Reversing with trailer up an incline
Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 19:34
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garbage
I have a very basic, maybe even stupid question, having very limited experience towing. I have just ordered a 4x7 trailer with lid and am planning to store it in my garage. My street is on a slight incline and my house is also on the higher side of the street, so there's more incline going from the street to the driveway to the garage. Kind of hard to describe, but here's a photo:
http://images.domain.com.au/img/20081028/4410/2007292686_6_FS.JPG?mod=081118-1927
My question is - when reversing my trailer up the driveway, is there much chance the trailer hitch could detach / slip off the tow ball? Also, would it be risky to be trying to push it into the garage by hand, with help of course?
Reply By: Mikee5 (Logan QLD) - Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 19:49
Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 19:49
Is this an attempt to get more people to look at your house for sale?
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Follow Up By: Member - Tony B (QLD) - Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 20:07
Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 20:07
Im with you Mike. Cheers Tony
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Follow Up By: garbage - Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 20:11
Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 20:11
You're a cynical lot :)
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Follow Up By: time waster - Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 20:56
Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 20:56
The moderator must be on holiday's
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603630
Reply By: howie - Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 19:51
Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 19:51
easy answer is - wait till you've sold the house, buy a flatter block.
seriously, should'nt come off.
if too worried, is it too late to put a treg hitch on the trailer.
could fit a cheap $200 power in/out winch and fit it in the garage.
AnswerID:
335951
Follow Up By: howie - Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 19:55
Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 19:55
PS i have a treg hitch and a winch for sale.
(this is the classified section isn't it?)
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603612
Reply By: Cruiser .- Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 19:54
Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 19:54
garbage,
The short answer is NO.
If the coupling is adjusted right then all should be fine.
I reverse a full size caravan (23' all up) up a slope greater than what I can see in your photo and have no problems at all.
Cheers,
Cruiser .
AnswerID:
335952
Follow Up By: garbage - Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 20:10
Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 20:10
What adjustments can be done to the coupling?
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Follow Up By: Cruiser .- Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 20:24
Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 20:24
garbage,
I am assuming that the trailer will have a standard 50mm ball coupling.
If so there are some claws inside the coupling that have an adjustment via a screwed rod and nut on the top of the coupling
If this is adjusted correctly, the coupling should not come off under normal towing.
Most 50mm ball couplings also have a spring loaded handle to release the coupling and that also normally has a safety device that allows you to put a clevis pin in to prevent the coupling from accidentally releasing whilst travelling.
I am sure that the retailer you buy the trailer from can advise you.
Cheers,
Cruiser .
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Follow Up By: garbage - Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 20:52
Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 20:52
Thanks, you're making plenty of sense!
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Reply By: qubert - Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 19:57
Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 19:57
put your car in low 2wd if you can, it makes it easier. and a hint if you use youre mirrors to reverse- which ever mirror the trailer appears in is the way you turn the wheel to correct the trailer ( straighten it up ). if you see it turn too much in your right mirror, turn the steering wheel clockwise to correct it
AnswerID:
335953
Follow Up By: Krakka - Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 21:46
Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 at 21:46
Well there's a handy tip.
Krakka
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Follow Up By: Thumperoo - Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 18:54
Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 18:54
Another easy way is to hold the wheel at the bottom instead of the top. Move your hand in the direction you want to go and the trailer will head that way.....
JT
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Reply By: Nomadic Navara - Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 00:03
Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 00:03
The easiest way to push a trailer up a difficult driveway is with a tow ball on the front of the tug. If you have a bull bar on the front, have a piece of tubing welded to the LH bull bar mounting. You then transfer the hitch from the rear of the tug to the front, reconnect the trailer and push it up the driveway.
PeterD
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Cape York Connections - Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 06:55
Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 06:55
Thats clever
All the best
Eric
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Follow Up By: Ron173 - Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 13:35
Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 13:35
Expensive too if done correctly.
It still has to be a strong weld and able to take stress.
Guess if your a welder its a sweet job for sat arvo.
I looked at getting it done on ARB bull bar, ARB wouldnt touch it, but said they can supply a factory bull bar with it welded in at build.
Local engineering company quoted a ball
park $400
Ron
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Reply By: Rod E B - Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 10:49
Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 10:49
I padlock my towball using the small hole on the handle each time I use the trailer or the caravan to make sure it cannot come off
works for me and a good safety check , and maybe security check
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Follow Up By: garbage - Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 11:09
Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 11:09
I can't quite picture this. Do you have a photo of your setup?
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Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 11:23
Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008 at 11:23
All couplings with the handle at the top that you pull up to uncouple have a safety clip that you have to push with your thumb. With some couplings (most of the newer ones,) This safety device is like a hasp and staple. You simply clip your pad lock through the eye of the staple. (This is mainly done as an anti theft device rather than safety.)
PeterD
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Reply By: Member - Bucky, the "Mexican"- Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 03:55
Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 03:55
garbage
Have you thought about an electric boat winch, and drag it back into the garage. I think they retail for about $150-200.
All you will then need is an anchor point, at the back of the garage,,a strong hook on a thick plate, dyna-bolted to the floor, under a bench, maybe.
Cheers
Bucky
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: garbage - Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 07:01
Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 07:01
The slope on my driveway goes slightly sideways. Does the slope need to be straight for a boat winch to work?
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Reply By: Patrolman Pat - Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 08:42
Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 08:42
I don't like the suggestions of boat
winches , front hitches etcand the like. Far better to learn to tow the trailer in all conditions, having a boat winch in the garage isn't going to help when you get caught in road works or on a trail and have no choice but reverse up an incline and round a bend etc.
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Reply By: Member - Old Girl (QLD) - Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 15:32
Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 15:32
Garbage Garbage. Dont buy a trailer if you cant back it in there. I the female get a good laugh at some idiots that cant back a trailer.
Sharon
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Follow Up By: garbage - Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 17:45
Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 17:45
I can't back a trailer because I have never towed a trailer. So that makes me an idiot.
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Follow Up By: garbage - Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 17:48
Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 17:48
And how do you propose I learn to back a trailer without having access to one to practice on?
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Follow Up By: Member - Old Girl (QLD) - Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 17:54
Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 17:54
Can you not back a trailer in that garage. Im sorry for that if you cant. Very sorry.
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Follow Up By: garbage - Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 18:01
Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 18:01
I take it you were born with the ability to back trailers.
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