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Jim & Susan · 11-21-2009, 09:15 AM

Doh! I was backing the 'Stream up onto my homemade ramps in order to remove the wheels (new aluminum wheels on the way, more on that later today). Anyway, I overshot the ramp and wedged it between the tandems. But that's not the weird part. I forgot to lock down on the hitch ball and the trailer jumped off the ball and hit pretty hard on the concrete driveway. The electric hitch still works and nothing appears to bent or broken. Did I dodge a bullet? Anything I need to check? No broken windows, bulkheads, etc. that I can see. Man, can't believe I did that.

Jim

Lily&Me · 11-21-2009, 09:18 AM

Can't help you with advice, but wanted to say---we've all done stooooopid. It helps us learn.

**moosetags** · 11-21-2009, 09:22 AM

Boy, that sure sounds like one of my brainstorms!

Brian

Inland RV Center, In · 11-21-2009, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim & Susan

Doh! I was backing the 'Stream up onto my homemade ramps in order to remove the wheels (new aluminum wheels on the way, more on that later today). Anyway, I overshot the ramp and wedged it between the tandems. But that's not the weird part. I forgot to lock down on the hitch ball and the trailer jumped off the ball and hit pretty hard on the concrete driveway. The electric hitch still works and nothing appears to bent or broken. Did I dodge a bullet? Anything I need to check? No broken windows, bulkheads, etc. that I can see. Man, can't believe I did that.

Jim

Jim.

If you get those bag pipes, for Christmas, you need to play "Hail Mary".

Probably, the worse that could have happened, based on your "blow by blow description" is that the jack post could be bent.

Cycling the jack post to both extremes, will confirm if that happened, or not.

As we get older, we don't do dumb or stupid things, we simply forget the little details.

Good reason to have insurance.

Andy

overlander63 · 11-21-2009, 09:24 AM

Check for sheared rivets, both in the locator plate, and throughout the trailer. Make sure the main door opens, closes, latches, and locks.

And we all do stoopid things, some are messier than others:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/632140-post843.html

Alwhisman · 11-21-2009, 09:54 AM

I think all of us who read this think the same thing. That sounds like me! Sounds like you came through it okay, hope it is so......

............now, the wheels! ...............

Jim & Susan · 11-21-2009, 11:41 AM

Thanks guys for the tips. Some days I think Tim "Tool Man" Taylor and a guy named Murphy are watching out for me.

Pic of the wheels here: http://www.airforums.com/forums/774006-post783.html

Jim

**Kevin245** · 11-21-2009, 02:02 PM

Hey Jim,

The wheels look good. Hope there was no significant damage other than your ego.

Regards,

Kevin

Airslide · 11-22-2009, 09:32 PM

Hey Jim,

I was just looking at your picture from your other post showing the beautiful new wheels. Maybe its just me.. being an alignment guy at work..
But, it kinda looks like the front wheel is making a left turn? Like maybe the tow setting isnt right? It might just be the photography so next time you go outside and look you can set me straight then. An easy way to check is the back up the trailer on blocks so the front wheels are off the ground. Then take a piece of white chalk in the center of the tread and spin the tire while making a perfect stripe down the center of the tire tread. Do that on both and once back on the ground a simple tape measure on the front and rear of those tires all the way across will tell ya.

Vinnie

Airslide · 11-22-2009, 09:37 PM

Maybe its just these ol eyes... but it looks like its making a left turn to me...

Foiled Again · 11-22-2009, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airslide

Maybe its just these ol eyes... but it looks like its making a left turn to me...

OK I'm going to say it, l see wrinkled skin in front of the front tire. The bottom edge of the trailer doesn't appear to be straight, but bends down at the ends. Could this be the angle of the photo? Or worse a bent or broken frame? Or damage to the wheel well by wedging the ramp between the wheels and mis-aligning the front axle - running it into the skin? I too see the front axle as out of alignment.

Paula

Airslide · 11-22-2009, 10:13 PM

So while Jim is sleeping we are arm chair quarterbacking your pictures.. sorry Jim.

It might be nothing more than the camera angle.. here is the before pic he posted..

gutsgolf · 11-23-2009, 06:11 AM

Wow, this must be a trait of AS ers , I also made myself some ramps, pulled my girl up on them after a couple of tries. Just as my wife shouted stop the old girl (AS) jumped off the side of the ramps. What a noise. I was concerned that the interior would be on the floor. I did get a little damage but she survived. Got to be more careful.

overlander63 · 11-23-2009, 07:14 AM

This is why it is recommended you use a couple of 2x6's instead of a car ramp. If it falls off the boards, it's not a potential catastrophe.

kennethowens · 11-23-2009, 08:27 AM

I have seen photo's of trailers up on ramps.
The idea is good...but the sight of it up there
is a bit un-nerving to me. If you continue to use
these ramps please be careful. I wish you would
not use them.

ROBERT CROSS · 11-23-2009, 10:21 AM

Un-nerving here also...

Not all that cheeeep....but four jack stands and a good jack may be in order. IMHO, ramps only for emergency tire change on multi-axle trailers.

Stoopid= Starting to moove Cloudsplitter off the lawn onto the new pad with both Bal chocks locked. We are now ready to plant the corn this Spring.

We LOVE the company!!!

Be safe Jim.

kennethowens · 11-23-2009, 10:31 AM

Stoopid=
charging an awning spring bare-handed, losing my grip
and hurting a finger very bad....ol finger still hurts on some
days.

Gene · 11-23-2009, 12:43 PM

Every time I read about something stoooopid, I feel better knowing that I'm not the only one. I'm sure Susan will remind you of this for the next 20 years.

Anyway, ramps for cars may be too light for a trailer and bend (especially if they are under the wheels). You may have to jack up the trailer and remove a wheel or two to get the ramp out.

I hope there's something wrong with that photo and it appears to have been taken before the "incident". If so, you can tell Susan you intended what happened because it's guaranteed to straighten a trailer.

The wheels look nice, just like our new ones. You have impeccable taste.

Gene

Jim & Susan · 11-23-2009, 05:49 PM

"Tuff Crowd" as we used to say.

Actually, I may have an alignment problem, because I installed the axles and we all know how that can turn out.

There is indeed a little bit of a buckle in the skin around the wheel wells, but, that's because I had a problem getting the actual plastic wheel wells back in when I put the floor back in. Not much of an issue really, it just looks exagerated becuase of the flash on the camera and the angle of the picture.

I'll try and get a picture of the ramps I made to give y'all an idea of what they look like. Pretty basic stuff, but they were FREE. I like free.

Jim

overlander63 · 11-23-2009, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim & Susan

"Tuff Crowd" as we used to say.

Pretty basic stuff, but they were FREE. I like free.

Jim

Jim, I'll continue the "tough crowd" thing, for at least one more post...

If your trailer had flipped off those ramps, or the trailer had landed on the tailgate of your truck, and done serious damage or injured someone, how much would those "free" ramps cost?

Okay, you have now been thoroughly rebuked, and can come out from under the bed now.

BTW, Susan, Jim really wants bagpipes for Christmas...