Trailer scrapes driveway... solutions?

[ShooterGuy]

So when I pull my TH out of my driveway, or back it in, the rear stabilizers have a tenancy to scrap. A friend suggested that I attach a couple of casters to the rear or the trailer, next to the stabilizers. Anyone ever do this? Any recommendations? Thanks!

[rattleNsmoke]

I did that to The Beast. I bought HD 6" casters at the local dealership and had them weld plates to the frame and bolt the caster to that. Unless I re-graded my driveway, this was the cheapest solution and has worked flawlessly in the last 3 years.

[stallsmi]

I bolted some scrape wheels to the frame that worked fine. Here is a link to some: Drag Rollers on etrailer.com Search. Mine were very easy to bolt on.

[ependydad]

To get my pop-up in and out of our driveway, I would put boards down in the gutter of the road. It lifted the camper just enough that the stabilizers would clear.

[mark0224]

Like ependydad said If you put some 2x10 boards across the driveway at the lowest point so the tires go up on them and therefore the back doesn't scrape, I had to do this for a friend to get his trailer in his driveway. If this is the only time you are having trouble it will get you by , if you are hitting in other places you go you need to add the casters.

[Canadiancrew]

Can you backin and come out of the driveway on a 45 degree angle. That helps a lot with my sloped concrete drive. My driveway is double wide and long enough so I can come in on an angle and start straightening one the axle are past the curb.

[B and B]

I added casters to my 21 ft TT for the same reasons. Stionary 8 inch welded to the frame.

[psrujak]

I had the same problem with mu Rockwood 8329ss with electric stabilizer jacks. I removed them from the angle and moved it forward and drilled and bolted it to the frame. It sits 6 in higher so no more dragging. Problem solved.

[1990Desert]

Another option is to have a Spring over conversion done to your trailer. It puts the axle under the springs and effectively raises the trailer up about 4 inches.

[Jay Pat]

If you use distribution bars, don't put them on till you have pulled out of the driveway.
This may cause the hitch to drag somewhere.
Just, something to try.
Pat

[Canadiancrew]

Depending how big and heavy the trailer is I would recommend the other solutions over the casters. If you start taken on weight and rolling on the casters you will be flexing the frame. The frames are not designed for that. Will it hurt something, I am not sure but if it where me I would avaid it and if getting in on an angle does not work I would prefer to flip the axles. Then you won't have to worry about the same problem on the road getting in and out of lunch stops etc.

[fasthauler]

Originally Posted by DESERTVET1990

Another option is to have a Spring over conversion done to your trailer. It puts the axle under the springs and effectively raises the trailer up about 4 inches.

I did this as well it is a permanent solution and helps you get through tight spots on the road. I did it by myself and it only took about a half of a day. The trailer is now more stable as it sits level when hooked to the truck and I can take it into off road undeveloped campsites. The caster solution is good but I have seen people depend on them to much and have them break in tight situations and damage their trailer.

[Jim in Halifax]

Originally Posted by ependydad

To get my pop-up in and out of our driveway, I would put boards down in the gutter of the road. It lifted the camper just enough that the stabilizers would clear.

ME TO!!------- 2" x 10"'s work wonders!

[Witch Doctor]

I'm a little confused here with the answers. Are you going over a curb or just going up your driveway apron? I can see 2x6 over a curb but can't see how that would help on a driveway apron. I guess I'm missing something here.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by gljurczyk

I'm a little confused here with the answers. Are you going over a curb or just going up your driveway apron? I can see 2x6 over a curb but can't see how that would help on a driveway apron. I guess I'm missing something here.

My issue wasn't a curb, it was a sloped driveway. With the amount of slope to the driveway, the rear of the camper would bottom out before the tires could get up into the driveway and onto the same slope. Lifting the tires up just slightly let me clear the angle of the driveway and I no longer drug my stabilizers.

[Paddle whisperer]

We had the county add some pipe and gravel to expand the driveway entrance. This allows us to make a wider turn. And covered up a ditch.

[bud121156]

I added wheels to a previously owned hybrid trailer.

[mark0224]

Originally Posted by gljurczyk

I'm a little confused here with the answers. Are you going over a curb or just going up your driveway apron? I can see 2x6 over a curb but can't see how that would help on a driveway apron. I guess I'm missing something here.

If you put some boards across the driveway apron, at the point just before the scrape starts, at the tires, the tires will raise the trailer enough to get past the scrape point. Yes and take the wd bars off before yo start it lets the nose of the trailer go down and the rear go up. Usually once your past the jacks, lowest point on the trailer your clear.