Lifting one axle tire set for zero turn?

[kittmaster]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Edit -- Thanks for the new post, kittmaster. Best wishes . . . over and out.

Thanks Peter....

[featherbedder]

I have front mount hitch on tv so far not needed, but I use skid steer to turn position etc. AS and other trailers much easier than backup w/any rear mount I also have industrial end loader to use, don't use any more to move trailers, push lots easier also pivot point much shorter making sharper turns possible. Another point easier to see what do than backing. IMO front mount better than all jacking and labor involved.

[Bill M.]

Sounds like you almost have it worked out. I think a jack and the dollies will work if the dollies do not bury in the asphalt. Actually I think it is fine to just turn it as is. I wonder if water and soap on the driveway would give some “slip” to the wheels?

[switz]

Noticed the 1500 pound rating of the dolly. They are probably more than maxed out. Here are real world numbers on our 205 23D

Camping Ready 23D my scales 9 May 2016 Full water and propane tanks

Tongue………928
Front….1,280……1,246 - total front axle 2,526
Rear…..1,376……1,233 - total rear axle 2,609
Total Axles………5,135
Total Trailer….6,063

That could explain why the dolly can not elevate the trailer, there is too much weight.

These are the numbers on our Classic

Classic Scale numbers May 2014

……1200……——1200

2034……2042—4076

1921…….2062—3983

Total weight——9259

So one needs to get the individual wheel weights to know if the dolly can carry the weight let alone elevate it. The small casters can sink into asphalt on a hot day (personal experience)

[Mike G]

Originally Posted by kittmaster

I have no choice but to zero turn the trailer. I bought two 1500 pound wheel dollies to lift the middle axle up....but that doesn't have what it takes to lift it up.....I thought it would be enough for easy rotation.

The wheel dollies work as I was able to lift a Saturn Vue with them...so its not the dollies, just more weight than I expected.

I am not in the position to remove the tires to make the turns every time....anyone have any ideas on how I can do this?

I use an Airtug as well. It's not a zero turn, but it's very tight, and on asphalt. I had not thought of using dollies, but it's a great idea.

My inside tires warp as I make the turn, but I have no choice if I want it in my garage. No tire problems yet, but I'm going to start wetting the asphalt to reduce friction.

We should design a dollie suited specifically for this task. There's got to be a lot of people in the same boat . . .

[Al and Missy]

While someone said to ensure the driveway was free of sand, on a concrete driveway I spread sand to allow the tires to slide when making tight turns. I also used a front hitch. Tractor Supply and Northern Tool have a 1000#-rated caster wheel that can be used with the tongue jack. I used it to take some of the load off of the front end of the truck since the front hitch was only rated for 300# or 500#, I don't remember which.

It is much easier to position a trailer with the front hitch because you can easily see where you are going. Also the truck doesn't move as wildly as when you are steering the rear by turning the front. One subtlety - when pulling it out with the rear hitch it is possible to turn more sharply. The first time I did it the rear of the trailer kicked out and hit a column in my driveway. You must hook up at an angle near to that when you unhooked from the front hitch to avoid the problem.

Al

[JDG]

As I said in my PM and as mentioned by Al above, the sand will work for zero turning and you will not see the “tires warping” while in the turn. I have been using this method for the past 14 years without issues. Give it a try. The most your out is the cost of a 50lb bag of sand. It works!

[DonRich7878]

I may not have the full picture here, but using a tug and wheel dollies on a 10 degree slope is a big mistake... Gravity is unforgiving.



I agree with everyone who is recommending to use a properly rated tow vehicle and back it in. Hire a professional driver to show you how to do it if you have to.



Driving the point home, on a 10 degree slope never attempt to unhitch the tow vehicle for any reason. Think about your AS piled up and destroyed at the bottom of the hill. If you decide to unhitch the tow vehicle and use a tug on a 10 degree slope, please record the event for my "hold my beer and watch this" YouTube channel...

[kittmaster]

Originally Posted by Mike G

We should design a dollie suited specifically for this task. There's got to be a lot of people in the same boat . . .

I'm game....I know it is a unique problem and most will not have to deal with it.......but I fear that this is what did my parkit360 in with all the added stresses.

I'll report back if I can get the dollies to lift.....but I also think it will need bigger wheels as someone mentioned hot asphalt and small wheels....

I do recall my motor cycle sinking in my asphalt one time and still have the hole to agree with the observation. A larger caster may be needed on all 4's if having the front end on the airtug makes the difference or not.

[Bob662]

I think you'd be wasting your money and time with dollies. Those small wheels will embed in asphalt.

Your best bet is to try the sand trick. Use the most simple solution first and see if it won't fill your needs.

[Mike G]

Originally Posted by kittmaster

I'm game....I know it is a unique problem and most will not have to deal with it.......but I fear that this is what did my parkit360 in with all the added stresses.

I'll report back if I can get the dollies to lift.....but I also think it will need bigger wheels as someone mentioned hot asphalt and small wheels....

I do recall my motor cycle sinking in my asphalt one time and still have the hole to agree with the observation. A larger caster may be needed on all 4's if having the front end on the airtug makes the difference or not.

I've contacted an industrial design company here in Calgary. I'll let you know if anything develops . . .

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by kittmaster

Thanks Peter....

PS3 -- Is your Airstream nearby off your property? Why not try backing it down the driveway, as suggested earlier?

You might find it easier than you fear . . .

[Adventure.AS]

You could remove the two wheels off the one axle and pivot on the other axle. This way you don’t need to use the dollies.

[suncoasteng]

You are using the wrong tow vehicle to move the TT in your narrow drive.
Just get a neighbor with a small tractor or forklift with ball on fork, and move it the way they maneuver boat trailers inside narrow work bays. If nobody has one, call an equipment rental or local earthwork contractor and pay them to move it for you.

[Rich W]

This may be totally off the wall, but have you tried letting the air out of the tires and then making the turn? Air them up again after you've spun it around.

[kittmaster]

Originally Posted by kittmaster

So Airtug up > casters under front wheels > lift >...turn around.....> remove dollies > Airtug down

An update:

What is quoted actually worked....once on the airtug, the dollies lifted the wheels without any effort....so this may be an easy out....

The problem I noticed is there is hydralic fluid on the floor......

Seems like a common problem AFTER i bought them on amazon in the comments section.....others seeing this issue too.

So it may be an easy out once I find or work out alternates to lift the wheels.

[kittmaster]

Originally Posted by richw46

This may be totally off the wall, but have you tried letting the air out of the tires and then making the turn? Air them up again after you've spun it around.

Wouldn't the drag break the tire bead?

It is something to I'll keep to try as a backup plan....

[kittmaster]

Originally Posted by suncoasteng

You are using the wrong tow vehicle to move the TT in your narrow drive.
Just get a neighbor with a small tractor or forklift with ball on fork, and move it the way they maneuver boat trailers inside narrow work bays. If nobody has one, call an equipment rental or local earthwork contractor and pay them to move it for you.

None of that is an option, but good ideas.

[kittmaster]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

PS3 -- Is your Airstream nearby off your property? Why not try backing it down the driveway, as suggested earlier?

You might find it easier than you fear . . .

The AS is ON the property, there is nothing else nearby but other driveways and houses.

[OTRA15]

So is it already down the driveway, as in “painted into a corner?”