Hi All,I have a question that I can't find an answer to that I was hoping you all could help me out with.I just bought a used Jayco 23B trailer. My driveway is sloped at about a 4 degree angle which results in my trailer tongue jack having to be fully extended plus sitting on an additional 17" block. The only way to fit a 17" block under the tongue is to lower the tongue jack all the way, place a jack stand under the tongue, retract the tongue jack completely and then place the 17" block under. Is this acceptable? Is there an easier way?This results in the rear axle being fully compressed and the front one drooping completely although still touching the ground. Is this okay? Can one axle support the majority of the weight long term?When not using the trailer, is it better for the trailer to be parallel to the slope of the driveway instead of level?On a similar note, when leveling the trailer side to side at a camp site, can I elevate just one wheel of one side of the trailer or do I have to raise both wheels of one side to level the trailer side to side?

Can't say for sure, but I can't imagine that much weight placed on one torsion axil for any length of time is good for it. When I owned a trailer with tandem torsion axils, I always ran both wheels up on blocks to level the trailer side to side. A side note. I prefer torsion axil suspensions. I wish I had them on my new TT.

I have done this for short periods of time while camping with no negative results. However, I have never stored it that way for long periods. My concern would be putting too much pressure on too few points. Are there any engineers on this forum? Or do you know any you could ask? My experience with my dealership/mechanic is any time I ask a question like this they talk about my warranty.

cj_rezz wrote: On a similar note, when leveling the trailer side to side at a camp site, can I elevate just one wheel of one side of the trailer or do I have to raise both wheels of one side to level the trailer side to side?I missed this question... Do both wheels. It's easy enough.

Torsion axles use rubber inserts in the tube to suspend the load. Storing fully compressed at 2x normal weight runs the risk of them losing some elasticity IMO. I would simply put a block under the lower tire to somewhat equalize the tire loading front to rear.

Any travel trailers we've owned have been dual axle with a conventional leaf suspension but since my driveway also slopes noticeably to the street and I do always keep the trailer levelled front to back so I can use it while parked here at the house I built a set of Wheel Pads that not only firmly secure the trailer from shifting but also allow the suspension equalizers to sit level just as they would when the trailer is sitting on a level ground surface.When levelling on the driveway I too use a 18" stack consisting of 3 separate sections so the tongue jack extension isn't excessive and yes, I do it in steps using a support stand under the trailer A frame. It's a bit time consuming but that's a function of having a sloped driveway, nothing to do with the trailer itself.As far as side to side levelling when camping is concerned you always want to elevate both low side tires the same amount to avoid excessive force being placed on just one axle compared to the other.

Leveling a trailer with tandem Torsion Axles | Good Sam Community

SoundGuy
Explorer
Mar 18, 2016
Any travel trailers we've owned have been dual axle with a conventional leaf suspension but since my driveway also slopes noticeably to the street and I do always keep the trailer levelled front to back so I can use it while parked here at the house I built a set of Wheel Pads that not only firmly secure the trailer from shifting but also allow the suspension equalizers to sit level just as they would when the trailer is sitting on a level ground surface.

When levelling on the driveway I too use a 18" stack consisting of 3 separate sections so the tongue jack extension isn't excessive and yes, I do it in steps using a support stand under the trailer A frame. It's a bit time consuming but that's a function of having a sloped driveway, nothing to do with the trailer itself.

As far as side to side levelling when camping is concerned you always want to elevate both low side tires the same amount to avoid excessive force being placed on just one axle compared to the other.
Ductape
Explorer
Mar 18, 2016
Torsion axles use rubber inserts in the tube to suspend the load. Storing fully compressed at 2x normal weight runs the risk of them losing some elasticity IMO. I would simply put a block under the lower tire to somewhat equalize the tire loading front to rear.
Anmacc2
Explorer
Mar 16, 2016
cj_rezz wrote:
On a similar note, when leveling the trailer side to side at a camp site, can I elevate just one wheel of one side of the trailer or do I have to raise both wheels of one side to level the trailer side to side?

I missed this question... Do both wheels. It's easy enough.
Anmacc2
Explorer
Mar 16, 2016
I have done this for short periods of time while camping with no negative results. However, I have never stored it that way for long periods. My concern would be putting too much pressure on too few points. Are there any engineers on this forum? Or do you know any you could ask? My experience with my dealership/mechanic is any time I ask a question like this they talk about my warranty.
3oaks
Explorer
Mar 15, 2016
Can't say for sure, but I can't imagine that much weight placed on one torsion axil for any length of time is good for it.

When I owned a trailer with tandem torsion axils, I always ran both wheels up on blocks to level the trailer side to side.

A side note. I prefer torsion axil suspensions. I wish I had them on my new TT.

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Leveling a trailer with tandem Torsion Axles

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