Can Scissor Jacks be Used to Level a 5th Wheel Trailer and Will it be Hard to Manually Crank Them

Updated 06/19/2017 | Published 06/18/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Ultra-Fab Ultra Scissor Jacks - 24" Lift - 13,000 lbs - Qty 2

(715)

$121.26

Ultra-Fab Speed Socket Power Drill Adapter for Scissor Jacks

(179)

$12.34

Ultra-Fab Leveling Blocks w/ Bag for Trailers and RVs - 8-1/4" x 8-1/4" - Qty 10

(267)

$66.90

Question:

I have a Cardinal fifth wheel that weighs about 12,500 pounds. I have the ultrafab independent legs on the front. I want to be able to easily level without going to the expense of buying a ground control 3.0. Could I use the heavy duty scissor jacks mounted to frame behind tires to lift the rv enough to level? I would use an app like the level mate pro to determine level. How much effort does it take to lift 5000 pounds a couple of inches if that is what it takes?

asked by: William A

Expert Reply:

Ultra-Fab Ultra Scissor Jacks # UF48-979002 are designed to stabilize and support a trailer. To do so they will push up on the trailer but they cannot lift the trailer up off the ground so keep that in mind. This is true for all scissor jacks.

Considering that the jacks will be placed where the trailer is the heaviest it would be difficult to manually crank the jacks. But if you used drill attachment # UF48-979005 and an electric drill it would make it a lot easier and faster.

Another option is to use leveling blocks such as # UF48-979051. So you would determine how far out of level you are, stack the blocks as needed, then drive right up on them.

expert reply by: Michael H