Wheel chocks

[Keith S]

Hi folks we just returned for 12 days in the Harrisburg, PA area and I have a wheel chocks question.
We currently use those yellow plastic chocks to hold our 2019 23’FBQ and use those yellow “Lego” blocks under each stabilizer with the remainder of the Lego blocks under the Jack.
At one campsite, we parked on gravel and while lifting the trailer off the ball it slid as the little yellow wheel chocks moved on the gravel.
It scared the heck outta me.

I am considering buying X Chocks and have read so many comments on the forum mostly positive and I began looking for a set of X Chocks on line.

The number of different brands and price points is confusing and I am wondering what the majority of folk on the forum are using. Which type would you recommend?
I believe that the less moving parts in these devices probably the better.

Thanks,
Keith Stamper

[WellSaid11]

Originally Posted by Keith S

Hi folks we just returned for 12 days in the Harrisburg, PA area and I have a wheel chocks question.
We currently use those yellow plastic chocks to hold our 2019 23’FBQ and use those yellow “Lego” blocks under each stabilizer with the remainder of the Lego blocks under the Jack.
At one campsite, we parked on gravel and while lifting the trailer off the ball it slid as the little yellow wheel chocks moved on the gravel.
It scared the heck outta me.

I am considering buying X Chocks and have read so many comments on the forum mostly positive and I began looking for a set of X Chocks on line.

The number of different brands and price points is confusing and I am wondering what the majority of folk on the forum are using. Which type would you recommend.
I believe that the less moving parts in these devices probably the better.

Thanks,
Keith Stamper

You will get a million different opinions on this. You'll get "X-Chocks are not chocks but stabilize the rig from moving while in it..." and everything else.

I don't like the plastic chocks as they can slide as you saw. I also put a SnapPad on my tongue jack for many reasons, one of which the hard rubber seems to have the potential to "slide" less off the Lego blocks when it may be slick.

Anyway, the rubber, black chocks (from Harbor Freight) or something like them used with with X-Chocks are probably your best bet.

[moosetags]

We have always use the simple Bal Scissor Chock. It works well and we usually only use one unless we are on some type of grade. The chocks that rest on the ground can be problematic if one side has to be leveled on a couple of legos.


Brian

[StuartsDad]

Had same happen once and yes, it gets your attention. After that, bought the BAL x-chocks and the rubber chocks from Harbor Freight.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

I use the X-Chocks brand / model / type of "gizmo". I have no idea why the manual says they are not chocks, but that's what it says ..... They seem to be very robust and work quite well.

Bob

[John Ware]

I don't like the slick plastic pads. I made some rubber pads for my stabilizers and front jack using 3/4" heavy floor matting from Tractor Supply. Snap Pad makes some that just snap on. Amazon and various RV supply stores sell them. My wheel chocks are also made of rubber.

[1StreamDream]

piling on ... I am not a fan of the plastic chocks, as you experienced first hand they have a tendency to slide easily. I use rubber wheel chocks, but on occasion they can also slide. As a future "on arrival" suggestion, always check your parking arrangement before you disconnect from the tow vehicle, and if *any* slope (forward or backward), use extra chocks, or better yet use the X style. If any wheel is elevated on a small perch of wood blocks, that is even more delicate. Don't trust an object at rest to remain at rest. It can be very dangerous for the trailer to move uncontrolled in any direction.

[s1000pre]

I use these, they are beefier than X chocks, designed and labeled to be used as chicks.

https://hensleymfg.com/product/ultimate-tire-chock-one/

[NO NOIZE]

https://www.mcmaster.com/2259T1/

Sent from my SM-S102DL using Airstream Forums mobile app

[richard5933]

Wheel chocks should be 1/4 the height of the tire, so likely those yellow chocks are way too small. They also need to follow the outer curve of the tire tightly.

The goal on the chocks is that when the tires starts to turn a small portion of the chock gets stuck under it - this is what keeps the chock from sliding away as the tire pushes against the upper portion of the chock. Too small a chock or one with the wrong curve won't allow this to happen.

I like a chock which has enough give to settle down over rougher surfaces and not skate along, but not too soft as to be rolled over easily. This is the one I've been using recently and so far it's working well: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[hikingcamera]

Originally Posted by WellSaid11

I also put a SnapPad on my tongue jack for many reasons, one of which the hard rubber seems to have the potential to "slide" less off the Lego blocks when it may be slick.

What size did you get? My tongue jack appears to be 5.75” and I can’t find a snap pad that would fit that.

[Keith S]

Folks I posted about x chocks etc and I want to thank you all for the good advice.
I am a long time travel trailer guy and until these x chocks appeared I used plastic or rubber chocks

I will purchase the Bal brand x chock which looks to be pretty substantial and also upgrade to better wheel chocks such as rubber.

Those little plastic yellow type are not suitable for the Airstream.
I learned my lesson.

Kind regards to all,
Keith Stamper.

[Keith S]

It really scared me. The trailer turned as the hitch came off the ball and it nearly slid off the “Lego” blocks I had placed under the jack.
Ordering an x chick and buying rubber wheel chocks.

Regards,
Keith

[WellSaid11]

Originally Posted by hikingcamera

What size did you get? My tongue jack appears to be 5.75” and I can’t find a snap pad that would fit that.

You probably have the same size diameter as mine (my jack pad is about 6"). It is a Mini 6 single for the jack pad.

https://rvsnappad.com/products/mini-6-singles

Mini-square 5 four pack for the stabilizers:

https://rvsnappad.com/products/mini-square-5-4-pack

SP has a "fit my trailer" setup online, a chat feature that works well and you can call them as well as they are very helpful.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Keith S

It really scared me. The trailer turned as the hitch came off the ball and it nearly slid off the “Lego” blocks I had placed under the jack.
Ordering an x chick and buying rubber wheel chocks.

Regards,
Keith

Hi

A worse outcome would have been the trailer starting to move and the jack snapping off the A frame. *That* is a bit involved to recover from .....

Bob

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Keith S

Hi folks we just returned for 12 days in the Harrisburg, PA area and I have a wheel chocks question.
We currently use those yellow plastic chocks to hold our 2019 23’FBQ and use those yellow “Lego” blocks under each stabilizer with the remainder of the Lego blocks under the Jack.
At one campsite, we parked on gravel and while lifting the trailer off the ball it slid as the little yellow wheel chocks moved on the gravel.
It scared the heck outta me.

I am considering buying X Chocks and have read so many comments on the forum mostly positive and I began looking for a set of X Chocks on line.

The number of different brands and price points is confusing and I am wondering what the majority of folk on the forum are using. Which type would you recommend?
I believe that the less moving parts in these devices probably the better.

Thanks,
Keith Stamper

Keith- there is quite a bit of information (good/bad/ugly) on this thread on your topic from not long ago:

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f45...ck-233669.html

You might read some of the "experiences" many of us have had with X-chocks "slipping" on wet tires, wheel chocks not holding, and various other solutions to keeping your secure on different terrain and weather conditions.

My take away is you need a combination of X-chocks or "scissor- chocks" and wheel chocks to be safe. We use X-chocks if we are on fairly level surface. We use an Anderson type leveling chock if we need to raise one side, along with the X-chocks. Used to use the Lego blocks, but these proved to be easier and safer with the wheel chock once level, (I believe). We use in combination with the X-chocks. YMMV

[CFR]

Have been using this type of rubber wheel chock for years both on airstream and at work on larger trucks.




Never had one slip yet. Can be configured in different ways. On a significant slope or sketchy ground conditions three chocks can be used together on a dual axle trailer. All three go between the tires on one side of the trailer. Two down against tires with third inverted and locked between the two on the ground. The step shape of this type along the sides locks the inverted chock between the two others to eliminate and movement of the chocks.

[foobar]

Originally Posted by NO NOIZE

https://www.mcmaster.com/2259T1/

Sent from my SM-S102DL using Airstream Forums mobile app

Looks sturdy, but wow ... $99 per chock?

[AppFan]

Originally Posted by CFR

Have been using this type of rubber wheel chock for years both on airstream and at work on larger trucks.


Attachment 418137

Never had one slip yet. Can be configured in different ways. On a significant slope or sketchy ground conditions three chocks can be used together on a dual axle trailer. All three go between the tires on one side of the trailer. Two down against tires with third inverted and locked between the two on the ground. The step shape of this type along the sides locks the inverted chock between the two others to eliminate and movement of the chocks.

Used these on our 5er as well. They work well. Worked so well, many times I had to gently nudge our rig a bit, once hooked to the TV, to be able to remove them.

[Keith S]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

A worse outcome would have been the trailer starting to move and the jack snapping off the A frame. *That* is a bit involved to recover from .....

Bob

I don’t even want to think of what could have happened Bob.
It was scary enough.

Keith