Rear castors?

[bowhunt1977]

The approach to our driveway via town road has a steep short incline onto a bridge. Currently our travel trailer skims the ground when passing thru. Where can I get castors for the back of our new camper, which is a fifth wheel, but about the same over all length. I think the rear bumper might be lower on the fifth wheel.

 

[wingnut60]

I have seen custom skid bars welded to the frame; have seen many types of castors, solid/pivot/large/small; and also a rotating roller that was about 3' long/wide. Lots of ways to handle this, just be careful you don't put too much stress on the frame when the castor/roller/skid takes weight off the wheels as you go over the dip. DON'T mount anything under the bumper...
Joe

 

[bowhunt1977]

Frame mount only! Got it. But where shall I get such things? Is it something that my dealer should be able to do or something that I should have done else where?

 

[wingnut60]

Here is a starting point to give you an idea of what is available. A skid bar may be the simplest way, if you gusset the open area to withstand the forces.

http://www.industrialcasterandwheel.com/

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=castors

Don't skimp on the strength--you will often place a lot of stress on the castor.

 

[17 Oaks]

I have made up some skids for folks with the same issue. They all came in wanting 'wheele bars' and I usually talked them out of it. If you really want wheels then what I strongly recommend is steel rollers 2-3 in in width and about 2" in diameter ATTACHED to the frame. Here is the issue: If you are dragging now and you add wheels they are going to lift up your rig and that can put a MAJOR amount of stress on the frame and possibly even the suspension components.

Then of course some skids make from flat or rounded steel, at least .120 wall unless you are dragging often.