Jack-knife turns hard on trailer?

[Dkevdog]

Every time I put my trailer away in storage where I work, the final step to getting it in its place (parrallel park) is to unhitch, back up to it in a jack-knife formation and push it back the rest of the way. I know that can't be good on the wheels and tires, but there isn't any other way that I know of to get it in there.



How hard is this on the components and is there any way to ease up it? I tried backing onto plywood, thinking the plywood would slide in the blacktop, but all it did was slide off the plywood.



Any ideas??



Kev

 

[QRTRHRS]

Kev,



Try lubricating the plywood with something. I used to work in this development where most people wanted some kind of trailer (low budget development) stuck in with the trees. We used to slick up plywood and slide em' sideways with a dozer.

 

[Dkevdog]

One of my employees suggessted a little sand under the plywood. Might give that one a shot next time.



What did you lube the plywould with?



Kev

 

[QRTRHRS]

Same thing we used to throw over the bank, drain oil. Yeah, it was wrong but that's the way it was.



Sand or fine grain sandblasting medium may work though. I know it gets slick on the floor. Dish washing detergent perhaps. Thinking about it though, I think you could skip the plywood as that sounds like a pain anyway.

 

[Eric_77]

We move race cars around with rolling floor jacks. you may have trouble finding one heavy duty enough. Other idea are these little slides that go under the wheels and are like casters, no bad idea it is like an ice rink with them on any kind of slope.

 

[DRR-24V]

Make sure tire pressure is at the max. A friend was turning his 5th wheel around in my dirt driveway this weekend and rolled the bead off the rim on 2 tires (instant flats) We aired them up and all was well. His other tires needed air as well.

 

[MUDDY]

keep an eye on the spring mainleaf for cracks.

my 26 ft tt had wide tires for mud floatation and when turning sharp on pavement you could sure see the side pressure on the tires, and 1 axle would be pushed to the left, the other to the right.



broke a leaf on it up in the hills. able to limp home. replaced it. some time after, while getting ready to pack the bearings, was backing it up and turning into a cement driveway, another main leaf broke. the sharp turn was too much for it. over a period of time they get metal fatigue anyway and the side pressure just speeds it up.



i went to 235/85 16 tires aired up to max and it turns easier on pavement. i still check the leaves often though.



while putting it in to storage, and jack knifing it, you should

try sand to help add slip. or a dozen jars of vaseline.



mm

 

[Dkevdog]

Tried the sand after coming back from our trip this weekend, and it semmed to work pretty well. Didn't even need the plywood either



Kev

 

[DRR-24V]

The sometimes necessary jackknife turns on a 5th wheel is why I am against those extended spring perches to raise a trailer. Watch the flexing going on in a sharp turn and you will see what I mean. WARNING ! Do not pull into the Restaurant parking at Little America W. of Cheyenne, Wyo. ! It is made for cars with no exit. I turned my 29 foot 5th wheel around in a spot big enough for 2 cars. (liked to rolled the tires right off the wheels) We will WALK to the restaurant from now on.

 

[MUDDY]

Originally posted by Don Rogers

The sometimes necessary jackknife turns on a 5th wheel is why I am against those extended spring perches to raise a trailer. Watch the flexing going on in a sharp turn and you will see what I mean. QUOTE]

the only safe way to raise the trailer in this manner is to run square tubing side to side on the extended spring perches to stop the flex.



on mine, i used 4 inch tube under the frame lenghthwise and mounted spring perches to that, also moved springs on top of axle.

total of 9 inches lift including the tires. sets just right and doesnt hit when going over most bad roads.



mm