If your RV is rocking when people are walking inside, you need an RV stabilizer jack to level the vehicle on the ground.
All types of RVs including travel trailers and fifth wheels are subject to unwanted movement when parked, which can be caused by myriad different reasons including rough terrain at a campsite, or your trailer being unevenly weighted.
There’s no shortage of options to choose from in the RV stablizer jack space, making it a bit overwhelming to buy the right one for your needs.
But I’ve made it easier, and narrowed it down to 6 reliable RV stabilizer jacks. Apart from the detailed reviews, I’ve also included a handy buying guide that includes the difference between an RV leveler and stabilizer jack, and how to use an RV stabilizer jack.
6 Best RV Jack Stands
1. Husky HB4500 Brute Stabilizer Jack – Best Powered Jack
The Husky HB4500 Brute stabilizer jack is aptly named for the sheer performance it provides and its ease of operation. In terms of strength, the Husky Brute stabilizer jack is hard to beat with its whopping 4500 lbs of continuous lifting capacity.
It is fitted with a 6-inch adjustable drop-down leg, which provides extended stability on a variety of terrains.
But that’s not all, the Husky Brute HB4500 jack features a 2-1/4-inch main tube, which is designed to fit most A-frame couplers.
The Husky Brute boasts a unique ball screw design, which greatly reduces ball bearing friction, so the motor works less, creates less heat, draws less amperage, and best of all doesn’t do anything more than whisper during operation.
It features the company’s patented SmartStop technology, which automatically senses the limits of the jack, and shuts down the motor. Adding to its long list of features is an onsite connector storage bracket that protects the cord of the Husky Brute from harsh weather elements.
Speaking of weather, switches of the Husky Brute are also protected and can be used independently to operate the lights and jack.
The 3-sided LED light system of the Husky Brute illuminates the entire working area including the hitch and spring bar area.
Unlike the sliding friction of standard power jacks, the Brute is perhaps the only model in its space that comes with a ball screw for easy rolling friction.
It draws an economical 25A, comes with a 30A fuse and in-line fuse holder, and is backed by a 1-year warranty against any manufacturer defects.
Pros
- 6-inch adjustable drop-down leg
- 4500 lbs lifting capacity
- Great for uneven ground
- 3-sided LED light system
- Ball screw for easy rolling friction
- Weld-on installation and bolt-on installation
- 1-year warranty
Cons
- Lights may not be too bright for some users
2. Open Road 24″ RV Trailer Stabilizer Leveling Scissor Jacks – Best Scissor Camper Stabilizer Jacks
For scissor type stabilizer jacks that offer unmatched stability and durability, the Open Road jack is a great option.
What’s even better is the package includes two jacks, so you get more bang for your buck. Each stabilizer can handle up to 5000 lbs of weight to keep pop-up tent, travel trailers and pop-up campers level and stable.
The Open Road scissor stabilizer is topped with a durable powder-coated finish, and is corrosion resistant against water, salt, dirt and debris.
In terms of height, it features a 24-inch extended height and 4-inch retracted height, making it easy to store when not in use.
The Open Road scissor jack is easy to operate, and comes with a crank handle, so you can get started right out of the box.
Pros
- 5000 heavy-duty weight limit
- Durable construction with a powder-coated frame
- 24-inch max-height
- Includes 2 scissor jacks and 1 crank handle
- Corrosion-resistant
Cons
- Takes a bit of effort to expand them
- No option of bolting
3. Lippert Components High-Speed Power Stabilizer – Best Full-Width Stabilizer
The Lippert Components INC. full-width stabilizer is a robustly designed machine that is crafted from heavy-gauge steel and features a black powder-coat finish.
It comes with integrated breaker technology, which is designed to trip the breaker when the trailer is overloaded while lifting the trailer. Adding to this, this technology also keeps the Lippert Components jack stable when extending and retracting.
The legs of the Lippert Components high-speed power drop-down stabilizer extend up to 30-inches, and navigate independently and secure themselves in place.
The Lippert Components Ground Control TT system takes just 3 minutes to level your trailer and delivers unmatched precision and accuracy.
It allows 5th wheel owners to skip the manual jacks and wheel chocks and achieve an accurate level position with the push of a button.
The Lippert Components power stabilizer comes with a waterproof switch, harness, and reset breaker, and a reliable one-year manufacturer warranty.
Pros
- No manual cranking – drops down within 3 minutes
- Ease of installation and operation
- Integrated breaker technology
- Accurate 5th wheel positioning with the push of a button
- Extends up to 30-inches
Cons
- Quality of instructions needs improvement
4. EAZ LIFT Telescopic RV Jack – Best Telescopic Jack
The EAZ LIFT stabilizer jack is made from durable stainless steel and features a powder-coated finish, so you can rest assured it will serve you well for years to come.
It can be adjusted between 16-inches to 30-inches in height and supports up to 6000 lbs, making it a great choice for heavy weight rigs.
You can adjust the EAZ LIFT jack to the desired proper height with the pull pin included in the package. The EAZ LIFT jack features a zinc-plated inner tube and screw assembly, and you get a set of 2 jacks in the box.
Pros
- Made from durable stainless steel
- Supports up to 6000 lbs weight for extended periods
- Pull pin to adjust the height and maintain proper rig level
- Zinc-plated inner tube
- 2 jacks in the box
Cons:
- Cannot be stacked for storage
- Threads must be lubricated with a thick grease periodically
5. Camco 48866 EAZ LIFT – Best Jack for Slide-Outs
If you have an RV with a slide-out system, the Eaz-Lift slide-out jack can provide up to 5000 lbs of support for your slide-out area for longer periods.
Its universal fit top is compatible with any slide-out rail, allowing you to use the Eaz-Lift slide-out jack with any ground rigs with slide-out.
The Eaz-Lift slide-out stabilizer is adjustable between 19-inches and 47-inches and is constructed from rust-resistant steel.
Plus, it features incremental locking positions, and you can even make small adjustments to extend it another 14 inches.
This slide-out stabilizer is equipped with a space-saving handle and tethered pin, making it easy to use on uneven ground and store when not in use.
Pros
- Adjustable between 19-inches to 47-inches
- Compatible with any slide-out rail
- Incremental locking positions
- Space-saving handle and tethered pin
- 5000 lbs support
- Includes 2 jacks
Cons
- A little heavy for some users
6. Camco Olympian Jacks – Best Jacks for up to 6000 lbs Support
The Camco Olympian stabilizer can support up to a whopping 6000 lbs, and is made from robust cast aluminum. Further, it extends from 11 inches to 17 inches, and comes with four stack jacks in a pack.
Each Camco Olympian stabilizer trailer jack is easy to use by simply positioning it under your RV, and then raising it to the desired height to match your RV’s frame.
Pros
- Set of 4
- 6000 lbs load capacity/superior strength
- Extends from 11 inches to 17 inches
- One of the best portable jacks available for your travel trailer
- Great for soft surfaces and rugged terrain
Cons
- Not available in a two pack
Contrarily, stabilizing jacks minimize the amount the trailer rocks as you walk inside. Because a leveling jack is designed to withstand the weight of the camper frame and the people inside, leveling jacks are generally made from high-quality materials like 11ga steel and 14ga steel.
Stabilizer jacks on the other hand are not designed to carry the heavy load of the trailer on their shoulders, but go hand in hand with leveling jacks to stabilize your RV.
Once you’ve leveled your trailer frame with a leveling jack, you will need to add a stabilizing jack or two to maintain the stability of the camper.
Even if you’ve achieved a perfect level rig position, you will experience rocking and wobbling with each step you take inside the camper, for which stabilizer jacks are needed to balance the weight distribution.
What Is the Difference Between RV Leveling Jacks and RV Stabilizer Jacks?
The terms stabilizer jacks and leveling jacks are often used interchangeably in the RV world, but they are two different things that are geared towards different purposes.
What’s common between the stabilizer and leveling jacks is they are important, handy components to take with you on your road trip.
Just as the name would suggest, leveling jacks are only meant to keep your RV at a proper level position with the floor.
Without a leveling jack, all your things inside your camper and sometimes even the people inside will start tipping over.
How Important Are Leveling Jacks on an RV?
Leveling jacks offer twofold benefits-make sure certain appliances operate correctly and provide you with great comfort.
Additionally, they can also save you from costly frame repairs, because the constant rocking and wobbling can cause damage to your RV.
The biggest reason to maintain a perfect level spot for your camper is to prevent operation issues in your gas absorption fridge.
A gas absorption fridge is fitted with evaporator coils, which use liquid ammonia, and it’s crucial for the camper fridge to stay level in order for the ammonia to flow properly.
Another reason for leveling your camper frame is for your own comfort, and the comfort of others especially when sleeping.
Many campers take the inexpensive route of leveling their campers with wooden planks, but this isn’t the best way to handle the issue as wood can decay over time.
There are several great ways to level your trailer frame such as leveling blocks and sophisticated hydraulic leveling systems.
Can You Level an RV with Stabilizer Jacks?
Stabilizing is going one step beyond leveling your camper. Once you’ve used a leveling mechanism to level your RV, you can install a stabilizing jack to keep it in position.
People often make the huge mistake of using their stabilizing jacks as levelers. But it’s important to remember that stabilizing jacks aren’t meant to support the weight of your RV, and shouldn’t be used to level. Doing so in worse cases can cause damage to your camper frame.
To test this, you can try to open one of your RV’s cargo doors that’s located near a stabilizer jack that bears a lot of weight.
If the door doesn’t open easily or won’t open at all, then you’re putting too much weight on the jacks, which can damage the camper’s frame.
Different Types of Stabilizer Jacks
Tripod Jacks
Tripod stabilizer jacks are generally helpful to stabilize parked 5th wheels. Most tripod jack models aren’t a permanent installation option so you don’t have to use a drill and hole drill bit.
They are collapsible, making them easy to store in your camper. However, tripod stabilizer jacks aren’t perfect, and the biggest downside is that they don’t work well in every situation.
Most tripod jacks do not offer great stability in soft or uneven terrain, which basically defeats the purpose of having one in the first place.
Full-Width Stabilizers
Full-width stabilizers are a simplified way of preventing your camper from rocking. This type of jack stabilizer system features legs that extend up to 30 inches for optimal stability of your camper.
Scissor Jacks
You’ll often notice campers elevated on scissor type stabilizer jacks, and most people opt for these steel jacks because they’re cheap, stable and get the job done.
However, the downside to this category of manual stabilizer jacks is that you’ve got to put in the elbow grease to raise and lower them.
On a brighter note, scissor jacks aren’t permanent installation jacks and can be removed and stored when not in use.
Electric Stabilizers
An electric stabilizer or a power jack is perhaps a more expensive option in this space, but if you want to automate the process of stabilizing your RV, then they are a great option.
Power stabilizer jacks feature 12-volt operation, and via a switch to operate the jack motor. Some power jacks also come with manual override, which allows you to get the stability you need in the even of power failure or lack of power at the campground.
Pipe Mounted Stabilizers
Pipe mounted stabilizers are mounted to your RV via a spigot, and once installed properly can be rotated 90-degrees, so you can raise it when driving.
Drop Down Support
Drop-down supports minimize chassis movement in your camper, and feature a drop-down portion that can support up to 6000 lbs depending on the model you buy.
They are also easy to remove and store, making them a great choice for those traveling with heavy loads.
There are also several RV stabilizers that attach permanently to your camper, so you’ve one less thing to store when you’re home after a long trip.
You will need a few tools to install permanent RV stabilizers such as a power drill, drill attachment, drill adapters, etc.
Material
RV stabilizer jacks can be made from many types of material, including durable cast aluminum, and some even come with a zinc finish. You want to steer clear of jacks that have any plastic in their construction, including the mounting screws.
Price
RV stabilizer jacks can be had at varying price points, but what’s most important is to choose a model that offers maximum support for your RV’s frame when installed properly.
How Many Stabilizer Jacks do I Need?
The answer depends on the size of your camper and how much stability you need. Most RVers use as few as two stabilizing jacks for their RV, but others use six.
If you have a larger RV, it may be beneficial to install six stabilizing jacks near each corner of the camper and the slide-out if you have one.
How to Use an RV Stabilizing Jack?
After you’ve installed your stabilizer jack with a handheld drill or quarter-inch drill if you have a permanent option, you first need to level your RV.
Regardless of the type of jack you use, don’t extend further than when the jack touches the ground, because it could get stuck or damaged in the process especially in the case of an ancient frame RV.
With some jacks, you can use a hand crank plugged into the magnetic socket to extend each stabilizer jack. Check to see if each jack is extended properly.
When you hit the road again, the first thing to do is retract the stabilizer jacks before removing the leveling mechanism. Driving with the stabilizer jack extended could be dangerous and cause damage to your camper.
Final Thoughts
RV stabilizing jacks are different than level RV positioning jacks, and are an important part of your camper’s arsenal.
There are several types of leveling jacks available, where some models can be lowered using the included hex magnetic socket and mounting hole drill bit. For towing your RV, you may want to stabilize your camper with a hitch jack or tongue jack.
You can add jack pads to protect your stabilizer jacks, but they really aren’t a necessity, but they help further keep your RV steady.
Stabilizer jack supports can handle up to 6000+ lbs, and some even come in a pack of four jacks, locking swivel brackets and a drilling guide sticker.
References:
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Chassis-movement-chart_fig12_346620992
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