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Old 06-12-2019, 09:36 PM   #1
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A few questions to 5TA owners

First what do you use for landing gear pads?
Second x-chalks or wedge blocks.

Thanks
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Old 06-12-2019, 10:20 PM   #2
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We use what I call “lego blocks” for the landing gear. Works well for us. We alter the number of Lego’s depending on how much we have to bring the front of the trailer down to be level.

We use the X-chalks and, when necessary, Anderson levellers. Easy peasey to set up.
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Old 06-12-2019, 11:39 PM   #3
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For landing gear pads we have sand pads attached to the stabilizers, but often use either some LEGO blocks or some homemade blocks that we also carry. If you cut an 8” section off a 4x6 you can then use this as either a 4”, 6”, or 8” block. Make four for a complete set.

Regarding X-Chocks, they are *not* actual keep-your-trailer-from-rolling-down-the-hill chocks. The manufacturer even says so on all their literature. Some people love them for stabilizing their trailer, but IMHO I wouldn’t trust them as an actual safety device. If rolling away is a possibility go ahead and use them...but use some real chocks too.

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Old 06-13-2019, 12:50 AM   #4
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I have a bunch of lego blocks of a couple different kinds. the orange 'hex' ones like in the above picture are the best. I also have several cap plates for those that provide a smooth surface for the nose jack foot, and for the BAL stabilizer legs. I like to put a lego stack under the nose jack so I don't have to crank it for ever and ever to reach the ground. I have found the BAL stabilizers seem stiffer and steadier when they are more extended and vertical than when they are relatively shallow angle. I've started going around the BAL's twice, drop both rears snug, drop both fronts snug, tweak the nose jack a bit so the weight is evenly distributed, then go over the rear BAL's and the frotns one more time, so they all have approximately equal tension... when I do this, the whole trailer seems better stabilized. my wife and I are both plus sized folks...



ah, here's the caps, https://trilynx.com/products/lynx-cap-4-pack

and the trilinx legoblocks
https://trilynx.com/products/lynx-leveler-10-pack

now, I normally use the red anderson level wedges under one set of side wheels to get my side-to-side level, so I'm only using these trilynx under the jack and stabilizers.
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Old 06-13-2019, 06:12 AM   #5
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I have a set of wood blocks that I normally use, just a pair of 10"x10"x2" blocks screwed together, one block for each leg. If needed I break out the set of Lego's. In all these trips I've needed the Lego's twice.

I normally use a pair of rubber chocks but carry a single X-chock and use it if I'm parked on much of a slope. I don't notice any trailer bounce or wobble with the stabilizers down so don't use the X for that purpose.
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Old 06-13-2019, 07:20 AM   #6
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I use Andersen Jack Blocks under the landing gear so I don’t have to extend them as far as without. I have x-chocks but those are strictly for stabilizing, not for chocking. I rely on heavy rubber chocks to keep the trailer in place. They also prevent any landing gear jump or slide when lifting off the hitch.
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Old 06-13-2019, 09:15 AM   #7
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I use short blocks of treated 6x6 for the front jacks, plastic pads under the stabilizers, X-Chocks between the wheels (and have for 8 years) and either thin plastic blocks or Anderson Levelers under the low side tires. Works great for us.
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Old 06-13-2019, 10:07 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sclifrickson View Post
Regarding X-Chocks, they are *not* actual keep-your-trailer-from-rolling-down-the-hill chocks. The manufacturer even says so on all their literature. Some people love them for stabilizing their trailer, but IMHO I wouldn’t trust them as an actual safety device. If rolling away is a possibility go ahead and use them...but use some real chocks too.
Attachment 39791
Yes. Under any stress the X-Chocks will pop out from between the wheels. I've had it happen twice. The first time I had forgotten the thing was still installed and pulled away; the X-Chock popped out and I didn't even notice. The second time I was parked on a slight hill and it popped out a few minutes after I had unhitched. The trailer rolled several feet forward and nearly hit my truck. The X-Chocks are for stabilization when parked, not to keep the trailer from rolling. Use real wheel chocks for that.
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Old 06-13-2019, 01:23 PM   #9
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Greg and Kathy asked about blocks for under the landing gear but discussion somehow ended up on X-chocks for holding trailer. X-chocks vs. wedges was their second question as for stabilizing trailer once dropped I believe. For stabilizing we use X-chocks as well as the rear jacks on sand pads.

I would not use X-chocks for ensuring trailer didn't roll but with a 5.0TA there's much less chance of that happening anyway since there's so much weight on the landing gear. However I usually have rubber chocks under wheels when I unhook. I once unhooked in my driveway and watched our old 5.0 slide back about six inches even with landing gear down.

With the 5.0 Alf gave me the blocks he used under the landing gear. It saves having to drop them as low and it looks more secure. I built blocks for the 5.0TA. Each is made with four by fours, two attached together on the bottom with one centred on the top. I put handles on them to make it easier to pick up in the truck bed or from under the landing gear.
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Old 06-13-2019, 06:51 PM   #10
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I carry a milk crate with cut sections of 2x6 for both the landing gear and stabilizers. Usually stack 3 or 4 high on the landing gear, seems more stable when you don’t extend them real far. For leveling side to side I use Anderson Levelers.
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Old 06-13-2019, 07:05 PM   #11
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all that wood gets heavy. I like the TriLynx lego blocks because they are so light
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Old 06-14-2019, 08:13 AM   #12
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Quote:
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all that wood gets heavy. I like the TriLynx lego blocks because they are so light
Probably right, you might have to move up to a F350....😂
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Old 06-14-2019, 12:12 PM   #13
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all that wood gets heavy. I like the TriLynx lego blocks because they are so light
Maybe I'll go for an F-250 next time. While getting oil changed at the dealer today I looked at a few trucks, the F-250s are no more than the F-150s, and full tow package with brake controller is included in all.

I wondered why John you said this about light blocks but then realized it's because of all the heavy stuff you carry
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Old 06-14-2019, 12:59 PM   #14
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its more that I carry my lego blocks in my storage bin, which has a max weight, plus my hands and wrists get somewhat arthritic at times, and while I can still lift heavy stuff, its often hard to manipulate into position. the stacked lego blocks are also not going to slide apart
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Old 06-14-2019, 01:06 PM   #15
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The two 6x6 blocks I use under our jacks are way more solid than the plastic blocks of which I broke a few because they couldn't handle the weight. Real easy to grab outta the truck box for placement too.

For a couple decades I used wooden 6-10" long planks for under wheels and stabilizers and finally went to the Lynx blocks for ease of storage and lighter weight. and am glad I did.
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Old 06-14-2019, 01:40 PM   #16
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i use wood blocks under the landing gear and wedges behind front / back of tires I use plastic leveling blocks to level if needed. i have lots of other stuff Anderson leveler/ x chocks but i never use them it seems stable enough.
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Old 06-14-2019, 02:50 PM   #17
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A few trailers ago we purchased an Andersen jack block.


We now use this under one of our legs and six lego blocks under the other. Of course we wedge our tires to prevent the trailer from moving.

Enjoy,

Perry
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Old 06-14-2019, 05:02 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by emers382 View Post
Maybe I'll go for an F-250 next time. While getting oil changed at the dealer today I looked at a few trucks, the F-250s are no more than the F-150s, and full tow package with brake controller is included in all.

I wondered why John you said this about light blocks but then realized it's because of all the heavy stuff you carry
Hi: emers382... The only would I carry now is on my shoulders. Then I guess you could say I am a "Block off the old chip". Alf
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Old 06-14-2019, 05:46 PM   #19
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After seeing them under Tom's (tdf-texas) 21, I purchased a set of Fastway One Step Chocks. I probably only needed one since I use it on the ground side of the trailer, and the other side is often on Anderson Levelers.
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Old 06-14-2019, 06:37 PM   #20
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A question to all using Anderson Levelers. Did they fit as purchased? When we picked up our 5.0 T.A. in May the first night at KOA in Lynden pulled out the shiny new Andersons they did not fit!! They were to long to fit between the tandem axles! What to do? I broke out a saw and cut off about 1 inch. They worked great after alteration.
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