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Skid wheels

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Tarnold

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Skid wheels
« on: December 29, 2019, 01:42:48 pm »
Anybody found that actually had need to make use of their hitch mounted skid wheels.  Looking at my rear levelers I would like for them to tuck up some more or add the wheels.

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Engineerlt

Re: Skid wheels
« Reply #1 on: December 29, 2019, 07:27:14 pm »
I have used mine a couple of times, where I live my driveway has a steep grade and getting in or out they hit, better than dragging the hitch.

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Tarnold

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Re: Skid wheels
« Reply #2 on: December 29, 2019, 09:08:01 pm »
What kind/size do you have. Bolt on or welded?

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jatrax

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Re: Skid wheels
« Reply #3 on: December 30, 2019, 12:53:20 am »
Used mine by accident, dropped the left rear into a big pot hole full of water leaving a parking lot.  It left gouge marks on the roller wheel but kept everything underneath safe.  Glad I had them.

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gandalf42

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Re: Skid wheels
« Reply #4 on: December 30, 2019, 07:01:46 am »
I have hit the factory mounted wheels a few times but it has to be a sharp transition (i.e. a steep drive connecting to a flat street). Its an area I have been impressed with the 2552 vs my previous RV, a Born Free. The Born Free would hit the wheels on most transitions from a parking area to a street requiring me to enter streets very slowly. It made pulling out more hazardous and certainly annoying to oncoming traffic. That stress is now gone.  2o2

I have just added a hitch mount mini bumper to the back to provide protection for any rear hits. (I had 2 in the Born Free, both caused by some tree jumping into my path when backing up  >( ) I am hoping I'm not creating a "bumper drag" issue since it sticks out a few inches.
« Last Edit: December 30, 2019, 07:06:24 am by gandalf42 »
Mike & Pat Astley,

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dogyard

Re: Skid wheels
« Reply #5 on: December 30, 2019, 03:29:20 pm »
Last time I was at the factory I had Doug add the rollers to my 2350, on the way home I entered a gas station with steep driveway and was relieved to find only scuffed-up roller wheels rather than macerator, etc damage. I vote worth it......

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zolman

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Re: Skid wheels
« Reply #6 on: December 30, 2019, 04:43:05 pm »
I have used my skid rollers several times pulling out of gas stations with a steep grade and without any load.

But  I've also added Sumo springs and Bilstein shocks because I have a motorcycle carrier that I use to carry a Yamaha XT250. The motorcycle and carrier add about 400 lbs. Again when I go up/down a steep grade the rollers do contact the pavement on occasion with or without the motorcycle.   

My skid rollers are mounted under the small receiver hitch that holds stabilizer bars for the motorcycle carrier. The bars stop the carrier from rocking from side to side.

I also added a skid plate to protect the drains and welded a support tube from the frame to the bumper hitch to give the hitch added strength.

When I bought my PC used and noticed that some of it's drain pipes were damaged and welds on the hitch were cracked. I have no idea what caused the damage ( overloading the hitch or hitting the pavement???) but made sure it would not happen again. Its been two years since I made the mods and have had no problems.
« Last Edit: December 30, 2019, 05:21:19 pm by zolman »

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Tarnold

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Re: Skid wheels
« Reply #7 on: December 30, 2019, 05:53:09 pm »
Op. Ok, ordered some steel wheels.  Notice in the above pics that you have what look like led backup lights.  I have leds in the red, but not the backup.  One has moisture in it .  So in my quest as it seems, to add/replace something at least once a day, were those backup lights stock or after market?

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2 Lucky

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Re: Skid wheels
« Reply #8 on: December 30, 2019, 05:56:09 pm »
Skid wheels and/or plates seem like a great idea. I wish I could figure out how to deal with my situation when pulling the toad. I've scraped the hitch ball nut a few times, even tho I always try to avoid the steep transitions. Any ideas?
Riding the fine line between bravery and stupidity since infancy.

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donc13

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Re: Skid wheels
« Reply #9 on: December 30, 2019, 09:10:00 pm »
Skid wheels wouldn't do a bit of good.   Your problem is the drop hitch.   I know... Should be level with the baseplate on the toad.

Don't they make a higher rise base plate for your car?

Your only other option would be to find a shop that can weld the ball to the hitch and cut off the bolt and thread extending below the hitch.

Or... It looks like the baseplate can be adjusted higher by removing a bolt (the closest to the toad of the 2 bolts I have pointed to in below image) and rotating that section upward.   That's a pure guess, but it looks like it's designed to be able to adjust.   I will bet mechanics at Humphreys would know.

---
Don and Patti

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2 Lucky

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Re: Skid wheels
« Reply #10 on: December 30, 2019, 10:06:30 pm »
Thanks for the idea to pivot the base plate to raise the towbar and reduce the drop hitch...Brilliant!, I will check that option tomorrow in the daylight.
(I was actually hoping someone would suggest I get the 2" lift kit that I've wanted for my 2000 Chevy Tracker 4x4 toad, that I can't get approved by my accountant and managing editor without external recommendation.)
Still might need a roller on the bottom of the hitch, and not sure that this location is suitable?
Riding the fine line between bravery and stupidity since infancy.

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zolman

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Re: Skid wheels
« Reply #11 on: December 31, 2019, 12:00:57 am »
Op. Ok, ordered some steel wheels.  Notice in the above pics that you have what look like led backup lights.  I have leds in the red, but not the backup.  One has moisture in it .  So in my quest as it seems, to add/replace something at least once a day, were those backup lights stock or after market?

They are after market, I replaced all my lighting except the front head lights. The RV had sat out in the Texas sun for 12 years and all the plastic had turned brittle, even the side and upper marker lights so I replaced every thing with LED lighting.  I think I got them from www.Iowa80.com. It was inexpensive and very simple because all the connectors were the same. If there was no rubber gasket I used caulking to seal the lights to prevent any leaking. I even got rid of the electrical trailer connector that was zip tied to the hitch and installed a new electrical connector into the fiberglass body of the PC.

I also changed out the exterior light for a motion light.

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Sarz272000

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Re: Skid wheels
« Reply #12 on: December 31, 2019, 12:21:10 am »
2Lucky

I vote for two inch lift for the Tracker.  That would give more clearance while out on trails, look really cool and increase value of vehicle (everyone wants a lifted truck!).  You could also participate in crushing cars at racetracks!

Hope that helps!

Ron S

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HenryJ

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Re: Skid wheels
« Reply #13 on: December 31, 2019, 03:59:08 pm »
I've found some entrance to gas stations have a big enough dip to have the wheels save the day. And if your sewer mechanism is at the rear you may even need larger wheels than they provide... and always exit where ever slowly. After 3 years they have been very handy. P
Patricia
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zolman

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Re: Skid wheels
« Reply #14 on: December 31, 2019, 05:25:15 pm »
Adding to HenryJ comment.

If you can approach a steep drive at an angle it will reduce the chances of "bottoming out" the RV.