Trailer that bottoms out

[Jerrysullivan]

My fifth wheel bottoms out when I try to back it in to my driveway. It is not a very steep incline but I guess its too steep. Its the tail end and back bumper that hit ground. I'm wondering if there is a way to add air bags or something to the trailer's suspension to temporarily lift it up. Any ideas?

[VinceU]

Originally Posted by Jerrysullivan

My fifth wheel bottoms out when I try to back it in to my driveway. It is not a very steep incline but I guess its too steep. Its the tail end and back bumper that hit ground. I'm wondering if there is a way to add air bags or something to the trailer's suspension to temporarily lift it up. Any ideas?

I had a car that did the same, approach a a steep angle and straighten enroute cured it.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by Jerrysullivan

My fifth wheel bottoms out when I try to back it in to my driveway. It is not a very steep incline but I guess its too steep. Its the tail end and back bumper that hit ground. I'm wondering if there is a way to add air bags or something to the trailer's suspension to temporarily lift it up. Any ideas?

When I back my 5th wheel into my shed and have the same issue.
For me its easy to just lay out two 2x6's 10' long then about 2' back lay another 2 to get it up high enough to clear.
I know this may not be feasible for you but its a suggestion.

Turbs

[rattleNsmoke]

I had that prob when we first brought The Beast home. I parked it out in front of the house on my lawn until I could order up some heavy duty 6" skid wheels and mounted them to the frame. That was all I needed to clear the rear cap and ladder.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by rattleNsmoke

I had that prob when we first brought The Beast home. I parked it out in front of the house on my lawn until I could order up some heavy duty 6" skid wheels and mounted them to the frame. That was all I needed to clear the rear cap and ladder.

That's exactly what I'd do if I could brace it to the frame in at least 2 places. There will be a lot of flack on this forum saying it will break the frame, but the momentary load is minimal and it's not like you're lifting the whole trailer, just helping the suspension a little.

[Jerrysullivan]

Where would you get these wheels and how do they attach?

[VinceU]

Originally Posted by Jerrysullivan

Where would you get these wheels and how do they attach?

search skid wheels on your search engine, tons of entries, weld on or bolt on.

[rattleNsmoke]

I ordered mine thru a dealer. I'm sure they could have been gotten online too. These puppies are tough, made for a Class A Motorhome. I need mine to slightly raise the frame off-weighting the suspension just enough to allow the rear end to clear the asphalt then all weight is back on the tires. No issues in two years. I have 1/2" plates welded to the frame with the skid wheel plates bolted to those. It makes a clean, replaceable mod.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

When I back my 5th wheel into my shed and have the same issue.
For me its easy to just lay out two 2x6's 10' long then about 2' back lay another 2 to get it up high enough to clear.
I know this may not be feasible for you but its a suggestion.

Turbs

This is what we did to get our pop-up up our rather steep driveway. We would lay down a couple of 2x10s to lift the pop-up enough to clear where it was bottoming out until the tires could get onto the same part of the driveway. Quick and easy.

[Jerrysullivan]

Thanks so much for all the help. I had thought about trying the boards but wasn't sure. I think I will do both, add the wheels I found a etrailer and try the boards at home in the driveway. Thanks again