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Old 10-31-2015, 06:48 PM   #1
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Skid Casters

Has anyone installed casters to their frame for steep driveway situations? I see the bumper installed types are common but that is not possible on a RW.

I am not quite sure I will need them but wont find out until my first attempt to back up my driveway. At that point it will be too late so I kind of want to have a solution first.

Ideas?
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Old 10-31-2015, 06:55 PM   #2
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Your issue might be the hitch, but I don't think I would want to raise the rear with the hitch. Trailer frames just don't seem stout enough.

Hopefully you won't need to do anything.
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Old 10-31-2015, 07:59 PM   #3
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Agree hitches aren't really good for up and down forces.

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Originally Posted by atom ant View Post
Hopefully you won't need to do anything.
I am sort of a "Plan B" kind of guy. Hopefully is not a real comfy "Plan A" either.

I know it's just a math problem and I have done my estimates and it is close. I don't have exact numbers, but the situation is that being off a couple inches in length either way is the difference between No Problem and Oh Sh!t

Was thinking I could have casters bolted/welded to frame but not sure since I only see bumper casters.
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Old 10-31-2015, 10:41 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JahRomo View Post
Has anyone installed casters to their frame for steep driveway situations? I see the bumper installed types are common but that is not possible on a RW.

I am not quite sure I will need them but wont find out until my first attempt to back up my driveway. At that point it will be too late so I kind of want to have a solution first.

Ideas?
You can also lay some 2x6's down where the road and concrete meet to get it started up the incline
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Old 10-31-2015, 10:45 PM   #5
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I put the solid wheels on the end of our RW. Did not really need them but pulling out of some gas stations or parking lots I did not want to take a chance. they are not swivel casters just 2" Metal rollers.
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Old 10-31-2015, 10:52 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RWJSIM2003 View Post
I put the solid wheels on the end of our RW. Did not really need them but pulling out of some gas stations or parking lots I did not want to take a chance. they are not swivel casters just 2" Metal rollers.
Can you post some pictures
thanks
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Old 10-31-2015, 11:16 PM   #7
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Here is a picture I added. I welded them to the frame in the back of the Trailer
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Old 10-31-2015, 11:24 PM   #8
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That's kind of what I was thinking of. Since I don't have a unit to check, I was using 18" as the rear ground clearance as an estimate. Am I close?
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Old 10-31-2015, 11:34 PM   #9
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That is about where mine are at.
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Old 10-31-2015, 11:50 PM   #10
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Thanks....Think I am good but it's going to be close. Think I will have the casters put on just in case.
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Old 11-01-2015, 01:09 AM   #11
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Thanks....Think I am good but it's going to be close. Think I will have the casters put on just in case.

The only issue that I have had in 4 years of towing our 36RL was the first year I lost the bottom rung of the ladder because it hung below the frame. I think the newer RW's have been corrected for that.
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Old 11-02-2015, 12:28 PM   #12
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My hitch would dig into the pavement before casters would have any effect. And when it digs, Oh Boy!
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Old 11-03-2015, 01:34 AM   #13
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With our previous fifth wheel I had about 2 inch clearance on our driveway that has a steeper incline, it was also 5 feet shorter than our 36 FL. When we got our Redwood home for the first time we tried the boards under the tires and it did not work. We decided it was easier to take it to storage, for the winter months. We do miss having our rv at home though, makes it easier to get ready for a trip. This year we will be out for months, with 3 months in storage. We have learned to make it work.
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Old 11-03-2015, 05:28 PM   #14
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How much would casters cost ?
How much would more gravel/fill cost ?

Even if way cheaper,
I would be hesitant to put casters because then you are lessening your ground clearance before you even try it

And really, are you sure you want to put most of the weight of the rv on a section designed just to hang there and not have any upward forces? on our 38gk it was a LONG overhang that would not have taken kindly to being lifted!

if anything, how about a skid type thing IN the hitch ? won't hit until the last second and will not lessen ground clearance...

from your pic, it looks less of an angle than many I had gone through...
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Old 11-03-2015, 05:55 PM   #15
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I've used a hitch receiver mounted steel roller caster for years. Works great.....no issues. Check trailers.com
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Old 11-03-2015, 06:59 PM   #16
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Yeah I think I am ok but its all a guesstimate without exact measurements. You just hate to find out your wrong on your first reversing up the driveway. Especially with the entire extended family there thinking its a spectator sport.

Thanks for the heads up on the hitch wheel.
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Old 11-03-2015, 08:35 PM   #17
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It's something how everyone gathers to watch when one of these things gets backed into a spot. I 'm not sure if they are comparing your backing skills to theirs...or just seeing how close you come to hitting something. One thing we learned early on...we never rely on anyone else to spot for us!
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Old 11-03-2015, 09:05 PM   #18
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It's something how everyone gathers to watch when one of these things gets backed into a spot. I 'm not sure if they are comparing your backing skills to theirs...or just seeing how close you come to hitting something. One thing we learned early on...we never rely on anyone else to spot for us!
I think they like looking at all the angles the axles and wheels take
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Old 11-04-2015, 01:20 AM   #19
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True --- I usually used the wheels as an indication of where it was headed and first time the back one twisted IN and the front one twisted OUT - I'm like holy cow !!!

Maybe they should have a lift for the rear axle like our motorhome does, push a button and the tag axle lifts so you can turn tighter and no scuffing !
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Old 11-12-2015, 09:41 PM   #20
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Here is a picture I added. I welded them to the frame in the back of the Trailer
While I am waiting for my new unit to arrive, I find it hard not to look at the new ones coming into the dealership. So I spent my lunch hour looking at the two that came in over the weekend. There was a 39FB with a production date of 10/13 there.

It had the three rollers welded to the bottom of the hitch from the factory.

Here is hoping my 31 will also have them.

Larry
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