Posted 2008-04-14 10:00 PM (#81928) Subject: Leveling trailer at ridecamp
New User
Posts: 1
Location: Sebastopol, CA
We are taking our first trip this weekend in our first LQ trailer - very exciting! My question is about leveling the trailer when we set up camp. I will cut and bring some 2" x 10" boards. IF I NEED TO RAISE UP ONE SIDE OF THE TRAILER, MUST THE BOARDS GO UNDER BOTH AXELS OR IS JUST ONE OK? (FRONT OR REAR MATTERS?) That determines whether I have to bring 2' boards or 4-5' boards.
Thanks!
Posted 2008-04-14 11:01 PM (#81935 - in reply to #81928) Subject: RE: Leveling trailer at ridecamp
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
The torsion axles are designed to take the full load on one wheel. That's why Dexter doesn't recommend triples. Since the horses will be out of the trailer, one wheel raised is okay for the week-end or week
Posted 2008-04-15 5:40 AM (#81939 - in reply to #81928) Subject: RE: Leveling trailer at ridecamp
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Hoss, what do they use on these new triple axle trailers, to balance the weight, or spread the weight out evenly amongst the three axles? A trailer with 3, 7000# torsion axles wouldn't have to be too far out of kilter, (too high in the front) before someone would be having tire and bearing troubles from the rear axle being overloaded. I looked at a Sundowner 720 that had triple axles last year, but I never crawled underneath to see what was actually under there. My old steel 3 axle stock trailer from years ago had the leaf spring setup. You didn't have to be too careful whether or not the nose of the trailer was too low or too high, the axles would even themselves up.
Posted 2008-04-15 6:24 AM (#81942 - in reply to #81928) Subject: RE: Leveling trailer at ridecamp
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
My ridecamps are typically primative. Which means uneven ground. I would bring multiple short lengths and stack for each tire. On uneven ground, I may need 3 under the front and 1 under the rear. Or I may put 2 under a tire on each side to left the trailer level with the truck. Having 4-5' length would not help with that and they would be more difficult to store & transport. The longer boards would also bridge between high ground spots and probably end up breaking sooner.
Posted 2008-04-15 7:35 AM (#81954 - in reply to #81928) Subject: RE: Leveling trailer at ridecamp
Location: Where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain...
Stay with the 2 x 10 2' boards. Like Painted horse said - easier to store and carry. You can also adjust per tire if needed. I always do it with both axles, but an unloaded trailer you could do it on one axle.
As far as the triple axles go, Dexter recommends leaf springs, due to the way the torsion axles work. Think about it this way...three 7000# axles total 21,000. You could put that entire weight on one axle. With the equalizers on leaf springs, it is practically impossible to do.
Posted 2008-04-15 8:52 AM (#81961 - in reply to #81928) Subject: RE: Leveling trailer at ridecamp
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Tresvolte, that's what I'm saying. BUT, what are these newer trailers using? They look mighty low to be using a equalizer, leaf spring axles. Air looks to be the way to go with three axles...... Maybe they do have air bags. Next one I run across, I'll stick my head underneath and see.
Posted 2008-04-15 9:50 AM (#81968 - in reply to #81961) Subject: RE: Leveling trailer at ridecamp
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by retento on 2008-04-15 7:52 AM
Tresvolte, that's what I'm saying. BUT, what are these newer trailers using? They look mighty low to be using a equalizer, leaf spring axles. Air looks to be the way to go with three axles...... Maybe they do have air bags. Next one I run across, I'll stick my head underneath and see.
Retento ... I'm not likely to run across a trailer with triples in my social circle. I'd like to know how the triples are supported too. ("Inquiring minds want to know...") Please post what you see...
Posted 2008-04-15 11:22 AM (#81982 - in reply to #81928) Subject: RE: Leveling trailer at ridecamp
Location: Where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain...
I have seen several that have used torsion axles. That just isn't the recommended practice by Dexter. Not sure how it would be handled if you had a problem. Haven't seen any with air, but that doesn't mean anything. Most of what I ever see with three are stock trailers.
Posted 2008-04-15 6:19 PM (#82022 - in reply to #81928) Subject: RE: Leveling trailer at ridecamp
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 434 Location: Brooksville, Fl
While boards will certainly do the job and are cheap, they make a product called Lynx Levelers (I believe that is the correct name) which are made of plastic and stack in a small carrying bag. They carry them in the RV dept at Wal-Mart and the last time I bought some they were around $25. You can stack them in many ways to help level your trailer. It's a bit tidier and lighter than toting around boards. FWIW, happy camping!
Posted 2008-04-15 11:49 PM (#82041 - in reply to #81928) Subject: RE: Leveling trailer at ridecamp
Member
Posts: 49 Location: Decatur, Texas
Short boards are just fine or stop by wal mart!
And you only have to do one tire or axle not both! My Trails West is almost 40' long and 2 weeks ago I had to raise the right rear wheel almost a foot to get even close so I did use blocks under both right side tires. (but this was all weekend and out trailer is 11-klbs unloaded so I did both for safety)
Leveling trailer at ridecamp
