Safety is the most important thing you should consider when going on a trip on your recreational vehicle (RV). That’s why you should always have a wheel chock handy. This wedge-shaped sturdy equipment can prevent your RV from accidentally moving when parked. This is particularly important when parking in uphill areas and slippery slopes. Wheel chocks can help avoid accidents, injuries, and property damages.
Wheel chocks come in many types in the market. But you need to choose the best one. You should find a high-quality wheel chock that suits your budget and needed features. In my experience as an owner of many vehicles, I have tested many types and brands of wheel chocks. And now I have come to learn the ten best RV wheel chocks currently available in the market. I know how important this equipment is for people’s safety. So I want to share with this list with you.
- Pros
- Lightweight
- The material is sturdy plastic
- Features rubber pads for additional grip
- The interior is reinforced for improved durability
- Cons
- Small and may be difficult to see if placed at the middle of the wheel
- Edges are sharp
- Cannot be used for large wheels
- Pros
- With grooves for added security
- Heavyweight for added grip
- Made of high-grade rubber material
- Durable
- Cons
- A strong rubbery scent
- Pros
- Durable
- Suitable for 29-inch tires
- Suitable for heavy vehicles, like pickup trucks
- Lightweight
- Cons
- Does not have a hole to tie a rope
- Pros
- Protects your suspension from damage
- Stabilizes RV to minimize rocking
- Very strong grip
- Made of thick and durable metal
- Coated to prevent rusting
- Comes with a wrench
- Cons
- Difficult and time-consuming to install
- More expensive than regular chocks
- Can’t be used for vehicles with short tire spacing
- Pros
- No strong rubbery scent
- Great for sedans and dual-axle RVs
- Good ribbing design
- Packaged in pairs
- Cons
- More expensive
- Cannot be used for tires of 18 inches or more in size
- Pros
- Very stable grip and hold
- Made of durable material
- Lightweight
- Cheaper than some other brands
- Cons
- A little bit of a hassle to fix in place and remove
- Not suitable for steeply reclined vehicles
- Pros
- Effectively stabilizes
- Works well if you have a trailer with its wheel skirt extended
- Made out of coated metal to avoid rust formation
- Cons
- It is difficult and time-consuming to install and remove
- Cannot replace traditional chocks
- Cannot prevent the movement or rolling of tires
- Pros
- The material is solid
- Made of high-quality, durable rubber
- Very affordable
- Small, so it doesn’t take up much space
- Very good grip on concrete and asphalt
- Cons
- Strong rubbery smell
- Pros
- Reinforced at the middle
- Good for smooth and slippery surfaces
- Very cheap
- Suitable for use in the winter
- Ribbed on the surface
- Very easy to remove because of the nylon string
- Cons
- Not that durable
- Needs to be hammered into position
- Pros
- Good for use with RVs, trailers, and trucks because of its steep incline
- Good height and weight
- Great grip on rough or smooth surfaces
- Can be used on all types of weather
- Cons
- Strong rubbery scent
What to Look for When Buying a Wheel Chock for your RV
There are many factors to look into when selecting the most suitable wheel chock for your RV. Price alone won’t be a good indicator of the quality of a chock. You should definitely consider price but also look into other matters, as discussed below.
The durability of the material
Given that chocks are tools to ensure safety, it is crucial to ensure that they will not easily break down. Flimsy chocks are definitely dangerous. So you should consider what material is used to construct the chock. Is the material durable enough to withstand rough conditions? Will it work in different weathers? Or will they easily crush when you roll them over?
In the case of conventional wheel chocks, I suggest that you find one made of high-grade, thick rubber or high-quality, thick, and durable plastic. For X-chocks, those made of steel and coated to prevent rusting are preferable.
Size of the chock
Before you buy a wheel chock, you should determine the size that you need. Remember that chocks are usually not standard in size. The sizes differ based on the size of your wheels and spacing between wheels. Buying one with the wrong size will be you should ensure that the height of the chock is not less than a quarter the size of your vehicle’s wheel. For some of the newer wheel chocks, small ones can be used to support large tires. Make sure to do some research before buying one.
If you own a tandem-wheel vehicle and choose an X-chock, be sure to check the length of tire spacing. Also check if the X-check can be securely fit inside. Wheel space lengths greatly vary in tandem wheels. You should make sure to buy locking wheel chocks that are perfectly suitable for the spacing of your vehicle’s tires.
Maximum GVWR
X-chocks can only handle a specific maximum GVWR. So you should make sure to choose an X-chock that can handle your vehicle’s load. Things can go wrong if the weight of your vehicle exceeds this value. This can break the wheel chock, which is dangerous for you, your vehicle, other people, and other properties.
Stabilization feature
This is one thing you should consider if you’re planning to buy an X-chock or a tire locker. You should choose one that can effectively reduce the rolling and rocking of your vehicle. This is important in order to protect your wheel suspension.
Convenience in use
I suggest that you get a chock that will be convenient to install for you and any of your family members or friends. I find many types of wheel chocks to be a hassle to position. Of course at first, you may find that X-chocks are complicated to install. But it will be easy once you get the hang of it.
Gripping power
Before you buy a wheel chock, be sure to first know how strong it can hold or grip the ground and your vehicle’s wheels. I prefer wheel chocks with ribbings on their surface. It is also preferable to get one that works on both rough and smooth surfaces.
Functionality
When choosing a wheel chock, the additional features that come with it are also things to consider. This is because these features may add to your convenience. Examples of which are the presence of handles or nylon cords so you can easily remove it, reflective tapes, or having its own wrench included.
In addition to how much you pay for a wheel chock, these factors are important things to consider when choosing the wheel chock that will best suit your needs.
RV Wheel Chock FAQ
How important are wheel chocks?
I would say that if you own an RV, then having a wheel chock handy is extremely necessary. This is to ensure safety and prevent property damage due to accidents. I know some people prefer to make their own wheel chocks. However, commercially available wheel chocks are designed to ensure your safety. So if you don’t have much experience in doing DIY constructions, then I suggest that you just buy a high-quality wheel chock. Using a substandard wheel chock will be very dangerous for you, for other people, your vehicle, and other properties.
How many wheel chocks should I buy for my RV?
The number of chocks you need will largely depend on the class or type of chock you will use.
X-chocks should be used in pairs in order to balance the vehicle. This type of chocks is used only on tandem wheels. If you use an X-chock, you may need to get a pair of regular wheel chocks to keep your wheels from slipping while you’re busy installing the X-chock.
For conventional wheel chocks, you should know that the number of chocks will depend on how heavy your trailer is and the weight the chock can support. You should get at least one pair of chocks for your back wheels. But if your vehicle is heavy or fully loaded, then you may need to buy four.
Can you make RV wheel chocks at home?
Some RV owners prefer to make their own RV wheel chocks. You can do this if you have the skills necessary to create a sturdy and effective wheel chock. You can save much of your money this way. Here are some techniques on how to make different types of wheel chocks.
Traditional Wheel Chocks
Traditional DIY wheel chocks are not hard to construct and are usually made of wood blocks. For this purpose, you preserve the wood by treating it with salt. You can also just buy wood blocks that are already pressure-treated. But you must ensure that you measure it accurately.
Depending on the size of the wheels of your vehicle, you should get the correct chock size. Preferably, the chock’s height should measure 25% of that of your wheels. You can adjust the thickness on
I would suggest that you stick rubber pads underneath the chock to add some stability and create friction. This is because wood does not provide much grip.
X-chocks
X-chocks are preferable over traditional wheel chocks for tandem-wheel vehicles. However, this is a much more complicated process and would require some prior experience.
First, prepare the following materials:
- Caliper or ruler
- Drill
- Cutting tool
- 4 galvanized nuts
- 3 galvanized washers
- 3 large galvanized flat washers
- 1 salt- or pressure-treated wood measuring 4 inches x 4 inches. Measure the space between the tires. This will serve as the length of the wood.
- 1 piece of 0.5–0.625 inches of threaded rod
- 1 tube of Loctite or other similar adhesives
- 1 chalk or other markers
Follow these steps to make the X-chock:
Making measurements
First, you should know which part of the tire you would want to position the top area of your upper block. Mark that part with your chalk. From the marking, measure 4 inches with the ruler and mark that point. You should then mark the point in the wheel that is horizontal to this second mark. You can use a level to assist you. You should then perform the same step for the other wheel with the use of a level. This ensures that the markings on both of the wheels are at the same level.
The next step is to determine the measurement of the space between the two marks on both the top and bottom of the wheels. Be sure to write them down so you won’t forget.
Preparing the wood
After you’ve determined the measurements you will need, draw the two measurements on the wood. You should ensure that the centers of the measurements are vertical in alignment. For example, if you determined the space between your wheels at the upper part to measure 10 inches, then the center should be 5 inches. So if the space between your wheels at the lower part measures 5 inches, then the center must be 2.5 inches.
With your chalk, you should then place a mark at the ends of both the upper and lower measurements. You should then connect the leftmost end point of the upper to the lower measurements by drawing a straight line. Do the same for the right part. This line will serve as your wood’s angle that you will be cutting.
Cutting the wood
So now that you’ve properly marked the wood, you can now cut it following the markings. You should then check the wood under your wheels to ensure that they fit well. If everything’s good, then create another one following the same steps. You can use sandpaper or other tools to file and smoothen your wood.
Drilling the wood
Find the corners on the upside surface, and mark the intersection by drawing 2 lines across each corner. On a stable surface, you should then drill a hole on the center. Follow the same procedure on the downside surface. To check if you did this step properly, check the 2 holes if they are on the center.
Cutting the rod
First, you should know how long the rod should be. You may need to ask for assistance from your friend to do this. Position the 2 blocks you’ve made at the top and bottom of your wheels. Then determine the length that runs from the upside surface of the upper block to the downside surface of the lower block. You should then add about 4 inches so you can adjust it later. Then cut this rod.
Assembly of the X-chock
Now that everything’s prepared, you can now assemble your DIY X-chock.
First, hold a nut and slather some adhesive on it. Place it at about 1–2 inches from one of the ends of your rod. When it’s positioned to exactly where it’s intended to be, you can further add adhesive to really make it stick.
Second, you should then insert a locking washer plus a flat washer to the other long end of your rod. At this point, the nut should already be stably positioned on the rod.
Third, hold a block and place the long part of the rod into the hole. You should ensure that the large surface of the block faces the washers and nut.
Fourth, you should then insert and screw down one piece of a flat washer, one piece of locking washer, and one piece of nut in this sequence. Make sure that they are tightly screwed. You can then add another nut for added security.
Finally, get your other block and insert it with the small surface first. You should then insert one piece of flat washer, one piece of locking washer, and one piece of nut on this sequence. Now you need not consider the height of how you position them in the rod because this is the top portion of the chock. This part must be adjustable.
Now that you’ve fully assembled your X-chock, you should test it on your tandem wheelsets. Before you tighten it, you should ensure that the lower part of your chock is securely positioned on the wheels. If everything is good, you can make another set of chocks so you own a pair to balance out your vehicle.
What is the proper way to install a wheel chock for my RV?
Using conventional wheel chocks is very easy. You just need to position them securely against the tires of your vehicle. However, some wheel chocks need some hammering down. Others can just be backed up with your vehicle until it stops.
X-chocks are a little bit complicated to install. But it’s still fairly simple. You just need to position it between your vehicle’s wheels and adjust it for secure fitting. It depends on what type of chock you’re using. You should refer to the manual before using it.
Conclusions
If you own an RV, you should give high importance on safety. You should not compromise it by not buying a wheel chock for your vehicle. A good chock is definitely a necessary accessory. It will be handy, especially on stormy weather and slippery slopes. This will prevent accidents, injuries, and damage to property from occurring.
So you should invest in high-quality wheel chocks. It will be worth your money. Among the products I’ve listed, my favorites are the 28005 Deluxe Tire Chock by BAL and the 70472 Wheel Chock by MaxxHaul. These two have proven to be efficient in stabilizing and keeping the wheels of my vehicles from rolling or slipping. I had a lot of experience in using them. So far, they haven’t failed me even once.
I hope you enjoyed reading this review and found this helpful. You can know more about choosing the top RV and trailer wheels and tires in my other articles.