Leaving a truck and trailer hitched long time?

[Scribbler]

I’m currently parking my truck and trailer on a quiet public road near my townhouse complex. This is legal here as long as the trailer is hitched to the truck. However I have heard that doing this can be hard on the trucks rear shocks, and indeed I just got those replaced.

Question: It occurs to me that I could leave the chains and breaker tie attached, but put on the hitch jack and hoist the hitch so it is just barely unhitched, floating above the ball. That would let the truck back end relax. I’d have to wind down again to drive away.

I don’t think there are traffic cops or neighborhood Karens around who would look closely enough at my rig to generate me a traffic citation for not being hitched. The stretch where I park is lightly used except when school is letting out.

Is there a safety reason I shouldn’t do this? I would block the trailer tire. The strip is very level. Would I be risking the trailer going for a walk and ripping out the breaker? The trailer sits quietly on its jack when I do have it unhitched.

[2DogsFarm]

I have friends who routinely leave trailer hitched to truck. Both have daily drivers, so trucks are used exclusively for hauling.
AFAIK, trailers are unhitched only when weather means no more hauling for the season.

[casemonster]

I leave my truck hitched - have a Sundowner gooseneck straight load and an F250 diesel (2000 model - just rolled over 74,000 at my horse show this weekend). My property is really swampy so I haul out 2 to 3 times a week to get a decent ride. Never had any problems leaving the rig hitched.

[LCDR]

This is heresay, not confirmed fact. But my farrier recently bought a new truck and farrier body. He says smaller pickups like the 1500 and 2500 models are not designed to support a heavy load for extended times. Of course suspension modifications are possible to make this possible. The 3500 models and particularly the 4500 models and up do have the ability to have their suspensions loaded all the time.

In your case, if you just jack the trailer up enough to reduce load or unload the receiver on your truck, you should be fine, and there is no need to even release the hitch from the ball, disconnect safety chains, or unplug the electrical connector. That is what I do with my 2500 and bumper pull trailer. Just don’t forget to run the jack back up to tow!

[OzarksRider]

@LCDR

if you just jack the trailer up enough to reduce load or unload the receiver on your truck, you should be fine, and there is no need to even release the hitch from the ball, disconnect safety chains, or unplug the electrical connector. That is what I do with my 2500 and bumper pull trailer. Just don’t forget to run the jack back up to tow!

This is what I do too. Truck and trailer are hitched but the jack takes most of the weight.

[Demerara_Stables]

I leave mine hitched as much as possible for quick evacuation when needed, as do many others in my area. Never heard a concern about suspension damage.

'18 F350
2022 Equispirit 5H H2H (not light)

[Scribbler]

I have a Ford F250 long box and a bumper pull trailer. Usually I just have the basic hitch on. The big sway bar hitch does put more weight on the truck and it bounces up when I unhitch.

[Janet]

This is on my own property, so no legal issues.
I have a 1997 Ford Econoline and a 2005 2 horse bumper pull Hawk trailer.
They have been hitched up (with the hitch supporting the weight) 99% of the tine since then. And the van supported the weight of my previous, Gore, trailer for several years before that.

I have had NO problems with the rear suspension.

It is my understanding that it is repeated compression and extension that cause sprngs to wear. Remaining in compression (at least with modern metalurgy) does not cause wear.

But go ahead and support it with the jack if you are concerned.

[OTTBs]

I could have written this question myself.

I had a farrier tell me that I shouldn’t leave my weight distribution system hooked up on my usually-hitched trailer. Does anyone know of any problems that could cause? A trailer place told me no problem, so I chalked it up to farrier being a know-it-all.

[Libby2563]

@OzarksRider

This is what I do too. Truck and trailer are hitched but the jack takes most of the weight.

I used to do this as well. You do have to remember to wind the jack up, ha. I got lazy the past few years when I started shipping out 2-3 times a week though.

[candyappy]

@2DogsFarm

I have friends who routinely leave trailer hitched to truck. Both have daily drivers, so trucks are used exclusively for hauling.
AFAIK, trailers are unhitched only when weather means no more hauling for the season.

Very common with people here, especially cattle people or those who haul frequently. Never heard of anyone having issues with needing to replace shocks more often.