Raising tongue to level trailer in very sloped driveway

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braindead

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As I have a tendency to miss obvious solutions, and sometimes overthink/overengineer things.. figured I'd ask here.  Last night I cut up some 2x8 into about 15" lengths and stacked that under the tongue jack, still not enough.  What I'm thinking about doing it nailing/glueing up a larger block from 2x8's by placing 2 side by side and then 2 on top of those with the grain the other way, nail and glue and repeat until I've got a large enough block.

The overengineer in me thinks I should try to make the 'uber block' plumb..  The lazy in me thinks..meh... it's only going to be 14/15" tall or so and with the wheels properly chocked should be fine.

And of course maybe I'm missing the easy solution.  I do have some stumps in the backyard of various sizes (one I use for chopping might be perfect).. 

Any other suggestions?  We plan on using our new trailer a lot so easy hook up is a bonus....
 
I'd say you are going about it the right way. Sounds like a good way to build up the block. I, too, am the kind of person that would make sure the block is plumb and level. I would be inclined (no pun intended) to shim it on the bottom so it sits plumb. Be sure to chock the wheels, too, so the weight of the TT does not try to push the block forward (which is another reason not to have the block plumb and not leaning forward to begin with).
 
I would also add a 1 X 2 lip to the top of the block ( around the perimeter) so the jack would not slide or roll off the block
 
Thanks for the feedback, trailer is already chocked..  wouldn't have it any other way.... 

I'm not too worried about the jack sliding off, if that happens I'd think my chocks would have failed somehow... however seems like a good idea for positioning. 

Just realized I'm gonna need more wood ;-)..

And perhaps a couple of handles, this might be heavy... 
 
Joezeppy said:
And don't forget a couple of cold beers...I find that always help me in the "engineering" phase of a project!
Good point, I think all I've got is mexican beer though ;-)
 
It doesn't have to be solid wood. Make a bottom plate of 2x8, then some 2x8 on edge, then another flat plate, then another set on edge. Much lighter and should save wood too.
 
a set of automotive axle stands on each corner work good. i had tt's for many years and carted around a bunch of 6x6 blocks and a jack all for levelling up in bad spots. found the axle stands easier to deal with than a pile of blocks.the jack all makes for fast levelling and the axle stands adjust easily and are very stable. even better would be power levelers of course. must be getting old. i like power everything now. lol
 
Jackstands aren't high enough, I ended up making a 'block' about 16' tall and that was just enough to get me level. I ended up using some 2x4's towards the top to keep the weight low..  and one that I bevel cut for a shim.  It seems to work well enough and I should be able to hook up without any trouble.
 
muskoka guy said:
wow thats some grade on that driveway. lets hope you dont wake up in the neighbors yard eh.
I sure hope not!  I've got good chocks on the wheels..and if we end up in the neighbors yard...they'll understand as almost everyone here has some sorta RV ;-)
 
There ya go. 

The insulation in this trailer seems pretty nice, I've had the heater on for an hour or so at about 70 degrees..and there is still snow on the roof (35 degrees outside now)
 

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It seems like you have put some thought into this and you are the one that can best assess the suitability of the set up.  But looking at your picture and the slope of that driveway I would feel better with a more substantial set of chocks if I was parking there.
 
jerrybell said:
It seems like you have put some thought into this and you are the one that can best assess the suitability of the set up.  But looking at your picture and the slope of that driveway I would feel better with a more substantial set of chocks if I was parking there.
Always up for suggestions..  We were in it last night and it's very stable at this point.  I'm thinking some slightly wider solid rubber chocks perhaps.
 
braindead said:
There ya go. 

The insulation in this trailer seems pretty nice, I've had the heater on for an hour or so at about 70 degrees..and there is still snow on the roof (35 degrees outside now)

That dont look as bad as I was imaging.

I guess when hitching its a two step process of letting the tongue down onto another block or jack/s and then going again to get at ball height. ????

Looks like a power jack is in order!!!
 
The only problem I see is the trailer jack is right at the joint between the top two 2x8's.  I would either remove one top piece and move the other so the jack is resting in the center of it or add another piece centered under the jack head to spread the weight away from the joint.
 
Might have to do a 'two step' to get it on the truck, not completely sure at this point.  The tongue weight is under 300#, and the tongue jack is on a foot that's spreading the load out (can't see it with the snow).  Weill not be getting an electric tongue jack, the aerobic workout is exhilarating ;-)

The primary reason I wanted to level it out is so we could do some 'home camping', make sure the heater and fridge work properly and see how long the heater can keep it warm before we run outta propane.  We may just park on the street (legal here) when the season hits so that we can run the fridge prior to leaving..load up..etc.. 
 
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