[VAL] Moving a trailer by hand

["Al G." <waymark1@xxxxxxxx>]

After reading the discussion regarding moving a trailer without having a
tow vehicle hitched to it, I am concerned that someone might get the idea
that it can be safe to move one on other than level ground.
I would not trust wheel chocks/blocks to stop a trailer that is already
moving downhill. Dr. J pointed this out.
I have pulled a trailer, even an 8,000+ lbs one, away without removing
the blocks. They hardly slow the trailer down. With two axle trailers
each wheel will roll over a block with half as much effort as a single
axle trailer of the same weight, within the limits of the equalizers
(twin rubber torsion axles have no equalization).
Once I pulled a trailer away without removing the wheel locks. They gave
no perceptible resistance. The locks were broken and spit out from
between the tires.
Depending on pulling the breakaway cable or using an improvised switch or
rheostat to control the trailer brakes sounds like a good way to wreck a
trailer or get oneself injured or killed.

Using a caster wheel on the bottom of the tongue jack ram on a heavy
trailer is practical only on a smooth hard surface. The tongue jack is
not intended to withstand large lateral forces. The ram, column or
mounting plate can be bent surprisingly easily by lateral force, such as
holding a trailer on a hill by the jack or towing the trailer without
sufficiently retracting the jack ram. If the trailer is gotten rolling
and then the little wheel catches in a rough or soft spot in the surface
the jack may be bent.

Heavy trailers should never be left sitting unhitched without having the
wheels blocked/chocked even on what you are sure is dead level ground.
High winds can shove a trailer, even dragging the tongue jack ram along
the ground.
Al