How much damage can occur:Prop/fin scraping on driveway

[equium]

It didn't scrape much, but it did. How bad can this damage the outdrive and engine. As you may have figured, I can't get my (new to me) boat up our steep driveway. I'm going to flip the axle and get 3 more inches and I should clear. Too bad my outdrive didn't have a quick release and I could pull it off with ease.
thanks

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: How much damage can occurrop/fin scraping on driveway

I gotta ask. Did you have the outdrive raised up? If so that must be one steeeeep drive way

 

[peacekeeper6]

Re: How much damage can occurrop/fin scraping on driveway

i scratched mine alot, one time on my old volvo i ran it and it hit the ground, still ran in the water fine very first boat.

 

[thunderroad]

Re: How much damage can occurrop/fin scraping on driveway

If you were going forward and the skeg is in good shape, you probably didn't do any real damage.

 

[peacekeeper6]

Re: How much damage can occurrop/fin scraping on driveway

if it isnt a new prop, i would get a spare anyway to keep with you...helps...i know

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: How much damage can occurrop/fin scraping on driveway

I gotta ask. Did you have the outdrive raised up? If so that must be one steeeeep drive way

if you flip the axle you will make your boat harder to launch and load- have to be deeper both ways and also most axles are bent to have the proper toe in and camber and if you turn it over you stand a good chance of messing this up, causing poor tire wear, and might not tow as well

 

[equium]

Re: How much damage can occurrop/fin scraping on driveway

Yes, It's a steep driveway, and the Prop was all the way up. I tried backing it and the fin hit. I tried going up forward, and it still hits. The prop was never touched.
Jaxnjil, What can I do in place of flipping the axles? I only need about 3 inches of lift for only a few feet. Once I'm past the "dip", it's all good.
I have 14" wheels, I can get an inch (i think) by going to 15" wheels. What if I flip the axles and rotate them (left to right, right to left), would that keep the camber and toe in fine?
How can I tell if does have camber and toe in? It's an old trailer (and boat) from the 70s. Did they do that back then?
thanks

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: How much damage can occurrop/fin scraping on driveway

What about building makeshift ramps to span the 10 ft or so?.....
It would be alot easier than messin' with the trailer....​

 

[Si Rey]

Re: How much damage can occurrop/fin scraping on driveway

I have a couple of ideas for your situation. First- look into getting air bags for the suspension, rv's use them all the time to even out uneven ride/load issues. You can add air when needed via an air tank or 12v aircompressor. When you don't need the extra height you can let the air out for easier loading and better highway handling. Second maybe consider using lift blocks on the springs between the axles like when lifting a 4x4. Third, think about using a longer drop receiver just before going up or down the driveway. This will raise the back end to provide more clearance. I know it would be a pain in the butt to switch receivers but it is one solution.

 

[equium]

Re: How much damage can occurrop/fin scraping on driveway

Hmmm. I do have some scrap lumber. I can try the ramp idea. I did not know you can put air bags on a trailer. I totally forgot about the drop on my hitch. Duh! I think I'll invest in one of those fancy adjustable drop hitches. Of course, I hope I dont start scraping the bottom of the hitch.
A friend here at work just gave me an idea. He said to jack up the trailer to put some distance between the springs and frame; put some wood blocks in-between and remove the jacks. This will keep the frame "lifted" until I get it up the driveway. Does this sound like it will work?
I appreciate the responses and kind welcome to this new forum.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: How much damage can occurrop/fin scraping on driveway

lowering the front of trailer,hitch, would also be my first choice.
then- might be adjustments on trailer to raise boat, move boat forward, or axle back. last metal blocks under springs and longer u-bolts.
yes all trailers have toe to help trail straight and camber to compensate for weight on axle
also rember if you go up in rim size you only gain 1/2 of what you raise in hight. 1" taller rim = 1/2" higher
if this dosnt answer all your questions we might need to move over to trailer&towing section

 

[equium]

Re: How much damage can occurrop/fin scraping on driveway

lowering the front of trailer,hitch, would also be my first choice.
then- might be adjustments on trailer to raise boat, move boat forward, or axle back. last metal blocks under springs and longer u-bolts.
yes all trailers have toe to help trail straight and camber to compensate for weight on axle
also rember if you go up in rim size you only gain 1/2 of what you raise in hight. 1" taller rim = 1/2" higher
if this dosnt answer all your questions we might need to move over to trailer&towing section

Thanks. I'm going to pick up an adjustable hitch today and try it again. (Hopefully, without ending in an argument with the wife )
I'll give an update when/if i get it up the driveway.

 

[QC]

Re: How much damage can occurrop/fin scraping on driveway

FWIW, yes only 1/2 inch from the wheel size change, but you could pick up more with higher profile tires too . . . Seems like the drop hitch would work well. Don't drop it until the hitch is past the dip, then you won't have to worry about the hitch hitting

 

[UTgws]

Re: How much damage can occurrop/fin scraping on driveway

When your rig is sitting on level ground, does the trailer sit level, tongue up, tongue low? If your hitch is high and you do not have a drop hitch then the tongue will ride high and the rear of the trailer, and therfore your lower unit, will be lower.

Just thinking and sometimes that doesn't always help

 

[equium]

Re: How much damage can occurrop/fin scraping on driveway

UPDATE: I got it up the driveway. What a chore! I bought the Mastercraft adjustable drop hitch. It can be adjusted while hitched and loaded. What a Godsend. I started with the tounge low and was able to clear the fin with no problem. Then the trailer's tounge "foot" hit. Raised the hitch on the fly, and up the driveway I went. The best part about the adjustable hitch is that my four sided lug nut wrench fits the adjuster nut and I can turn it without hitting my tailgate. I will say this: That trailer is not coming down until it has been modified! I talked to a local trailer shop and got some advice. They advised not to slide the axle back. But, he did tell me that since my drop hitch is the square axle type, it does not have camber/toe in and I can flip the axle. I am going to look into higher profile 15 inch wheels. Thanks for all the replies. If I have any more trailer issues, I'll post them in the trailer section.