backing into a driveway on a steep hill question.

[ninjamatt]

I want you guys opinion on how to do this. This is my first boat and the people who have put this boat in my garage had a lot of experience backing.

Going to my house, you go down a slope which feels like 45 degrees but I would bet more like 30 degrees. I'm not gonna give my exact address but you can see an example if you look at 9 flourite court little rock arkansas on google street view map. That's the positioning of my house; Down the hill, left side of the street, drive way is about 15 feet wide.

My question is, there's 3 ways to try to put it in the garage; go down to the end of the hill, turn around, go up above the drive way and turn it on the opposite side of where I am sitting. Go down just a bit past the drive way and push it up the hill turning it in reverse, or turn in the neighbors driveway across the street where there's a straight shot, but the bottom of the trailer drags the pavement b/c her drive way starts up another incline. My drive way is fairly flat though.

should this be an easy task for a newbie

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: backing into a driveway on a steep hill question.

I would try not to use the neighbors driveway if it causes your trailer to drag, so either of the other two options, the best thing I can tell you is to practice practice practice, yeah you might tie up your road for a little bit but tough, figure out what is best for you.

Not sure what tow vehicle you have but you may think about a front hitch instead of the typical rear hitch.

 

[ninjamatt]

Re: backing into a driveway on a steep hill question.

I would try not to use the neighbors driveway if it causes your trailer to drag, so either of the other two options, the best thing I can tell you is to practice practice practice, yeah you might tie up your road for a little bit but tough, figure out what is best for you.

Not sure what tow vehicle you have but you may think about a front hitch instead of the typical rear hitch.

I never heard of a front hitch.

I have a 2000 z71 with 5.3. my buddy was driving it one day and he slammed it in from pushing up hill in reverse. I saw my dad do it by going to the bottom, and coming up to the top and he struggled with it and almost jackknifed and my dad has a lot of experience. My dad also one another time dragged the trailer on the pavement. I wish I could have been outside watch the guy do it the hard way but I was riding and didn't even know what he was about to do he did it so fast. But he's real good and his work involves towing trailers. That seems awfully awkward to me

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: backing into a driveway on a steep hill question.

yep mounts on the front of your truck, Front Mount Trailer Hitch for a 2000 Chevy Silverado Z71 1500 | etrailer.com two different ones depending on if you have a 1500 or a 2500/3500.

Look backing up is not rocket science you need to practice and sometimes practice will not eliminate you looking like an idiot, but as you gain experience you will also gain confidence, before long you will wonder what the big deal was.

The front hitch simply gives you a little bit of an advantage since now you can see your boat react to your input, they are not chep but it may be just what you need.

Disclaimer: Its not advisable to tow with a front mounted hitch at highway speeds....

 

[Quit It]

Re: backing into a driveway on a steep hill question.

I have a front hitch because the street & driveway are extremely narrow and there's a giant brick mailbox to contend with as well. I could do it just fine with the Armada's short wheelbase and turning radius but not anymore. Anyway, if your street is that wide I think you'll be able to do it with the rear hitch. Heck, the pro did it. It's just going to take some practice. So practice

 

[Quit It]

Re: backing into a driveway on a steep hill question.

I'd also add that switching to a front hitch on that hill looks like it wouldn't be fun/easy.

 

[ninjamatt]

Re: backing into a driveway on a steep hill question.

thanks for the suggestion but I don't need a front hitch. it can be done. I've seen my friend do it without even pulling forward but he's a ****ing bad *** I guess. he even had spectators behind him he tried to get to pass, but I guess they wanted to watch. That brings up another question. do people really like to watch stuff like that???

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: backing into a driveway on a steep hill question.

of course we like to watch.

I work with guys who run yard dogs (small semi trucks) all day long and 50% of the time they are in reverse and i still find it intresting that they will start off at the worst angle and foot flat to the floor put a trailer in with only inches to spare. When i ask them the tricks of the trade its always the same answer....practice...practice...practice. so why not find a car park (the empty part at the back) and go play in reverse before tackling the harder driveway.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: backing into a driveway on a steep hill question.

I want you guys opinion on how to do this. This is my first boat and the people who have put this boat in my garage had a lot of experience backing.

Going to my house, you go down a slope which feels like 45 degrees but I would bet more like 30 degrees. I'm not gonna give my exact address but you can see an example if you look at 9 flourite court little rock arkansas on google street view map. That's the positioning of my house; Down the hill, left side of the street, drive way is about 15 feet wide.

My question is, there's 3 ways to try to put it in the garage; go down to the end of the hill, turn around, go up above the drive way and turn it on the opposite side of where I am sitting. Go down just a bit past the drive way and push it up the hill turning it in reverse, or turn in the neighbors driveway across the street where there's a straight shot, but the bottom of the trailer drags the pavement b/c her drive way starts up another incline. My drive way is fairly flat though.

should this be an easy task for a newbie

Always the best way. This way you can see where the trailer is going in the mirror. It's called site side. Going up the hill and backing is called blind side. You can't see anything after a certain point

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: backing into a driveway on a steep hill question.

That brings up another question. do people really like to watch stuff like that???

Are you joking? This is the exact reason why Youtube has been the success story it is!

Look almost everyone had to pay their dues, its just your turn, have the wife record it...

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: backing into a driveway on a steep hill question.

Are you joking? This is the exact reason why Youtube has been the success story it is!

Look almost everyone had to pay their dues, its just your turn, have the wife record it...

years ago i went to the dead end near my fathers and reversed to turn around (3 point) and there was a huge bang. i cursed and said i carn't belive some *** just ran into me. My wife just smiled and said "you forgot the trailer". all the neighbours came out to see what the noise was and made helpful comments like "do you need a hand reversing that". "i think you turned to tight". Thank god you-tube wasnt big back then

 

[Silverbullet555]

Re: backing into a driveway on a steep hill question.

You can also have casters added to your trailer to help with transitions. Often seen on inboard boat trailers.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: backing into a driveway on a steep hill question.

The Unwritten Law of Trailering -- the difficulty of the manouvre is in direct proportion to the audience hanging around to watch!

I agree with the others - it's all about the number of hours your vehicle has spent in reverse and you have spent with a crick in your neck. And even after 30-odd years at it I will occasionally have a doozy of a day where I do the pooch but good (and with a full audience, of course).

All this goes double for docking a boat in a tight spot too.

Good luck and just take it slow.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: backing into a driveway on a steep hill question.

I agree with the others - it's all about the number of hours your vehicle has spent in reverse and you have spent with a crick in your neck. And even after 30-odd years at it I will occasionally have a doozy of a day where I do the pooch but good (and with a full audience, of course).

If you are turning your head to back a trailer you are doing it wrong! :joyous: Seriously though backing with mirrors is the easiest and most accurate, but sometimes you do have to revert to twisting the old neck around! (try backing a short pole, empty pwc trailer with a SUV if you want a challenge. You have to back up by feel and 'the force' only. You can't see the trailer by turning your head, and by the time its in the mirrors, its too late to recover it.

 

[autogun]

Re: backing into a driveway on a steep hill question.

thanks for the suggestion but I don't need a front hitch. it can be done. I've seen my friend do it without even pulling forward but he's a ****ing bad *** I guess. he even had spectators behind him he tried to get to pass, but I guess they wanted to watch. That brings up another question. do people really like to watch stuff like that???

An acquaintance of mine, would always try to get the campsite closest to the boat launch, just for the entertainment...

 

[aspeck]

Re: backing into a driveway on a steep hill question.

Practice, practice, practice. If you are new to backing up with a trailer, set up some cones in an empty parking lot and practice maneuvering around them. Also, place your hand at the bottom of your steering wheel (6 o'clock). That way the direction you move your hand is the direction the trailer will go.

Enjoy the challenge!

 

[Dawg'sLife93]

Re: backing into a driveway on a steep hill question.

Another little tip to all the great advice already given, Take you tailgate off. It'll give a better view through the rearview mirror of what the trailer is doing. It takes about 15 sec to take off. After you practice.. practice... practice..., you will have a feel for where the trailer is going and can leave the tailgate on.

 

[ninjamatt]

Re: backing into a driveway on a steep hill question.

Ok so I got an update on this. this is my first boat and today was my first real day to take it out. first I stopped at walmart and practiced backing in the parking lot. I kind of got the feel for it. did it about 20 minutes. got out to the launch with my dad and I got it backed in real good and straight with no pulling forward and I was backing at a bit of an angle.

here's the kicker. when I went to back just the trailer, I totally messed up. I think my eyes were trained to watched the boat and when it wasn't there I was lost just watching the fenders. I took the wrong cut several times. so the same launch I did 2 hours before with the boat, I kept effing it up and having to go forward. I finally got it in their but it was slightly jacknifed.

Also, it was my first time putting it in the garage at a 90 degree angle on a steep hill. I tried pushing it up the hill but it wouldn't go. I had my foot about an inch down into the gas. I said fucck it and went to the bottom of the hill and came back. I got it in the garage but my dad had to tell me which way to turn the wheel at times once I got it in the garage and I kept forgetting which gear I was in. I guess ima fukc up. That drive way is only about 15 feet wide

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: backing into a driveway on a steep hill question.

Watch your language. This is a family site and your disguises are too thin or non-existant.

 

[taggy]

Re: backing into a driveway on a steep hill question.

put your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel. if you want the trailer to go to the right, move your hand to the right. Move you hand to the left to go left. It's easy to get confused when you are learning. This should help.