Skid Pads

2 DA WDS · 10-22-2009, 12:41 PM

Just a curiousity.

I emailed DRV to ask if my unit, 05 RE3, was supposed to have skid pads on it. They said that DRV has never put skid pads on their units.

How many of you have skid pads from the factory on your unit??

Have any of you added skid pads??

bstark · 10-22-2009, 12:47 PM

Nope, none on this rig from the factory.

I had a pair of heavy duty swivel dolly wheels on our previous rig and simply didn't need them. Dragging the bum (whether first contact be a skid pad or the fiberglass) is going to have a bad outcome regardless if protecting that fiberglass is your desire or not. Think of the torque applied to the frame if you ground one rear corner. Better to not have that false sense of security and just be extra vigilant about where you take the trailer. Opinion only!

golf_bears · 10-22-2009, 02:10 PM

I have a set of skid pads on the rear of my RV. They are part of the bike rack sub structure I had DRV install when I ordered the RV. Works fine if you come in low on the rear of the RV. No problems yet and I know I have dragged the rear a few times.

I suspect as the leaf springs get older and from all the flexing they start to sag and the rear end gets lower. Not sure how much at this point, my unit is only a 2008. Didn’t measure the rear ground clearance when it was new.

Huck · 10-22-2009, 05:18 PM

I also have skid pads from the factory that are fastened/welded to the plates that the 1 1/4" hitch/bike rack receiver is bolted to.

I have dragged them a few times.

rjohnsonnm · 10-22-2009, 07:20 PM

My 2004 36RS3 has them. It's #0925, so they obviously put them on the early models. BTW, it wasn't a special order.
Ron

RickandJanice · 10-22-2009, 07:49 PM

We also have the skid plates on our 2006 32TK3 along with the 1 1/4" hitch.

Motor31 · 10-23-2009, 10:30 AM

We used to have a small hitch for the bike rack on our rig. Because of the lousy welding job (small tack spots, no penetration and only welding rod slag to hold) it removed itself on contact with the ground and then re inserted itself through the back cap of the trailer.

Now we have a professionally done larger hitch for towing our Jeep behind the trailer. It does not stick down very far and seems to stay clear almost all of the time.

Jim Keefer · 10-24-2009, 10:47 AM

It looks to me that when a hitch was installed that it included skid pads.. I dont have the hitch and no skid pads.. I pulled out of a steep driveway and scraped the bottom causing the cap to look liked cracked eggshell under the ladder.. I then had welded a pair of steel wheels to the frame.. I still am very careful about pulling in and out of driveways or inclines that may cause drag...

Jim

Thom · 10-24-2009, 11:39 PM

I have a 7k generator mounted on the rear of mine and they really beefed the mount up, dragged it a tad a couple times but so far no problems. rack took the abuse. I have only got about 12 inches clearance at the bottom, of the rack mounts hooked up

Thom

2 DA WDS · 10-26-2009, 02:11 PM

Sorry all, I have been informed by DRV that although some have things under the rear of their trailer that look like skid pads and function like skid pads they are not a duck, I mean skid pads. They are just part of the original bicycle rack hitches and are not intended to be used as skid plates.

**wingnut60** · 10-26-2009, 08:03 PM

Sounds like DRV ought to be in the political arena. They probably didn't want to have anyone possibly think that by hanging something lower than the frame, it might come in contact with the ground below it.
Gotta say tho, the ducks--I mean pads--look that they would surely be good at performing a skid pad test.
Joe

Huck · 10-27-2009, 08:50 AM

They have worked great for me....