Title: How to reduce movement?
Post by: wgonfan on Mar 06, 2006, 01:37 PM
Post by: wgonfan on Mar 06, 2006, 01:37 PM
I have a 1988 coleman chesapeak that when open mesures 23.5'. Is there any way to lessen the movement felt when some one in the opposite bunkend moves. See I'm a light sleeper & whever some one rolls over, or gets up to go to the bathroom, the whole camper shakes & wakes me. I have all four of the support jacks down, is there anything else?
Title:
Post by: RKCRWLR on Mar 06, 2006, 02:02 PM
Post by: RKCRWLR on Mar 06, 2006, 02:02 PM
We had a similar problem with our previous PU, a Skamper. We finally began using the screw type stabilizers under the PU frame inboard of the jacks ( about center on either side to be exact). It stabilized the camper considerably.
Tim
Tim
Title:
Post by: Cheryl on Mar 06, 2006, 02:38 PM
Post by: Cheryl on Mar 06, 2006, 02:38 PM
Using the BAL leveler on one wheel will greatly decrease the movement felt. Another option is using good wheel chocks for and aft of the wheels on both sides of the camper.
Just my humble opinion,
Cheryl
Just my humble opinion,
Cheryl
Title:
Post by: Old Goat on Mar 06, 2006, 04:17 PM
Post by: Old Goat on Mar 06, 2006, 04:17 PM
I clear the ground of all loose stuff like rocks ,twigs,etc. where the jack pads will rest. When the jack is down solid I give it an extra half turn. I also made wooden pads for the jack pads to rest on. These are 8"x 8" and 1 1/2" thick with round corners. These make a big difference too. Sometimes the ground will settle under the jack pad after a day or two and I will have to adjust the jacks to take up the slack..........
Title:
Post by: zamboni on Mar 06, 2006, 05:26 PM
Post by: zamboni on Mar 06, 2006, 05:26 PM
Quote from: wgonfanIs there any way to lessen the movement felt when some one in the opposite bunkend moves.
Duct tape them to the bed, so they can't move/get up? :D
***
Seriously, there is always "wiggle" in a camper, and bracing the wheels hard will help a lot.
On double axle campers, there is a very definite difference between using mere wheel chocks, and the tire-locking chock that goes between the 2 wheels and puts them in a death-grip!
Since you can't use one of them, you need one that securely locks around a single wheel to keep it from moving.
These are insufficient - you can always push your camper sligthly back and forth with them "firmly in place":
That is why the BAL leveler works well. Even if you are on level ground, it will put it under a serious "do not move" hold:
Title:
Post by: tlhdoc on Mar 06, 2006, 07:36 PM
Post by: tlhdoc on Mar 06, 2006, 07:36 PM
The stabilizing jacks should be down firm, but not lifting the camper or bending the frame up.
If you have a removable wheel on your tongue jack remove that.
The BAL leveler helps a great deal. http://community.webshots.com/photo/78006004/1184527334046677156CvBcMB (//%22http://community.webshots.com/photo/78006004/1184527334046677156CvBcMB%22)
A BAL single wheel chock helps a great deal. http://community.webshots.com/photo/78006004/1184529062046677156svXpSI (//%22http://community.webshots.com/photo/78006004/1184529062046677156svXpSI%22)
If you use plastic wheel chocks hit them with a hammer to pound them under the wheels.
Good luck on unwiggelling your trailer. I use the BAL leveler and wheel chocks. I saw a big difference when I started using the leveler. One day I will get the BAL single wheel chock too. :)
If you have a removable wheel on your tongue jack remove that.
The BAL leveler helps a great deal. http://community.webshots.com/photo/78006004/1184527334046677156CvBcMB (//%22http://community.webshots.com/photo/78006004/1184527334046677156CvBcMB%22)
A BAL single wheel chock helps a great deal. http://community.webshots.com/photo/78006004/1184529062046677156svXpSI (//%22http://community.webshots.com/photo/78006004/1184529062046677156svXpSI%22)
If you use plastic wheel chocks hit them with a hammer to pound them under the wheels.
Good luck on unwiggelling your trailer. I use the BAL leveler and wheel chocks. I saw a big difference when I started using the leveler. One day I will get the BAL single wheel chock too. :)
Title:
Post by: Kelly on Mar 06, 2006, 08:11 PM
Post by: Kelly on Mar 06, 2006, 08:11 PM
Quote from: tlhdocIf you use plastic wheel chocks hit them with a hammer to pound them under the wheels.
Duh! Why haven't I been doing that?
Quote from: tlhdocGood luck on unwillgingIs that the same as unwiggling? ;) :) :p :D
Quote from: tlhdocyour trailer. I use the BAL leveler and wheel chocks. I saw a big difference when I started using the leveler. One day I will get the BAL single wheel chock too. :)
My sentiments exactly, Tracy.
I also do what Old Goat does ~ with different pieces of wood :D I park the trailer on 12"-square pieces of plywood and I put the same size piece under each stabilizers. I also try to check and tighten them as we settle.
Title:
Post by: tlhdoc on Mar 06, 2006, 08:27 PM
Post by: tlhdoc on Mar 06, 2006, 08:27 PM
Quote from: KellyIs that the same as unwiggling? ;) :) :p :Dlol yes it is, I think.:eyecrazy:
Title:
Post by: AustinBoston on Mar 06, 2006, 08:44 PM
Post by: AustinBoston on Mar 06, 2006, 08:44 PM
Quote from: KellyDuh! Why haven't I been doing that?
I don't know. You had every chance to see it demonstrated in Forrestville ;)
Austin
Title:
Post by: Kelly on Mar 07, 2006, 08:47 AM
Post by: Kelly on Mar 07, 2006, 08:47 AM
Quote from: AustinBostonI don't know. You had every chance to see it demonstrated in Forrestville ;)
Austin
um ... it was dark when you set up. Remember? ;)
Title:
Post by: wavery on Mar 07, 2006, 10:04 AM
Post by: wavery on Mar 07, 2006, 10:04 AM
This thread cracks me up every time I see it....I lived on a boat for 14 years. I wish my PU would rock a little more so that I could feel more at home :J
Maybe I should try that willging thing :D :-()
Maybe I should try that willging thing :D :-()
Title:
Post by: Old Goat on Mar 07, 2006, 10:27 AM
Post by: Old Goat on Mar 07, 2006, 10:27 AM
Quote from: waveryThis thread cracks me up every time I see it....I lived on a boat for 14 years. I wish my PU would rock a little more so that I could feel more at home :J
Maybe I should try that willging thing :D :-()
How big and what kind of boat did you live on? I was around salt water and on boats all of my life until I retired...
Title:
Post by: wavery on Mar 07, 2006, 10:43 AM
Post by: wavery on Mar 07, 2006, 10:43 AM
Quote from: Old GoatHow big and what kind of boat did you live on? I was around salt water and on boats all of my life until I retired...Passport 45' (ketch) sailboat. I sailed it around the world a couple of times. Let me tell ya' it gets a little rocky out there. Guess I shoulda brought a "Ball leveler" (take that any way you want) :p .
Title:
Post by: Old Goat on Mar 08, 2006, 05:31 AM
Post by: Old Goat on Mar 08, 2006, 05:31 AM
Quote from: waveryPassport 45' (ketch) sailboat. I sailed it around the world a couple of times. Let me tell ya' it gets a little rocky out there. Guess I shoulda brought a "Ball leveler" (take that any way you want) :p .
I started sailing when I was ten. I sailed professionally in the fifties and early sixties in ocean racing in the southern circuit which included Miami-Nassau and St Pete- Havana, Cuba races...I have been up and down the east coast more times than I can remember in both power and sail...I never got to sail around the world though.. Yea, I know all about those rocky times out there, dark,wet and cold too..."That was a hell'uva storm, musta been a terrible night ashore".......
Title:
Post by: wavery on Mar 08, 2006, 09:53 AM
Post by: wavery on Mar 08, 2006, 09:53 AM
HMMMMMMMMMM!! I've got a million sea stories, of course but I just don't think that many people here want to hear them and I feel bad about hijacking someone else's thread :D . I'll PM ya.