Wheel Chocks for Motorhome

[jlazar]

When do you need to use wheel chocks with a motorhome?  On an upcoming trip, I will be parking my motorhome in the street in front of my friend's house.  We will not be staying in it, slides will be in, and all appliances off.  The street has about a 20 degree slope.  With the Auto Park on and the wheels turned towards the curb, do I need to bother with wheel chocks?  Or are chocks just for trailers?  Do you recommend parking nose uphill or downhill?

 

[Ned]

On that severe a slope I would chock the rear wheels and keep the front ones to the curb.  I don't think it matter which way you point it.  Just be sure the refrigerator is off as that is too much slope for it to operate properly.  Is it really 20??  I wouldn't take my motorhome on such a severe grade.

 

[jlazar]

Sorry, I was thinking of the slope of his drive not the street.  The street is not as severe.  Here is a picture that may help you get an idea of the slope.  I have only had the motorhome a few months and always parked on pretty level ground.  So I need you advice on when a slope becomes too steep.  Thanks.

 

[Ned]

If you could make that image smaller, say 1024x768, it would be easier to see what you're describing.  I see 2 drives there but can't tell how steep they are or which one it is.

 

[jlazar]

Hope this is better.  The set of drives to the left is at the bottom/going down his street.  His drive is the one to the very right.

 

[jlazar]

Another smaller version.

 

[carson]

What a challenge.... trees are not always perfectly perpendicular. Given that I will guess that the slope is about 3?,
? 2?.  Not very dangerous. But.... better safe than sorry, use chocks.  Turning the wheels won't do a thing without a hard, steep curb.  Maybe the neighbors house will stop the run-away RV. 

  Don't trust the auto-park brake too much...they can fail. A manual park brake, if equipped, should be used.

  Please be careful.

 

[Ned]

Hard to tell from a photo but I don't think that's anywhere near 20?.  Do use chocks and keep the refrigerator off if it's more than 3?.

 

[jlazar]

Thanks.  There is a white/yellow knob that is a parking brake separate from the P on the shift column.  I thought that was called the auto-park but maybe I am using the wrong term.  I will get some wheel chocks just to be safe.

 

[jlazar]

Here is another view.  I cropped on their mailbox figuring it would be more perpendicular than the trees.  This might give a better idea of the slope.  You can also see more of their drive to the right.

 

[PatrioticStabilist]

Are you sure motorhomes are allowed to park on that street?  I would be concerned.

 

[parmm]

They even use wheel chocks on tractor trailers with air brakes.

 

[bucks2]

Remember that the purpose of a wheel chock is to keep the vehicle stopped, not stop it after it starts moving. Once moving, even just an inch or so, it takes a much bigger block to stop it than it would to keep it stopped. Here's an example of what I mean. Hold a bowling ball or other weight, straight out in front of you. Heavy, but you can hold it. Now have someone drop it into your hand from even 2 inches. Feel the difference? That's what your wheel chock is trying to stop.

So, put your wheel chocks up tight against the wheel. For best results use a block which has the largest contact area with the tire  (and ground) as possible. Curved to fit the wheel is best.

Ken