Camco Stabilizer Jacks: What to Check Before You Buy

The Short Answer

A Camco stabilizer jack can be a good fit if you want a simple, manually adjusted way to steady a parked trailer, fifth wheel or camper. Most freestanding and bolt-on stabilizers work on the same principle. You add support points near the corners or the frame so the suspension and tires are not the only things holding the body. There is one condition that changes the answer. If the campsite is uneven, the jacks will not fix that safely. Get the vehicle level first with blocks, ramps or a dedicated leveling system, and only then deploy the stabilizers.

Stabilizing Versus Leveling

People often confuse these two jobs, and the confusion leads to most misuse.

Leveling: correcting side-to-side and front-to-back tilt. This is usually done by driving onto leveling blocks or ramps and adjusting the tongue jack or landing gear. Stabilizing: adding firm contact with the ground so the parked vehicle moves less when people walk around, open doors or sleep. This is the job of stabilizer jacks. Lifting: raising the vehicle's weight off the tires, for example to change a wheel. Stabilizer jacks are generally not designed for this, and using them that way can bend the jack or damage the frame.

If a product listing or the manufacturer instructions say a jack is for stabilization only, treat that as a hard limit.

Common Types of Stabilizer Jacks

Camco is a well-known brand of RV and camping accessories. Its range, like the wider market, may include several stabilizer styles. Confirm which style a specific listing actually is. Names like stand, jack and stabilizer get used loosely.

Type | How it works | Typical consideration; Freestanding or telescoping stand | A separate post or tripod placed under the frame and adjusted by pin, screw or ratchet | Portable and needs no installation; you must place it under a suitable frame point every time; Scissor jack (bolt-on or weld-on) | Mounted to the frame and cranked down with a handle or drill adapter | Stays on the vehicle; reduces ground clearance and requires proper stabilizer mounting; Tongue or wheel stabilizer | Braces the tongue area or chocks between tandem tires | Addresses a specific movement source rather than whole-body support

What to Check Before Buying

Load Rating

Look for the load rating stated on the product or packaging. Check whether it applies per jack or to the set. A stabilizer only carries part of the vehicle's weight, so the rating does not need to match the full gross weight. It does need to be appropriate for the corner it supports. Do not assume a figure the listing does not state. If the rating is unclear, ask the seller or choose a product where it is clearly published.

Height Range

Measure the distance from level ground to the frame point you plan to support, with the vehicle level. The jack's minimum height must fit underneath. Its maximum height must reach the frame with some adjustment left over for uneven sites. A jack used at the very top of its extension is usually less steady than one used mid-range.

Support Points on Your Vehicle

Stabilizers should press against the frame or another point the vehicle maker identifies as suitable. Floors, holding tanks, bumpers and thin underbelly panels are not suitable. Check your owner's manual or the trailer manufacturer's guidance for approved support points. Make sure the jack's top saddle or pad fits the frame member you will use.

Stabilizer Mounting

For bolt-on or weld-on jacks, confirm that your frame has room and a compatible surface for mounting. Check that the retracted jack keeps adequate ground clearance. Check that it will not interfere with tanks, wiring, plumbing or the suspension. Welding to a frame should follow the trailer maker's guidance and is best done by someone qualified. Freestanding stands avoid installation entirely, but you have to place them correctly each time you set up camp.

Ground Stability

A stabilizer is only as steady as the surface beneath it. On soft soil, gravel, sand or hot asphalt, a small foot can sink or shift. Consider whether the jack has a broad base. Otherwise, plan to use separate jack pads or blocks underneath to spread the load. On slopes, keep the foot flat on the ground rather than resting on an edge.

Adjustment Method and Ease of Use

Think about how you will deploy and retract the jacks. Options include pin-and-hole adjustment, a threaded screw, a ratchet or a crank handle. Some scissor jacks accept a drill adapter, which can speed up setup. If you camp often or move frequently, quick adjustment and easy storage may matter as much as load capacity.

Build and Corrosion Resistance

Stabilizers spend time in dirt, rain and road spray. Check what finish the listing describes, such as a powder coat or plating. Look at whether threads and pivot points can be cleaned and lubricated. Avoid reading quality claims into a listing that does not make them. Judge the product on what is actually stated.

Matching the Jack to Your Vehicle

Compatibility depends on the specific trailer or RV. The model year, floor plan, frame design and factory equipment all play a part. Two trailers from the same brand can have different frame heights or underbelly layouts, so measure your own unit rather than relying on general fit claims. If your vehicle already has factory stabilizers or a powered leveling system, check whether adding manual jacks is necessary. Make sure added jacks would not conflict with the existing equipment.

Using Stabilizer Jacks Correctly

Park, chock the wheels and level the vehicle before deploying any stabilizer. Place each jack under an approved frame point, as close to the corners as practical. Use a pad or block under the foot on soft or uneven ground. Extend each jack until it makes firm contact, then snug it evenly. Do not use it to raise the vehicle. Retract and stow every jack before moving, and check them during your pre-departure walk-around. Follow the manufacturer instructions supplied with the product, especially for load limits and mounting.

Realistic Expectations

Stabilizer jacks reduce movement but rarely eliminate it. Some motion still comes from tire flex, suspension play and the tongue or king pin area. A wheel chock between tandem tires or a tongue stabilizer can target those sources if they bother you. It is usually better to add a type of support that addresses the remaining movement than to keep tightening the same jacks.

Next Step

Before you buy, measure the frame height at your intended support points while the vehicle is level. Note your vehicle's weight from its specification label. Decide whether you prefer portable stands or permanently mounted jacks. With those three things in hand, compare Camco stabilizer jack listings. Choose one whose stated load rating, height range and mounting style fit your rig and the ground you typically camp on.