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There's a Better Way - Fine Homebuilding Reader Quick Tips

Securing Your Double-Axle Trailer at the Job Site

By user-7018076, member

Usually, when you come up to a job site with your enclosed or flat bed trailer, the first thing you do is look for a big rock to shove under a tire. You could do that, and possibly have your trailer roll off the side of a hill, but there’s a better way. đŸ™‚ This tip works for double axle or more trailers.

Using the 2×4 as a wedge against the other tire makes this tip a no brainer.

Here’s what you do. Determine the direction that the trailer would be likely to go (i.e. down hill), and then place the 2X4 between the two tires and under the “back tire”.  Meaning if it is going to roll backward, then place it under the front tire. If it’s going to roll forwards, then place the 2X4 under the back tire. This way, the rolling pressure is jamming the tires together as noted on the photos.The actual size of the 2X4 for my trailer is about 21″ in length; however, it could be anywhere from 18″-24″ depending on the trailer.

I learned this tip from an old body shop owner in Hill City, and once I saw it, I knew that this was the easiest and most secure way to keep a trailer from rolling off.

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