Skid Rollers for Flying Cloud 27FB?

[rgarza348]

My Flying Cloud rear skids drag entering the driveway. Are skid rollers a viable option to minimizing damage? What does dragging do to the chassis or rest of the structure?

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, try removing your WD bars to give you more clearance.

[BicycleStream]

I had the rollers attached to the rear end to reduce dragging on my driveway. They work great. The only suggestion I have is to make sure the rollers stay lubed so they can rotate when you're coming in at an angle.

Good luck,

[rgarza348]

Thanks for the feedback. I tried it with WD removed, but didn't help enough. Finally got sufficient clearance by building up the ramps another 2 1/2". Scheduled an appoint to get skid rollers installed.

[J. Morgan]

I will be raising my Airstream up two inches when I get around to putting new axles on, it is just too low for my taste.

It is too much of a PITA to get in and out of too many places.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

If the trailer rolls on the wheel it is just like jacking the trailer from that location. I strongly suggest you do not install them. Better is to gain the height by taking off the weight distro and using boards.

[JamuJoe]

Originally Posted by 62overlander

If the trailer rolls on the wheel it is just like jacking the trailer from that location. I strongly suggest you do not install them. Better is to gain the height by taking off the weight distro and using boards.

The jack point on my 23FB is at the rear near the skids. The chassis is obviously designed for taking this force. No difference in skidding vs rolling as far as vertical force, just less drag.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

The chassis is not designed to take that force. The skids are there just incase.
Good luck, you obviously know better.

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by JamuJoe

The jack point on my 23FB is at the rear near the skids. The chassis is obviously designed for taking this force. No difference in skidding vs rolling as far as vertical force, just less drag.

Ever hear of "point loading"? That is what the wheels do, skids spread the load out over a larger area.

Aaron

[rgarza348]

Thanks for all the input and discussion everyone. This has been a frustrating problem to solve. Ramps seem to have a positive but limited affect at reducing the rear skid plates from dragging. This is in large part because it is not a simple straight in approach into the dipped and inclining driveway, but also adds an immediate curve in the path of travel. I cringe when the skid plates drag, more so when I know the tail end is also feeling the effects of side forces. Because of these challenges and to minimize stressing the trailer, we've temporarily stored the Flying Cloud in local (but not near by) RV storage. We've also decided to have rear skid casters installed by the Airstream dealer in the next few weeks. I'll post how these work out for us.

[vinstream]

Change driveway or never park on it would be the simple solution?!

[4RXLA]

20 years of parking the trailer in my driveway bottoming out entering and exiting contributed to my cracked frame. New axles finally fixed the problem.

[LAWBC]

I have a 27 fb international with a 8 degree driveway . My solution was to buy a 5 inch drop hitch witch I use to get her off my hill , both coming and going , it means changing the w/d hitch each time to get on and off the property but it works and I getting more efficient every time I do it. The only other answer would be to change out your wheels to a 16 inch and that might do it , by adding an additional 1/2 inch to the height of road clearance .

[dznf0g]

I was quite surprised at how even a 1/2" difference made when going to 16" wheels. Of course I have healthy axles as well. I would think that is the #1 cause of excessive tail dragging. I'd rather just drag on the sacrificial skid plates and weld on new angle when the ends wear through.

[perryg114]

You can get some plates that raise the trailer on the axles. The bal jacks are not made to jack the trailer up with. Jacking the trailer off the ground at those locations will stress things. Bottoming will have the same effect. Rollers that are lower than the skid plates will just put more load on the frame.

Perry

[Frank's Trailer Works]

Originally Posted by 4RXLA

20 years of parking the trailer in my driveway bottoming out entering and exiting contributed to my cracked frame. New axles finally fixed the problem.

1977 steel had a lot more to do with it.

[rgarza348]

Just an update. The AS dealership that was going to install the skid rollers told us that Airstream would void the warranty if the original skid plates where removed and the rollers installed. Airstream says the original skid plates act as part of the support structure to the frame and rear wall. Can't say that I agree or understand, but can't take the chance at voiding the warranty. Our AS will stay in storage.

[ALUMINUMINUM]

Sometimes rollers can prevent serious damage.


Found on eBay, with “$25,000 INVESTED” in heading.



Not to worry, has “reinforced” frame.

[J. Morgan]

I got sick of dragging donkey at every little bump in the road. Raised 3", and frame reinforced where it counts.



The front will be raised an inch or two at the hitch before it travels, but this pic should get my point across.

No rollers needed. It handled well on this test drive.

[r carl]

Originally Posted by 62overlander

1977 steel had a lot more to do with it.

I think you mean the Beatrice frame.