Block rear of trailer or not?

[yanmars]

I have a 24 foot long trailer. Four 7 foot long hickory detachable ramps in the back. When I load my tractor it lifts the back end of my pick up off the ground. Have loaded it without blocks under the back of the trailer and with them. The better method and the best for the trailer and truck? thanks

 

[grsthegreat]

Add 2 trailer tongue swing jacks. i did this years ago for my old ramp trailer. my new trailer is tilt bed.

 

[sandman2234]

My last trailer had a leg that was welded to the ramp that would allow the suspension to drop an inch or two before stopping the travel. Worked great and didn't require any extra steps on my part. It was a piece of 2x2 square tubing with a 3x3 flat plate on the end to keep it from sinking into the dirt.
Been many close calls and even more accidents happen when people load heavy equipment and the rear of towing vehicle comes up off the ground because that is where your parking brake is at!
David from jax

 

[ArlyA]

If the ground you are unloading or loading on is unlevel, wouldn't the adjustable jacks grsthegreat suggests be better? Most locations we are working on is not flat.

 

[Panik]

Been many close calls and even more accidents happen when people load heavy equipment and the rear of towing vehicle comes up off the ground because that is where your parking brake is at!
David from jax

One more reason to add and use rear landing gear..... If by some chance you're ever in a hurry to load up/tired/or somehow don't complete your pre-load inspection and mismatch your coupler size or otherwise forget to latch the coupler using a couple rear-trailer jacks will prevent the tongue of your trailer from launching skyward and narrowly missing the open rear hatch of your suv... lol, ask me how I know....

In all seriousness, they are a right handy safety addition to have on a trailer. Depending on conditions and how froggy you're feeling they also give you the ability to load/unload a trailer while it's uncoupled from the tow vehicle.

 

[Paystar]

Having jack legs on the rear like other have shown is great. But I don't have them so I always carry some wood block with me. just remember to keep them shorter than need so when loading and you get weight on trailer you can get them out.

 

[deezler]

First, put your truck in 4WD so that the parking brake ties the front and rear axles together.

I carry a pair of jackstands and just put them under the rear frame of my trailer. Like paystar says, gotta leave an inch or two gap so that they dont get stuck once you load anything heavy. Some permanent swing jacks would be nice, but I dont weld things myself.... yet...

 

[gstrom99]

I use these on the back corners of every trailer I have.

https://www.etrailer.com/Camper-Jacks/etrailer/SJ-R208.html

 

[JeepHead]

my 20' trailer has jacks at that back that I always use. You can add them on to yours. Makes it so easy and SAFE.

 

[JCoastie]

I use these on the back corners of every trailer I have.

https://www.etrailer.com/Camper-Jacks/etrailer/SJ-R208.html

That might work well welded on to a landscape rake for storage too!

 

[KennyG]

Like Deezler, I use a pair of old jack stands (I think I've had them at least 50 years, so I don't use them under cars anymore). Why spend time and money to add jacks when this works fine?

 

[mjonesnh]

Use 3 ton jack stands at rear frame of trailer. Picks up rear of truck several inches if not used.

 

[dieselscout80]

my 20' trailer has jacks at that back that I always use. You can add them on to yours. Makes it so easy and SAFE.

I like these except for the fact that my flail mower sticks out on the right side almost to the outside of my trailer tires.

I wonder if the tube the stand runs through could have the farthest outside cut of so the stand could be removed, but still be pinned in place?

The detachable trailer/implement jacks might be better, but the way it hangs down it may get destroyed dragging the end of the trailer on the ground.

 

[JeepHead]

I like these except for the fact that my flail mower sticks out on the right side almost to the outside of my trailer tires.

I wonder if the tube the stand runs through could have the farthest outside cut of so the stand could be removed, but still be pinned in place?

The detachable trailer/implement jacks might be better, but the way it hangs down it may get destroyed dragging the end of the trailer on the ground.

My jacks rotate horizontally when not in use so that they don't protrude past the top side edge of the trailer.

 

[grsthegreat]

The sliding jack stand works ok, until you all heavy load and they get stuck tight. Thats why i like adjustable ones. But i weld, so its no big deal. But any welding shop can do this in a few minutes.



BIG RED 2000 LBs Capacity Weld on Pipe Mount Swivel Trailer Jack, ATR39003R Amazon.com

 

[dieselscout80]

My jacks rotate horizontally when not in use so that they don't protrude past the top side edge of the trailer.

I meant how the handle hangs down and would get bent up in fields/off road.

I guess I could unpin them and put them in my toolbox.

 

[grsthegreat]

I just bungee corded mine up.

 

[gstrom99]

That might work well welded on to a landscape rake for storage too!

Yes, I've bought extra for just that...

 

[gstrom99]

I like these except for the fact that my flail mower sticks out on the right side almost to the outside of my trailer tires.

I wonder if the tube the stand runs through could have the farthest outside cut of so the stand could be removed, but still be pinned in place?

Mine didn't need to be as long as they were. I cut off the top 4" or so. They DO stick up a little, but not enough to be in the way.

 

[BigBlue1]

As others have noted, you definitely want to do something to support the rear of the trailer as you drive onto it. It isn't good for the truck to be lifted like that and on an incline the truck could end up rolling away if it isn't in 4x4 mode. Like this: