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mrg1960 · 10-08-2015, 11:38 AM

Hi there,
We'll be receiving our 2016 Classic in early December so we're doing as much pre-flight homework as we can before the real adventure begins.
I've towed a 4500 lb PUP which rode pretty high ... but the AS is much lower to the ground. I haven't seen any posts about hitting bottom, so that's a good sign, but coming up to a steep hill or driveway, any words of wisdom or caution other than be careful? Just need a reality check on everyone's experience. How many out there have hit bottom?
Thanks everyone.

AtomicNo13 · 10-08-2015, 12:13 PM

Always expect to bottom out, just go slow, have a spotter, and be prepared to become a bridge builder!

KJRitchie · 10-08-2015, 12:20 PM

Most of the time its not a problem. Getting into or out of some gas stations is where you will see this issue the most. I try to approach the entrance at an angle keeping the truck and trailer inline with each other or I just find another station. Worse case is to unhitch and drive in solo to refuel. It must not be too much of a problem because I have seen any posts about owners ripping off their bumpers.

Kelvin

mrg1960 · 10-08-2015, 10:09 PM

I'm new to forums and posting, so if I repeat myself here, so sorry ... but just wanted to thank you both again for your feedback KJRitchie and AtomicNo13. Slow it is!
Cheers

ROBERT CROSS · 10-09-2015, 06:42 AM

Once in a BluMoon we will scrape our rear end....

Do NOT add casters....the frame has provisions for the occasional butt drag.

Bob

AWCHIEF · 10-09-2015, 07:55 AM

As far as I am aware my trailer has not bottomed out. If I do not raise the Jeep GC to off road height my drop bar will make contact backing into my yard or pulling out. Annoying but no harm done.

Wingeezer · 10-09-2015, 08:21 AM

I have dragged the rear end of our 30' Classic a couple of times at steep entrance to gas stations - contacts the frame not the bumper. Not a whole lot you can do other than try to avoid these locations and if you must use them, go slowly and at as much of an angle as you can.

In any event it has not caused us any problem - at least that I am aware of!

Brian.

Echelon73 · 10-09-2015, 08:33 AM

I have a Flying Cloud 30 and have had a few problems with this. In fact pulling out of a site at the beach we actually ripped off our sewer storage tube. I didn't have any trouble backing into the site, so I didn't think too much about it when pulling out. Now I am always careful about dragging my tail. Oh, and I decided to just leave the tube off. There is plenty of storage in the back bumper.

mrg1960 · 10-09-2015, 10:08 PM

Thank you for your replies. Thank you!!

PKI · 11-09-2015, 09:20 AM

Just a note of caution. Our 23fb is in for repair to the dump valve assembly and black water tank. The problem was my stupidity in transitioning a driveway with too much drop.

Robert Cross - you say to not add casters. What is the logic for that direction? Seems like a way to achieve less intrusion behind the rear axle.

Going slow is always a good plan, but does not protect the plumbing if you are dropping in a hole or rolling off a curb. So, instead of go slow, don't go there.

We are learning. Your help is appreciated. Pat

**Rocinante** · 11-09-2015, 09:32 AM

Here in the PNW we worry about ferries. We haven't taken Rocinante (27FB) on one yet because we fear the potential to drag her butt when entering or leaving the ferry, on the assumption that the potentially sharp angle between deck and ramp might be problematic, and by the time we realize there's a problem it would be too late to back out.

To be fair, we've no actual experience with this to date - just a concern that makes us avoid them though we'd love to go for it one day. So, this is officially a mostly fact-free opinion that led us to make an uniformed decision.

switz · 11-09-2015, 09:46 AM

I have scrapped the drag rails on our 31' Classic twice, once entering at a gas station and the other at a small mall coming even though I was coming out at an angle. Slow is the word to minimize any damage. The small stub frames under the main frame rails below the rear sewer hose storage compartment needed some touchup paint on the bottom edge afterwards.

kb0zke · 11-09-2015, 10:45 AM

When we switch from our MH to a towable the plan will be to begin a travel day with a full tank of fuel in the truck before hooking up. Once we get to the next campsite we'll unhook and then go get fuel. The coach will never see a gas station.

That said, one of our neighbors here at the campground nearly lost his spare tire when he drove all the way through the loop looking for an available site. There is a steep hill with a sharp left turn at the bottom of it, and his trailer was a bit too long to make it without contact.

macofpei · 11-09-2015, 11:09 AM

last year, while traveling to Eaton Rapids, our friend tried to pull into a gas station that had a very steep driveway. The back end gouged into the pavement and they became stuck. Couldn't back up and tires spinning when trying to go forward. I advised he try 4 wheel drive and it worked. Left two nice marks in the pavement and PO's some drivers. Some minor marks on the frame rail but no other damage, ( other then pride)

Tater · 11-09-2015, 02:37 PM

We have drug our 30' once when exiting a gas station. Entrance was fine but opposite side exit looked ok but just steep enough to scrape. We fuel at Flying J RV pumps whenever possible just to avoid problems.

Foiled Again · 11-09-2015, 02:52 PM

If you have a steep driveway or some other obstacle you'll have to deal with on a fairly regular basis you CAN bring the back end of the trailer up high deliberately. Dump 10 lbs of pressure from your rear tires of your tow vehicle (have a pump to refill them promptly to prevent damage). If you have a weight distribution hitch removing the weight bars should let the front sag down a couple of inches - it may be all you need to cross over the transition.

Carry a couple of 5 to 6 ft long planks (2 x 10's are best) to bridge OVER a big dip in a driveway entrance/exit.

Recently I had to do a back in parking job with a deep pothole I couldn't help but run over. Orange "lego" blocks to the rescue, but I think I left one in the bottom of the hole never to be seen again. The campground has since filled it in after a fellow camper pulled an old car antenna and stuck it in the pothole than claimed that a sinkhole had gotten his Jetta. (Almost had the camp host going for a minute or two!)

Paula

Nomad518 · 11-09-2015, 03:00 PM

It does happen. I am always careful when entering or leaving a driveway with any sort of transition curb. Most are ok but look for the telltale signs of other trailers that have already bottomed out and left gouges in the pavement. Worst outcome would be ripping out your holding tank drain valves. Would not be fun to have an unplanned dump of your holding tanks right there in the street for all to enjoy. If it looks like a troublesome transition, go slow and watch closely. Position a spotter outside to watch and report if you can. Avoid if it really looks like trouble, and look for a better spot.

cwf · 11-09-2015, 08:30 PM

Don't want to add casters because that will limit your clearance and push up on the stern. Too much can "bend" the shell of your Airstream.. Pop rivets.. Or crease!!

cwf · 11-09-2015, 08:36 PM

Oh, here are the boards laminated to span 6 feet of our 9500# BABY!!!

Bob662 · 11-09-2015, 08:47 PM

The newer trailers I've gotten under have vertical 1/4" steel plates/strips welded to the aft frame that will contact the pavement first, so main part of the frame and the bumper won't drag.

I don't understand why this factory set-up would be better than casters, but what do I know? (Answer: nothing.)