Forum Discussion

crazyro's avatar
crazyro
Explorer
Mar 01, 2019

Would trailer roll? Am I thinking too hard?

Since we live in a neighborhood, we're now allowed to store the TT on our property (except for a couple of days at a time when loading/unloading). Yes, we chose the neighborhood and it's perfect for us and our kids. Yes, I know some of you would move. :) We will in a few years but for now, it is what it is...
When we bring TT home, we park it next to our driveway, on grass. This has caused a couple of ruts and I'm trying to prevent further damage. My thought was to dig up the areas where wheels would be - say, about 2", then add rubber floor mats (already have them), add dirt in the rubber mat holes, and then plant grass on and around. This way, when grass is compressed, the wheels will hit mats and not the ground, preventing ruts.
Here comes the overthinking part maybe. Spot has a slight slope to it so I always chock wheels and then raise tongue a bit to level off. If I use chocks on the rubber mats, would there be a possibility of TT sliding down? Or the whole thing sliding down, say when ground is wet? I'm thinking no, but... Maybe I'm looking for peace of mind? :)
(sorry for the long explanation)

19 Replies

  • Here's another simple solution I've used myself to secure a trailer on a sloping surface - wheel pads, one on each side, that use the weight of the trailer itself bearing down on a wood base to which a rubber chock is securely affixed. Works like a charm, no way the trailer is going anywhere.

  • downtheroad wrote:
    These: Fastway Chocks...LINK


    Had a set, hated 'em as they're difficult to adjust for a precise fit. A much better solution is a set of infinitely adjustable BAL Standard Tire Locking Chocks.



    The only reason I didn't use them with our Freedom Express was the axle spread was so narrow there wasn't sufficient room to fit these chocks between the tires, ergo the reason I instead used rubber chocks to emulate the BAL chock.
  • D.E.Bishop wrote:
    Aren't these made to solve that non problem?

    Chocks


    Nope. Despite being called "chocks" X-Chocks and pretend brand X-Chocks like these that rely on maintaining adequate tension between adjacent tires are not to be relied on to properly chock the trailer and prevent it from shifting. Rather they're intended to be used to minimize suspension wiggle when one walks around inside the camper. Problem is, tires shrink as they cool so a set of these X-Chocks installed when first setting up will loose their grip and allow the trailer to shift. Norco even includes a warning note to this effect in every box of X-Chocks.

  • Old-Biscuit wrote:
    Why don't you park on driveway and chock the trailer

    :H


    It would completely block access to the garage unfortunately...
  • Instead of using rubber mats, which may prove to be worse than just parking on the grass, have you considered grass block pavers? Assuming your HOA would even allow that. If they don't allow trailers, they may have the lawn police checking on that too.
  • Not sure what your concern is, if the trailer is properly chocked it isn't going anywhere. Our driveway slopes significantly to the street so I use a couple of rubber chocks between each set of tires and keep them from shifting at all with hardwood spacers. Works like a charm, trailer doesn't shift in the slightest.