Steep Driveway.....Low Trailer Question.

[D19]

Our last house had a steep driveway and I hated backing the boat into the garage. Just getting in/out of the car/truck everyday was annoying. Door wants to flip out hard when you open or slam back toward you deepening on the direction parked and that gets old. Also feels sketchy leaving a trailer un-hooked in the driveway for fear it would roll into the street. We have a pretty flat long driveway now and I love it.

 

[RIVERBORN]

So, we are interested in this joint.
But
The driveway is steep and the boat trailer is low.

I took some slope readings today and I don't think I could hit this turd relatively straight on.
The pump would hit or trailer would scrape.


Maybe, I could "back in" where the white car is, that is only 5°.
I would miss the lowest and steepest part of the driveway.
Then jack-knife it and get it into the double garage.

I would need to drive back from Socal this Saturday.
Hook up the boat and see how big of a pain in the ass this is before further consideration.

I'm posting to see if someone by chance has had a similar trailer with a similar sloped driveway.
Who can tell me:
Don't waste your time, it won't work.
Or
It's more trouble than it's worth.
Or
"You're Golden", make the drive out there on Saturday. Stop being a Puss!

I'll take any info or ideas that you fine folks may have.

Thank you.
FT

NOTES:
Garage is = 8ft tall
Truck is = 7.5ft tall
Bottom of trailer to ground = 9"
Botton of pump to ground = 20"
Pump is = 3ft long

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I read through most messages. But is this a vacation or every day home. Vacation, as long as the boat can go just run it.. everyday may be different. I’m building very similar driveway. I’m not scared of hills and know how to back down launch ramps too. I’ll suffer at my vacation house.

 

[240Hallett]

Just add 5 feet to the bottom of the garage and you’re all set. Fixes the driveway problem and you get that 13 foot door for when you move onto the pontoon stage.

 

[2Driver]

Funny my wife and I were just talking about something similar. We both agreeed that if moving the boat was a pain in the ass how much it effected the whole experience.

Anyway, no matter what you do I would hands down put a front hitch on and drive it in forward. Way easier and better visibility, also easier on your trans and marriage too.

 

[Jay Dub]

Funny my wife and I were just talking about something similar. We both agreeed that if moving the boat was a pain in the ass how much it effected the whole experience.

Anyway, no matter what you do I would hands down put a front hitch on and drive it in forward. Way easier and better visibility, also easier on your trans and marriage too.

great idea on the front hitch.

 

[floatn turd]

Thank you for all the posts, ideas and advice.

I think we will pass on this house.
I don't want to mess with that driveway, everyday at a full time residence.
But
I did get some good ideas, like the Rollers, Planks.

Thank you guys for your help.

FT

 

[warpt71]

My first house had a driveway that was steep. What made it work for everyday fulltime use was the top flattened out before the garage door, you could park your car on the flat section and you didnt have to worry about doors slamming on you. I was able to back my jetboat into that garage and did drag the trailer. Ive had flat driveways since then.

 

[Racey]

Our last house had a steep driveway and I hated backing the boat into the garage. Just getting in/out of the car/truck everyday was annoying. Door wants to flip out hard when you open or slam back toward you deepening on the direction parked and that gets old. Also feels sketchy leaving a trailer un-hooked in the driveway for fear it would roll into the street. We have a pretty flat long driveway now and I love it.

That door issue is one that would be easily overlooked. Just doing simple stuff like vacuuming your car or getting groceries out would suck.

 

[sintax]

That door issue is one that would be easily overlooked. Just doing simple stuff like vacuuming your car or getting groceries out would suck.

hah I can vouch for this. I have a super steep, but long drive on my house in CA, but thankfully it levels out at the top. If you're stuck parking on the steep section be prepared for that door to come crashing shut at the slightest bump or breeze, and usually when you're least expecting it.

 

[warpt71]

hah I can vouch for this. I have a super steep, but long drive on my house in CA, but thankfully it levels out at the top. If you're stuck parking on the steep section be prepared for that door to come crashing shut at the slightest bump or breeze, and usually when you're least expecting it.

and right on your shin as you are stepping out!

 

[BingerFang]

Whatever you do don’t forget to chock the tires once you get her up there, lol

 

[RIVERBORN]

That door issue is one that would be easily overlooked. Just doing simple stuff like vacuuming your car or getting groceries out would suck.

Well after many years In the oil fields, we back in the driveway. So does the wife, everyone should. You’d be surprised how many people back over their own children. It’s crazy. But at least if u back in the door will stay open.

 

[Racey]

Well after many years In the oil fields, we back in the driveway. So does the wife, everyone should. You’d be surprised how many people back over their own children. It’s crazy. But at least if u back in the door will stay open.

I always back in too.

 

[D19]

One benefit to having a steep driveway is when you're missing sockets, go look in the gutter! LOL

 

[Flatsix66]

It would be a pain in the ass chasing after 10mm sockets rolling down the driveway, then down the street.

 

[LittleLaser28]

looks like the home went pending today. Wonder what it is in escrow for.

2735 Empress Ln, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403 - 3 beds/2 baths

(LHAR) Sold: 3 beds, 2 baths, 1509 sq. ft. house located at 2735 Empress Ln, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403 sold for $489,000 on Mar 20, 2023. MLS# 1024761. Brand New J & P Development Home. Mega Garage w...

redf.in

 

[MeCasa16]

Thank you for all the posts, ideas and advice.

I think we will pass on this house.
I don't want to mess with that driveway, everyday at a full time residence.
But
I did get some good ideas, like the Rollers, Planks.

Thank you guys for your help.

FT

I was hoping you came to this conclusion. Congratulations on not making that mistake.

Well after many years In the oil fields, we back in the driveway. So does the wife, everyone should. You’d be surprised how many people back over their own children. It’s crazy. But at least if u back in the door will stay open.

This happened to a guy I used to work with. He backed over his young daughter and she passed away. It was a huge struggle for him to recover from that. I’m not really sure you ever do recover from that.

 

[Mike K]

I went through this exact thing.
Brand new Havi house about 5 years ago.
Everything was great “ except “ the driveway angle.
It’s a good thing I went and tried it cuz … yep … the back of my trailer scraped the driveway up about 4 to 5 feet.
No way around it unless I did the wood thing and went through a lot of hassle.
I really wanted the house and I made up all these fixes in my mind … then I thought ... even if I can figure out something to make it work everytime I wanted to use my boat what about the next guy who buys my house ?
He probably wouldn’t wanna go through all the hassle.
We bought a different house.
Yeah … go try it.

 

[RIVERBORN]

I was hoping you came to this conclusion. Congratulations on not making that mistake.

This happened to a guy I used to work with. He backed over his young daughter and she passed away. It was a huge struggle for him to recover from that. I’m not really sure you ever do recover from that.

It’s really one of my worst fears. Would definitely devastate me. Your chances greatly reduced if you back into a stall, at my house it’s a must, and no I’m not some crazy safety guy. Rig welder in the patch, some safety stuff should be brought home. My best friend got in a fight w his girl when they were younger, so he did the normal, drop her ass of at home mad, she hopped out, he punched it, not knowing she had went to try to get purse out of back seat. It took him a minute to realize what the bump was, lifted truck on 35”( big at the time). He had to go back and hold her while she died in his arms. He’s still not right. Freak accidents happen. But some can be prevented. That’s my rant, don’t know how steep driveway went to that. Haha my bad…..

 

[DRYHEAT]

What are you guys doing parking in the driveway, you’re supposed to park in the garage.