Low Trailer- Steep Driveway Problem

isaacn92

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Mar 14, 2022
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I have a pretty steep driveway but that’s not the problem. The problem is the builders put a very steep “curb” all around our neighborhood for us to go up into our driveways. I have a 2007 Tahoe Q4 and the trailer is very low. The first time backing in the driveway I drug the trailer. Luckily I had some spare 2x12 in the garage. I put that under the tires and made a ramp to go over that hump. That solution works but it’s just a pain to do every time we get home. I’ve looked into skid rollers like what would be on an RV. I’ve thought about mounting those to the bottom of the trailer as a more permanent solution. Has anybody tried this? Looked for an existing thread and couldn’t find one. I found a few comments about casters being added to the trailer but again, no thread or pictures.
 

H20Rat

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Mar 8, 2009
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5,203
I wouldn't do the rollers, you are putting pressure on areas not meant to have weight. Bigger tires &/or change the angle of your receiver hitch. Lower it if it drags the back of the trailer.

Or just keep the 2x12's handy, probably the easiest solution!
 

robert graham

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Apr 16, 2009
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6,908
Harbor Freight Carry’s a complete line of rollers and casters that you could maybe attach to your trailer to help….I’ve seem big travel trailers with these mounted on the backs to help with entering/exiting driveways, etc….
 

SavinRaven

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Sep 16, 2021
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228
I keep curb cushions on mine. Works great! Basically just a bridge. No my driveway but basically what they are.
 

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racerone

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Any pictures of the trailer ?-----Pictures of the part that hits.-----Most trailer shops could install some spacers on the springs / hangers to give you the clearance you need.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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I have a pretty steep driveway but that’s not the problem. The problem is the builders put a very steep “curb” all around our neighborhood for us to go up into our driveways. I have a 2007 Tahoe Q4 and the trailer is very low. The first time backing in the driveway I drug the trailer. Luckily I had some spare 2x12 in the garage. I put that under the tires and made a ramp to go over that hump. That solution works but it’s just a pain to do every time we get home. I’ve looked into skid rollers like what would be on an RV. I’ve thought about mounting those to the bottom of the trailer as a more permanent solution. Has anybody tried this? Looked for an existing thread and couldn’t find one. I found a few comments about casters being added to the trailer but again, no thread or pictures.
is your trailer level behind your truck? is the hitch the right height?

have you gone to a trailer shop as was mentioned to block up the axle(s) for more height?
 

isaacn92

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Next time I get the boat out, I’ll try to take some pictures and post them. Everything is stock on the boat and truck, so I don’t think it would be a leveling issue. I’ll look into a trailer shop and find out about the spacer/blocks.
 

Scott Danforth

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Next time I get the boat out, I’ll try to take some pictures and post them. Everything is stock on the boat and truck, so I don’t think it would be a leveling issue. I’ll look into a trailer shop and find out about the spacer/blocks.
which truck? an S-10, or a F450 with a 12" lift running on 45's
how much of a drop hitch?
does your trailer sit level behind the truck?
 

isaacn92

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which truck? an S-10, or a F450 with a 12" lift running on 45's
how much of a drop hitch?
does your trailer sit level behind the truck?
It's a 2020 Silverado Crew Cab 20 in rims. Everything is stock. No lift kit or anything like that.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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It's a 2020 Silverado Crew Cab 20 in rims. Everything is stock. No lift kit or anything like that.
Is the trailer level when connected to the truck? Yes or no?

You may need a drop hitch
 

briangcc

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Jul 10, 2012
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2,360
What Scott's driving at is this...

Say you are currently using a straight drawbar on your truck to hook up to your trailer. And that drawbar is causing the tongue of the trailer to sit high. That's going to tip your trailer down at the rear causing it to sit lower than it should which *could* be part of your issue.

In that situation, switching to a 1-2" drop (or possibly more) would lower the tongue which in turn would raise the rear of the trailer and *might* get you the distance you need.

Think of the trailer as a big old teeter totter with the axle being the pivot point.

So...how's the trailer in relation to the truck when connected? Level? Tongue high?


**For the record, stock doesn't mean squat. Take a tape to any vehicle and check where the hitch is. It can/will be different between same year truck models due to packages installed.
 

jhande

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Jun 26, 2010
Messages
442
If your town was responsible for the curbs I would contact them. Installing curbs in front of driveways usually isn't allowed.
 

racerone

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Dec 28, 2013
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37,828
Do not know your set-up.------I would find / or make drop hitch say 5"----Does not need to be a top quality one.------Use it to get in and out of your driveway.-----Leave it at home when you use the regular hitch on the super highway
 

isaacn92

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Mar 14, 2022
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Thank you everyone. I will check the leveling next time I get it out of the garage and go from there. This is my first boat and this was not something I expected to have an issue with lol
 

j cat

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Oct 13, 2015
Messages
100
I have a pretty steep driveway but that’s not the problem. The problem is the builders put a very steep “curb” all around our neighborhood for us to go up into our driveways. I have a 2007 Tahoe Q4 and the trailer is very low. The first time backing in the driveway I drug the trailer. Luckily I had some spare 2x12 in the garage. I put that under the tires and made a ramp to go over that hump. That solution works but it’s just a pain to do every time we get home. I’ve looked into skid rollers like what would be on an RV. I’ve thought about mounting those to the bottom of the trailer as a more permanent solution. Has anybody tried this? Looked for an existing thread and couldn’t find one. I found a few comments about casters being added to the trailer but again, no thread or pictures.
post your picture trailer on your truck .
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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Thank you everyone. I will check the leveling next time I get it out of the garage and go from there. This is my first boat and this was not something I expected to have an issue with lol
any pics yet?
 

isaacn92

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Mar 14, 2022
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I was planning on getting it out this weekend but life happened lol. So hopefully soon. Getting some work done it, so it’s parked in the garage for a while… I just posted last time since it was on my mind about the issue I was having. Looking back, probably should’ve waited to post.
 
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