After testing six products, we found that the WEIZE Stabilizer Leveling Scissor Jack set was the most impressive RV stabilizer in 2021.
Your RV stabilizers can make or break a camping adventure. The superior ones will keep the rig steady the entire time it’s parked, which will make the experience more enjoyable overall.
What’s more, some appliances inside the camper won’t work if the unit isn’t level. This means you won’t be able to take full advantage of the amenities, and the amenities are probably the main reason you invested in a camper or travel trailer in the first place.
Here are our findings based on the products we tested:
1. WEIZE Stabilizer Leveling Scissor Jacks With Handle—Best Overall
2. Camco 44561 Olympian Aluminum Stack Jacks—Best Budget Option
3. Valterra 020106—Easiest To Install
4.Eaz-Lift 24″ RV Stabilizing Scissor Jack—Most Versatile
5. Husky 81080 Slide-Out—Most Durable
6. Lippert 298707—Most Convenient
The WEIZE Leveling Scissor Jack set is our top choice for several reasons. Camper stabilizers need to be reliable, and this product delivers in this regard. The price is reasonable, and the crank handle makes it especially easy to install. It also comes with an impressive height range of 4 to 24 inches.
Let’s take a closer look at the WEIZE product—and its competition—to find out what makes it the top choice when it comes to RV stabilizers.
Best RV Stabilizers in 2022: Product Reviews
1. WEIZE Leveling Scissor Jacks With Handle—Best Overall
WEIZE offers a set of four stabilizer jacks that can be set to any height from 4 to 24 inches. The bowtie-shaped design offers excellent stability, and the set is capable of withstanding 5,000 pounds of weight. A crank handle allows you to retract or extend the arms with minimal exertion—and in a straight line to boot.
Be aware that you’ll need to install this set permanently. This might be a deal-breaker for some people. On the plus side, they’re easily adjustable once they’re in place.
Here is a great video showing the installation process.
2. Camco 44561 Olympian Aluminum Stack Jacks—Best Budget Option
The Camco 44561 set is a great choice for campers with limited funds at their disposal. Each “Stack Jack” offers a weight capacity of 6,000 pounds, which is particularly impressive given the low price point. They can be adjusted from 11 to 17 inches, but you’ll probably need to enlist the aid of leveling blocks in order to raise your RV to the right level.
Installation is simple, and the stabilizers weigh in at just four pounds apiece, so they’re quite portable as well. Our main complaint is with the legs, which are sharp enough to sink into softer ground.
3. Valterra 020106—Easiest To Install
If you’re looking for a tool-free installation, the Valterra 020106 might be the product for you. The unit can be adjusted by hand, and it fits frames from 14 to 28 inches high. We would recommend using two in front and two in the rear of the RV for maximum stability. Fortunately, they’re so easy to install that the process goes quickly.
Note that the maximum weight capacity for this stabilizer is just 250 pounds. That means it won’t be a good fit for larger rigs, even if you use the recommended two in front and two in back.
4. Eaz-Lift 24″ RV Stabilizing Scissor Jack—Most Versatile
This scissor-jack set from Eaz-Lift offers a choice between permanent and temporary installation, which is sure to appeal to full-time RVers. With a maximum weight capacity of 7,500 pounds, it’s also one of the heftiest products on our list.
The unit is built from heavy-duty powder-coated steel for longevity, and it features a height range of 4 to 23 inches. Best of all, it works with all sorts of campers, from pop-ups to full-sized travel trailers.
5. Husky 81080—Most Durable
Like the Eaz-Lift Scissor Jack, this unit is constructed of heavy-duty steel, making it durable and weather-resistant. The powder coating helps it resist rust and corrosion, so it should serve you well for many years.
There’s no assembly required with the Husky 81080, meaning you can unpack it right on the road and it will be ready to go. The 6-inch footpad keeps the unit from sinking into softer ground, and the stability it provides is excellent. Note that the product can sometimes arrive in less-than-perfect condition, but as long it’s in good shape, it’s a real bargain.
6. Lippert 298707—Most Convenient
This device offers an impressive performance that makes many other stabilizers seem inept in comparison. The electric operating system eliminates any manual labor from the equation, so it’s ideal for older folks or anyone who suffers from mobility issues. Just flip the waterproof switch, and the camper will stabilize within minutes. It even works on soft and uneven terrain. The main drawback is the price, which is significantly higher than that of the other products we’ve listed.
Buying Guide
Types Of RV Stabilizers
Scissor Stabilizers
These products are typically inserted between the tires of the rig to keep it from bouncing up and down when you get in and out. It also helps it remain in one place instead of shifting forward or backward. Since scissor stabilizers can be installed on just about any type of camper, they offer a great deal of versatility.
Most scissor jacks come with a crank handle. These are fairly easy to use, but require a bit of elbow grease. It can also be hard to figure out where to position them, especially the first time. For this reason, setting up a camper using scissor stabilizers can take longer than if you’d used another type.
Steadyfast Stabilizers
As the name suggests, Steadyfast stabilizers are very easy to install. Some can be set up in less than a minute, making them a popular choice for larger rigs.
These stabilizers are versatile enough to suit most 5th wheels and travel trailers, and can reduce side-to-side shaking as well as bouncing. Most will even offer a choice between temporary and permanent installation. The catch? They’re pretty expensive.
Universal RV Stabilizers
These are basically the universal donors of the camping world, as they can be used with RVs as well as travel trailers and 5th wheels. The products are easy to mount, and they help to cut back on bouncing and side-to-side movement. In fact, they provide such a valuable service that some RVs will already have them in place at the time of purchase.
Despite their versatility, universal stabilizers don’t always have a high weight capacity. This means they’re not the ideal choice for larger RVs.
Tripod Stabilizers
Because of their unique design, these stabilizers are mostly used with 5th wheel campers. Note that they don’t do too well when it comes to reducing front-and-back movement, although they do a fair job with bouncing and side-to-side shaking. Installation is usually easy and often tool-free, and most tripod stabilizers are set at an affordable price.
What To Consider When Shopping For Camper Stabilizers
Cost
Camper stabilizers are available in a range of prices. You can find budget options that will only set you back $30 or so, or you can save for a fancier unit that will run you several hundred dollars. How much you spend depends on how often you camp, how many years you hope to get out of the product, and how much bouncing and shaking you’re willing to endure.
Size Of The Rig
Take a good look at the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of your camper or travel trailer before shopping for stabilizers. It won’t do to purchase a unit that’s incapable of supporting the weight of the rig.
That said, when you’re comparing products, remember that the total weight will be spread out over the number of stabilizers that you use. Also, the camper should never be lifted up so high that all of the tires are off the ground. This means that the tires will also support some of the weight, even when the stabilizer jacks are in place. For travel trailers, the tongue arm will be bearing some of the burden as well.
Weight isn’t the only factor in this equation. Since long RVs are more prone to bouncing and side-to-side swaying, you’ll need to buy more stabilizers in order to keep these rigs in place. As a rule of thumb, plan on at least four stabilizers for any camper that measures more than 30 feet in length.
Construction
Heavy-duty steel is a superior choice for camper stabilizers, especially if it’s been treated with a powder coating to make it weather-resistant. Stainless steel is another good option, but try to steer clear of any stabilizers that are made from cast aluminum. These products will typically be cheaper, but with good reason—they probably won’t last longer than a season or two.
Installation
Easy installation is always a plus, but when it comes to stabilizer jacks, there are actually two sides to this story. If the stabilizers are very simple to install, they usually require you to repeat the process every time you park the camper. On the other hand, if the initial process takes a long time, they should be easier to use in the long run.
Stabilizers that are permanently mounted to the RV are a good example of this. It takes a while to install them, but once they’re in place, all you need to do is adjust them for height once you’ve parked. Conversely, temporary units need to be installed every time, which can really add up if you take the camper out on a regular basis.
What’s The Difference Between Stabilizers and Leveling Blocks?
While leveling blocks are designed to keep the camper level, stabilizers are meant to prevent it from moving around when you get in and out. Unlike leveling blocks, they aren’t designed to support the full weight of the rig.
In most cases, it’s a good idea to use leveling blocks and stabilizers. That way, the floor will be level, and the camper won’t bounce around every time you move.
In Conclusion
When it comes to camper stabilizers, the WEIZE Leveling Scissor Jack set is our preferred choice. These stabilizer jacks feature an impressive height range and weight capacity, giving them superb versatility. We also appreciate the fact that they’re priced reasonably enough to allow us to purchase them in bulk.
Good luck, and happy camping!
Check out our article on: How To Stop A Travel Trailer From Rocking? (9 Step Guide)