Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using RV Stabilizers

RV stabilizers are an essential tool for people who like to explore the unknown in their RV. Even if you’re someone who prefers the comfort of an RV campground, these are still something you might want to consider having, just in case.

Either way, when you have RV stabilizers, you must ensure you use them correctly. Even experienced RV owners sometimes make avoidable mistakes that can compromise the function and safety of their stabilizers. That’s why we’ve put together this guide, which outlines the most common mistakes to avoid with RV stabilizers and how to avoid them.

What Are Stabilizers Used For?

However, before we dive in, it’s essential to understand the primary role of stabilizers so you can better understand what they’re NOT designed to do. At their core, RV stabilizers function to reduce movement and wobbling when your RV is parked. They provide stability, especially when people walk inside, move furniture, or during windy conditions.

However, that’s about as far as their usefulness extends. It may sound minor, but their sole purpose is to provide additional support, ensuring a more comfortable and secure RV experience while parked, and that can be very useful depending on various circumstances. Misusing them in any other way can lead to costly repairs or safety issues, which is what we’re here to cover in-depth for you.

Mistake 1: Over-Extending the Stabilizers

Over-extending your stabilizers is a mistake that can lead to unnecessary stress on their mechanisms. Stabilizers are engineered to extend just enough to stabilize your RV, not lift it off the ground in an attempt to completely level it. When stabilizers are extended beyond their recommended range, they can become weak or damaged. Over-extending also reduces their ability to effectively support the RV, leading to instability.

How to Avoid It

• Check Manufacturer Guidelines: Familiarize yourself with your stabilizer’s extension limits listed in the user manual. This will prevent you from exceeding its capacity.
• Use Additional Leveling Support: If more height is required, use leveling blocks beneath the stabilizers instead of over-extending them. This will keep the stabilizers within their safe operational range.

If your vehicle needs additional height to level out, it might be better to simply find a new place to park. Either way, keeping the mechanisms within their designed range of motion will extend their lifespan and avoid unnecessary maintenance costs.

Mistake 2: Not Using Leveling Blocks

Leveling blocks are a crucial component of a proper RV setup, yet some RV owners simply overlook them and rely solely on stabilizers. Since stabilizers are designed to provide stability, they’re ineffective if the RV itself is not already leveled, making such a decision a big mistake. This is because operating without leveling blocks puts extra pressure on the stabilizers and reduces their efficiency.

How to Avoid It

• Always Level Your RV First: Use leveling blocks or ramps to ensure your RV is properly leveled before deploying your stabilizers.
• Double-Check After Setup: After using leveling blocks, place a bubble level on a flat surface in your RV to confirm it’s even.

Remember, stabilizers and leveling blocks work hand-in-hand. Skipping this step can compromise the comfort, functionality, and safety of your RV. The risks simply don’t outweigh the minor potential for benefit here.

Mistake 3: Ignoring the Ground Conditions

The terrain where you park plays a significant role in how effective your stabilizers will be. Ignoring ground conditions is one of the most common issues RVers face. This is because parking on soft or unstable ground may cause stabilizers to sink or shift over time, reducing their effectiveness. It can also increase wear and tear due to uneven weight distribution.

How to Avoid It

• Assess the Ground Before Parking: Look for firm, level ground when choosing a parking spot. Avoid sandy, muddy, or excessively soft surfaces whenever possible.
• Use Stabilizer Pads or Wood Blocks: Placing stabilizer pads or wooden boards under your stabilizers increases their surface area and prevents sinking, even on less-than-ideal ground.

Addressing ground conditions beforehand ensures your stabilizers remain secure throughout your entire stay, allowing you to simply relax while on your RV trip instead of worrying about what might go wrong.

Mistake 4: Using Stabilizers to Lift the RV

One of the biggest mistakes to avoid with RV stabilizers is using them to lift or jack up the RV. This is a dangerous practice and should always be avoided. The reason why this is such a problem is because stabilizers are not designed to carry the full weight of an RV. Lifting the RV with them can cause significant structural damage to both the stabilizers and the RV frame. It also poses a serious safety hazard.

How to Avoid It

• Only Use Dedicated Jacks for Lifting: If you need to lift your RV (e.g., for tire repair), use the appropriate RV-specific jacks rather than the stabilizers.
• Understand their Purpose: Always remember that stabilizers are strictly for reducing movement, not for weight-bearing.

Using the proper equipment ensures your safety and protects your RV from costly damage. It also saves you from the unexpected jump scare of your RV falling in the middle of the night.

Mistake 5: Forgetting to Retract Stabilizers Before Driving

It may seem like an obvious step, but forgetting to retract stabilizers is a surprisingly common issue, especially for RVers who are in a rush. If you forget them, driving with extended stabilizers still attached can cause severe damage, not only to the stabilizers themselves but also to your RV and the road. This can lead to them posing a hazard to other drivers.

How to Avoid It

• Create a Departure Checklist: Include retracting the stabilizers on your pre-departure checklist. Verifying this step before hitting the road can save you from expensive repairs and potential accidents.
• Use Visual Cues: Consider using a reminder tag or marker on your dashboard to ensure you won’t forget to retract the stabilizers.

A quick double-check before driving off can spare you from a costly and dangerous mistake. Plus, forgetting such a simple task can feel a bit embarrassing, and no one wants to deal with that.

Mistake 6: Buying Low-Quality Stabilizers

Cutting costs on RV stabilizers might seem like a good idea initially, but low-quality options often lead to long-term problems. Low-quality stabilizers are more likely to fail or wear out quickly, forcing you to replace them more often. They may also lack essential features, like proper weight limits or durability against different terrains.

How to Avoid It

• Research Trusted Brands: Some reliable brands for RV stabilizers include Lippert, Eaz-Lift, and BAL. Look for customer reviews and expert recommendations when choosing.
• Consider Your RV’s Size and Weight: Ensure the stabilizers you purchase are designed to handle the weight and dimensions of your RV.
• Don’t Ignore Build Quality: Prioritize stabilizers made from durable materials like steel or reinforced aluminum.

Investing in high-quality stabilizers ensures you won’t waste money on frequent replacements or compromise your RV’s stability during use. If you’re in the market for this product, United RV Center is here to help. We have a wide variety of quality stabilizers for RVs on our site, so browse our selection today to find the ones that are best for you.