Anyone put a lift on their trailer to raise it up?

[Gtsum2]

I apologize for all the new posts, but I didnt want them to run together and get lost...so I have issues getting the trailer up my driveway..it is not too steep, but steep enough where the rudder guard hits...I currently have a 6" drop hitch and I tested it with an 8" and it was close..so I ordered a 10" drop hitch to try that (I tow it at about 5 1/2' of drop...so I am thinking when I got home I would lift it off the hitch ball and then drop the hitch all the way down to lowest point)...hopefully that raises the back end up enough to get it up my driveway without gouging into my aggregate driveway (trailer has rollers on it back there, but they arent enough..it was close with the 8" drop though)...

However, if that DOESNT work, or if it would be easier, what about putting a lift on the trailer? Cant a shop put spacers or blocks or something on the trailer to raise it up a couple of inches? Has anyone ever done that? Work ok? Any adverse side affects? I see no other way to get it up my driveway (which is level at the top).

[jmo]

Try and see if you can get casters for the bottom of the trailer frame. Casters are low profile steel rollers that will allow you to continue backing up in cases like this.

Here is an old post that has pictures:

Problem: Backing Trailier up too steep of driveway. Solution?
https://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/s...ad.php?t=25006


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2006 SN 196 Limited Excalibur
2001 Super Sport Limited GT40

[Gtsum2]

Thanks for that link. The rollers that are on the trailer now (under the prop guard) just dig into the aggregate driveway. They don’t roll on it. Likely too small and too much weight on them. I am going at it with a 45 degree angle or so (not backing straight in). I’m going to contact a trailer hitch shop and see what they say also. Maybe they have done some mods like are in that thread


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[Gtsum2]

I dont think casters are going to work...that would be putting all the weight on the caster for a period of time and all the weight on that prop guard too...until the tires made it up far enough to take the load off. I talked to a trailer shop today that was knowledgeable and going to take the trailer up there tomorrow to have them look at it. Sounds like they can weld new brackets with spacers and cut off the factory ones...apparently these are torsion axles? I thought maybe they could clock the torsion axle where the hub goes into the axle to rotate it and raise it? Will see tomorrow, but I think a lift is the way to go. Obviously if I do a 1 inch or a 2 inch lift, it is going to raise the trailer fenders that much over the tires...might look a little "off", but it should fix my issue. I cant believe nobody else has had to do this???

[SilentSeven]

Does this solution increase the height of your trailer frame (ie - put blocks between the axles and frame)? If so, be thoughtful on the impact of launching - you may not be able to get the trailer in deep enough to float the boat off. Just a consideration.....

[Wildcat04]

This might sound silly, but could you just stack some 2x12s behind the trailer tires right before you scrape to lift the trailer up a could inches to get over the initial transition?


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[NautiqueJeff]

I really think prop guard wheels are your solution. Lifting the trailer will make launching a pain if you truly go high enough to make a difference with the scraping. If a 2" lift will fix your problem, the wheels will do the same thing for WAY less money. You can get soft wheels if you're worried about marking up your concrete or pavement.

[Gtsum2]

Does this solution increase the height of your trailer frame (ie - put blocks between the axles and frame)? If so, be thoughtful on the impact of launching - you may not be able to get the trailer in deep enough to float the boat off. Just a consideration.....

Yes. It would raise the frame. I didn’t think about launching and recovering the boat with that change...hmmmm


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[Gtsum2]

This might sound silly, but could you just stack some 2x12s behind the trailer tires right before you scrape to lift the trailer up a could inches to get over the initial transition?


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That was my first thought and then I abandoned it before thoroughly testing it. I think I have so many things going on at once with the new boat, getting a seasonal spot at the lake for our fifth wheel etc....I need to slow downs me try the simple things first thoroughly. Thanks for bringing that up


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[Gtsum2]

I really think prop guard wheels are your solution. Lifting the trailer will make launching a pain if you truly go high enough to make a difference with the scraping. If a 2" lift will fix your problem, the wheels will do the same thing for WAY less money. You can get soft wheels if you're worried about marking up your concrete or pavement.

So the trailer has rollers on the bottom of the prop guard, but all they do is gouge into the aggregate. You mean caster wheels mounted on the side of the prop guard frame??? Maybe have them hang an inch lower than the frame?? They would have to be stout wheels with all that weight...


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[XBIGPUN66]

You could put some hydraulics and 16 switches on it...

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[Wildcat04]

Another option that might work, though I don’t know how well it would handle launching, is to put some airbags on the trailer axles. Pump them up right before you back in, let the air out when your done. That could give you a few inches additional clearance.


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[jjackkrash]

Is there a way to fix the slope of the driveway transition so the transition is not so steep? I would be looking at ways to alter the slope of the transition with material before looking at altering the trailer. Maybe that isn't feasible in your situation, but maybe it is. Pics might help with ideas.

[Gtsum2]

Another option that might work, though I don’t know how well it would handle launching, is to put some airbags on the trailer axles. Pump them up right before you back in, let the air out when your done. That could give you a few inches additional clearance.


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Wouldn’t work due to how the axles are attached to the frame (brackets)


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[Gtsum2]

Is there a way to fix the slope of the driveway transition so the transition is not so steep? I would be looking at ways to alter the slope of the transition with material before looking at altering the trailer. Maybe that isn't feasible in your situation, but maybe it is. Pics might help with ideas.

I don’t think so. I’ll take a pic tomorrow morning. It doesn’t look very steep, but it obviously is blocking me. Not viable to change the driveway. Live in an hoa neighborhood. I’ll take some pics in the am


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