By Cheri Sicard
If you are an RV newbie, you might not have ever even heard the term “RV wheel chocks” before, but you need to know this important bit of information.
More seasoned RVers have no doubt run across the term and the tools, along with frequent advice on the vital importance of chocking the wheels on trailers.
That’s because there are no brakes on trailers once you unhitch. And nobody wants a runaway trailer. Wheel chocks ensure that will NEVER happen.
But are you using your RV wheel chocks properly? Do you even have the right kind of wheel chocks?
I confess I did not always have proper wheel chocks. And I wasn’t always using the wheel chocks I had properly. Perhaps you aren’t either.
Luckily, nothing bad happened as a result of my ignorance, but I did learn a lot from the video at the end of this article from Mark Polk of RV Education 101®. I therefore won’t make those mistakes again.
Unless you are a super RV expert, I predict you will likely learn a thing or two as well from the short but informative video below.
Mark talks about various types of wheel chocks, along with the things you should look for or consider when buying chocks, so you can choose the best wheel chocks for your RV.
He also says blocks of wood stuffed behind and in front of your trailer tires, something I used to do, are NOT sufficient wheel chocks. Oops.
Did you know there are even RV wheel chocks that act as theft deterrents? Chock your wheels while preventing RV theft at the same time. Genius!
You will learn the best placement and ways to use RV chocks for maximum safety.
One thing Mark does not discuss, but is a common question, is how many wheel chocks are needed. However, judging from the video demos, it seems that two are sufficient.
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Wondering if the one chock manufacturer wasn’t a sponsor?
Regardless, the point is correct to chock the wheels both forward and backwards and on sides of the trailer. I learned this, fortunately without damage, when soft soil allowed the tongue jack to drag when one side of the trailer could still roll.
X-chocks, the chock in the video and curved levelers all block wheel movement in both directions at the same time. If you use wheeled tongue jack, there is a ‘donut’ chock to halt its movement.
Finally, plastic chocks are date stamped because they have a limited life span – look for it.
I have tried 2-3 different chocks from the plastic ones to the heavy rubber ones.
None really fit properly.
I made my own chocks using 2×6 treated lumber. 3 pieces bolted together.
I traced the contour of the tire on the wood and cut the profile.
A couple coats of spar varnish to protect them.
These fit perfectly and all it takes is a quick tap from my foot to snug them.
I also added strips of rubber on the bottom and piece of nylon strap for a handle.
Never chock a trailer on a grade or incline? Isn’t that what they’re for? More often than not I find that my campsite has an incline.
Thank you for noting and generally discussing Mark’s video, Cheri! It was both helpful and entertaining. Have a great day and safe travels!
Harbor Freight has the best rubber chocks, get on sale for $5 to $6 each. Far better than any plastic junk. Even at $8.00 best going.
Never use plastic. They deteriorate over time, can break since they’re plastic and are not adaptable like wood. I’ve RV’d for 50+ years and always use wood. It will never rot in the time your RV is parked, won’t break and you can’t crush it. You can also use wood “under” the wheels to level your RV and to chock the wheels. It does make perfect chocks. Rubber is also good but now you’ve got an item that adds to the weight you’re transporting down the highway and doesn’t serve a multi-role like wood does. And losing a piece of 2″ X 8″ wood is a lot cheaper than losing a chock. If you have a concern about your RV rolling with wood, put a piece against the face of the tire at a
… at a 45 degree angle and another piece in front of that to hold it in place You will never roll over that.