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08-15-2013, 02:11 PM
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#1
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AKA: 'tiredTeacher
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 1,045
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We almost screwed up ... big time!
I leveled our 2604WS with two layers of Lynx levelers and put the Lynx chocks on each end. The site was on a slight hill, down at the front and the tire was seated on the Lynx chock. I took my rubber mallet and set regular chocks under the opposite wheels, ponding them in place. I put our X-chocks on both sets of wheels.
The second the ball popped out of the hitch, the trailer rolled forward and swung to the side, putting the tongue jack in a severe bind. (I could see it bend!) I grabbed a BAL scissors jack and took the weight off the tongue jack and it sprang back into alignment. Front-to-back leveling was then accomplished.
Lesson learned: When setting up on a slope (no matter how gentle you think it is), BEFORE lowering the tongue jack and unhitching, put the truck into gear and seat the trailer tires firmly on both sets of downhill chocks.
I then went into the trailer to change my skivvies.
Teach
__________________
Wright and Penny
(with Fitz and Lizzie, the camping kitties)
Richmond, Va.
2010 Tundra 4X4 5.7L V8
2014 Rockwood 2604WS
Life is a cruel teacher. She gives the test first; the lesson then follows.
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08-15-2013, 02:19 PM
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#2
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NELA
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3,221
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Don't beat yourself up over this. I have yet to confess that DH and I, on our second trip, forgot to put the X chocks in before he unhooked from the TV.
I've never seen him put those puppies in so quick, before or since then!
I was holdin' my breath and prayin'...thankfully she didn't move a nano inch...thank the RV Gods for semi level pads! If she'd run away she'd have taken out the tailgate of our former TV...F150 EcoBeast....but that's as far as she'd have gone.
__________________
If age is a state of mind, and I've lost my mind, I'm AGELESS, right?
Give me 40 acres and I'll turn this rig around:
Flagstaff 5er 2014 8528 IKWS, Platinum Package, Regency Interior "Buffy"
F250 Super Duty 2013 Tuxedo Black "Biff"
Days camped 2014: 30
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08-15-2013, 02:21 PM
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#3
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Always Learning
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,891
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With my Coleman pop-up, on more than one occasion, I had movement side to side with the tongue. I never did get comfortable with chocking it before I got rid of it.
__________________
Officially a SOB with a 2022 Jayco Precept 36C
Checkout my site for RVing tips, tricks, and info | Was a Fulltime Family for 5 years, now we're part-timing on long trips
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08-16-2013, 07:35 AM
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#4
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AKA: 'tiredTeacher
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 1,045
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Weezer
Don't beat yourself up over this.
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Thanks. I try to file things like this under "lessons learned." I posted it for others who may have not considered the potential hazard.
After re-reading my post I realized I had failed to adequately point out that the cause for the "Yikes!" moment was that the right side wheels were resting firmly on the Lynx chock, unable to move, but the left side had about a half-inch of roll before it rolled up onto the chock I thought I had pounded into place. That half inch at the tire translated to about 3 inches at the tongue.
Teach
__________________
Wright and Penny
(with Fitz and Lizzie, the camping kitties)
Richmond, Va.
2010 Tundra 4X4 5.7L V8
2014 Rockwood 2604WS
Life is a cruel teacher. She gives the test first; the lesson then follows.
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08-16-2013, 07:40 AM
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#5
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AKA: 'tiredTeacher
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 1,045
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ependydad
With my Coleman pop-up, on more than one occasion, I had movement side to side with the tongue.
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It's inherent in the design of the chocks with the radius face. The tire must roll onto the lower lip (first half-inch of the chock) pinning the chock to the ground before it comes to rest on the upward curving part. It's that design's strength and Achilles' heel.
Teach
__________________
Wright and Penny
(with Fitz and Lizzie, the camping kitties)
Richmond, Va.
2010 Tundra 4X4 5.7L V8
2014 Rockwood 2604WS
Life is a cruel teacher. She gives the test first; the lesson then follows.
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08-16-2013, 08:18 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 486
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You lucked out.
Rule of thumb. X-choks,Rotochoks, or whatever.
FIRST THING ON-LAST THING OFF!
C.B.
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08-16-2013, 08:28 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 250
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X Chocks
I just bought some X-chocks and there was a warning in the box----DO NOT PUT X-CHOCKS IN PLACE UNTIL AFTER TRAILER HAS BEEN UNHOOKED FROM TOW VEHICLE. I noticed that some of the poster on this thread, say that they put x-chocks in place BEFORE they unhook. Now I am really confused!!!
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08-16-2013, 08:39 AM
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#8
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Broken Toe
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Imperial (St. Louis) MO
Posts: 3,745
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We all mess up. As long as you learn from it, then it was worth it.
I forgot to take my x-chocks out one time and pulled off. Both chock spit out with no damage to anything. I wondered why it felt like the parking brake was on....
tim
__________________
FROG Member MO-0008-571 Since 20124444444444My Project Blog: https://cowracer.blogspot.com/
"Camper" 2016 Rockwood Signature Ultralite 8329ss
"Casper" 2017 Ram 2500 Laramie Diesel
..ProPride 3P Hitch - "Yeah. It's worth it."
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08-16-2013, 09:06 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Ripon, California
Posts: 727
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Quote:
Originally Posted by missing75
I just bought some X-chocks and there was a warning in the box----DO NOT PUT X-CHOCKS IN PLACE UNTIL AFTER TRAILER HAS BEEN UNHOOKED FROM TOW VEHICLE. I noticed that some of the poster on this thread, say that they put x-chocks in place BEFORE they unhook. Now I am really confused!!!
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Interesting, then they are saying 'not to use them as chocks' when un-hooking, so you use regular chocks to un-hook then place the x-chocks so the only purpose the x units are serving is as stabalizers (if you follow the instructions).
__________________
Dale & Terri, Lulu & Tiki (our Chihuahua's), New rescue puppy Prince - Pom/Pug mix.
2013 Tundra, Double Cab, 5.7, TRD Off-Road, 4X4, Full Tow Package
2013 Wildwood T26TBSS - Sold
2000 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager M-8357 MH, Ford Trident V10 Gasser, 35 foot.
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08-16-2013, 09:33 AM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Northeast Louisiana
Posts: 33,953
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I use solid rubber wheel chocks from Harbor Freight (pic below), on the front tires and rear tires ( 4 total)......before I unhook. The bottom of these chocks have grooves/teeth to help prevent sliding. Never liked those plastic chocks too much. I've actually seen the hollow plastic kind get crushed when a camping buddy forgot to remove it before pulling out. I find the Harbor Freight chocks on sale all the time for $5
After I unhook, I install the roto-chocks as a stabilizer and to a lesser degree as backup tire chocks.
__________________
2011 Flagstaff 831 RLBSS
A 72 hour hold in a psych unit is beginning to intrigue me as a potential vacation opportunity.
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08-16-2013, 09:49 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Maryland
Posts: 713
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wmtire
I use solid rubber wheel chocks from Harbor Freight (pic below), on the front tires and rear tires ( 4 total)......before I unhook. Never liked those plastic chocks too much. I've actually seen the hollow plastic kind get crushed. I find the Harbor Freight chocks on sale all the time for $5
After I unhook, I install the roto-chocks as a stabilizer and to a lesser degree as backup tire chocks.
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Those look like a really good idea for a good price. Good replacements for my plastic ones. Thanks. Harbor Fright trip coming up.
__________________
2021 Rockwood Mini Lite 2109S
2010 Toyota Tundra 4WD
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08-16-2013, 10:20 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Lexington, NC
Posts: 2,621
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I have for years used the x-chocks exclusively as chocks with nothing else, and they work great. The trailer will not roll if they are installed and tightened.
__________________
2018 Coachmen Apex 249 RBS
2010 Silverado LT 5.3 V8
The world is a great book, of which those who never stir from home
read only a page. - St. Augustine
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08-16-2013, 11:46 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Between Pickles Gap and Toad Suck, AR
Posts: 6,070
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WMTire, you got me to thinking. I'm visiting daughter south of Charlotte, NC and there's a Harbor Freight closeby. I have NOT been enamored with my set of those cheapo yellow chocks, and those solid rubber ones are $8.00.
On the topic of leveling, I see a ton of folks leveling by using the TV. I don't get that. Oh, if I was in a VERY unlevel (is that a word?) place side to side, maybe. But everywhere I've been (very limited) is pretty level pads, gravel mostly.
So what I've done is:
Back In
Put in chocks, set of four
Unhook from TV
Level front to back using electric jack
Drop stabilizers front and back, using pads to raise one side if necessary
And lastly, putting some kind of scissor jacks mid-trailer, which makes a world of difference in stability.
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08-16-2013, 11:50 PM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 40
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I am curious what others might think of a technique I have been using this summer. I am using the plastic wedge chocks and this is on relatively level sites. I get situated/level and then put a chock up tight behind the front tire of the trailer, then put the truck in reverse and just put some pressure on the chock, then while still applying the pressure, my wife will slide another chock in front of the tire. Let the pressure off and the tire is wedged between the two chocks. My thought is this might achieve some of the desired effect of one-step or even a x-chock. What do you think?
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08-16-2013, 11:57 PM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 40
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Rubber or Plastic
Quote:
Originally Posted by lswartz
Those look like a really good idea for a good price. Good replacements for my plastic ones. Thanks. Harbor Fright trip coming up.
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A thought... I have the plastic ones and ran over one once. (I didn't really forget, I was thinking it was behind the back tire and it was actually behind the front tire.) Thing is though, it did squish it a little and then if actually came back into shape somewhat. I am wondering what kind of damage the solid rubber ones might do to a tire if someone managed to run it over? Is it possible it could damage the trailer tire?
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08-17-2013, 12:01 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,137
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After leveling side to side, I use one of these on each side;
Amazon.com: BAL 28020 Single Axle Tire Chock: Automotive
Our next TT will have 16" rims so I may need to have a longer turnbuckle built to fit.
You should be able to find a much lower price.
__________________
FOR SALE 2014 BOSS 6.2L F350
2012 Surveyor SV264
NW Oregon
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08-17-2013, 12:05 AM
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#17
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 40
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Cheap?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Twisty
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Isn't what I am doing with two of these Camco 44412 RV Wheel Chock accomplishing the same thing?
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08-17-2013, 12:06 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,137
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Kind of.
Replied in other thread.
__________________
FOR SALE 2014 BOSS 6.2L F350
2012 Surveyor SV264
NW Oregon
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08-17-2013, 04:23 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 356
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BandJCarm
On the topic of leveling, I see a ton of folks leveling by using the TV. I don't get that. Oh, if I was in a VERY unlevel (is that a word?) place side to side, maybe. But everywhere I've been (very limited) is pretty level pads, gravel mostly.
So what I've done is:
Back In
Put in chocks, set of four
Unhook from TV
Level front to back using electric jack
Drop stabilizers front and back, using pads to raise one side if necessary
And lastly, putting some kind of scissor jacks mid-trailer, which makes a world of difference in stability.
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Are you saying the stabilizer is used to bring you level side to side? Are they motorized or the scissor type?
__________________
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08-17-2013, 07:03 AM
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#20
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AKA: 'tiredTeacher
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 1,045
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lvnthenw
I am curious what others might think of a technique I have been using this summer. I am using the plastic wedge chocks and this is on relatively level sites. I get situated/level and then put a chock up tight behind the front tire of the trailer, then put the truck in reverse and just put some pressure on the chock, then while still applying the pressure, my wife will slide another chock in front of the tire. Let the pressure off and the tire is wedged between the two chocks. My thought is this might achieve some of the desired effect of one-step or even a x-chock. What do you think?
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After experiencing my scary incident of "chock creep," I will be doing exactly that from now on.
Teach
__________________
Wright and Penny
(with Fitz and Lizzie, the camping kitties)
Richmond, Va.
2010 Tundra 4X4 5.7L V8
2014 Rockwood 2604WS
Life is a cruel teacher. She gives the test first; the lesson then follows.
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