I'm shopping for a pair of chocks for our soon-to-be '93 U280 40'. I'd like your thoughts about these aluminum chocks. They are supposed to be "Made in the USA", which is a good thing. I'm just not sure if the size (or shape) is suitable, so what say you?
Blaylock Aluminum Wheel Chock - Qty 1 Blaylock Industries Wheel Chocks BLAWC-5 (http://www.etrailer.com/Wheel-Chocks/Blaylock%20Industries/BLAWC-5.html)
All comments appreciated.
They may work. They are 8" wide. I would make sure they are at least as wide as the tread on your tires. I guess if I were parking on a slope, something like these would add an extra measure of safety.
Roger
CAJK, No chock will work safely on soft ground . Make sure that when backing into a set of chocks that they center on the tire and that ground is hard enough that chock is not pushed into the ground. Remember that you are putting thousands of pounds weight on the chock plus the pushing force of a big diesel. Don't ask how I know that. :-(
Gary B
Here's what I use. You can pick them up at any truck supply store. Our parking brake works fine but I like the peace of mind when stopped on a steep slope.
jor
Thanks, JOR. I like the looks of those chocks. I was thinking the aluminum ones might be a little lighter, but wasn't sure how well they would hold on a hard surface, like concrete. The rubber material would probably be a better bet. Do they smell like "Chinese rubber" when you first get them? Hate that smell...
I almost killed myself working on a Georgie Boy by not having it chocked. A long story. My FT seems to be an accident waiting to happen. No transmission park pawl. Parking brakes only on the rear wheels and doubt if they will hold on a steep hill, especially if the springs that activate the park brake are weak or the slack adjusters out of adjustment. Any chock will be better than nothing, but the larger they are the better they are. The other hazard is that the park button on the dash can easily be bumped off by a dog, child, or anyone else including the driver. I notice the firemen here in Austin chock their firetrucks every time they get out of the vehicle.
Cajk, I got mine at Harbor Freight, same ones as Jor. Work well but you must still remember they are only chocks.
Richard B
From Foretravel factory to fire departments, utility companies, everyone chocks their wheels as soon as they get out of the cab. The parking brake will not hold on much of a grade. Harbor Freight makes pretty good sized rubber chock. Always buy two and connect them with a short poly line. That way, once you have chocked in front and behind the wheel, you can't drive off and forget one. The HF chocks fit nicely in the retractable stair compartment with just enough clearance to slide them in.
I remember the post a few months ago about the big SOB that the owner forgot to chock at a rest stop on I-5 up on the Grapevine. Rolled back over the edge and down the mountain.
Pierce
I bought a pair of truck chocks that met OSHA specs. Big heavy rubber ones. My olfactory perception is not refined enough to determine the rubber's country of origin :D but here is a Grainger link: GRAINGER APPROVED VENDOR Wheel Chock, 7 1/4 In W x 7 5/8 InH, Black - Wheel (http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/Wheel-Chock-1GUL2?Pid=search)
I'm sure I purchased elsewhere though.
One roll away coach was new owner, day one drive home, after a couple of days learning and gathering supplies for the multi day trip. He got out and was enjoying the views, turned around and NO coach to be seen. It was a Bluebird BMC, 38'. Photos showed it hundreds of feet down into the valley. Later photos in the wrecking yard showed the chassis sitting next to the walls and ceiling pieces stacked on the ground. Luckily no one was in the coach when it rolled off the cliff.
I have a yellow plastic chock, sort of destroyed, as a reminder. I had left my coach for repair, and it was not removed before the test drive. And yes it was on the "to do before drive list".
Just this morning I took the handy rope off and put another one in the bay.
Just smell like rubber. I wasn't aware that Harbor Freight carries them. Probably the best price. I think I'll do as Pierce suggested and tie them together. Good tip.
jor
I too like the HF rubber ones.
Search results for: 'chocks' (http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=chocks)
The yellow plactic ones just seem too flimsy.
I have a pair of the single sided ones tied together with parachute cord.
In close to 50 years of being an OO and driving millions of miles, if you are not parking on flat ground you need to be. NEVER park on an incline.
When you pop that big yellow button and whatever you are driving does not take a set (you have brake issues too), you need to move to flat ground.. then chock (if you feel it is necessary). pc
Ask Dave Cobb about the yellow plastic ones ! !
Yep, I left the coach on a level parking lot. The test drive after work done on the engine, required them to use some bit of throttle to drive over the yellow chock. I had mentioned it was there, but it did not keep them from driving away. And when I returned to get the coach, it was less than half the normal height.
Dave, problem solved!
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I use wheel chocks when parked on any incline it's just the safe thing to do. I also from time to time brake torque { just a little gas } with the parking brake on to check it's holding power. The parking brakes on my 295 are designed to hole at least 8,000 lbs. The braking power of the spring brakes depends on the rear brakes being in adjustment { and not overheated } If the rear brakes are not adjusted and working correctly neither the parking brakes nor the emergency brake system will work , and you can't chock the rear wheels at 70 MPH. Gam