Mud & Tongue Caster Wheel Dock

jkjenn

I don't use a "foot" for my tongue, only the caster that came with he T@b. For those of you doing likewise, especially those who boondocks, do you feel the need to put anything under the wheel when camping in a spot that could get like soup if it rained hard? I have a Camco wheel dock, but trying to decide if I need to pack it. I am thinking of this photo @OutbackAZ
posted recently in this thread and some of the spots @PXLated frequents.

Nomad

I use a flat plastic plate - Think it's a leveling pad from a big rig - found it in the middle of the road. It's about a 15" square. Keeps the wheel from sinking into the sand and allows me to still move the hitch around a bit.

Tabaz

Agree with PXLated - wider surface area is best to prevent wheel from sinking. Main wheel chocks and stabilizer bars are enough to keep Tab from moving.

ChanW

We have a couple of 18" squares of 3/4" plywood. 

We've been known to move the tongue around in the mud or deep gravel by moving the plywood, then rolling onto it, then moving the other piece and rolling onto it, etc.

I bought one of those 'wheel docks' while we waited for our Tab to arrive, and have used it once!

T@Balong

I use something similar to the pic you posted Jenn, works very well.   

Nomad

Norm - Other than you can't move it :-)

jkjenn

I'll bite: why would I need to move it after I have it where I want it?

Nomad

Jenn - Haven't you ever need to wrangle your hitch an inch or so when hooking up? If it's set, no go. Now, if you have a backup camera, reflective tape, etc. like Verna so you're dead on the hitch, ok, you're good to go as long as your TV is perfectly level and doesn't roll or settle when put in park - I've never owned one of those myself.

Ratkity

My backup camera is useless in the rain. The camera is in the tailgate latch. Other than that, it does pretty good in daylight and at nighttime. I still need to wrangle the camper at times because so far, no SP has been level with TV hitched (seems to be a slight incline up to the pad. It has just enough angle to need to rock the truck a little to ease the tension.

Ok. I admit it. Sometimes a good mallet whack is necessary (has lithium grease on inside coupler and latch mechanism already). If I'm really ticked off, I threaten it with a claw hammer (Zombies are still undeterred by the violence.. they seem attracted to it.. just beware!).

jkjenn

Yeah, I have a backup camera now and it is so easy to get it lined up, dead-on. It can be a little harder with shadows. I will have to get some reflective tape - that's brilliant!

Verna

I back up my driveway from the south to the north, and there are no shadows. But, when I figured out why I couldn't always hit the spot every time because of shadows that I don't have at home, I put three pieces of reflective tape on the tongue and I can hit it first time, every time....even if the camera is blurry with raindrops. 

jkjenn

Thanks, @Verna. That is another one of your brilliant ideas!

Tonydjd

Hmm wonder what the handles were designed for

Verna

Tonydjd said:

Verna you'll are so funny I thought the handles were put there so we could  move the units over to the TV

Not in my driveway!  There is about a 24" drop in 75', which, while it doesn't sound like much, I'm not getting in front of the T@B going downhill!  Reflective tape and a backup camera are invaluable. 

Tonydjd

Yeah us Flatland people have no clue. we don't even know what snow chains are or know what it means to winterize.

Nomad

Jenn/Verna - Make sure you're always on perfectly level sites or that TV shift will do you in - All it takes is an inch or so and you'll wish you could move it - Guaranteed
I know you two will never let us know of that fail when it happens - it will - None of us like to admit failure :-)

jkjenn

PXLated said:

Jenn/Verna - Make sure you're always on perfectly level sites or that TV shift will do you in - All it takes is an inch or so and you'll wish you could move it - Guaranteed
I know you two will never let us know of that fail when it happens - it will - None of us like to admit failure :-)

You can actually counter that by leaning your weight into the direction you want to hold it or guide it. If it's only an inch or so, that generally works.

mash2

I got one and found it actually increased my problems (couldn't adjust hitch anymore).  Haven't used it in a year and very happy not to....

Verna

I've been known to push on the tongue box to give me a 1/4" that I need. After all of the experience I've had with my sloping driveway, I'm really careful. A fourth knee surgery is something I want to avoid!  Plus, the chocks are never removed until I'm hitched. 

Ratkity

Ugh! Careful with the knees, V!! Nice pict! 

Ratkity

To put tape on, must rub top of coupler clean. I wonder if a T@B genie appears afterwards that can grant wishes? 

Nomad

You both just admitted you need to move that tongue a little once in awhile - Flat plastic pad - Easier, flexible, rollable ... End of story :-)

jkjenn

Thaw wheel doesn't move when I lean into it, just the coupler.

Nomad

IMPOSSIBLE - The two are connected. Other than the jack shaft has some flex :-)

jkjenn

LOL, OK, whatever you say. I must have imagined it.

Nomad

Aren't delusions and illusions and dreams wonderful :-)

ScottG

You all make everything so complicated. I just lift the truck up with a rolling floor jack and position it under the trailer. Sooooo easy.  ;-)

Enough cabin fever. It's finally warm enough up here to get the T@B out of mothballs!

Nomad

Something to be said for simplicity :-)

Tabster

I have one of those docks and use it. Just fine. Lower the castor and ppush the t@b where i want it. Then lower the stabelizers. Now crank up the castor wheel a few inches. Place dock undernath, lower castor into the dock. Easy peasy. 

Nomad

Tabster - Obviously you're not on sand or mud as you probably wouldn't be pushing the T@B around much :-)

Ratkity

I do a great MudMonster impression when I think I can move the T@B around like I used to with my little Reverse TD. LOL. I have yet to try sand. I just fixed one chipped tooth. I can see a faceplant in my future if I try to push anything as heavy as my T@Bitha sunk in the sand. Keeping a 750 lb Harley upright in the road sand from the recent flooding has been adventure enough for my heart.