 inches of extension.
You can weld or bolt this jack to a trailer’s A-frame. The black outer coating blends right in with most travel trailer frames. Whether you replace or add a leveling jack to your RV, consider this PRO Series option
The Best RV Stabilizer Jacks
Because RVs don’t have a foundation, you’ll often feel it every time someone moves. Let’s look at some of the best RV stabilizer jacks to help reduce this common annoyance.
1. Camco EAZ-Life 24” Scissor Jack
- Effortlessly Stabilizes RVs: Scissor jacks have a certified 7500 lb. load capacity
- Easy to Install: Allows either bolt-on or weld-on installation
Camco is a major name in the RV accessories market. These scissor jacks can support up to 7,500 lbs each.
They extend from 4 and 3/8 inches to 23 and 3/4 inches to adapt from one campsite to the next. Camco includes the appropriately sized socket to extend and retract these stabilizer jacks with a power drill.
These scissor jacks come in a two-pack or individually. However, you’ll likely want one on every corner of your RV for optimal stability. The more jacks you have, the less movement you’ll feel while in your rig.
2. Set of Four WEIZE 5000LB Stabilizing Jacks
- This camper stabilizer jack features 5,000-lb capacity which helps to keep your trailer level and stable. It adjusts...
- Includes: 4 leveling scissor jacks, 1 crank handle.
The WEIZE stabilizing jacks can handle up to 5,000 lbs of weight. This set of four jacks is everything you need to absorb the movement and provide the best experience while in your RV.
They have a massive footplate to help provide a stable connection between the RV and the ground. Whether you bolt the jack to your RV or weld it on, these will help you get the job done at each campsite. They even come with a one-year limited warranty.
3. Set of Four LIBRA 7500 lb Heavy Duty Trailer Stabilizer Jacks
- True HEAVEY DUTY 9k lbs# capacity, made by heavy 11ga steel. Strongest jack in the market!
- Includes 4 steel jacks, also include a 3/4" hex magnetic socket to raise/lower jack faster by power drill!
LIBRA sells this set of four stabilizer leveling jacks. They’re super heavy-duty and made from 11-gauge steel that can hold 7,500 lbs.
This set comes with everything you need for an easy installation on your RV’s frame. The jack even comes with a 3/4 inch hex socket to help you effortlessly raise and lower all of your jacks.
The LIBRA 7,500 lbs jacks can retract to 5 inches and extend to 24 in height. With stabilizer jacks like these, you can minimize the movement in your RV at practically any campsite.
Can I Add Auto Leveling Jacks to My Travel Trailer?
While auto leveling jacks were at one time only found on fifth wheels and drivable RVs, Lippert Components Inc. has come up with a solution for travel trailers.
The Ground Control TT kit installs on travel trailers to allow you to save time and avoid stress while setting up your RV. Once installed, you’ll have a five-point system that can level your travel trailer at the press of a button.
These auto leveling jacks have everything you could ask for. With automatic re-hitch memory and compatibility with Lippert’s One Control system, you can even level your RV from your phone. This luxury feature on a travel trailer makes it much easier and more enjoyable.
Level and Stabilize Your RV Like a Pro
When you arrive at a campsite, it’s easy to be in a hurry and not level or stabilize your RV correctly. However, it’s essential to take your time and do these jobs correctly from the start. You sacrifice comfort and your RV’s efficiency by not doing it correctly.
The more you can practice leveling and stabilizing your RV, the better you’ll get at it. What’s your best tip for leveling and stabilizing your RV?
