Community Forums

Curb71 · 09-04-2016, 10:02 AM

I recently bought a new TT and live in a 45° incline. I really need to get the trailer up to the house before we can take it out on its maiden voyage but am curious about issues with unhooking on such a steep incline.

Is this bad for the fridge to be running when the trailer is unlevel? What are the best kind of wheel chocks besides "lots of them"? The scissor type or just a heavy duty set? It's possible to back the trailer up to the house so the tongue would be lower. What if I jacked up the front ridiculously high with lumber or something to level the trailer? Anyone seen it done or is that over kill?

camperkids · 09-04-2016, 10:17 AM

Yes it's bad for the fridge to be unlevel and could cause damage.

mel s · 09-04-2016, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curb71

I recently bought a new TT and live in a 45° incline. I really need to get the trailer up to the house before we can take it out on its maiden voyage but am curious about issues with unhooking on such a steep incline.

Is this bad for the fridge to be running when the trailer is unlevel? What are the best kind of wheel chocks besides "lots of them"? The scissor type or just a heavy duty set? It's possible to back the trailer up to the house so the tongue would be lower. What if I jacked up the front ridiculously high with lumber or something to level the trailer? Anyone seen it done or is that over kill?

Curb71
You must use wheel chocks when unhooking.
Jacking up the front ridiculously high with lumber or something to level the trailer is okay, (but I would not try it on a 45° incline).
Running a RV refidgerator when it is un-level WILL damage it... (and eventually RUIN it).

lynnmor · 09-04-2016, 10:26 AM

I doubt that it is 45 degrees, that would require about 8 foot of timbers under the tongue.

Yes, the fridge needs to be level, see your owners manual.

Forget the X-chocks on a steep grade, you can use them along with regular wheel chocks. I would get 6 of the heavy duty hard rubber chocks and use 4 on the down hill side and 2 between the wheels on the uphill side.

If that truck is 4WD, and has 4Lo, use it.

glennwest · 09-04-2016, 11:50 AM

Don't believe one can even stand up on a 45 degree. I have been on a 30 degree roof and it was tough.

stormrider15 · 09-04-2016, 12:05 PM

I'm wondering if you can even bring a TT to level on a 45 degree incline without bottoming out the rear end. Best of luck and please be careful.

1bigmess · 09-04-2016, 12:25 PM

Personally, I wouldn't do it. One small mistake, and your trailer goes careening down the hill, and you're on the hook for any and all damage. I'd find another way. I'd shuttle stuff up and down the hill before I even dreamed about getting the trailer parked on such a steep angle. Too many ways for everything to go suddenly very wrong.

CampDaven · 09-04-2016, 01:29 PM

A 45 degree slope is a 100% grade.
I don't think I could pull my pants up on that.
I suggest that a way to lessen the slope where the TT is parked be devised. Perhaps a ramp of railroad ties with planking on top.

mel s · 09-04-2016, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curb71

I recently bought a new TT and live in a 45° incline. I really need to get the trailer up to the house before we can take it out on its maiden voyage but am curious about issues with unhooking on such a steep incline.

Curb7
45°??

This is a 45° incline:

What is the real incline of your driveway?

Old-Biscuit · 09-04-2016, 02:13 PM

Interesting posts on subject plus some photos.....
Travel Trailer On Sloped Driveway - General RV Discussion - Outback RV Owners Forum

Operating an RV Absorption Fridge off level for just 20 minutes will cause PERMANENT damage due to disruption of gravity flow that causes overheating issues. Sodium Chromate (rust inhibitor in coolant solution) crystallizes when overheated......plates out on inside of tubing causing an obstruction to gravity flow....more overheating/more plating .....ACCUMULATIVE effect (DEATH!)

Chuck_Hammer · 09-04-2016, 04:43 PM

I hope you are talking about Paved driveway.. ( I know 45 is not real )

more than 5 degrees.. do NOT disconnect from 4x4 truck..

and NEVER on dirt/grass .. etc.

NO PARKING BRAKES... and regardless the size and weight of trailer .. It will move on its own.. unless really well blocked. and the under earth does not shift.

aka, parking on pavement.

SouthpawHD · 09-04-2016, 04:50 PM

Can you park it in the street? Or on your lawn?

I park mine in the front yard all the time the night before camping as it's almost level, out of the way of any traffic, and easy to load. Since it's only there a night, no real damage to lawn.

Curb71 · 09-05-2016, 11:44 AM

OK you caught me. It's not that steep. Looking at that chart I'd say my street is 25-30%

Curb71 · 09-05-2016, 11:50 AM

I'm going to grab the trailer today and bring it home. Other times I've backed it up the hill just to load stuff in it. I'm going to try pulling it up the hill, leaving the chains connected, chocking it real good, and disconnecting. Then I can drop the nose as low as I can to see if I can get it close to level.

If it's still too far off level I'd have to park it down the street where it's flat, too far to run power to it. I could let the fridge run on propane but then I feel like I risk running the batteries dead and using up too much propane before the trip.