6 Best RV Stabilizers for Preventing Movement That Nomads Swear By
Discover the 6 best RV stabilizers to eliminate wobble and shake. These nomad-approved picks provide a solid foundation for a more comfortable stay.
That gentle but persistent bounce every time your partner rolls over in bed. The slight sway of the whole rig when the kids are wrestling on the dinette. It’s the one thing that constantly reminds you that you’re living in a box on wheels, not a house on a foundation.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Why Your RV Needs Proper Stabilization
That feeling of being on a boat isn’t just a minor annoyance; it’s a symptom of unaddressed forces acting on your RV’s frame, suspension, and components. Every step you take sends vibrations through the structure. Over time, this constant micro-movement can contribute to loosened screws, stressed seams, and general wear and tear on your home.
Most RVs come with factory-installed corner "stabilizer" jacks, but this is a bit of a misnomer. Their primary job is to keep the RV level and prevent it from tipping, not to eliminate motion. They are simple scissor jacks that bear a load vertically but do very little to prevent the side-to-side sway or front-to-back rocking that makes a rig feel unstable.
True stability comes from addressing movement at its sources. This means stopping the tires from shifting, bracing the frame against the ground, and triangulating the jacks to prevent them from wiggling. A solid setup often involves a combination of products, each tackling a different type of movement.
BAL X-Chock: Eliminating Tire Movement
Stabilize your RV or trailer with this American-made X-Chock pair. Its durable, rust-resistant steel construction adjusts from 1-3/8" to 10" to reduce tire sway and improve balance. Includes a ratchet wrench for quick, secure setup.
The very first place to look for movement is your tires. Even with standard wheel chocks, the rubber has give, and the suspension allows for a surprising amount of front-to-back rocking. The BAL X-Chock is designed specifically to solve this single problem, and it does it brilliantly.
You place the X-Chock between the tires on a tandem or triple-axle trailer and use the included ratchet to expand it. This applies opposing force to both tires, effectively locking them together and preventing them from rotating even a fraction of an inch. The difference is immediate and dramatic. That "chucking" motion you feel when walking from the bedroom to the kitchen is almost completely eliminated.
They are an essential piece of gear for any trailer with more than one axle. Just remember they are a stabilizer, not a wheel chock for safety. You still need to place traditional chocks for security before unhitching. Also, be careful not to overtighten; you want it snug, not so tight that you risk damaging your tire sidewalls.
Camco Olympian Jacks: Versatile & Affordable
Stabilize your RV with Camco Stack Jacks. These durable aluminum jacks extend from 11" to 17" and support up to 6,000 lb each, providing a stable and level camping experience.
Sometimes the simplest solution is the most effective. Camco’s heavy-duty aluminum stack jacks are the workhorses of the stabilization world. They are essentially robust screw jacks that you can place strategically under your RV’s frame to create more points of solid contact with the ground.
Their strength is their versatility. You can place a pair near the axles to reduce suspension bounce or put one under the main I-beam just behind your steps to stop the floor from flexing when you enter. For a long trailer, adding a set midway down the frame can make a huge difference in overall rigidity. They are lightweight, stackable for storage, and incredibly affordable.
The tradeoff, of course, is convenience. Setting them up requires getting on your hands and knees to position and crank each one into place. It’s a manual process that adds a few minutes to your setup routine. But for the price and the stability they provide, many nomads find it’s a tradeoff well worth making.
Ultra-Fab King Pin Tripod for 5th Wheels
Fifth wheels have a unique stability challenge: the large, unsupported overhang that houses the master bedroom. This area acts like a diving board, amplifying any movement and creating a distinct "bounce" in the front of the rig. The Ultra-Fab King Pin Tripod is the classic, purpose-built solution for this problem.
It sets up directly under the king pin after you’ve unhitched, creating a solid, triangulated support structure right at the source of the leverage. By connecting the pin box directly to the ground, it dramatically reduces that front-end bounce and sway. Most 5th wheel owners who try one can’t imagine camping without it afterward.
The downside is purely practical. It’s another large, somewhat heavy piece of equipment to haul around and store in your pass-through bay. Setup is straightforward but adds another step to your process. Still, for the massive improvement in living comfort, it’s considered a non-negotiable item for most full-time fifth-wheel dwellers.
JT’s Strong Arm Jack Stabilizer System
If you’re looking for a permanent, "set it and forget it" solution, bracing systems are the answer. JT’s Strong Arm is one of the most well-known and respected names in this category. The system consists of telescoping steel bars that attach to your landing gear, corner jacks, and the RV frame.
The magic is in triangulation. A single vertical jack can wiggle back and forth, but when you add diagonal braces that form a rigid triangle, that movement becomes impossible. Once installed, you simply lower your jacks as usual and then tighten a few T-handles on the Strong Arm bars to lock everything in place. The result is a foundational, rock-solid feeling that standalone jacks can’t replicate.
The main consideration is the installation. This isn’t a temporary accessory; it’s a permanent modification that requires drilling into your RV’s frame and jacks. While it’s a manageable DIY project for many, it’s more involved than simply placing a tripod. But the payoff is a rig that feels incredibly stable with just a few twists of a handle at setup.
SteadyFast System: A Premium Bracing Solution
The SteadyFast System operates on the same principle as JT’s Strong Arm—triangulation—but with a different design philosophy. It’s often viewed as the premium competitor, focusing on fewer but more robust connection points to achieve a similar, or even superior, level of stability.
Instead of multiple bars with T-handles, the SteadyFast system typically uses just three braces: two on the front landing gear and one spanning the rear jacks. The key innovation is the tightening mechanism. A simple, foot-operated cam lever and a single hand-tightened knob lock the entire system down. Many users find this significantly faster and easier than tightening multiple T-handles.
Like JT’s, this is a permanent, drill-in installation that requires a bit of work upfront. It also tends to come with a higher price tag. The choice between the two often comes down to budget, specific RV frame layout, and personal preference on the tightening method. Both deliver exceptional results in eliminating frame and jack wobble.
Lippert Components Slide-Out Stabilizers
Restore your RV's slide-out functionality with this exact-match electric switch assembly. Designed for easy DIY installation on Lippert Above-Floor and Through-Frame slides (post-May 2006), it ensures seamless integration and quick operation.
Slide-outs are a major source of bounce. These heavy rooms-on-demand hang far off the main frame, and a person walking around in one can create a noticeable wiggle throughout the RV. Slide-out stabilizers are simple, adjustable props designed to go under the slide to support its weight.
However, this is one area where you must proceed with extreme caution. Many RV manufacturers, including Lippert (LCI), explicitly advise against using them. The danger lies in improper use. If you apply upward pressure, you can throw the slide mechanism out of alignment, potentially causing thousands of dollars in damage when you try to retract it. The ground can also settle, turning a snug support into a damaging lever.
If you choose to use them, the rule is to only make them "finger tight." They should just kiss the bottom of the slide box frame, bearing minimal weight and serving only to dampen bounce, not to lift or support the slide. For many, the risk outweighs the reward, and they prefer to address stability through the frame and tires instead.
Choosing the Right Stabilizer for Your Rig
There is no single magic bullet for RV stability. The best approach is a layered one, tackling the different sources of movement based on your specific rig and budget. Think of it as a system, not a single product.
Start by identifying your biggest problem. Is it the front-to-back rocking when you walk? Get X-Chocks. Is it the bounce in your 5th wheel’s bedroom? A king pin tripod is your answer. If your whole rig feels like it’s swaying on its jacks, a bracing system like JT’s Strong Arm or SteadyFast will make the biggest impact. For targeted bounce under the steps or a flexy floor, a pair of Camco jacks is a cheap and effective fix.
A great combination for a travel trailer is X-Chocks plus a few Camco jacks. For a fifth wheel, the gold standard is a king pin tripod, X-Chocks, and a full bracing system. You don’t need to do it all at once. Start with the one that addresses your most annoying issue and add more components over time until you achieve that solid, at-home feeling you’re looking for.
Ultimately, taming the wiggle in your RV is about transforming a vehicle into a home. By systematically adding the right supports, you eliminate the constant reminders of being on wheels. And that allows you to truly relax and enjoy the stillness of your chosen spot.
