oh crap moment

[namusmc65]

Had that moment yesterday evening that I never thought would happen. My 5th wheel is parked on a slight downward slope at home. Went to hook up yesterday evening and was using those yellow chocks purchased from Camping World. Once I backed in to the hitch and the pin started riding up on the hitch, the trailer just so quick and nice and easy rolled over the chocks and dropped to the truck sides. I almost messed my pants right then. Never again will I use those small yellow chocks. I have hooked up many times with no problems but this one was just so quick. Slight damage to the sides of the truck top rail but no damage to the 5th wheel fortunately. I still had the jacks just off the top of the blocks so the jacks took some of the weight drop. Going out today and get some heavy duty chocks! Don't make my mistake. I also had not hooked up the trailer brakes yet so will do that first every time now. Could have been an expensive lesson!
I know no one else has done this and hopefully this was my last time!

[howie]

Wow! Glad you're ok & it didn't turn out worse! I think I would have definitely messed my pants!

[TX_Arvee]

Note to self, buy new wheel chocks.

[namusmc65]

The small yellow chock actually collapsed and flattened itself out!

[howie]

Originally Posted by namusmc65

The small yellow chock actually collapsed and flattened itself out!

Interesting. I have thought about going with those, but always stuck with my 4x4's that I cut. Think I will rule out the thought of going with them now.

[Brownie]

WOW!!!
Lucky there was no more damage! This forum is just "chock full" of stories about chocks. Didn't we just read about expiration dates on plastic chocks? Maybe yours had expired. What about plastic jack blocks? Maybe it's time to reexamined this whole lightweight plastic trend, and go back to the heavier (but IMHO more reliable) wood. What say, all?

[havnfun]

Wood is Good!
After that story, I am a believer.

[lx22f/c]

Wow is right. Glad damage is minimal. Thanks for sharing the mishap so maybe others can learn from it.

[djalbrec]

I have used those plastic clocks, also. One of them collapsed on me just from the pressure of the hitch pin hitting the receiver on my fifth wheel. Fiver probably didn't move more than a couple of inches, but the chock just collapsed. I really believe it had deteriorated due to the sun, which is plastic's mortal enemy. No more plastic for me.

[Jagiven]

glad to hear there was not more damage. We just bought a new place and the HTT is sitting on an incline in the new driveway. I told the DW when we parked it a week that we need to update the wheel chocks, as I am concerned about it rolling.

[Threebutchers]

Glad your OK....underwear can be washed. Thanks for sharing for the benefit of others.

[tjpolsin]

I park on the flat at home and use masonry bricks for chocks. I leave the yellow chocks for the campground (don't want them to fade and crack in sun at home). But now may have to reconsider.

[PKEagle]

Take those 'plastic' wheel chocks and toss them in the garbage.

Then do yourself a favor and buy some Race Ramps 'RUBBER' wheel chocks. These suckers are SUPER durable, very solid high quality product. Unlike plastic, they will NOT slide away no matter how smooth the surface is. You can drive over them, but will NOT crash even under 15,000lb trailer weight.

Before I bought them, I struggled with plastic and wooden chocks. Until I gave them a try. I will never look back. Unlike, plastic or wooden chocks, you don't even have to 'kick' them inside the tire in order to hold in place. You simply place them against the tire= done.

I use them to chock my 5'er. Even while working on my cars.

Amazon has them for around $60 for 4 of them. See link below;

http://www.amazon.com/Race-Ramps-RR-...pr_product_top

[Jace817]

Harbor freight also has a nice rubber chock. Think it runs about 7 bucks a pop.

[Bassdogs]

Really would like an honest answer. Why not just use good ol wooden blocks made from stacked 2x6's or an 8" length of 4x4. I have never had one fail, don't fall apart if I forget and leave one behind, and if I see rot or what not I can replace them from scrap in my work shop. They don't add any appreciable weight to the tow and the extras can be used as additional leg support lifts if needed.

[SGT]

How many chocks were you using? I have an Eagle HT and use four due to my rig being parked on a slight incline. Strength in numbers maybe?

[howie]

Originally Posted by Bassdogs

Really would like an honest answer. Why not just use good ol wooden blocks made from stacked 2x6's or an 8" length of 4x4. I have never had one fail, don't fall apart if I forget and leave one behind, and if I see rot or what not I can replace them from scrap in my work shop. They don't add any appreciable weight to the tow and the extras can be used as additional leg support lifts if needed.

I agree. And I am curious to see any answers against wood chocks. Maybe we are missing something?

[norty1]

At home I use treated 4x4. 8 in long w/ a 45 deg angle cut.
On the road I use RotoChoks.

[Bad-Air]

I either hold the brakes on manually or pull the emergency brake plug out on both hook and unhook. 7 pin cable is "first in - last out" so I can utilize brakes.
Some say you should not pull breakaway plug, but I do..

[namusmc65]

Originally Posted by SGT

How many chocks were you using? I have an Eagle HT and use four due to my rig being parked on a slight incline. Strength in numbers maybe?

Actually I was using two, one on each side. The one collapsed and the other seemed to have just been rolled up and over but did not collapse. I am going with the rubber now. The amazon link is great but I think overpriced. I am going to my local truck depot and see what they are using.