376THS Too Low (Drags Back End)?

[MLB]

Hi everyone, currently we have an Imagine trailer and looking into the Momentum 376THS, I love the floorplan but I have heard that it has an issue with the back being low and people damaging the back end would like to get feedback from owners of this design to make the decision as to buy it.

[KamFlyer]

It can be an issue if one isn't careful. Having said that, a number of us have decided to be proactive and installed skid plates or rollers to protect the back end.
Our choice was a skid plate.

https://rctravels.rmcd.ca/p/rear-skid-plate.html

[MLB]

Thank you for the info and link

[d2reid]

I have a 2017 376TH. I wore the skid bars down quite a bit in the first year. My dealer installed 2 heavy duty rollers in their place, no problems since. But I am aware of the drag issue and I am careful about where/what I drag over. It is possible to catch the back cap and pull it off. So no dragging over big rocks. When I leave the RV park I am in today I will drag the back end, there is a sign at the park exit about low dip, exit at an angle. So the problem is not unique to the 376's.

[MLB]

Thanks, will check about ordering rollers

[howson]

Hi everyone, currently we have an Imagine trailer and looking into the Momentum 376THS, I love the floorplan but I have heard that it has an issue with the back being low and people damaging the back end would like to get feedback from owners of this design to make the decision as to buy it.

MLB -- Moving this thread to the Exterior channel and will change the title to "376THS Too Low (Drags Back End)?" so future readers can find your question (and the answers) easier.

Howard (Moderator)

[howson]

MLB -- hopefully you can find your thread here!

[gone AWOL]

I fabricated a plate, attached to the cross member 18" back, added another 2" HSS cross member at the rear, and then added two HDPE pads. Works a charm.
Vertical load supported by the extra cross member, drag load goes back to the 2nd cross member and the pads prevent resistance on the road. All bolted connections, no welding.

[Sickday]

We own a 2021 376THS have close to 10,000 miles on it so far.. I am particularly careful when entering and leaving any gas stations, or just about anything off the main road.. So far we haven't had any issues.

[Cate&Rob]

Another solution to this might be to temporarily lift the trailer when crossing conditions that might cause the back end to drag. This could be done with air bags between the axles and frame. With a wireless onboard compressor, this could be accomplished with a remote control from the drivers seat, as is done with the Airlift Wireless One system.

Rob

[GDRV-Megan]

Hello all!

Thanks for your feedback! We are always looking to better our products. I will take this info and pass it along to product and allow them to make a decision on if these suggestions are something we could possibly look into in the future.

[d2reid]

Hello all!

Thanks for your feedback! We are always looking to better our products. I will take this info and pass it along to product and allow them to make a decision on if these suggestions are something we could possibly look into in the future.

Hey Megan, haven't seen too many of your posts recently. Probably because I don't spend as much time on the forum as I used to. Thanks for participating.

Anyway, when you pass the idea on, please point out that we need sliders, not catchers. Something that will smoothly slide over a rock, a curb, or a piece of broken concrete. My original L shaped skid bars looked to be about 3/8 steel, I scraped through them in the first year. Others have caught the edge of the back panel on stuff and had it come loose.

The heavy duty rollers I had put on show definite use but have remained intact.

[gone AWOL]

Hey Megan, haven't seen too many of your posts recently. Probably because I don't spend as much time on the forum as I used to. Thanks for participating.

Anyway, when you pass the idea on, please point out that we need sliders, not catchers. Something that will smoothly slide over a rock, a curb, or a piece of broken concrete. My original L shaped skid bars looked to be about 3/8 steel, I scraped through them in the first year. Others have caught the edge of the back panel on stuff and had it come loose.

The heavy duty rollers I had put on show definite use but have remained intact.

In BC Canada we have lots of ferry crossings and high angle ramps, example coming out of a gas station.
The challenge I always found with any sort of roller or wheel was that they are not really designed for lateral forces. So when they catch the road while the trailers tail end swings out they bend or break.

High Density Polyethylene (I call them Teflon pads as they are super slick) or something similar works really well. If attached correctly, they last forever and can be replaced when ground down. (Certainly cheaper than wheels)

My 2c's....

[maddmaxx457]

I fabricated a plate, attached to the cross member 18" back, added another 2" HSS cross member at the rear, and then added two HDPE pads. Works a charm.
Vertical load supported by the extra cross member, drag load goes back to the 2nd cross member and the pads prevent resistance on the road. All bolted connections, no welding.

gone AWOL That is an excellent idea! Would you care to share any of the dimensions you used for your setup? Interested in what thickness HDPE you went with to create the 'lip' as well as the metal plate. Thanks in advance!

[gone AWOL]

The plate was 1/8th and the HDPE was a 2'x4' slab of 2". Heads-up it's expensive stuff but worth it, very easy to work with and super durable. That stuff slides over blacktop and holds up very well. I made an extra set for future use if these ever get worn out.
As for the plate best if you measure on the trailer, mainly because I don't have the dimensions handy anymore but also you might want to scale it down a bit. I cut a lot of material out to lighten it but once it was on and working I would cut more openings towards the front where the plate has no potential to contact anything. It's not super heavy but as you know weight is a thing on a RV.
Hope you get it sorted.