I’m Kayla. I camp with my husband, two kids, and our loud but sweet lab mix, Millie. Our trailer is a 2019 Grand Design Imagine 2400BH. It’s not huge, but when the kids jump, the whole rig can shimmy like a wobbly table. Coffee? Spills. Dishes? Rattle. My nerves? Yeah… a bit fried. Before I dove in, I read about how another camper completely stopped the shake using different RV stabilizer jacks—that article became my blueprint.
So I tested stabilizer jacks. A few kinds. In the wind, with kids, on gravel, and one very bouncy campsite pad in Oklahoma. Here’s what really helped, what sort of helped, and what just took up space in my bin.
(To get a deeper look at my specific rig, you can skim the full Grand Design Imagine 2400BH Specifications for all the weights, lengths, and tank sizes that factor into how it reacts to movement.)
My Setup, So You Know Where I’m Coming From
- Trailer: 2019 Grand Design Imagine 2400BH (tandem axle)
- Stock gear: Manual scissor jacks on all four corners
- Tools I use: 3/4-inch socket on a cordless drill, little wood blocks, rubber pads
I learned fast: stabilizer jacks are for steadiness, not for lifting the RV. Level first. Then chock. Then set the stabilizers. Otherwise, you chase your tail.
The Stuff I Used (And Used Again)
1) Stock Manual Scissor Jacks
These came on my trailer. I drop them with a drill. On a calm night, they’re fine. But when the wind hits, or a kid rolls over in the bunk, the trailer still sways. Not crazy, just enough to feel it. Like standing on a dock.
What helped them:
- Camco jack pads under each foot (less sinking into soft ground)
- A small wood block (saves time and keeps the jacks from over-extending)
- A tiny dab of grease on the screws (quiet and smooth)
Pros: simple, cheap to keep.
Cons: don’t kill the wiggle on their own.
2) BAL X-Chock Wheel Stabilizers
These go between the tires on a tandem axle. I bought two, one for each side. First use was in Palo Duro Canyon during a windy spring storm. Before X-Chocks, the trailer rocked front-to-back when someone moved. After? The fore-aft shimmy dropped a lot. Not perfect, but better.
Real moment: my son climbed the bunk ladder, and the cereal bowls didn’t clack. That was new. That same feeling of solid footing reminded me of a road-trip review I read when someone took a Flagstaff RV across Arizona and noted how critical good stabilization was on desert gusts.
Pros: big cut to front-to-back movement; fast to set.
Cons: you still feel side-to-side sway if that’s your main issue.
3) JT Strong Arm Stabilizers (Lippert)
I installed these myself. They’re metal bars that tie the frame to the jacks, kind of like firm arms that cross-brace the legs. There are little T-handles you tighten after you drop the jacks. It took me an afternoon, a socket set, and a few breaks for snacks.
After install, my trailer felt… planted. Not stiff like a house, but firm. I could make a sandwich without the counter bouncing. The kids could flop on the bunks, and my coffee stayed in the mug. You know what? That felt like a small win. (If you’re curious about the exact kit I used, the JT Strong Arm Jack Stabilizer Kit page shows the components and install diagrams that convinced me to try it.)
Field test: windy night at Lake Thunderbird, OK. With X-Chocks plus JT Strong Arms, I could type on my laptop without the screen wobbling. That’s the test I didn’t know I needed.
Pros: best improvement to overall steadiness; side-to-side and front-to-back.
Cons: costs more; you do need to install it and remember the T-handles.
4) Valterra Aluminum Stack Jacks
I borrowed these from my neighbor first, then bought a set. They’re little stands you slide under spots that still bounce—like under the steps or near the kitchen area. I use one under the steps when the ground is soft. Way less “thunk” when someone comes in.
Pros: cheap, light, nice add-on under flexy spots.
Cons: they’re not a full fix by themselves; just support.
5) Camco Eaz-Lift Scissor Jacks (Portable Pair)
I bent one of my rear stock jacks on a nasty dip near Broken Bow (ugh). While I waited on parts, I ran a portable pair from Camco. They worked like the stock jacks, and I still keep one as a “floater” under the rear frame when I park on a weird pad.
Pros: tough, simple backup.
Cons: more gear to haul; not magic by themselves.
6) Lippert PSX1 Electric Stabilizers (Used on My Sister-in-Law’s Trailer)
I used these on a weekend with my sister-in-law’s 2020 Keystone Passport. Button press, down they go. Super easy. But ease and rock control are two different things. With no extra bracing, I still felt some sway. When we added my spare X-Chocks? Much better.
Pros: convenience.
Cons: still needs help from X-Chocks or a bracing system if you hate wobble.
Real-World Moments That Sold Me
- The windy night test: Before upgrades, my wine glass buzzed on the table when gusts hit. After X-Chocks + JT Strong Arms, the glass sat quiet. I kept checking it like a weirdo.
- The bunk flop: My kids love to “fall” into bed. Pre-upgrades, the whole trailer answered back. Post-upgrades, I just heard a thud and a giggle. No trailer sway chorus.
- The step thunk: With a stack jack under the steps, my morning walk-out didn’t shake the hallway. Millie still shook her ears, though. Loud dog.
If you’re ever rolling through North Carolina and want a riverside campsite that lets you feel the difference a solid stabilizing setup can make, spend a night at Riverhouse Acres—their level pads and flowing Tuckasegee backdrop will put your gear to the test.
What I’d Do If I Were You (Based on My Hands-On Mess)
- Start with your base: keep the scissor jacks greased, use pads, and add small wood blocks.
- If you have a tandem axle, add BAL X-Chocks. They make a real, clear difference.
- If side-to-side sway bugs you most, add JT Strong Arms. That’s what made my trailer feel steady, not just “less wiggly.”
- Use a stack jack under the steps or soft spots. It’s a cheap, happy fix.
Shopping tip: Solid stabilization gear doesn’t have to drain the camping fund. I’ve had good luck combing community classifieds for gently used equipment—one nationwide hub worth a quick search is the Backpage local listings. Because it’s organized by city and category, you can often score X-Chocks, stack jacks, or even full stabilizer kits at garage-sale prices before you ever hit the checkout button on a retail site.
Another travel tip: if your route ever takes you through Groveland, California—maybe you’re staging outside Yosemite and craving an adults-only evening after a dusty day on the trails—peek at the USA Sex Guide Groveland for a concise rundown of lounges, dancer bars, and low-key date spots so you can skip the guesswork and head straight to the kind of nightlife that fits your vibe.
Quick Tips I Learned the Hard Way
- Level first, then chock, then stabilizers. That order matters.
- Don’t over-crank the stabilizers. Firm, not lift.
- Shorten the jack travel with blocks. Less bounce.
- Re-check after the first night. Things settle.
- Wind exposes weak spots. Tighten those T-handles on the brace bars again if needed.
And should your stabilizers reveal a hidden leak in the underbelly (it happens), don’t panic—I replaced my RV water tank, here’s what actually happened walks you through the fix with fewer surprises.
Pros and Cons, Fast and Plain
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X-Chocks
- Pros: cuts front-to-back motion a lot
- Cons: doesn’t fix side-to-side by itself
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JT Strong Arm
- Pros: