The importance of stability

Even with the wheels chocked if the side pressure is not removed from a sharp turn backing in, it can slide the tongue jack off a wood or plastic block when it’s raised off the ball…

I have had this happen myself years ago and subsequently heard of it happening and the owner didn’t have his feet out of the way causing tragic results…

I was also sitting under a guy’s awning on a level concrete pad in FL… the trailer had been there more than a year (maybe two) when all of a sudden due to movement inside there was a loud bang and the trailer moved forward… it had the 4 corner jacks down with blocks of wood (dimensionally to high and not enough surface area IMHO)… apparently the guy hadn’t checked the air pressure in the tire and leakage overloaded the jacks… he used pieces of 4x6 under the jacks with the 4 inch being the surface side and all running the same direction… effectively making them as much like a roller as a block…

You just can’t be to careful…

While I have nothing against those who choose to tow a fiver or whatever, the OP just scared me further from ever wanting a TT.

Building and trees didn't have or need wheels in Moore, OK but man they sure did move and fast!

skipnchar, love the buildings and trees, great observation!

Trailer tires should ALWAYS be blocked and trailer tongues should NOT have wheels when in use. It's kind of like greasing your brake pads so they don't wear so much :) If you want something to stay put you DO NOT put wheels on it. Notice that most buildings or trees don't have wheels :)

Another point about chocking: Before unhooking,obviously, place the chocks at the wheels. Then return to the tow vehicle and release all brakes so the entire set up rolls against the chocks, setting them in place. If you don't do this, the trailer can, and often will, roll a few inches until the wheels butt up against the chocks.

A few years ago and less experienced, we were using a hollow cinder block to rest the jack on - bad idea! We were setting up in the heat of summer, in Myrtle Beach and had the cinder block crush under the weight of the trailer. We had to get blocks under the tongue to lift TT up and transfer the weight, so we could get a block of wood under the jack. No more cinder blocks! Experience is your best teacher!

fla-gypsy wrote:
Chocking the wheels is "Set Up 101", even if you THINK it's level ground.

==================================
Chocking both sides is first & last thing I do. After the trailer is level side to side I chock all four wheels with BAL chocks. Then I disconnect the trailer from the TV. Last thing I do before pulling out is un-chock the wheels ( ALWAYS).
Happy trails,

Chocking the wheels is "Set Up 101", even if you THINK it's level ground.