Blocking Up Your Trailer? - Montana Owners Club

MacDR50 · 02-13-2008, 10:46 AM

I searched but didn't find an OP on this subject. I will be staying put in one location most of this year and into the next. I had a thought that I might block the Monty up rather than have it sit on the tires. I might even consider taking off and storing the wheels and taking steps to keep the braking system protected from the inevitable stickies that result from sitting for months without being used. Any experiences or thoughts on these ideas?

jackel1959 · 02-13-2008, 10:54 AM

I had mine up on jack stands for about a month a while back while doing some work underneath. The one thing I did notice was that the rig was solid as a rock. As far as your other questions, I cannot be any help.

Jack

vickir · 02-15-2008, 11:48 AM

Roger and Bea ... Although it would definitely eliminate the "rockin' and rollin'," you could run into a problem should you have a warranty issue during the time it's on blocks. Additionally, your insurance company might view the Montana as a mobile home rather than an RV during that time.

I could be way out in left field here, but it might be worth checking into.

MacDR50 · 03-13-2008, 01:28 PM

I am bumping this to see if there are any other comments/suggestions etc.

H. John Kohl · 03-13-2008, 03:02 PM

I like the solid idea. I put mine up on blocks (jack stands) front and rear of tires when I stored it for the winter. Now I did have concrete flooring so there was no problem with settling. Settling would be one concern causing unbalanced load distribution.
The insurance issue will have to be researched.
Cheers,

racerjoe · 03-13-2008, 05:28 PM

i would block it solid enough so it doesn't rock and just cover the tires.Just enough to take some weight off of them. That way you have covered any questions about it being permanant or not. The rocking back and forth of these could get old real fast.

Illini Trekker · 03-15-2008, 04:11 AM

I'm now working out of the trailer for the next 8 months and have it on blocks and screw jacks in front and one in back of axles, very stable. I plan on reducing the air in the tires and placing they on wood for the long stay. Roger with the weather here in Illinois I would be afraid to take the tires off. If wind would rock the trailer and cause it fall off the stands the tires would be there to help with support??

richfaa · 03-16-2008, 07:16 AM

Roger.. I think that is a excellent idea for a very long time stay. It would add to the stability of the camper for sure.I do note that of the ones I can see here in this park that are up on blocks the tires are not off the camper.They are however supported on wood blocks so as not to hang off the ground.

MacDR50 · 03-16-2008, 10:03 AM

Thanks all. The suggestions are all good. I think leaving tires on and taking some weight off them by blocking is my best option. The unit will be there in one place for the first 18 months.

flyerone · 03-17-2008, 12:50 PM

Question, when you are jacking the axle up to put the blocks or jack stand's in, are you hooked to the tow vehicle? Just wondering if you should be jacking it up while the front supports are down?

sreigle · 03-18-2008, 12:47 PM

On another thread, one of our members broke the pin in the opposite side landing gear assembly while jacking a wheel on the other side. That alone would give me pause about jacking with the landing gear down. Maybe just a little would be ok.

I do know you should not jack up one side of the trailer with a tripod inplace on the kingpin. That large adjustment screw on a tripod costs $25, parts and labor, at a local machine shop, in 2003.

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