Trailer Casters?

[twxsby89]

https://www.facebook.com/wxsby/videos/10208858093115073/

My dad sold his motorhome because he was tired of being blown around, and made a deal on a 5th wheel trailer. The deal was, if you (the dealer) can back in my driveway, and park it on my RV pad, I will buy it. Well, no luck. His driveway is too steep.
I had a GMC that had casters on the rear frame members because it was so low to the ground. Has anyone added casters to their trailer?

**Edit, not sure if his profile is private, you may not be able to watch the video

[ependydad]

In that video, wouldn't a couple of 2x10s raise the wheels enough to lift the back end of the trailer to get it in and out? We had to do that with our pop-up to get it up our driveway from the "gutter"-like transition from road to sidewalk.

As for the casters- I'm pretty certain I'm going to buy and install them. I'll make sure they're no lower than the rear-most stabilizers. After destroying a set of electric stabilizers back in January- the rear of the camper took the brunt of the force anyway, what's different it it rolls on wheels?

[filrupmark]

We had a 1974 24 foot Prowler TT with heavy duty casters. I really liked them. Then we bought a 1992 Prowler 24 Ft TT with skid plates. I wore those out and had to weld on more plate. The casters were great pulling in and out of gas stations and stores. We would just go slow and ease through the dips. With fifth wheels that dragging issue is gone. Casters and skid plates used to be the norm but frames are not built like they were back then.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

fj12ryder wrote:

Paul Clancy wrote:
Stabalizer jacks are welded to the frame at rear so not sure there is a difference. Both apply upward force.

And the makers of the trailers are very quick to note that the stabilizers are not designed to support the weight of the trailer, only to stabilize it. Most have strict caveats about trying to raise the trailer using the stabilizers.

As above and from the Mod also - believe it !!

Rear stabilizers are *ONLY* for stabilizing.

The pic of the enclosed utility trailer (with casters) does *not* apply to what you are asking.

IMO - try another dealer - ask for "options" to accomplish the desired result.
If they claim it's do-able, repeat the "show me" scenario!

"Flipping the axles (relocating the springs) might be an option (it will raise the trailer) - but "we" haven't seen the access to the RV pad.

Maybe it really is "Mission Impossible!..:@

~

[BarneyS]

The use of casters at the rear of the trailer will only serve to reduce the amount of clearance more and cause it to hit even earlier and harder. In addition, most trailers are not designed to withstand the forces involved with lifting at the very rear of the frame.
I would look for other solutions such as flipping the axles or trying to approach at an angle as have already been mentioned.
Barney

[fj12ryder]

Paul Clancy wrote:
Stabalizer jacks are welded to the frame at rear so not sure there is a difference. Both apply upward force.

And the makers of the trailers are very quick to note that the stabilizers are not designed to support the weight of the trailer, only to stabilize it. Most have strict caveats about trying to raise the trailer using the stabilizers.

[Paul_Clancy]

Stabalizer jacks are welded to the frame at rear so not sure there is a difference. Both apply upward force.

[valhalla360]

Check with the manufacturer. Especially for a longer trailer, you could damage the frame. They aren't designed to be supported at the rear like that.

[DutchmenSport]

They are called, "Trailer skid wheels". Do a Google search and you'll get lots of hits. Use to, in days gone by, folks would attach them to the V- shaped skid bars welded under the trailer frame. More and more, you don't see them any more. Maybe they were doing too much damage dragging and digging into asphalt when going over a dip. Attaching the wheels would prevent destroying the asphalt from getting torn up, but the extra length on the skid bars shortens the distance. Not sure how that stress on the rear of the trailer would affect the frame.

[RoyB]

ETRAILER is where I bought some a few years back...

This photo is off google images - not mine... When you need them they work great haha...



Roy Ken

[Ed9824v]

1st off are the leaf spring on top of the axles, if not that will raise the trailer. what about air bags for the rear axle and air them up for just this purpose and leave them at 5lbs at all there time just a thought. All we need to do is get the rear up temporarily for this maneuver.

[agesilaus]

Yes people mention them here once in awhile look here:

Link