trailer hitch / driveway problem

[Salty Sal]

My 18 foot boat is trailered 2X during the boating season-to launch and haul only.I store the boat in my driveway during the off season. The trailer is towed by my 1991 Taurus. Every year, when I back the boat into my driveway, the bottom of the hitch <br />scrapes along and gouges the surface of the drive way apron. Pulling out of the driveway is no problem Any tricks on how to alleviate this problem without breaking and reshaping the driveway apron?

 

[mattttt25]

Re: trailer hitch / driveway problem

could you back it in by hand? a few friends should be able to push an 18' boat quite easily (i've moved my 20' plenty of times by hand). you could also use a hand dolly to assist. good luck-

 

[Salty Sal]

Re: trailer hitch / driveway problem

Hi mattttt25 - thats a good idea- but would it be that easy because there is an approx. 20 degree<br />incline at that area. Don't want an accident.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: trailer hitch / driveway problem

using a riding mower with a hitch is often suggested on these boards. that would make it a bit safer.

 

[neumanns]

Re: trailer hitch / driveway problem

Sal, seems to me the problem is created by the angle in wich you back in. Backing in vs pulling out creates diffrent tounge angles, I would think trying to duplicate the angle you pull out with should alleviate the problem. It all has to do with the physics of hitch location and tire angle. My best guess is you cut the wheels tighter while backing. Good luck!!

 

[Salty Sal]

Re: trailer hitch / driveway problem

It is a single axle trailer. I think that is the reason that backing in is a problem but pulling out isn't. In pulling out the hitch clears way before the trailer starts it decline down the apron- hence it doesn't brush the apron. The idea of a riding mower with hitch is good but I don't have access to one. Any other suggestions guys? Thanks to all.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: trailer hitch / driveway problem

Try putting some 2x4's at the bottom of the driveway to soften the transition angle.

 

[Salty Sal]

Re: trailer hitch / driveway problem

Thanks POINTER94

 

[Salty Sal]

Re: trailer hitch / driveway problem

Thanks POINTER94

 

[Bondo]

Re: trailer hitch / driveway problem

but would it be that easy because there is an approx. 20 degree incline at that area.

Up hill, <br />Or Down hill ????????<br /><br />Rent a Pick-up Truck Twice a year.....

 

[ARCWINSTON]

Re: trailer hitch / driveway problem

Does your Taurus have a bumper hitch or a reciever? I had this same issue a long time ago except I had to trailer the boat every week (if I was lucky). I fixed it by fitting a bracket to accept a second tow ball which was higher which I only used to put the boat away or get it out. It wasn't strong enough (I thought) to trust for towing and it was a pain to get out and put the trailer on the higher ball when it was raining but it was an easy and inexpensive solution to "get me over the hump" Literally! For twice a year a rental might be better.

 

[RainMan302v8]

Re: trailer hitch / driveway problem

if you have a reciever type hitch, you can get a drop tongue and mount it upside down, giving you a lift<br /><br />if its a bumper hitch, you can fit the car with air shocks, which would lift you "over the hump"<br /><br />finally, you could go to home depot and buy a sheet of plywood, and say you need to rent the truck to get it home, 19 for the truck, 5 bucks for a sheet of wood. Cheaper than U haul, just make sure they have a ball on the back, and have the truck back in 75 minutes

 

[salty87]

Re: trailer hitch / driveway problem

i'm with rainman, a lift should do the trick

 

[neumanns]

Re: trailer hitch / driveway problem

I still say it's in the angle of aproach. The hitch height and wheel base nor hump location change forwards or backwards. Only the actual direction of aproach changes. I tell you this as a vetran of scraping hitches with a motorhome towing a vehicle. I learned that if you can do it without scraping in one direction you can also do it in the other direction. How the trailer reacts is the only diffrence between forward/reverse and that can be changed simply by making proper steering wheel adjustments.

 

[Bondo]

Re: trailer hitch / driveway problem

neumanns,<br />There's No Doubt you are Correct.......<br />Simple Physics........<br /><br />Salty Sal Should Study the Possibility that he could do that......<br />From experence though, Sometimes, it's neither Safe, or Possible to put the tow vechicle where it's Got to be....

 

[Salty Sal]

Re: trailer hitch / driveway problem

The more I Think of it, Neumanns is correct.<br />This is a tight approach, and moving in reverse<br />into a narrow driveway is not simple. Pulling out on the other hand is a snap.<br /><br />THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP!<br /><br />Sal