Would you try this?

[SlowPoke]

I asked this in a post of another thread, but I assume either everyone is still laughing, or missed that it was a question, so I'm gonna try it again.

I was jealous of everyone's X-Chocks, blocks, stops, and everything else, so I tried my hand at making some. Didn't really follow any plans, just went with it.

I didn't have any all-thread and nuts handy so I opted for a temp fix. Ratchet straps. Take a look and let me know your opinions... should I toss it and not make another for the other side, or go forward!!??

Any comments, no matter how brutal. I know what it looks like at the moment, but if it's functional I'll neaten it up.

[Htfiremedic]

Would that he two 4x4's with 45's on each end? If so, I had considered the same thing.
Have you tried the out???

[chartrand]

Remove the ratchet straps and you have a pretty standard chock. Add the straps and you get a better wheel fit at the expense of looking ghetto. Personally I would not do this, but functionally it should work fine.

[SlowPoke]

LOL, well, if you've seen my other mods and throw togethers, you'd say I'm pretty "Ghetto"...

It's hard to see behind the skirting, but there ARE actually two blocks, 1 top and 1 bottom.

I'm going for the wheel lock function, and it actually worked pretty well, but If I continue, I'll use Festus2's ideas from another thread about cutting some grooves and lines to give better grip at the angle.

I'll just ratchet strap until I get some more all thread and hardware...I hate to buy something I know I have in my shed, (The Black Hole). Just gotta find it...but the straps are working well in place until after the "maiden voyage" when I'll have more time to dig.

And yes, it is 2 4X4's with rough 45's cut on each end.

[michol02]

I think it's a pretty good doomahickie. I'm thinking you can weld a big knob on one end of the all thread and countersunk threads in one of the blocks(kinda like the ones on store bought ones) so you don't have to use a tool to tighten or loosen it. Just throwin some ideas out there.:D

[tdawg]

I made a set of those but i used a chain binder in the center. It works

[cabinfever]

I was thinking of buying the standard X chock, because they are half the cost of the large size, then adding wooden "shoes" to make up the distance. I like what you did. Add a couple hooks on the top and bottom, add a turn buckle, weld a nice size handle on the turn buckle, paint all flat black. Hmmm, I may just do that!

[KenBob]

If it works, more power to you! Ghetto, Shmetto! Thrift and ingenuity are a good thing.

[Ruffus]

LOL, you guys are over thinking this, two large rocks placed in front of or behind the tire has always worked for me.:dizzy::dizzy::thumbsup:

[geo]

LOL, you guys are over thinking this, two large rocks placed in front of or behind the tire has always worked for me.:dizzy::dizzy::thumbsup:

Ruffus -

That would be the "Geology Solution" and I highly approve.

Slowpoke -
I think what would complete the picture is a logging chain wrapped around the chocks tensioned with a large come-along painted Day-Go Orange! :D

Ron

[Jim W]

I do not know if what you have will expand against the tires enough to take the suspension movement that occurs in the camper as you walk about in the camper. But they will keep the camper from moving.

That is what I like about the x-chocks; I can expand them against the tires and eliminate the shaking of the camper when walking in the unit do to the suspension movement that occurs. I was trying to eliminate this motion and so far the x-chocks work great. If we where permanent campers who did not move about or lived in the camper year round. I would probably buy the stabilizers that secure to the legs and frame but where not so the x-cocks work for me.
Jim W.

[Festus2]

Slowpoke -
I've made myself a pair of wheel chocks using some scrap 4x4's and a threaded piece of 1/2" steel rod plus some washers and nuts.

If you go to these two sites, you can see the photos complete with directions on how to make them.

They are really easy to make, almost free, and work well. Like other commercially-made ones, you have to install them "upside down" to be able to use a ratchet to turn the tightening nut. No straps to fiddle around with. Have a look - you might like what you see.

www.rverscorner.com/chocks.html
www.dutchmenowners.org/forums/f26/wheel-chocks-homemade-75.html

[Comptech]

I was looking at these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BAL-X-CHOCK-2-PACK-28012-RV-CAMPER-TRAILER-/171003080766?pt=Motors_RV_Trailer_Camper_Parts_Acc essories&hash=item27d093f03e&vxp=mtr
And wondered how well the work. I already have stabilizer bars installed. Would these be best on a TT?

[Festus2]

If you already have stabilizers - like JT Strong Arm/Steadyfast- or something similar - then you might not notice any further improvement by adding the Bal-X-Chocks.

[Comptech]

That is what I thought...;)

[SAABDOCTOR]

:rofl:THE good thing about that set up is looks, Robbin Hood stole from the rich with that look your safe!!LOL

[mikell]

I was at the rental place the other day and they had pink tie downs. Nobody would tease you then.

[SlowPoke]

Actually, I was thinking of painting the blocks pink with polka dots, then maybe a leopard print furry set of straps...:p I figure, It can't make the value of the neighborhood go down, and after all, cheapness is the best theft deterrent available! No body wants my JUNK! LOL!!

All good input and in good spirits, Festus2, I'll check out your recommendation.

In case you're wondering, YES it was just a test, to see what else I could come up with laying around, but it did seem to work pretty well, I'm thinking I coul've cut another 1" or so off the ends to make a tighter fit between top and bottom giving a better grip more towards center of the tires. Originally tried just one strap but it seemed too flimsy, and looked as if it would come loose under the right conditions.

I COULD just go buy something, but I find enjoyment in exercising the brain, and building upon what I see others do. Kinda like the ole commercial...

"We're 3M, we didn't invent it, we just made it better!!"
Thanks for all your inputs!!!
Viva la Reverse Engineering!

[502monte]

I use a piece of althread between two pieces of pressure treated 4X4 with 45 degree cut on both ends works great and did not cost mea penny, wood from a friend and althread from work.:)

[SteveC7010]

I made this set up several years ago and still use it on the Cougar. I used 1/2" threaded rod and then fancied it up a bit with the 1/2' eye bolt and coupling. I've got a racheting 3/4" box end wrench that is just super for tightening this up.

Helpful hint: If you place any of these compression style chocks (DIY or store bought) when you site your trailer, go back with the wrench several hours later after the tires have cooled. You will be amazed at how much the tires shrink as they cool down.

http://www.keystoneforums.com/attachments/photobucket/img_70329_0_7fb41ee79a969f3de378f9e2f42dd3b9.jpg

[cabinfever]

I use a piece of althread between two pieces of pressure treated 4X4 with 45 degree cut on both ends works great and did not cost mea penny, wood from a friend and althread from work.:)

I'm thinking depending on the space between tires, the degree of cut will vary. I cut mine at 30 degrees for a snug fit. My cost was the use of materials that have been around for awile and I made a set for both sides. Total time to make both sets...cut 4x4s, weld tightening handles, and paint...1 hour.

[Htfiremedic]

I'm working on mine between fire calls. We had five today. Our neighbors to the south lost their station to a fire yesterday, so we are helping pick up for them.
Anywho, I have the holes drilled and the stock cut. I hope to finish tomorrow and test them this week! We leave Wednesday after Easter for a trip to Chimney Rock, NC!
May have a chill at night, but....it's a among trip!!

[Myyke]

you could always use a screw attached to the blocks as well. when you "unscrew the jack" the blocks would tighten.
i also use them as extra levelers on my old trailer, and gonna use a few to help hold up my slides on new trailer, as slides are gonna be out full time.

i get mine from a scrap vehicle dealer for around $10 a jack. they always seem to come in handy.

[SlowPoke]

OH YEAH, just remembered to update this thread as to the last trip we took and how the "Ghetto-Chocks" worked.

I waited til later in the evening (after dark) to set the chocks in place as I had some very experienced and "Nosy" neighbors very close around me...I already had enough embarrasement earlier while trying to pull through a site that wasn't really designed to "pull-through" ROFL...

They worked GREAT, my DW and MIL could tell as soon as I tightened the straps, that the chocks did the job. I do plan on putting the bolts through eventually, rather than using the ratchet straps, but much to my and DW's surprise, they really did work.

Of course the "Old timer" next door finally caught a glimpse of 'em 2 days later, and just had to throw his "experience" into the mix...he was actually pretty impressed with them, as cheap as they looked, that he wanted to take a test walk in my TT and commented how well they were working.

Just goes to show ya, use what ya got, and you'll get by just fine. Ya don't need all the high dollar gizmos when you can slap together a "Ghetto-Version" to get you through... :) (for now....)

[cvizgo]

4x4 treated timber, 2 3/4" pipe clamps

[cvizgo]

Works in the driveway. We will see on next camping trip.

[SteveC7010]

Works in the driveway. We will see on next camping trip.

They should work well for you. Don't forget to go back and tighten them up again several hours after you park and set up. The tires will cool and shrink quite a bit.

[cvizgo]

Thanks Steve. I read that on your post from before. Do you use any chocks on the ground anymore or do you just use the clamps on both sides?

[Stublejumper]

Canadian tire sells another version of x- choke for about 20 to 24 Canadian dollars

[BulletOwner1]

I can see how this mod would remedy the back and forth movement but does it do anything for the middle of the trailer bounce? I'm thinking about getting landing gear jacks and mounting in the middle just forward of the front axle.

[mrmojo]

I built two of these for our hideout. I used pressure treated 4x4's and some half inch threaded rod. When tightened down there is NO sway inside the trailer. And best of all, they cost me nothing to make !!!

[Milehi]

Thanks Steve. I read that on your post from before. Do you use any chocks on the ground anymore or do you just use the clamps on both sides?
You definitely need to use standard chocks as well........