We are always looking for ways to secure our two-wheelers while traveling. So my job is to find new products that will help the ToyHauler Magazine readers accomplish this. The newest thing that I have found is a wheel chock from RLP Racing out of Hummelstown Pennsylvania. The thing that makes this chock special is that it is recessed in the floor and closes up so you never trip over it or have to store it when not in use. What a cool idea!
The RLP custom recessed wheel chock is the brain child of Randy Plyler. It is custom made out of aluminum 356-T6 which is CNC machined. It is anodized for good looks, longevity, and best of all it’s “Made in USA”. The customized straps and hinges that hold the chock together are made of 304 stainless steel which will guarantee that even the heaviest bike won’t cause any problems. The wheel chock is designed to be permanently mounted in the floor of your trailer. With it being recessed with a cover there is no reason to ever remove it. Just close it when you’re using the trailer for something other then two-wheelers. They are available in two sizes, 4 and 5 ½ inch widths to support different kinds of bikes.
The installation was easy; the first thing to do is see where you are going to mount it for your application. I always load everything that I usually take to make sure nothing conflicts with something else. Once you find a spot that you like, look under the trailer and make sure nothing is in the way of the mounting T-nuts. Sometimes you may have to drop a tank or temporarily move something to gain access. Now use the wheel chock as a template tracing the recessed section of the chock on the floor. Next double check to make sure that the mounting screw holes are not going to hit a cross member or any electric lines. Now cut out the hole using a jigsaw or whatever you feel comfortable with. I used a radial arm saw so I could control the depth of the cut. Once you have the hole cut, stick the chock in it. Use a ¼ inch drill bit to drill pilot holes using the chock as a template. Remove the chock and drill 5/16 inch holes that the mounting screws will fit through. Now you need to hammer the T-nuts into the bottom of the wood flooring of the trailer. The way I did this was to use the mounting screws through the floor without the chock in place and then screwed the T- nuts onto them not exposing the threads. Then hit them with a hammer so they would lock into the wood in the perfect spot. Once the six T-nuts are in place reinstall the chock and bolt it down. The whole install took me less then half an hour. Granted there was nothing in the way under this trailer.
To check out the RLP Racing custom recessed wheel chock or to get more information, check them out on the web at www.rlpracing.com or call them at 877-533-3305.
-THM
