Manuevering trailer

[nautique_dreamer]

I've got to make a 90 degree turn on a fairly narrow driveway to get the boat in and out of the garage (I need to store the boat there daily). Does anyone have any advice/experience about how to make that turn easily?

Double axle trailer and no room for the truck to make the turn. I've ordered a pair of GoJak's for the rear axle of the trailer so at least I'm not fighting the 2 axles for making the turn. Has anyone used GoJak's? How about a motorized dolly? I don't have much of a slope, but I do have to make that helacious turn in very tight quarters. Any advice/thoughts are appreciated.

[AirTool]

RE: Manuevering trailer

http://www.airtug.com/?gclid=CNKc0Kv...SMeDQodXl1zVw#

[chris196]

RE: Manuevering trailer

At the local Correct Craft dealer here, they use a small tractor with a ball on the front to move boats around.
I was amazed at how they could maneuver the boats and also what a small tractor they were using. You could also mount a ball on the front of your truck. Same concept because you have the turning wheels where you need them.

[CradGen2]

RE: Manuevering trailer

The air tug is cool, but there are a couple electric ones that are cheaper. I can't find the sites from when I was going to get one. Upgraded the house instead.

[SkiTower]

I don't mean this to sound condescending, but have you tried pushing it? If you don't have a slope, that's the way. Any kind of slope, you're out of luck. I have the same situation, but I definitely do have a hill and I need to go in nose first, therefore I winch it in (not recommended). This is a BIG reason my house is for sale!

[SkiTower]

Re: RE: Manuevering trailer

The air tug is cool, but there are a couple electric ones that are cheaper. I can't find the sites from when I was going to get one. Upgraded the house instead.

And I've seen the cheaper ones, but there're still the high side of $1000.

[SkiTower]

RE: Re: RE: Manuevering trailer

here are a few products I found with a quick search.

http://www.powercaster.com/
http://www.djproducts.com/products/trailer-mover.html
http://www.powermoverinc.net/htmls/pmaccarts.html
http://www.trailertugpro.com/

[Dallas]

RE: Re: RE: Manuevering trailer

tractor supply company or similar rural supply shops have non powered "tugs" more like a hand truck with a trailor ball mounted on it that are arround $100.
Here are some other sites of interest

http://www.powerwheel-usa.com/products/powrhitch.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how_4728593_buil...lor-dolly.html

Also try ebay. This is similar to the one I use; my dolly is a bit beefier.
http://cgi.ebay.com/600lb-Dolly-w-12...1%7C240%3A1318

Good luck

[Nautiquehunter]

RE: Re: RE: Manuevering trailer

I store 3 boats in my barn for the winter to make max room I need to put them very close .There is not enough room to maneuver a tow vehicle inside so I use a small tractor with a ball on the front works great.
You can find them used very cheep.

[Hlymons]

RE: Re: RE: Manuevering trailer

I have a similar issue in that I have a tandem garage and have to negotiate cabinets and a refrigerator to get the boat to the back spot. What I did was to sink a round pvc sleeve into the ground and I attach a 12 volt winch and pull the boat back.

[skiinxs]

RE: Re: RE: Manuevering trailer

What do you tow with? I insatlled a front hitch on my suburban for this type of activity. Several manufacturers make front hitches for a lot of different vehicles. You can do a lot of tight manuvering this way.
Dave

[DavidF]

RE: Re: RE: Manuevering trailer

I always wondered what the ball on the front of trucks was used for, now I know. Yes, I would suggest a riding lawn mower (tractor) with a ball mounted. Bonus is that it serves two purposes - Boat trailer maneuvering and lawn mowing. What else to you need to convince the significant other.

[ffmedic74]

RE: Re: RE: Manuevering trailer

I would buy an old riding mower. They worked well for my old garage that was on a 90 degree angle.

[harddock]

RE: Re: RE: Manuevering trailer

I've used gojacks and you would really want one on each wheel for them to work. Sad to say but that 90 dgree turn would be easier with a single axle. The front hitch maybe the eassiest (cheapest) solution.

[mf01]

RE: Re: RE: Manuevering trailer

I store my boat in a tandem garage. I'm able to pull and maneuver the boat with this: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=37510

Side note, I have a single axle trailer.