Problem: Backing Trailier up too steep of driveway. Solution?

[Chexi]

Other than buying a different house, is there any way to back up an inboard boat trailer on a driveway that is just a bit too steep (prop guard hits)? Are there wheel ramps made for this to lessen the incline a bit (or more correctly stated, to get the wheels starting to incline earlier)? I found a great house with a nice garage for the boat, all near a private launch for a subdivision, but the driveway is a bit too steep to back up (and driving forward and turning around at the top are not possible).

[SkiTundra]

I've seen a few mod'd trailers with basically a wheely bar mounted to the back. Do you have a rod or custom shop nearby? Is the problem a gutter? How about some steel plates to put over it?

[Laketexoma]

I had 2 wheels of both sides of my prop guard. They were like high strength caster wheels inline. They were 6" and helped alot with mine dragging. Not sure how much weight you will put on them.

[TX-Foilhead]

Might be that little foreign SUV your trying to do it with, get a diesel.

Magnum out on 620 ought to be able to fix you up, Spillar on S Congress could do it if your still downtown.

[chris196]

Look at this thread:
http://www.planetnautique.com/vb3/sh...ailer-1-2-quot

there is another thread where I talk about it in more detail, but the pictures got lost when the website moved to newer software.

there are somethings you can do. It's much easier with the boat off the trailer and I had that luxury when I installed the lift kit.

[Chexi]

Might be that little foreign SUV your trying to do it with, get a diesel.

Magnum out on 620 ought to be able to fix you up, Spillar on S Congress could do it if your still downtown.

Don, while I definitely want to upgrade to a diesel, I don't think that would fix this problem. The angle of the driveway is what it is. It's not that the truck can't push the trailer up, it's that the prop cage hits the driveway, and I don't want to scrape it or the driveway up.

I'm back in Dallas now, for a while.

[Nautiquehunter]

Get a adjustable hitch mount as you lower the front the back will go up.
Something similar to this.

[sstexan]

If the lip of the driveway is the issue these things work great. They are pricey but worth it.

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...ortby=ourPicks

[Chexi]

Thanks all. Lots of great options. The Great PN Brain once again saves the day!

[TwinTip]

On top of the prop guard wheels/casters or a lower hitch ball to drop the trailer tongue and raise the prop guard, you could also try to get some wooden boards that you place behind each of the trailer wheels, or side, that you need to raise as you are backing into your driveway or garage. You may also need to do the inverse to get the trailer out or you will probably end up scratching the driveway or trailer on your way out. If you need to put multiple boards together to gain more height or clearance on the driveway, you can cut the front at an angle on the lower board, then add the next board with a cut at an angle and placed a little further back, and so on, so that the boards do not become a step but rather a gradual ramp that you drive onto.

Hope this helps.

[H2O]

California Trailer Works (Sacramento) sells prop cage roller kits.

[Mikeski]

If it has torsion bar suspension you can rotate the swingarms to raise the trailer, I just raised mine 1". It does much better now, don't even notice the difference from a looks perspective. If it has leafs you can add blocks between the leaf and the axle.

[bsb4fsu]

If the issue is at the bottom of the driveway near the street, sometimes it helps if you can angle the trailer at the driveway (e.i. trailer at 45 degree angle to driveway) rather than hitting the driveway straight on.

[Chexi]

Thank you. I tried coming at it at an angle, but no luck. It really is just a bit too steep of a driveway with my trailer is it is currently constructed.

[osukellen]

Used floor jack wheels, welded them to the prop cage. I had the exact same problem. Works great.