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kandkbrand's avatar
kandkbrand
Explorer
Jan 17, 2017

trailer blown off jack stand

I have been a stalker here on rv.net for a while but this is my first post. We own a Coleman 262bh. January 9th we had a terrible wind storm with winds over 100mph. this past weekend I went out to my storage lot to check on my trailer. It looks like my trailer blew off of the tongue stand, over stressing my stabilizer jacks, and the right front jack failed and the trailer was resting on the front right corner of the trailer. I jacked the trailer back up, and removed the stabilizer jack and I am in the process of repairing it. My question is, how can i be sure there is no damage to the frame? I took it out for a short drive, and it seems like it is trailing just fine. No damage on the inside, and the bathroom door and all cabinets are still level in their frames, just really concerned. the tongue stand was one of those yellow cones. I have no idea how it would have blow off the stand without damaging the stand, but it did. Is this just a freak accident, or should i avoid using the tongue stand? thanks for your input.

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  • Chris_Bryant's avatar
    Chris_Bryant
    Explorer II
    Jan 17, 2017
    Don't worry about it- every day towing puts far more stress than falling off the jack stand.
    FWIW- 4 guys can lift the tongue of a 34' Airstream :)
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    Jan 17, 2017
    More than likely, the trailer frame is just fine. If your tongue jack did not get bent, then there's nothing going on there. If your stablizer jacks got bent up, they are really very week and will "give" much sooner than your main frame they are attached to.

    I had a TT slide once, no damage. The tongue moved about 4 inches and it fell off an 7 inch block into the ground. The tongue jack shaft sunk clear to the frame (like a foot into the ground). Jacking up the trailer to get the tongue jack out of its sub-terrainian location was a fun trick, as the hand jack I had did not have enough clearance to get under the camper. I finally rigged up a winch type device that used ratchet straps attached to the bumper of my truck hitch and I was eventually able to get it out of it's new hole. But nothing was hurt on the trailer. Shortly after that, I put LOTS and LOTS of gravel down, and made sure the tires were chocked on BOTH sides. I've never had another one move again.
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Jan 17, 2017
    It does sound like a lot of stress/twist to the frame. However, if the doors inside, entrance doors, cabinets, all stayed square, you may have gotten lucky.

    If really concerned, you could take it to a large truck alignment shop. They often deal with RV trailer axle/frame work also. They would have the knowledge and equipment to check your frame.

    If mine, I'd probably just continue using it, watching for any indication of a frame issue.

    Jerry
  • mike-s's avatar
    mike-s
    Explorer
    Jan 17, 2017
    kandkbrand wrote:
    the tongue stand was one of those yellow cones.
    Patient: Dr, it hurts when I do this...
    Dr: Don't do that!

    You push sideways, the cone tips, and the trailer falls off. If you really need something more than a foot pad to lengthen the jack, get something which is fixed in place:
  • Tvov's avatar
    Tvov
    Explorer II
    Jan 17, 2017
    Well, if the tongue stand really shows no sign of damage, then it is probably fine. Seeing as you are really concerned, how about just buying a new one? I don't know how much they cost, but it would calm your concerns.
  • noteven's avatar
    noteven
    Explorer III
    Jan 17, 2017
    Our local prairie breezes will blow my empty cargo trailer off it's yellow cone if I don't chock the wheels - if the wheels can't roll an inch the trailer can't pivot off the jack...

    Your results may vary with 100mph gusts... we've only had 65mph through the yard since owning the cargo trailer. It stayed on it's yellow cone.

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