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Tiny House Trailers: X-Chock Tire Locking Chocks


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When you have a tiny house on a trailer you have to prevent the tires from moving after you park it.

You also must properly level it so you don’t end up sleeping on a slant.

These X-Chock Tire Locking Chocks work perfectly for trailers with two axles.

The chocks are adjustable and they lock the trailer tires securely to prevent movement and tilting.

Securing a Tiny House on Wheels After Parking With Tire Locks for the Trailer Tires

Photo Credit Tiny Home Builders

You can even add a padlock to it to prevent your tiny house from being towed away. See what I mean below:

John, thank you so much for pointing this out to me so that I can share it with the community here.

X-Chock Tire Locking Chocks for our Tiny Homes on Trailers?

X-Chock Tire Locking Chocks for Tiny Houses on Trailers

Video Demonstration/Review: How the X-Chock Works

Order the X-Chock from Amazon right here.

Securing a Tiny House on a Trailer with Tire Locking Chocks?

I’ve noticed that all tiny homes on wheels are leveled. I haven’t noticed how people have dealt with the possibility of the tires moving.

What are your thoughts on this solution for securing the trailer home once it’s parked? Would you go with a different solution, or something like this? I’d love to read your thoughts in the comments below.

To learn more about the X-Chock head over to Amazon.com’s product page for it.

What do you think about this tire locking chock? Would you use it? If not, what would you use instead? Let us know in the comments. Thank you!

This post contains affiliate links.

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Alex

Alex is a contributor and editor for TinyHouseTalk.com and the always free Tiny House Newsletter. He has a passion for exploring and sharing tiny homes (from yurts and RVs to tiny cabins and cottages) and inspiring simple living stories. We invite you to send in your story and tiny home photos too so we can re-share and inspire others towards a simple life too. Thank you!
{ 29 comments… add one }
  • et
    February 22, 2013, 11:54 am

    Why not use jacks and then blocks to take the weight off the tires? Better for the tires and no movement.

    • john
      February 22, 2013, 3:03 pm

      I used to own a 26′ travel trailer with double axles, much like the tiny home i’m stocking up lumber to build…
      One night outside Casper Wyoming the RV park i was staying in was hit with a strong thunderstorm, the winds were high enough to rock my 26 footer like a boat…even while attached to my truck. My neighbor wasn’t so lucky, his travel trailer came off the leveling jacks and rolled into a very nice fifth wheel TT…in the morning i spoke with the couple, he had used the standard wheel chocks everyone uses and had the leveling jacks down…even i thought this was sufficient.
      There are a number of ways to secure a trailer, mostly they include simple, cheap, homemade type solutions that are rarely challenged in the real world, but stuff happens…if it were just a trailer, or just your boat, no big deal insurance covers it (hopefully) but when it’s your home…all your worldly possessions and sole shelter…a fool proof, lockable, solution made by pro’s is cheap insurance at under a hundred bucks…cheaper than an insurance déductible at any rate.
      Of course, if you’re going to ‘plant’ your tiny home in one spot long term then there are more permanent solutions such as jacking up the trailer and putting foundation blocks in place underneath the frame. As for those who choose to remain mobile, a set of X chocks are a pretty secure way to keep your home in one place, add a padlock to them and even stealing it becomes quite a challenge.
      I guess it all depends on the individual, the circumstances, the level of trust in your wheel chocks or jack stands…faith is good, stacking the odds is better!!

      • February 23, 2013, 11:45 am

        Thanks John. Excellent points.

  • sunshineandrain
    February 22, 2013, 8:45 pm

    I read about them at Amazon and they sound great. I’m ordering a pair. Thanks.

    • February 23, 2013, 11:46 am

      Cool! Let us know how you like them.

  • Meg & Joe
    February 22, 2013, 10:40 pm

    A trailer lock makes it impossible to steal too. Most Napa’s have them. It was the first thing I bought for my home.

  • Chris&Tiff
    February 23, 2013, 4:06 am

    Picking nits I’m sure but could a theif not remove the valve stems, deflate the tires, pull the jacks, and reinflate in order to steal the trailer

    It sounds like a lot but based on what I had to do the other day to put Slime in my truck tires, this could be done very quickly and without drawing much attention to yourself.

    • sunshineandrain
      February 23, 2013, 4:35 pm

      You are correct in that thieves could do that very thing.

      But, I won’t just be using the X-Chocks for security. I already have a heavy chain running through the wheels and padlocked to itself and I have the tongue padlocked as well with a trailer lock. I’m not about to make it easy for thieves to steal my dream.

      • Jerry
        February 23, 2013, 11:24 pm

        Even a solid chain can quickly be cut through with bolt cutters or a dremel without drawing much attention. A car boot like parking enforcement uses is what I’m considering. Kinda pricey, especially new, but you can find good ones at a decent price on ebay. Note: You need the type that covers the wheel’s lug nuts, so the tire itself can’t be removed, the ones that lock through the wheel rim allow a thief to steal your $30,000 tiny house for the price of some retread tires.

        • sunshineandrain
          February 24, 2013, 11:51 am

          Thanks Jerry. I appreciate the info. I certainly don’t want to lose my home.

  • Mbenzi
    February 23, 2013, 2:57 pm

    I am thinking of 4 jacks, to be mounted permanently on the trailer.
    Each jack has its own 12V motor (but can be maneuvered manually).
    By the flick of a switch they go down and lift the trailer.
    It levels automatically and when you are satisfied, you switch it off.

    If I can provide the system for USD 500 or less – would you buy it?

  • Sandra
    February 24, 2013, 11:27 am

    I had 4 scissor jacks welded to my frame and bought battery powered hammer drill to level the unit. Seems to work fine. I would never park it somewhere it could roll away. It would not hurt to have a GPS locator hidden somewhere in the unit..they are not expensive anymore.

    • Jerry
      February 24, 2013, 10:11 pm

      Possibly the cheapest GPS units these days are used cellphones, which can be found for less than $5o. They also have the added benefit of being able to take video if necessary, and be controlled remotely via PC or other phones/tablets. You can purchase a used pre-paid phone, and get the cheapest plan available (VirginMobile $35/month). With various available apps, you can turn one of these cheapo phones into a full fledged security system for your tiny house! If you use the phone as if it were a land-line, and never remove it from your tiny house, then you definitely could get your money’s worth! There are also some non-smart phones that have GPS ability, I have a friend who has one stashed in his car’s trunk for piece of mind.

      • Sandra
        February 24, 2013, 10:37 pm

        Apple has the pocket finder..sends a signal to your iPad, iPhone, iPod touch etc. under $200.00 and hooks up to any 12 volt system. You always know where your unit is, how fast it is going (hopefully never moving without you). And an alarm to notify you if it does start moving. I personally would buy a system I could install and trust. I would never know if the phone was charged or in the unit.

        • Jerry
          February 25, 2013, 12:18 am

          The idea is to have the phone wired up so it is constantly being charged, just like your pocket finder is hooked up to the 12v system (I’m actually wiring for 12v and 5v), complete peace of mind. You can do everything you mentioned, and have built in video surveillance, and a lot more, all for the cost of a $50 or less used Android phone, and $35/month for service. Hate to bash Apple here, but I refuse to spend $70/month for inferior capabilities, especially when I’m attempting to cut cost in my pursuit of living tiny.

        • Sandra
          February 25, 2013, 12:42 am

          I did not completly research this, but two things come to mind. One, all cell phone tell you to remove the phone when fully charge to avoid damaging the battery and is the charge of the pocket finder really $70. Or it is the charge applied to our device? I do not know these answers, so just asking.

        • sunshineandrain
          February 25, 2013, 2:27 pm

          Sandra, do you have a link /address for the pocket finder? I searched for the term, but came up empty-handed. Thanks.

  • Sandra
    February 25, 2013, 3:40 pm

    Put a ball in the hitch socket and lock it using a security padlock. Hard to hook up if here is a ball in the hitch..thinking out of the box. Lol

    • Jerry
      February 26, 2013, 8:36 pm

      Excellent idea! Cheap, and effective, thanks!

  • Sandra
    February 25, 2013, 3:47 pm

    Will not let me post. World wide web at pocket finder. Com/

    • sunshineandrain
      February 25, 2013, 4:22 pm

      Thanks. I went right to it.

  • Shar Darcy
    February 25, 2013, 8:41 pm

    Some great ideas here guys, good stuff 🙂
    Keeping a mobile permanently plugged into the charger definitely does damage to the battery (life of battery shortens alot here) and sometimes, can also damage the phone (a dodgy battery, or one that is on its way out, can create alot of heat while on charge and phones arent too fond of constant heat)…I am not a pro in anything technical (as you would have already guessed by my ramblings lol) however, have had a fair bit of experience with phones, their batteries and some things they dont tend to “like”.

    The thing that really gripes me these days is what people will steal…I understand that in some places that have it really tough, people struggle to survive without the basic needs to live day to day and this can in turn send people into the crime circle (not all places or people are like this though)…But for most theives, they arent in that type of situation and yes Im not niave to the fact that they steal to sell and make a “quick buck” so to speak…I just struggle to understand how people can do this kind of thing, especially homes (trailers, vans, cars etc), medical equipment etc and NOT have even the smallest trail of guilt or remorse.

    As a child, we used to go camping alot and I always felt safe and didnt think twice before venturing off to explore etc. Yet as an adult now with three of my own squids (sorry, children lol) and the way the world is nowdays, the thought of taking my three camping doesnt leave me with that same feeling of safety that I had years ago.

    For a few years now I have wanted to buy a vintage caravan, do it up and use it for travelling and also an extra room/space when not used for travel. I have also been looking at Geodesic Dome homes and A-Frame homes, possibly to be built on some land away from the city. Im signing up to this site, it has some amazing homes and ideas on here, well done Alex and everyone who contributes here, this is an awesome site 🙂

    P.S: I recently rescued a dog from being put down, gorgeous mutley she is and also a big mutley too, Im hoping she doesnt get travel/car sick as she is a great guard dog lol…a possible deterent to would be theives 😉

  • Sandra
    February 26, 2013, 4:41 pm

    Shar/Darcy.. The idea I had of putting a ball in your hitch will work. I talked to a friend. Cut or strip the shaft of the ball, rendering it useless to bolt down. Use a ball one size smaller than you normally use. Use a security padlock to lock it in place. Then no one can hook up to your unit. Easiest thing ever. Also you mentioned geodisic domes. We have used the kits from Stromberg chickens (found on line) they use up to 9 foot lengths of 2×4. Very sturdy. They make a really nice size room. You can easily connect two together for living and sleeping space.

    • Shar Darcy
      February 27, 2013, 11:01 pm

      Hi Sandra 🙂
      Thanks for the info and also about Stromberg, will look into it.
      Cheers for that 🙂

    • Laura
      July 27, 2014, 4:50 pm

      I’m a little confused. When you say put a ball in the hitch what exactly are you talking about? Can you describe the type of “ball” you’re thinking of?

      I just bought a tiny home and am working now on leveling and securing it. It seems a daunting task you don’t want to do wrong but I find very little online that is a step by step for newbies who don’t have a strong sense of how these things work.

      I’ve got 4 scissor jacks and jack pads in addition to the jacks it came with. Tire chocks and wood and the trailer itself has it’s own system for raising and lowering the hitch via a built in jack like device with a wheel on it. Anybody recommend a video tutorial that goes for a couple of minutes not sped up so I can see how it’s done?

  • Toby
    April 24, 2014, 7:29 pm

    I don’t get it…. Couldn’t you just let the air
    out of the tires and let the chocks fall off then
    w/a 12 volt compressor pump the tires up
    again? Just sayin’…..

  • Sandra
    July 27, 2014, 5:00 pm

    Use a hitch ball. They are on the thing your trailer hooks on to.. You get one a size smaller and lock it in the socket. You have to cut off the bolt end tho. Use a padlock to lock it in place. If they really want to steal your unit. They will.

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