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08-06-2021, 10:04 AM
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#1
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New Member
Currently Looking...
Oakland
, California
Join Date: Aug 2021
Posts: 3
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Trailer up a steep hill?
Hi, I’m new to this forum and I hope someone here can help me. I have a 1954 Silver Streak and we want to put it by the side of a house. There’s a steep hill and a low wall that it would have to go over to get it there. It doesn’t need to go in and out regularly just in once and out once. We were thinking we could build or rent some kind of ramp to get it up the hill. In the photo I’m attaching it’s the hill on the far side of the stairs and it would go behind where the wooden fence is, the fence would be gone. The road that the house is on is fairly wide so there would be a lot of room to angle a ramp, about 47’. Has anyone ever done anything like this before? Or have any advice about if it’s possible? Thank you for any help, Sita
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08-06-2021, 10:16 AM
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#2
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2 Rivet Member 
2009 23' International
2020 27' Globetrotter
GREENSBURG
, PA
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 67
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Maybe try a crane or rigging company. I would think someone would be up for the challenge.
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08-06-2021, 10:59 AM
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#3
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"Cloudsplitter"

2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 19,793
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I hope that sweet rig is going on a concrete pad or better yet on the road where it should be.
Bob
🇺🇸
__________________
"You don't know where you've been until you leave, enjoy life" RLC
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08-06-2021, 11:14 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master 
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,710
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Can you post a view of the driveway from the street. The most likely problem is the trailer bottoming out making the transition into the driveway. Yes other people have overcome this problem with a ramp. Do you have 4 wheel drive/
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
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08-06-2021, 11:42 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master 
Currently Looking...
Walnut Creek
, California
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 3,951
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Sita - that hill looks to be about 7 ft tall. I have a 4ft rise on my drive and won't consider the trip. Yes, you can do it. Riggers do this type of moving.
Options:
- hire a crane - likely easiest - just costs money - quick to get a rough order of magnitude estimate. You need a small low overhead company - semi retired crane owner who does a job now and then. Not as easy as it sounds, because you need spreaders and maybe a metal skid to make the lift.
- ramp - it's a lot of wood/structure - likely needs to be metal - a multi-vehicle car transport trailer might work. May have to remove the front section of the hill to form a loading dock. That means you need a retaining wall and the problem that presents.
- big fork lift with ability to reach forward with the load (Grade-all as in will handle any grade) - these are special lifts that move construction material and can reach the roof from the ground. Might have to build a large pallet.
- which brings us back to riggers - they have cribbing and material/equipment to move stuff.
Note - You could likely rent work space for less than the cost to put it beside your house. That adds travel time to the deal, which may not work for you.
Start by developing a budget - what is it worth to you. Get some ideas and estimates from professionals. Investigate what your options are. What capability is in your area? What restrictions are in your area - permits?
Good luck! Pat
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08-06-2021, 12:06 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master 
2015 20' Flying Cloud
Kingsport
, Tennessee
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 960
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Concurring w/ the other ideas: if it HAS to be done in the yard, a crane would be the simplest way to get it in and out there (especially to deal w/ the wall bit).
But renting a workspace might be much preferable... you can have it out of the weather while you work, it won't kill your yard sitting there during the time that it's being worked on, etc. etc. Lots of reasons to choose a different location.
Find out what it would cost to crane it in. Double that, since you have to crane it back out. Figure out what a workspace would rent for... I'm sure a workspace's monthly cost would be less than what the crane would cost. Calculate the break-even point, where renting matches the crane costs: if you can get the work done in less time, you'd be much better off renting space. If whatever the number of months is, looks like it wouldn't be enough time, you may be better off going the crane route (especially if you intend on not rushing...). How fast of a project do you think this will be for you?
__________________
-Leslie
WBCCI #1051
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08-06-2021, 12:12 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master 
2021 27' Globetrotter
Fort Lauderdale
, Florida
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 602
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No way Jose
__________________
GT 27 2021, F250 2022 Platinum- 2022 Tesla X - 2021 Ford Mustang Mach E - 2022 Tesla 3 - PP3 hitch
GSD Sigrid - Fort Lauderdale, FL; Denver and Summit County, CO.
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08-06-2021, 12:22 PM
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#8
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Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,144
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Hi
Toss on to what has been mentioned above:
Your AS is not designed to be (safely) lifted by a crane. There may well be some custom metal fab work required to come up with the rigging to lift it.
With anything like this, there are no guarantees. This is a risky thing to do, no matter how you do it. There are a wide range of "exciting" things that could happen.
I'm not 100% clear on *why* this is to be done. As others have mentioned, I'd certainly look into "plan B".
Bob
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08-06-2021, 12:28 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master 
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,710
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Quote:
Originally Posted by uncle_bob
Hi
Your AS is not designed to be (safely) lifted by a crane.
Bob
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Wally did it
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...MygBegUIARCPAQ
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
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08-06-2021, 01:43 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master 
2015 20' Flying Cloud
Kingsport
, Tennessee
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 960
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I wouldn’t just wrap in in a sling and haul away…
But if you parked and secured it to a deck, the crane can lift the deck and place it, w/o harm.
But, a crane won’t come cheap. Twice.
I, too, am favoring plan B
__________________
-Leslie
WBCCI #1051
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08-06-2021, 03:00 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master 
2020 23' Flying Cloud
2019 22' Sport
Sebastian
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 1,148
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I agree with the others. Hire a pro with a crane or find another location. I’ve seen many construction trailers up on manufacturing plant roofs.
Even if you came up with a sturdy ramp, you stand a significant chance of the trailer getting away. Respect gravity!!!
It might help with the suggestions if you explained why the trailer needs to go next to the house. Are the neighbors OK with that?
Good luck.
__________________
-Don
(That man in that tiny can)
(Same man, Bigger can)
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08-06-2021, 03:07 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master 
2013 27' FB International
El Dorado Hills
, California
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,965
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I see a lot of overhead power lines where a crane boom might want to swing. Those might have to be temporarily relocated. This could get expensive and complicated real fast.
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08-06-2021, 05:34 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master 
Currently Looking...
Vancouver
, British Columbia
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 4,179
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I once helped position a 25' travel trailer (non AS) on a rural lot, at the top of a steep goat track, so the owner could use it while building his dream cabin. There was no road. A backhoe cleared a rough track and then we winched it up and into place with a 4wd tow truck.
You would require a ramp, a dolly wheel under the tongue, and either access to the rear of the pad to get a straight pull, or an anchor point for the pulley block. It would be easiest to go nose in. You could get half the height required by starting off with the trailer positioned on a roll back tow truck, with a bridge ramp.
It would be cheaper than a crane, but still more hassle than an alternate work site.
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08-07-2021, 05:32 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master 
2019 30' International
Pennsylvania
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,093
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Ask local gov't if permissible to do so....then dump a truckload or two of ground right there on the sidewalk and down on to the street, run it in, and even out that grade enough to winch it up there, then use a loader to remove the dirt. Detailed cleanup would involve shovels, rakes, and brooms.
Time consuming, but doable.
__________________
If you ain't havin' fun you ain't doin' it right
2017 Ford CCSB F250 XLT 6.2L Gas 4x4 Ruby
2019 International Serenity 30 Rear Twin
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08-07-2021, 06:04 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master 

2019 30' Classic
Canfield
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,558
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Crane? Shutting the street down for a day, permits and approvals, inconvenience to neighbors, police, many workers and riggers, overhead wires, and a lot of bystanders and fencing to keep them back! Then after completing the job of rebuilding, you probably don't want to subject your beauty to what you experienced the first time getting it in.
Be sensible my friend, it is not worth the effort, time, and money to do it this way. I would find a friend's nice garage or workshop you can rent for a year and maybe he will even help you!
__________________
"At some point, throwing money at the problem *is* the right answer", Uncle Bob
x\x/x\x/x\x/x\x/x\101970\x/x\x/x\x/x\x/x\x/x\/x\x/x\x/x
Tom & Doty
2019 Airstream Classic 30 Twin
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08-07-2021, 06:18 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master 

2019 27' Globetrotter
Driftless Area
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 778
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Both a long ramp and a crane would block the street. You’d want to get city clearance for that (most towns will be concerned about routing and passage for emergency vehicles—imagine having someone on your block need an ambulance that discovers it has to go around the block because you’re…moving your Airstream into your yard) and think about whether it’s worth the inconvenience to your neighbors.
Not clear to me what the intent is—to work on it or to work from it. If the former, I’d rent a garage space somewhere and set up shop for the project. In the Bay Area, Alameda might be a good place to look. If you’re looking for a temporary addition to your place, well, there are plenty of alternatives.
I’m all for wacky, impractical ideas, by the way. I’ve had a house moved.
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Airstream adventures and enhancements thread: Traveling with Tatay
Personal blog (photography, travel, woodworking, flyfishing, food): nryn.com
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08-07-2021, 09:31 AM
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#17
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New Member
Currently Looking...
Oakland
, California
Join Date: Aug 2021
Posts: 3
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Thank you everyone for the helpful replies. It looks like it’s too hard of a job, so I’m going to look for an alternative situation. We like having the trailer beside the house for an extra sleeping space and this was a potential rental that we liked. I’ll look for a place that has a wide drive and a big gate where I can roll it in which is its current situation. I appreciate all the feedback. Sita
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08-07-2021, 11:48 AM
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#18
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Rivet Puller
2003 28' Safari S/O
Atlanta Burbs
, Georgia
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,948
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Sita - You stumbled onto the best course of action, get a trailer friendly house instead!
__________________
"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."
Sir Tristan
Air #48582, S/SO #003, WBCCI #4584
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08-08-2021, 07:50 AM
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#19
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Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,144
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sita
Thank you everyone for the helpful replies. It looks like it’s too hard of a job, so I’m going to look for an alternative situation. We like having the trailer beside the house for an extra sleeping space and this was a potential rental that we liked. I’ll look for a place that has a wide drive and a big gate where I can roll it in which is its current situation. I appreciate all the feedback. Sita
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Hi
If it's going to act as an addition to the house, your local building inspectors will be *very* interested in what you are doing. There are a wide range of exciting things they will ask about / want you to do. Adding more plumbing would be one. Based on where you live, they might not even allow you to do this because the local sewage system is "full up".
Bob
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08-09-2021, 06:19 AM
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#20
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Rivet Master 
1992 36' Land Yacht
Grayson
, Georgia
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,651
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Quote:
Originally Posted by uncle_bob
Hi
If it's going to act as an addition to the house, your local building inspectors will be *very* interested in what you are doing. There are a wide range of exciting things they will ask about / want you to do. Adding more plumbing would be one. Based on where you live, they might not even allow you to do this because the local sewage system is "full up".
Bob
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+ on checking local codes. I know at my residence, all vehicles on the property must be located on a concrete pad. All vehicles must also be registered with the DMV. Lots of places don't allow for a "mobile home" to be located on the property. Sure would suck to got through all of the trouble of getting it to where you want it only to have a neighbor call code enforcement and have you move it again.
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