Does X chocks help stablity?

brirene wrote:

Lantley wrote:

brirene wrote:
I agree too. Doesn't remove all movement, but a great deal of it. Terry has posted a couple of times about his trailer rolling, but i just can't see it. Mine sure seem too tight for that to happen. Not calling you out, Terry, just don't see how it would happen, based on what I've seen. :)

Just for kicks try pulling away with your X chocks in place and see how well they keep the trailer from moving vs. using ground wedges.
They work well for stability but they are not designed to keep trailer from rolling.

Well, I guess if I've got to hitch up and pull with my truck to get the trailer to roll with the x-locks applied, I'll still feel ok about it not moving when they're applied on level ground and not being tugged. I'm referring to "properly applied", and I doubt that driving away with them between the wheels would qualify. ;)

I use both. I use the lynx leveler chocks that lock into the levelers on one side. Then after I get those set . I put the loc, and chock on the other side. The last trip. I simply forgot about the loc, and chock, and let the truck roll forward a bit. Not gassing it, but just Idle. the loc, and chocks provided absolutely no braking effect at all. Couldn't even tell it was on there. And yes it's my fault, But I always thought it would hold a little. From now on, there will be big orange chocks on both sides. Can't pull over them if you tried.

Lantley wrote:

brirene wrote:
I agree too. Doesn't remove all movement, but a great deal of it. Terry has posted a couple of times about his trailer rolling, but i just can't see it. Mine sure seem too tight for that to happen. Not calling you out, Terry, just don't see how it would happen, based on what I've seen. :)

Just for kicks try pulling away with your X chocks in place and see how well they keep the trailer from moving vs. using ground wedges.
They work well for stability but they are not designed to keep trailer from rolling.

Agreed. I use both these as well as chocks at all times. Although they might stop your trailer form moving, I feel more comfortable using chocks in addition to. I want to wake up on the same site where I went to sleep.

People talk about them not holding if it tries to roll away. I don't think that's what people look into them for. The main reason I have been looking at them is to add stability while set up, not for anti-theft devices..JMHO

the key is to get them tight enough. My trailer rolled, but it was after my DW put in my BAL chocks....make all the jokes you want...she no longer does this...and before I take the hitch off the ball, I go around and re check....

BUT they do take alot of movement out like the rest of them said....will always use them.

I have been using them (Hensley version) for a couple of years on my trailer. A few thoughts:

1) The fundamental purpose of the X-chocks is to keep the tires from rolling while walking around in the trailer. Putting the stabilizers down and using the wedges doesn't stop the tires from rolling. The wedges will help but will not eliminate the tire rolling. It doesn't take but a little tire roll to feel it in the trailer. This is where the X-chocks have a great advantage and it made so much sense to me when I did my initial research.

2) Never considered needing the wedges, but it makes sense on a significant incline. Check, added to must have list.

I am not looking for something to stop the trailer from rolling, I have some chocks for that.

But from the sound of it this stops most the inside movement when walking around.

After I chock my trailer with wedge chocks on both sides, then out come the BAL X-chocks. After parked for a while, tires might lose pressure, so the X-chocks can get loose and be good enough to keep the trailer stable, but not protect against movement.

The secondary function of the X-chocks is another security factor. I toss a pair of long-shackled padlocks on each of them, which isn't 100%, but will discourage a would-be thief.

I will say that one of the first times i used them one actually fell out in my hand several hours after placing it. I assume, and believe that the tires had cooled sufficiently to allow the chock to loosen. I now re check them after application. Lantley, your point about using additional chocks on slopes is a good one, and I would hope that any users would do so in that circumstance. Just as with most things, these are subject to operator error. Happy trails!

Check out the DIY section

They are certainly on my list to purchase.