Things To Consider When Buying Wheel Chocks
A wheel chock is a small, sloped block that prevents the accidental rolling of the wheels. There are times you need to get under the car to fix small things or inspect something. But when you do that, you also need to ensure that the vehicle does not roll back. This may look funny in a cartoon strip, but can be quite dangerous in real life. With the right pair of wheel chocks, you will be able to keep the vehicle stationary (along with the parking brakes applied). The following are some of the things you may need to consider before buying wheel chocks.
SIZE
The size of the wheel chocks is of the utmost importance. The wheel chock you are using should be compatible with the size and width of the tyre. If you end up using a wheel chock that is too small for a certain tyre, it will certainly not be able to do its job efficiently. It would be one thing if this meant you were minorly inconvenienced and had to run to the store to get another pair of more suitable wheel chocks. However, it could also turn out to be a more dangerous situation where the tyres roll away because of a wheel chock that is not of the right size for a tire. If you are confused, a general thumb rule is to purchase a wheel chock that is slightly taller than 1/4th the height of the tyre you want to use it with.
SLOPE ANGLE
The next important thing to consider is the slope angle of the wheel chocks. You want the slope angle of the wheel chocks to be enough that they counter the natural slope of the street or surface the vehicle is parked on. If the slope angle is not appropriate, the vehicle could glide over the slope and still roll away. A wheel chock is not a ramp that is meant to make driving onto kerbs more smooth — rather the uphill slope of the chock is meant to prevent the revolving of the wheel and prevent the vehicle from rolling away. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the slope angle of the wheel chocks.
QUALITY
The quality of the wheel chocks certainly makes a difference. If you are using the chocks on grass or softer surfaces, they are likely to be less effective due to sinking that can occur into the surface. It is important to use good-quality, heavy-duty wheel chocks in that case. But even if you are not using wheel chocks on a soft surface (it is highly inadvisable to do so), it is important to use heavy-duty chocks for maximum security. Low quality plastic chocks can be less expensive and may get the job done for lighter vehicles, but you are running the risk of the chocks giving way and your vehicle rolling away, leading to a potentially dangerous incident.
VEHICLE WEIGHT
The weight of the vehicle is also an important and related factor when purchasing chocks. If you require wheel chocks for a regular car (such as a sedan), the type of chock you need will be different from the ones required for large vehicles like trucks, grading equipment, earthmovers, etc. The weight of the vehicle will also determine how strong the wheel chocks need to be for them to be able to hold the vehicle in place. A large, heavy vehicle will require corresponding heavy-duty wheel chocks.
MATERIAL
Wheel chocks are available in a variety of materials. Rubber is the most common material to be used in wheel chocks. They are durable and reasonably priced. However, rubber can be affected through exposure to the elements. If you are looking for something that will last longer outdoors, polyurethane plastic is also a good option.
IN CLOSING
Wheel chocks are handy and useful tools that keep a vehicle safely in place when you need it to. These are especially useful in a garage, for transporting a vehicle, and other related activities. A heavy-duty wheel chock can even keep a plane stationary!