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10-31-2015, 07:48 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 60
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Skid Casters
Has anyone installed casters to their frame for steep driveway situations? I see the bumper installed types are common but that is not possible on a RW.
I am not quite sure I will need them but wont find out until my first attempt to back up my driveway. At that point it will be too late so I kind of want to have a solution first.
Ideas?
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10-31-2015, 07:55 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 7,101
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Your issue might be the hitch, but I don't think I would want to raise the rear with the hitch. Trailer frames just don't seem stout enough.
Hopefully you won't need to do anything.
__________________
Brad & Dory - Lone Tree, CO
CURRENT - 2013 Itasca Meridian 42E/2013 Wrangler 4dr Sahara
SOLD - 2014 Redwood 36RL/2014 F350 DRW
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10-31-2015, 08:59 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 60
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Agree hitches aren't really good for up and down forces.
Quote:
Originally Posted by atom ant
Hopefully you won't need to do anything.
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I am sort of a "Plan B" kind of guy. Hopefully is not a real comfy "Plan A" either.
I know it's just a math problem and I have done my estimates and it is close. I don't have exact numbers, but the situation is that being off a couple inches in length either way is the difference between No Problem and Oh Sh!t
Was thinking I could have casters bolted/welded to frame but not sure since I only see bumper casters.
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10-31-2015, 11:41 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 2,032
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JahRomo
Has anyone installed casters to their frame for steep driveway situations? I see the bumper installed types are common but that is not possible on a RW.
I am not quite sure I will need them but wont find out until my first attempt to back up my driveway. At that point it will be too late so I kind of want to have a solution first.
Ideas?
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You can also lay some 2x6's down where the road and concrete meet to get it started up the incline
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2015 36RL pushing a 2015 Denali
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10-31-2015, 11:45 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 767
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I put the solid wheels on the end of our RW. Did not really need them but pulling out of some gas stations or parking lots I did not want to take a chance. they are not swivel casters just 2" Metal rollers.
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2020 Newmar Baystar
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10-31-2015, 11:52 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 2,032
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RWJSIM2003
I put the solid wheels on the end of our RW. Did not really need them but pulling out of some gas stations or parking lots I did not want to take a chance. they are not swivel casters just 2" Metal rollers.
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Can you post some pictures
thanks
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2015 36RL pushing a 2015 Denali
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11-01-2015, 12:16 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 767
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Here is a picture I added. I welded them to the frame in the back of the Trailer
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2020 Newmar Baystar
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11-01-2015, 12:24 AM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 60
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That's kind of what I was thinking of. Since I don't have a unit to check, I was using 18" as the rear ground clearance as an estimate. Am I close?
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11-01-2015, 12:34 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 767
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That is about where mine are at.
__________________
2020 Newmar Baystar
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11-01-2015, 12:50 AM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 60
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Thanks....Think I am good but it's going to be close. Think I will have the casters put on just in case.
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11-01-2015, 01:09 AM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,342
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JahRomo
Thanks....Think I am good but it's going to be close. Think I will have the casters put on just in case.
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The only issue that I have had in 4 years of towing our 36RL was the first year I lost the bottom rung of the ladder because it hung below the frame. I think the newer RW's have been corrected for that.
__________________
Guy & Phyllis
2012 RW36RL,DualA/C,KodiakDiskBrakes,TrailAir Tri-Glide,GY_G614's,Roadmaster Comfort Ride Slipper Spring Suspension
2011Dodge3500Laramie,CrewCab,4x4,SRW,Michelins, LongBed,6.7LCTD,3.73,PullRiteSuper5th20.5KHitch, BlueOxBedsaver
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11-02-2015, 01:28 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,855
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My hitch would dig into the pavement before casters would have any effect. And when it digs, Oh Boy! 
__________________
2012 F350 KR CC DRW w/ some stuff
2013 36FL
Cindy and Tom, Toby and Kasey (our Berner and Newfie)
Oh...I forgot the five kids.
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11-03-2015, 02:34 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 134
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With our previous fifth wheel I had about 2 inch clearance on our driveway that has a steeper incline, it was also 5 feet shorter than our 36 FL. When we got our Redwood home for the first time we tried the boards under the tires and it did not work. We decided it was easier to take it to storage, for the winter months. We do miss having our rv at home though, makes it easier to get ready for a trip. This year we will be out for months, with 3 months in storage. We have learned to make it work.
__________________
2013 36FL, Winegard Trav'ler Dish 1000, Stacked W/D, Heat pump, Trailair Air Ride 5th Wheel Pin Box, 2016 3500 Ram Longhorn Edition Crew Cab 4x4, 50 gal auxilliary tank, 5000 Airlift bags, 26K Husky hitch
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11-03-2015, 06:28 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,054
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How much would casters cost ?
How much would more gravel/fill cost ?
Even if way cheaper,
I would be hesitant to put casters because then you are lessening your ground clearance before you even try it 
And really, are you sure you want to put most of the weight of the rv on a section designed just to hang there and not have any upward forces? on our 38gk it was a LONG overhang that would not have taken kindly to being lifted!
if anything, how about a skid type thing IN the hitch ? won't hit until the last second and will not lessen ground clearance...
from your pic, it looks less of an angle than many I had gone through...
__________________
Ours: '11 Monaco Diplomat 43DFT followed closely by '14 Jeep 4 dr Wrangler.
Hers: '13 Explorer Sport - AWD 365hp twin turbo scooter!
Previous: '13 Ford F350 CC Platinum and '13 38GK
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11-03-2015, 06:55 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 307
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I've used a hitch receiver mounted steel roller caster for years. Works great.....no issues. Check trailers.com
__________________
Mike & Gayle
Our 3 fur children "Ting-Tang"&"Saylor"(Shih Tsu's) &"Kai" (Finnish Spitz)
2007 Silverado Classic 3500 LT C.C. Longbed Dually,
Duramax, Allison Tranny, 62 Gal. Titan Tank
2016 39MB 5.5 Onan, Residential Package, Goodyear G114's, Mor/ryde heavy duty Shackle/bushing upgrade.
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11-03-2015, 07:59 PM
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#16
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 60
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Yeah I think I am ok but its all a guesstimate without exact measurements. You just hate to find out your wrong on your first reversing up the driveway. Especially with the entire extended family there thinking its a spectator sport. 
Thanks for the heads up on the hitch wheel.
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11-03-2015, 09:35 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 392
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It's something how everyone gathers to watch when one of these things gets backed into a spot. I 'm not sure if they are comparing your backing skills to theirs...or just seeing how close you come to hitting something. One thing we learned early on...we never rely on anyone else to spot for us!
__________________
Bob and Debbie (both retired) with Senior FurBabies Grizz (a German Shepherd mix) and Bailey (a Lab mix)...and sometimes a Grandkiddo or 2! Full Time RVers since July 2013 Redwood: 2012 36FL with sliding patio doors
Tow Vehicle: 2011 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD with 6.6 DuraMax Dually
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11-03-2015, 10:05 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 378
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grizzby
It's something how everyone gathers to watch when one of these things gets backed into a spot. I 'm not sure if they are comparing your backing skills to theirs...or just seeing how close you come to hitting something. One thing we learned early on...we never rely on anyone else to spot for us!
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I think they like looking at all the angles the axles and wheels take 
__________________
Dean & Cindy (Go DAWGS)
2013 Ram 3500 CC DRW 4.10 "Plain Jane"
(RIP "Struck by Lightning")
B&W 3600 Hitch 25K/6.25k
2012 36RL, Disc Brakes, G614's, 7K axles, Combo WD, Awning Toppers
Full Time Since April 1 2015:)!
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11-04-2015, 02:20 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,054
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True --- I usually used the wheels as an indication of where it was headed and first time the back one twisted IN and the front one twisted OUT - I'm like holy cow !!!
Maybe they should have a lift for the rear axle like our motorhome does, push a button and the tag axle lifts so you can turn tighter and no scuffing !
__________________
Ours: '11 Monaco Diplomat 43DFT followed closely by '14 Jeep 4 dr Wrangler.
Hers: '13 Explorer Sport - AWD 365hp twin turbo scooter!
Previous: '13 Ford F350 CC Platinum and '13 38GK
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11-12-2015, 10:41 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 500
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RWJSIM2003
Here is a picture I added. I welded them to the frame in the back of the Trailer
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While I am waiting for my new unit to arrive, I find it hard not to look at the new ones coming into the dealership. So I spent my lunch hour looking at the two that came in over the weekend. There was a 39FB with a production date of 10/13 there.
It had the three rollers welded to the bottom of the hitch from the factory.
Here is hoping my 31 will also have them.
Larry
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