RV Stabilizer Jacks That Actually Stop the Rocking
Most travel trailers do best with the Lippert Components scissor jack kit at all four corners. Hitching and unhitching go faster with the Camco Olympian tongue jack, which needs less crank effort. Uneven campsites call for Camco leveling blocks first, since they need no hardware install at all.
Stabilizer jacks stop side-to-side rocking after a trailer is parked, not the full weight of the rig.
Weight rating and crank type separate a jack that holds steady from one that strips or bends after repeated seasons of use.
We compared lift capacity, mounting style, and crank speed across seven products to see which suit lighter travel trailers versus heavier fifth wheels.
The top picks, ranked
Lippert Components Trailer Stabilizer Scissor Jack Kit (Set of 4)
Four bolt-on scissor jacks in this kit are rated for stabilizing, not lifting, trailers up to typical dual-axle weights. Each corner cranks down independently, which matters on uneven ground. Owners report the zinc-plated finish resists rust better than unfinished steel after seasons stored outdoors.
Pros
- Complete four-corner set in a single purchase
- Zinc finish holds up against rust in outdoor storage
- Independent crank per corner handles uneven ground
Cons
- Bolt-on installation takes longer than clamp-on jacks
- Not rated to lift the trailer for tire changes
Camco Olympian Aluminum Heavy Duty Trailer Tongue Jack
Aluminum housing cuts weight compared with steel versions while still handling a 2,000 pound lift capacity. A two-speed gear system covers fast cranking for large height changes and fine adjustment near the coupler. Included hardware mounts it directly to the A-frame.
Pros
- Aluminum housing keeps overall weight down
- Two-speed crank speeds through large adjustments
- Fine gear setting simplifies final coupler alignment
Cons
- Costs more than basic steel tongue jacks
- 2,000 lb rating limits it to lighter trailers
Camco Heavy Duty Leveling Blocks (Set of 10)
Interlocking plastic blocks stack to level a trailer on uneven ground before stabilizer jacks go down. Stacked correctly per the instructions, each block handles up to 40,000 pounds of static weight. A set of 10 covers both sides of a typical dual-axle trailer in one purchase.
Pros
- Needs no drilling or bolting to use
- Covers both sides of a dual-axle trailer
- Interlocking shape resists sliding once loaded
Cons
- Adds an extra setup step before jacks go down
- Takes up more storage room than folded jacks
Ultra-Fab Products Power Tongue Jack
A 12-volt motor replaces hand-cranking on this jack, rated for 3,500 pounds of lift capacity. Manual crank backup steps in whenever battery power runs low. Owners report solo hitching gets easier since one person can watch the coupler while the jack raises or lowers itself.
Pros
- Electric operation speeds up solo hitching
- Manual crank backup covers power failures
- Higher weight capacity than most manual jacks
Cons
- Depends on a working 12V connection
- Priced above manual tongue jacks
Stromberg Carlson JC-108 Trailer Jack Stabilizer
A wider base and heavier gauge steel target fifth wheels and larger travel trailers that overload standard scissor jacks. Mounting happens directly on the frame near each corner. Its wide foot pad spreads weight better on soft ground, including gravel or grass campsites.
Pros
- Wide foot pad performs better on soft ground
- Heavier steel construction suits larger trailers
- Frame-mount design stays secure over rough roads
Cons
- Adds extra weight to handle during install
- Overkill for small, lightweight trailers
BAL 23023 Trailer Stabilizing Jack Stand (Pack of 2)
Owners who only need to stabilize the rear corners of a smaller trailer get a lower-cost entry point with this two-pack. Each jack folds flat for storage while the trailer is in motion. Its compact scissor design suits pop-up campers and small travel trailers better than full-size rigs.
Pros
- Costs less than a full four-jack kit
- Folds flat for compact storage while towing
- Fits smaller trailers well
Cons
- Covers only two corners, not a full four-corner set
- Not rated for heavier fifth wheels
Eaz-Lift 48058 Telescoping Trailer Stabilizer Jack Stands (Pack of 2)
A wider height range than fixed scissor jacks makes these telescoping stands useful on sloped campsites. A locking pin secures the extended length before final crank-down for stability. Owners report the extra adjustment range helps on gravel sites with more elevation change between corners.
Pros
- Wider height range handles sloped campsites
- Skips frame drilling or bolting entirely
- Locking pin secures height before crank-down
Cons
- Freestanding design can shift if not seated well
- Covers only two corners, not a full four-corner set
Compared at a glance
| # | Model | Jacks included | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lippert Components Trailer Stabilizer Scissor Jack Kit (Set of 4) | 4 | Best overall | 9.3 | Check price |
| 2 | Camco Olympian Aluminum Heavy Duty Trailer Tongue Jack | 2,000 lb | Best for hitching and unhitching | 9.0 | Check price |
| 3 | Camco Heavy Duty Leveling Blocks (Set of 10) | 10 blocks | Best value | 8.8 | Check price |
| 4 | Ultra-Fab Products Power Tongue Jack | 3,500 lb | Best for powered convenience | 8.6 | Check price |
| 5 | Stromberg Carlson JC-108 Trailer Jack Stabilizer | Wide foot pad | Best for fifth wheel and heavier trailers | 8.4 | Check price |
| 6 | BAL 23023 Trailer Stabilizing Jack Stand (Pack of 2) | 2 | Best budget stabilizers | 8.1 | Check price |
| 7 | Eaz-Lift 48058 Telescoping Trailer Stabilizer Jack Stands (Pack of 2) | 2 | Best for adjustable height range | 8.0 | Check price |
What to look for
What stabilizer jacks do and don’t do Stabilizer jacks remove side-to-side rocking once a trailer is parked and leveled. They are not rated to lift the trailer’s full weight for tire changes or storage. Check a jack’s rated use before buying, since lifting capacity and stabilizing capacity are separate specifications.
Scissor jacks versus tongue jacks Scissor jacks mount at the four corners of the trailer frame and handle stabilizing after parking. Tongue jacks sit at the front A-frame and raise or lower the coupler during hitching. Most trailers need both types working together rather than one substituting for the other.
Matching jack capacity to trailer size Compact two-jack kits handle lightweight pop-up campers and small travel trailers fine. Dual-axle travel trailers typically need a full four-corner scissor jack set for even stabilizing. Fifth wheels and larger trailers benefit from heavier gauge steel jacks with wider foot pads.
Leveling blocks for uneven campsite ground Gravel and dirt campsites are rarely level enough for stabilizer jacks alone to do their job well. Stacking interlocking leveling blocks under the tires first gets the trailer roughly level before jacks go down. That reduces strain on the stabilizer jacks and makes for a steadier setup overall.
Common questions
Can stabilizer jacks lift a trailer off the ground?
No, they are rated only for stabilizing after the trailer is parked, not for lifting the full weight during tire changes.
How many stabilizer jacks does a travel trailer need?
Most dual-axle travel trailers use four, one at each corner, though smaller trailers sometimes stabilize only the rear two.
What is the difference between a tongue jack and a stabilizer jack?
A tongue jack raises and lowers the front coupler for hitching, while stabilizer jacks stop rocking at all four corners once parked.
Do I need leveling blocks if I already have stabilizer jacks?
Yes on uneven ground, since blocks level the trailer first and reduce the strain stabilizer jacks absorb afterward.
Electric vs manual tongue jack, which is better for solo camping?
Electric jacks help solo campers watch the coupler while adjusting height, since both hands stay free.
Are aluminum tongue jacks strong enough for heavier trailers?
Aluminum housings cut weight, but the lift capacity rating, not the material alone, determines what trailer weight they handle safely.
How do I know what weight rating my stabilizer jacks need?
Check your trailer’s dry weight and GVWR in the owner’s manual, then match jacks rated at or above that figure.
Can stabilizer jacks be used on gravel or grass campsites?
Yes, though a wide foot pad or a separate base plate helps prevent sinking into soft ground compared with a narrow jack foot.
Is a full four-jack kit better than a two-jack kit?
For dual-axle trailers, yes, since all four corners need independent stabilizing on uneven ground.
What is the best RV stabilizer jack for a fifth wheel?
Heavier gauge steel jacks with a wide foot pad, built for higher weight loads, suit fifth wheels better than standard scissor kits.
The verdict
A full four-corner scissor jack kit like Lippert’s covers most dual-axle travel trailers without overspending. Pair it with a dedicated tongue jack for hitching, since the two tools handle separate jobs. Heavier fifth wheels should size up to reinforced jacks with wider foot pads instead of standard scissor kits.
