Skid Bars

[howzball]

This is on the Sunseeker 3170DS and I just wonder are these skids a standard item on all of the Sunseekers?


Obviously these are intended to drag if anything is going to, I just feel like I would be better off without the skids and just install a skid wheel on the hitch receiver.
I could gain nearly 4 inches of clearance just by not having the skid bars.
I'm afraid I'm going to plow the road in front of the driveway up and the dip is not even very steep, would a wheel on the hitch and no skids be any better?

[MrJoe]

I have them on my 2450.

[lbrunning]

I have them on my 2011 3170ds also had them on my 1998 jayco I think they are pretty much standard on a class c

[lowreyfarris]

My 2013, 3170DS has them. They were tested the first time I tried to pull in my driveway. Super glad they are there. The hitch height on my 3170 is 8" lower than my previous four winds class C.

[howzball]

Originally Posted by lowreyfarris

My 2013, 3170DS has them. They were tested the first time I tried to pull in my driveway. Super glad they are there. The hitch height on my 3170 is 8" lower than my previous four winds class C.

I'm glad they are there too, just wished they were a little shorter is all.
If it weren't for the skid bars dragging, I wouldn't have anything dragging.


If you stretch a string from under the rear tire up to the lowest point of the back of your bus, which would be the receiver hitch, you can see that the skid bars protrude down past this line an extra 3" more than they need to.

[Twisty]

"...would a wheel on the hitch and no skids be any better?"
No. The hitch isn't designed for those types of loads and you want the farthest outside corners protected. A centered wheel would promote tipping.
Those bars could be shortened and then wheels could be bolted or welded inside to raise the wheel height.

[bclemens]

Originally Posted by howzball

I'm glad they are there too, just wished they were a little shorter is all.
If it weren't for the skid bars dragging, I wouldn't have anything dragging.


If you stretch a string from under the rear tire up to the lowest point of the back of your bus, which would be the receiver hitch, you can see that the skid bars protrude down past this line an extra 3" more than they need to.

Not so fast. You have to remember that the hitch receiver extends further back. This will be the first thing to hit and is at a greater angle than the main part of the hitch. So if you shorten the skid bars to the point that its 1" below the "line" of the hitch...that receiver will probably hit first.

I watched a guy bury one about 6" into new asphalt. Was not ours...but a 40' diesel pusher towing a suburban. Tried to turn and go up a hill. Had to unhook his toad and gas up the air bags to get moving.

[DAISY BOYKIN]

I had a 26' Travel trailer with sid bars that would drag almost anywhere. I cut off the bottom "V" part of the skid bars, welded heavy duty caster wheels
to the remaining portion of the skid bars.

Never did drag again, just rolled in and out of places where the skids would drag.