Blocking

[robbie]

This may fall into the "painfully obvious" category but I'll ask anyways. When putting your trailer away for the winter it's been mentioned both here and in my owner's manual to block the trailer. Sounds easy enough. But just where should the blocks be put? Directly on the frame? On the axle? Should there be one put under the tongue?

[cb]

Holy moley!  I have no idea what the mechanics of "blocking" would be.  Our off-time is summer, but we've never done anything but park the thing.  The tires never got square, or anything like that.  We're excited because we're ready to hook up and go again......totally unblocked.

[robbie]

Oh, you're a funny guy cb.......Let me know when you're north of the 49th and we'll do some winter camping.......tents only! :J

[AustinBoston]

I don't block my trailer, but if I did, it would be on the main part of the frame, as close as possible to where the springs are attached.  I would block both in front and behind the axle, so four blocks/jacks would be needed.

BTW, my first set of tires lasted 6 years (including 2 Minnesota winters at -25

[flyfisherman]

I've not blocked the present Starcraft as the cold season in this part of the country is just not that long. But I did one year with the previous PU, a '96 Coleman/Fleetwood  (would that be a "Colewood"?) Yukon model. Placed jack stands under the main frame rails just aft of the rear spring shackles. Don't remember if there were any special details in the owner's manual of that model (which went with the next owner).  My present Starcraft owner's manual says to block it up (same location) and just high enough to relieve the tires of most of the weight, but not all of the weight. Then it says to decrease tire pressure down to 14 psi.  Like I said, I've never blocked the Starcraft and only did the "Colewood" once.



Fly

[ScouterMom]

I blocked my old starcraft - when it was stored in the garage for the winter.  I live on the Wi/ IL border, so it does get cold up here, and my garage was not insulated at the time.  The previous owner of my '76 starlette stored it up on  blocks, and so I did, too.  The tires were pretty old, but seemed in good shape - so it made sense to continue raising it up if it was going to sit for a few months.  I'd raise it up with the car jack, and put jack stands under the frame just behind the wheels.  Then raise the front jack until the tires didn't bulge out any more (enough to relieve heavy pressure on them).  

I bought my current PUP this last March - so haven't stored it for the winter yet.  We'll probably still be camping in it in Oct or maybe even November.  I'm not sure if I'll be able to store it inside somewhere or not - but if it has to sit for 2 - 3 months, I'll probably block it up, too.

Laura

[Eric Sass]

I aggree with CB. Here in El Cajon we're getting ready for fall camping.
I just planned a trip to Lake Jennings for Veteran's Day weekend.