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Old 06-09-2017, 12:09 PM   #1
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Can I get an Airstream into this backyard?

Hey guys, I want to place an Airstream in my backyard and turn it into an office / extra room. However I'm concerned about the tight space / incline of the yard and alleyway.

So first off, what is the biggest Airstream I can buy? I was hoping for a 24'
What are my options as far as equipment or profession services? Is there a company / contractor in southern California that can do this for me? I was thinking of buying and RV dolly but kind of scared of loosing control of it because of the inclines in my yard and alleyway.
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Old 06-09-2017, 12:24 PM   #2
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The only power dolly I found that would do what you want was traxpowerdolly.com

They have brakes and variable speed. Expensive but would do what you want. The only thing stopping me from purchasing one is the price.

I am sure you could just about put your trailer any where with these.

Dave
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Old 06-09-2017, 12:42 PM   #3
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Hard to say by just looking at photos. But, IMO no it does not look doable without taking out either your fence or your neighbors.
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Old 06-09-2017, 12:42 PM   #4
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A Bambi might work, but anything bigger will be almost impossible even with a power dolly. The alleyway and gate opening look too narrow to allow a backup.
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Old 06-09-2017, 12:46 PM   #5
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If this is a one time move you could rent wheel dollies and have a bunch of big guys over for a beer party.

I wouldn't even bother with a tug or power dolly, just bunch of friends and some belaying ropes to keep it from rolling back down the ramp.
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Old 06-09-2017, 01:07 PM   #6
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You might be able to rent a small Bobcat where you can buy ball attachment for fork lift tines. That might give you the maneuverability you need
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Old 06-09-2017, 01:42 PM   #7
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Welcome to the forum! Do you have a tow vehicle already? You could rent a flat bed trailer of the same approximate size and try. If the tongue weight is light enough, you could unhitch and manhandle the trailer in.

How wide is the alley from fence to fence, and what is the clear opening in the gate?

Good luck!
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Old 06-09-2017, 02:34 PM   #8
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Sky Hook?

Bruce
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Old 06-09-2017, 02:42 PM   #9
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A front mounted hitch will get you most of the way there. Without measurements it would be hard to tell you how big. I've put my 31' ito some impossible spots via my trucks front hitch.
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Old 06-09-2017, 02:58 PM   #10
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A forklift with a hitch ball close to its lift tower would be the right tool IMO, if the trailer can make it through the gate. A small forklift with small wheels for hard surfaces, not a huge one with pneumatic tires. Any industrial locations nearby?
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Old 06-09-2017, 03:10 PM   #11
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Hi

How many of the obstacles can be temporarily removed? Sometimes it's cheaper to hire a carpenter to remove (and reassemble / replace) a fence / wall / shed than it is to go nuts getting past it. The fence that blocks access into my back yard has been up and down several times .....

Bob
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Old 06-09-2017, 04:09 PM   #12
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Thanks for all the replies guys! This seems like a giant pain but I think ill try it anyway.. I'm super stubborn like that. Probably will even film this attempt and throw it up on youTube.. I'll go ahead and post some more pics measurements tomorrow. Ideally I would be able to score a 1971 24' Land Yacht Safari. I don't have a tow vehicle yet but I'm open renting anything.

Currently I think the least complicated option would be a truck with a front tow hitch to get it onto my property and use brute force / some friends to push it into place. If i get some car jacks, would still need a RV dolly to move the front tongue around? If the front is around 400lbs maybe 3 guys should be around to lift that.

I'm also concerned about the resting place of the front tongue, b/c the ground is sloped in that part of the yard. Should i build something out of cinder blocks? Any ideas?
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Old 06-09-2017, 04:16 PM   #13
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Chock the wheels well, and you can build cribbing like house movers do for the tongue, if I am hearing you right. Where there is a will, there is a way.

Good luck!
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Old 06-09-2017, 04:42 PM   #14
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Hi

A lot will depend on how fast you need to clear the alley. If you can block it for a couple hours, you have more flexibility in how you can get things done. Manhandling something this large is not real easy. There is a lot of friction involved. Even a small incline or bump can be a challenge. You will get the job done, getting it done quickly ... probably not so much ...

Bob
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Old 06-09-2017, 06:03 PM   #15
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You can probably get a 24' in there but you can do a lot of damage with a fence like you have. 4 to 6 floor jacks with good wheels, a wheel on the tongue jack, 6 big friends that aren't too intoxicated who understand that the trailer touches NOTHING and a come-along with lots of feet of chain should do it. You could also take off the 2 front wheels and set the rear wheels in a pair of those car dolleys to maneuver the trailer into place. The key is to go slow which requires blocking the alley for an hour or 3. You will need some sort of shade roof over an airstream in my opinion. There is still a small dent in my front fender from a similar situation where the chain link fence was underneath some vines that I was letting the truck push aside. I hate when that happens! Beware of letting friends look out for you! I have a few dents from people who don't know what don't touch anything means! I have got my 31' in and out of some tight places to get shade.
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Old 06-09-2017, 06:26 PM   #16
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How wide are your gates and how far are they from the fence across the alley?

I recently(last week) tucked our Airsteam into its campsite and had a similar scenario, two trees 14' apart(the branches) and 13' from the far edge of our drive. I used a small tractor as you can see so better results than mine are possible rolling it by hand or winching. FYI I would not let anyone get near my trailer on a forklift.
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Old 06-10-2017, 09:28 AM   #17
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Hi

Do you own the fence? If so I'd take it out to get the AS in there. It'll be *lots* easier.

Bob
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Old 06-10-2017, 10:35 AM   #18
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One time move? Get a company that sets up mobile homes, park models. They have the dollies and winches to pull together double wides, reversed parking rigs in spaces, level it and set up utilities. Or a crane, drop it in place.
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Old 06-10-2017, 10:59 AM   #19
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This may sound silly, but make a scale drawing of your backyard, fence and the building. Make a scale cut out of the trailer you want and try the whole thing on paper. It will at least show you the angles you are dealing with or even how much fence must be removed. Tandem axles can also pose a problem.
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Old 06-10-2017, 11:04 AM   #20
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Check local zoning first

Before your buy and muscle an Airstream in your back yard, check your local zoning code to make sure it is permissible to have a travel trailer in your backyard to use as an office or extra room. Some cities prohibit trailers in back yards or, if they permit storage of a trailer in your back yard, might limit the length of the trailer being stored there. If you live in a part of town where none of your neighbors are anal about property appearances or values, just remember to always treat them kindly and well.
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