Stabilizer jacks

Stabilizer jacks are lowered at each corner of a parked RV to reduce rocking and bouncing while people move around inside, particularly in towable trailers and fifth wheels. They come in scissor, screw, and electric styles, and are typically operated by hand crank or a switch depending on the setup.

It is worth being clear about what stabilizer jacks are not built for: they are not rated to lift the RV off the ground or to correct a significant side-to-side slope, which is the job of leveling blocks or a dedicated leveling system installed first. Using jacks to level rather than stabilize can bend or damage the jack mounts over time.

A common mistake is skipping leveling blocks entirely and cranking jacks down hard to compensate for uneven ground, or leaving jacks extended while towing. The correct order is level the RV first with blocks or a leveling system, then lower the stabilizer jacks just enough to remove play, without lifting any tire off the ground.