Trailer Moves Laterally When Placed on Tongue Jack

rstowe · 11-14-2019, 05:32 PM

Need some advice as to what I'm doing wrong.
It has happened a couple of times, when lifting the tongue with tongue jack. The trailer moves laterally a little when it pops off the hitch.
Today it slid off the plastic blocks that we had under the jack.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Dick

**Bama Rambler** · 11-14-2019, 05:35 PM

Do you have chocks on both sides when unhooking?
If so, what chocks are you using?

**ependydad** · 11-14-2019, 05:43 PM

I never fully stopped this with my pop-up. I found about these after I sold it:
Tri-Lynx 00030 Chock 'R Dock https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LIHKA5Y/

**Flybob** · 11-14-2019, 05:58 PM

If the hitch ball was exerting some lateral pressure on the hitch but not enough to move the TT to a new position, once you lift the hitch off the ball and the pressure is relieved and the hitch will move slightly. If the last move with the TV was straight forward or back ( no lateral pressure) it should not move laterally.

D W · 11-14-2019, 05:59 PM

I would venture to guess that this is caused by the ball up against the coupler at an angle (TV not being perpendicular to the coupler). The lateral movement is the trailer coming back to center once the force of the ball is removed.

My guess.

The Evil Twin · 11-14-2019, 07:03 PM

If you werent backing or pulling perfectly straight before unhooking, the tires sidewall could be loaded. When you unhook, the tires unload.

Oaklevel · 11-14-2019, 07:25 PM

I assume that your trailer wheels are chocked? Both sides? Single axle or dual axle?

Single axle I am guessing.

rstowe · 11-14-2019, 07:33 PM

Good point Evil Twin. Will try to be more aware of this.
It is a dual axle trailer.
Thanks

Oaklevel · 11-14-2019, 07:43 PM

Do you use an x chock or a wedge shape or other wheel chock?

rstowe · 11-14-2019, 07:49 PM

Wedge shape. Maybe should try Xchock next time
Thanks

Oaklevel · 11-14-2019, 07:58 PM

Good luck, you have a few good suggestions to try.

My first vote is for the x type chocks. I have three double axle trailers and do not have your issues, but I also agree with not putting the tires in a bind by pulling straight forward and back when possible. Sometimes we that have been pulling trailers for 30 years just "do" automatically.

Totally I have six trailers they all pull and hook up a little differently.

You will get it worked out.

pgandw · 11-15-2019, 04:38 PM

I'm dealing with a light single axle trailer, but I found the plastic chocks were not very good at locking the wheels in place. Especially in high wind situations, where the plastic chocks would actually blow away on a reasonably smooth surface. Went down to Harbor Freight and bought 4 of the heavy black rubber chocks ($5 each with coupon). What a difference! Now when I chock, the wheels stay where I chocked them, no matter what winds or surface.

I tossed (actually gave away with a "free" sign in the driveway) away most of my plastic chocks. I kept one plastic set for use in the garage only. Even in the driveway (sloped) I use the HF heavy rubber chocks.

On the tongue jack, I do take the wheel off when I leave home. I have a disk of 3/4" plywood that sits on top of the Lego blocks to receive the tongue jack post.

Fred W
2019 Flagstaff T21TBHW A-frame
2008 Hyundai Entourage minivan
camping Colorado and adjacent states one weekend at a time

RookieRV · 11-15-2019, 04:42 PM

X chocks rock

TheWolfPaq82 · 11-15-2019, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RookieRV

X chocks rock

Treated 4x4's cut at a 40 degrees are wood....and CHEAP !

Mark Ulmer · 11-15-2019, 05:05 PM

Chock your wheels. For good measure, I give each chock (I use the yellow plastic ones) a whack into the tire with a rubber mallet. Then put the TV in neutral and momentarily take your foot off the brake. This allows the rig to "settle into" the chocks and should relieve any tension on the coupler. Depending on the situation (sloped, angled, etc.) you may still git a bit of movement when it releases, but it should be minimal.

Arnie M · 11-16-2019, 12:10 AM

My experience uncoupling trailers over the years have found movement when doing so.
Evil Twin has a good point on this.
We use X Chocks on our TT and 5th Wheel and still see a little movement when disconnecting but not to the degree you are seeing.
The X Chocks work better on our TT than the 5th wheel.
Our 5th wheel has auto levelers where the X Chocks become nonexistent once leveled. Before auto leveling I place a wire support from the X Chock to the frame and leave them hanging so when we take down the X Chocks are in place to keep RV in place for hook up.
On the TT they are great.
My decision for getting X Chocks was when I sat back and watched the TT shake and tire movement when family were entering and exiting the trailer when using regular tire chocks. With the X Chocks there is still some trailer shake but not near as much as what we had.

Arnie M · 11-16-2019, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RookieRV

X chocks rock

I agree. All it takes is to set your lawn chair up facing the TT and watch the trailer jig, especially tire movement when people are entering and exiting. Even the treated 4x4's cut at a 40 degrees wont help that.

GalsofEscape · 11-16-2019, 07:03 AM

If my trailer tires are not straight, I will get excessive tongue jack movement when I unhitch. I do back my trailer in at a pretty significant curve and have to pull forward and back to straighten the tires, sometimes several times. That is one thing I look at before I unhook, are the tires in a straight line.

Jfkmk · 11-16-2019, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgandw

I'm dealing with a light single axle trailer, but I found the plastic chocks were not very good at locking the wheels in place. Especially in high wind situations, where the plastic chocks would actually blow away on a reasonably smooth surface. Went down to Harbor Freight and bought 4 of the heavy black rubber chocks ($5 each with coupon). What a difference! Now when I chock, the wheels stay where I chocked them, no matter what winds or surface.

I tossed (actually gave away with a "free" sign in the driveway) away most of my plastic chocks. I kept one plastic set for use in the garage only. Even in the driveway (sloped) I use the HF heavy rubber chocks.

On the tongue jack, I do take the wheel off when I leave home. I have a disk of 3/4" plywood that sits on top of the Lego blocks to receive the tongue jack post.

Fred W
2019 Flagstaff T21TBHW A-frame
2008 Hyundai Entourage minivan
camping Colorado and adjacent states one weekend at a time

I agree! I bought the HF heavy duty rubber chocks for next to nothing (they even throw in something free with an additional coupon!) to replace the worthless plastic chocks. They work great! The only complaint is it takes a while for these things to lose their rubbery smell. Man, do they stink! They are probably the singular source for that distinct HF store smell!

thebrakeman · 11-18-2019, 03:39 PM

If the jack foot moved sideways enough to come off of your plastic block (like an orange Lynx leveler, I assume?), I don't think this is tire loading. Sounds like 1 of the chocks were not tucked up against the tire before unhitching. 1 side stays put, while the other side is allowed to roll forward 1-2 inches. The result is the tongue jack sliding sideways. Probably not good for the jack.

Be sure to kick the chock(s) under the tires. You can't always prevent all movement, but be sure you have them the same on both sides.

You may also like: