Sliding trailer axles on slippery surface

Kitty litter helps on ice... some.

 

How much bare pavement do I need to slide my axles, assuming between full rear and full forward (in either direction)?

 

None to be honest.. our yard has packed snow ice 4 months or more of the year and sliding axles isn’t too bad if you use the spike ..

 

At the risk of sounding like an ID10T, I am going to ask because I have not heard the term "spike"????

 

Trailer brake , trolley valve , spike , company brakes, etc all mean the same thing.

 

Drive around until you find a dry road surface. If you need to slide the tandem forward, you can also find a curb at a truck stop parking space to back into. It’s also helpful to carry a heavy duty wheel chock. You can find them online. The ones in stores won’t work as well and won’t last.

 

Hooked on the crossmembers and draped over then under the tires, but I didn't say that. LOL

 

I've always used a wheel chock. Either the shipper's or the one I carry.

 

I’m sure our van trailer is seized as it’s never moved the whole time I worked there.

the truss trailer we use always has the tandems slid forward when unloading and slid back when done.

But since it’s not our trailer, the slides have started to seize and freeze.

I want to apply a spray of rust proofing all over the axle assembly and slides but I’m not allowed as they want to have the trailer painted.

That was 2 years ago now and still not painted.

Ive broken the cable a few times trying to pull it out to unlock the pins (It’s air actuated) using a ratchet strap.