tongue jack slipped

[Npdchief07]

We were setting up our camper and like I always do I set the tongue jack down on several blocks (the ones you can use of leveling or placing under the stabilizing jacks). I noticed immediately it was slipping. I didn't know what to do. I yelled for my daughter to hand me some more blocks and I set them right next to the blocks i already had. It eventually stopped and was resting on both sets of blocks. I raised it again and rehooked to my truck. I was able to set it down again without incident.

Any reason why this would happen and how can i prevent it?

[bob213]

Terryallan wrote:

bob213 wrote:

philh wrote:
Not a good idea to xchock wheels and then lift and lower tongue.

Can you explain why please.

BAL includes a notice in the package stating this caveat. The force applied by the wheels rotating opposite directions when you raise/lower the tongue jack will over stress the crossmembers and cause them to buckle. This is not covered under warranty. You still need actual wheel chocks until the trailer is leveled and your other stabilizers are down.
It's in the instructions. You are NOT to install them until the trailer is level and unhooked.

Thank you. I will change to order of install and removal.

[garysol]

I had this happen ONCE as well. As soon as I unhooked from the ball the camper moved hard right. The campsite pad was located just after a curve in the "driveway". I suspect that my axles had some twist in them from backing and turning. I should have pulled straight and then backed straight up to relieve the axle twist but I didn't. Lesson learned.

[JRscooby]

opnspaces wrote:
True the ball is the most secure. Buy you really can't verify that the rig is stable and securely chocked with it sitting on the ball. The chains should be left as a safety measure in case of movement as you raise off the ball and level the trailer.

Horse snot. I learned how to chock wheels so a vehicle would not move before I started school. When I'm ready to unhook, the order is chock wheels, light cord, chains, open latch on coupler, then mess with the jack.

[Edd505]

Block the wheels and it can't move, then lift it off the hitch.

[happy2rv]

Did that once and learned my lesson. I haven't set the tongue jack down on blocks since. After my heart started pumping blood to my brain again it kind of made sense, at least in my case, even though I had "gotten away with it" many times. The foot of my jack is about 1/2 to 3/4 the size of the blocks I was using (lynx leveling blocks) and smooth on the bottom. The leveling blocks are smooth plastic shaped kind of like lego blocks for stacking. This means there was limited contact between the somewhat slick plastic blocks and the smooth foot of the jack. Very slight incline but raising the tongue enough to disconnect was enough to literally tip the scales. Fortunately I only had a couple of blocks stacked and it stopped moving when the tongue hit the ground. It could have been much worse. I did have the wheels chocked, but chocks can and do slip. I've never had mine slip or move with the actual jack foot resting on the ground and I have plenty of travel available in my jack stand. I only used the blocks to save time.

I have been looking at investing in better chocks but my wheels are set too far apart for many of the X-Chocks and the Fastway ONEstep. I like the idea of the ONEstep and have considered making my own.

[Terryallan]

bob213 wrote:

philh wrote:
Not a good idea to xchock wheels and then lift and lower tongue.

Can you explain why please.

BAL includes a notice in the package stating this caveat. The force applied by the wheels rotating opposite directions when you raise/lower the tongue jack will over stress the crossmembers and cause them to buckle. This is not covered under warranty. You still need actual wheel chocks until the trailer is leveled and your other stabilizers are down.
It's in the instructions. You are NOT to install them until the trailer is level and unhooked.

X chocks are NOT designed to be used instead of regular wheel chocks. they will not stop your trailer from rolling. there are only to help stabilize the tires.

Me. I level it side to side. Reverse it tight onto the wheel chock, and while it has pressure there. I place a chock against the front of the tire. Then unhook, and level front to back. Then I install the
X chocks. They are the last thing I do, and the first thing to come off when leaving.

BTW. What will happen if you forget to remove them before you try to pull away? they will come out with great force, and can damage the tires, and suspension. Ask me how I know. Had to buy a new tire once because I forgot.

[opnspaces]

True the ball is the most secure. Buy you really can't verify that the rig is stable and securely chocked with it sitting on the ball. The chains should be left as a safety measure in case of movement as you raise off the ball and level the trailer.

[JRscooby]

bob213 wrote:
X chocks. First thing on, last thing off. Safety chains stay on till trailer is
completely stable.

Much better to have the most solid connection as the last to unhook.
Lifting the coupler off the ball, should be last. If you have a chain in hand when trailer moves, chain snaps tight, you might be able to count to nine.
Wheels chocked tight jack tongue up, the jack will tend to move on the ground, but not side to side. Might want to plan for that when putting blocks jack.

[Huntindog]

Another reason why I dig holes for the tires to level my TT. As long as gravity works....My TT isn't going anywhere.

[bob213]

philh wrote:
Not a good idea to xchock wheels and then lift and lower tongue.

Can you explain why please.

[OleManOleCan]

Npdchief07 wrote:
We were setting up our camper and like I always do I set the tongue jack down on several blocks (the ones you can use of leveling or placing under the stabilizing jacks). I noticed immediately it was slipping. I didn't know what to do. I yelled for my daughter to hand me some more blocks and I set them right next to the blocks i already had. It eventually stopped and was resting on both sets of blocks. I raised it again and rehooked to my truck. I was able to set it down again without incident.

Any reason why this would happen and how can i prevent it?

It's easier to chock the wheels before you mess with the jack.

[philh]

Not a good idea to xchock wheels and then lift and lower tongue.

[bob213]

X chocks. First thing on, last thing off. Safety chains stay on till trailer is
completely stable.

[DutchmenSport]

Ouch! Glad nothing got hurt. That could have been devastating in many more ways than one.