HELP getting 19' Bambi into steep driveway

[kimd8888]

We have a serious issue where it is taking approx. 2 hrs to get our trailer in & out of our newly poured driveway due to the steepness at the street side of the driveway. Where our previous gravel driveway scrape the bumper slightly, the new driveway causes a number of issues. I have attached an illustration that explains better than words could.
The 1st problem is with the bumper scraping/digging into the driveway. This is currently resolved by placing 2x6 widthways behind the trailer tires to lift the bumper sufficiently. This is tedious having to continually run behind and move and replace and is not manageable going forward.
The 2nd problem is once the bumper clears the slope, the spare tire mount begins to drag at almost the same time as the hitch/jack hit the dip where the sidewalk meets the road. Again the process of placing boards now behind the truck tire begins inching it back.
Finally (yep not done yet), once the trailer is at the top of the driveway where it levels off, the ability to maneuver it in line with the garage is extremely limited by the inability to move the truck very far forward to reposition.
The above is accomplished by removing the weight distribution hitch and replacing with a straight hitch. We have also tried using a hitch with an adjustable rise and drop ( by flipping it one way or the other). The problem with that is at first you need the drop to raise the trailer bumper then you need the rise to clear the spare & hitch.
Ramps & boards are not practical due to the 10+ feet of slope we need to navigate. We need at least 3 inches of clearance. Bumper wheels are a no go due to potential frame damage. Bigger tires have been suggested but we just got new tires & don’t think I could get 3” anyways. We are thinking of trying a powered trailer dolly but I am worried about the steep slope. The only other option I can see is getting the driveway re-paved so the slope starts right at the garage but the cost is exorbitant.
Can anyone either comment on power dollies and steepness or ideas other than getting the new driveway done again?

[Silver Otter]

What a bummer. While I have no idea if the geometry of this can work, some folks have put a hitch box on the front of their truck. Perhaps a simple ball connection up front would give you both the geometry needed and the control needed at the end of the process?? I'll sure be interested in what the Veterans have to say.

[Melody Ranch]

On the old Cloud I have I mounted the axle below the springs. Not able on yours....so, how about trying 16 inch wheels? It may make just enough difference. Good luck.

[kimd8888]

Just some additional info - the slope is 10 degrees as best as I can figure. I have 1 ft of rise for 10 ft. From where the slope starts to the street is 18 ft.

May try to make some ramps with 4x8 sheets of plywood and doubling 2x6 at every foot. Too bad I can't cheaply get 3x6s.

[Phoenix]

Do you have room to make a diagonal approach? We have done this sometimes, if it looks like the bumper or tongue jack is going to scrape. This allows one wheel to clear the hump or dip at a time, which seems to keep stuff from hitting bottom.

[kimd8888]

Thanks Phoenix - the angled approach is how we have always done it - just doesn't work anymore.

[kevin242]

Could you attach skid plates to the parts of the trailer that make contact and live with the noise as you back it up over the rise?

Another option is to live with the driveway and find an alternate place to store your AS.

[tpi]

Do you store the trailer in the garage? The reason I ask is inside storage is a much more valuable commodity and efforts to get it in there have more value. If its outside storage, perhaps its more "dime a dozen" and it wouldn't pay to bother with any modifications necessary, just find other place to store it.

Wonder if you could try a dolly with a refund policy?

I would expect any effort to lift the trailer would have expense over $2K to get 3 inches. Possibly an axle with more lift, possibly some kind of shim on the axle mount, and possibly taller tires. I don't know the logistics of it though. Certainly any modification would have its downsides too. You may want to research if anyone lifted their trailer for dirt roads.

[casarodante]

Just some off hand thinking here. Perhaps taking 6+ 8' 2x4's. Sandwiching them together on edge, lag bolting them together. Taper one end for a ramp. Make two, one for each side. Put them behind the trailer lengthwise and drive up on them. Might need to adjust the width and be very accurate backing up. Other sizes may have to be adjusted. Might give you you the height.

Just another idear.

[ventport]

How about air shocks or air bags to raise the trailer when putting it away?

[LFM]

I use a tractor quite often, but then I have 3 of them. You could purchase a small tractor with a three point hitch, which accomadates a trailer hitch. The three point raises up and down, so tilt the trailer whichever way is needed at the time. And even a small tractor will have plenty of power to handle that trailer (I also have a 19' Bambi), and they are very good at turning on a dime, to position the trailer exactly where you want it.

[kimd8888]

Thanks for the info LFM - what brand of tractor has the 3 point hitch or do you use? I've spoken to 2 RV places in town & the main concern is the 10 degree slope. The only places I've seen with a money back guarantee are in the US so would have to check to see if that applies to us in Canada too.

[kimd8888]

Appreciate all the feedback everyone.

The trailer is stored in just built garage that was made specifically for the trailer.

Skid plates likely won't work since we already tried similar with plywood and almost got jammed up. Likely would damage the concrete too.

Have contemplated airbags for the truck as opposed to the trailer. As for the 2x4 ramps that's kinda what we've been doing - just the width isn't sufficient - hence my thoughts of using plywood & 2x6 to get enough width to manoeuvre.

Hubby is excited about the tractor idea thinking if we can get a small enough one we can cut the grass & attach a plow in winter.....

[LFM]

This should help answer some questions.

hitch with hook.wmv - YouTube