Trailer Bottoming Out Help

[red342]

Hello:

My driveway has a slight uphill and sometimes the trailer will bottom out, but just a small amount in the rear. Are there any caster wheels or some other option out there that can mount to the rear of the trailer so it would ride the wheels instead of the frame?

Thank you
Rob

 

[robert graham]

Re: Trailer Bottoming Out Help

Harbor Freight Tools carries a variety of casters that could help you with your bottoming problem. I've notice travel homes, campers and some busses use them. Good Luck!

 

[red342]

Re: Trailer Bottoming Out Help

Thanks!

I have seen those too, thats where I got the idea from.

Thanks

Rob

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Trailer Bottoming Out Help

I'd figure out a better way to fix it first... Using castors could be very hard on the trailer...

How about dropping your ball down a little bit with a towbar that has more drop to it? How is the boat positioned? If you are a little light on tongue weight you can move the axle on the trailer back a little which will also help keep the back from scraping. (and if you have room to move the boat back, you can also do that if the tongue weight goes up too much)

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Trailer Bottoming Out Help

My old boat trailer had that problem with our inclined driveway. I made a couple temporary ramps that "filled" the gutter, so the trailer no longer bottomed out. The ramps are built out of 2x8's, 4' long and worked second duty as wheel chocks for the boat trailer. (I still use them as wheel chocks for my new boat, taller trailer.)

 

[roscoe]

Re: Trailer Bottoming Out Help

You could also put taller tires on the trailer.

Or, if the axle is mounted on the top of the leaf springs, move it to the bottom of the springs, possibly adding a 2" lift block to the spring mount.

 

[red342]

Re: Trailer Bottoming Out Help

Hello:

Thanks for all your help. These are all very valid ideas. I will have to examine my trailer more with the angle of the driveway and def use one of your ideas. Ill keep you posted!

Thanks
Rob

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Trailer Bottoming Out Help

Just how bad is it?
Enough to that the load starts to come off the axle or just kisses enough that you hear it?
For the latter. I would slap a slab of 1/2"UHMW (cutting board type of plastic) over the spot that if dragging.

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Trailer Bottoming Out Help

They make Wear Steels for impact and sliding abrasion. The steel can be bolted or welded on to your trailer. It will rub on the driveway more because you'll be lower 1/2 inch, but will protect your trailer.
Us poor northerners are familiar with the steel, on the feet of front of our snowblowers.
You can buy the steel in flat, angle or 3/4 round. Just a couple of 6" pieces should do the trick and they should last a long time compared to casters. A local industrial steel supplier will most likely have it in stock.
Just another option.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Trailer Bottoming Out Help

what if you got a furniture dolly, position it where the trailer scrapes, and let the trailer ride up on that? They aer cheap. but it might take an assitant--kind of depends on how often you are going in and out. otherwise the skid plate, or a plank at the skid location to slide on?

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Trailer Bottoming Out Help

Mine does it too, here's what I do, when My trailer hits that point where its about to bottom out I cut the trailer (Turn hard)so that it hits this area at an angle,for me this gains me some height as only one side of the trailer goes down while the other stays up and then everything works out. Sounds complicated but when its done properly it works great and I don't bottom out at all but it may not be enough for you worth a try though?