Author Topic: steep driveway (Read 11217 times)

Wocka · « **on:** October 01, 2013, 07:34:08 AM »

Love this site for us inexperienced rookies. Just acquired a Lifestyle CT and rapt with deal. However my garage and driveway combination leave me somewhat sceptical about reversing trailer down, unhitching and moving off back up the drive in manual vehicle. Indeed skill around the hill start is a critical element of the process. The hitch is DO 35 and I believe I can unhitch when CT and tow vehicle are on very different angles? My strategy is to chock trailer then unhitch and move away.
Can you knowledgeable seasoned folk provide me with some suggestions? thanks in advance for your assistance.

Wocka

D4D · « **Reply #1 on:** October 01, 2013, 07:44:21 AM »

Quote from: Wocka on October 01, 2013, 07:34:08 AM

Can you knowledgeable seasoned folk provide me with some suggestions? thanks in advance for your assistance.

Buy a new house

Seriously now, I have a steep drive also however it goes low to high rather than high to low like yours. I had looked at fitting a hitch setup onto the front of my vehicle but in the end I swapped to a lighter camper I could man handle around.

#jonesy · « **Reply #2 on:** October 01, 2013, 07:52:42 AM »

My drive is steep, low to high and have to reverse uphill to garage. Need it in 4high and lots of power.

Put it in 4 high when you go down, in case you need to drive up to correct in case extra traction needed. Maybe a few practice runs with a standard trailer.
Should be able to unhitched at an angle.

Brumbypt · « **Reply #3 on:** October 01, 2013, 08:01:33 AM »

USE low range to back ya trailer, much easier..

if you have an 80 series, then u can unplug the transfer so it doesnt go into 4wd.

if you are backing down the driveway while towing then also use the handbrake to slow ya self down..

can you post pics of your drive way and camper parking spot so we can get an idea of what you have to do to park where u park??

iPad with IOS 7.02 using Tapatalk HD

D4D · « **Reply #4 on:** October 01, 2013, 08:03:28 AM »

I forgot to mention, buy a new 4x4 with an auto box

chisel · « **Reply #5 on:** October 01, 2013, 09:14:15 AM »

Quote from: D4D on October 01, 2013, 08:03:28 AM

I forgot to mention, buy a new 4x4 with an auto box

^^^^ This!! So much easier with an auto.
I have to back up a steep driveway to garage the trailer - also on side-slope. Pain in the arse to get it done and park exactly where you want, only to find the hitch won't release!! I have a hyland. Which hitches will release at more severe angles? (Note: I might be doing it wrong.)

Shaker · « **Reply #6 on:** October 01, 2013, 10:10:11 AM »

This situation highlights one of the few but very annoying drawbacks with Prado, no low range without the centre diff locked!

D4D · « **Reply #7 on:** October 01, 2013, 10:11:49 AM »

I can do that in my Prado...

HKB Electronics · « **Reply #8 on:** October 01, 2013, 10:20:09 AM »

If your reversing down a hill to a level area you may find you'll have trouble unhitching the trailer as the tow ball
maybe to low for you to attaching the jockey wheel depending on the angle of the car.

Yes choke the wheels of the trailer before you unhitch and obviously if it is a down hill
slope make brake is applied.

Is actually much better to back down a steep hill than to drive down as you may
not have the traction to be able to reverse back up.

Cheers
Leigh

austastar · « **Reply #9 on:** October 01, 2013, 04:47:27 PM »

Hi,
Dead easy with one other person and 3 metres of chain with a few connectors.

Back the trailer up to the start of the driveway and park it, brake on, jockey wheel in position.

Turn the vehicle around and put the chain to the front towing or recovery point and the safety chain on your trailer.

Take up the slack with the vehicle, your helper releases the trailer brake and steers it down the drive way as you control the descent in the vehicle.

This will even work around a few bends as the length of chain allows the jockey wheel to be pushed sideways quite a bit with little effort.

cheers

Wocka · « **Reply #10 on:** October 03, 2013, 07:24:09 AM »

Thanks gentlemen, I am extremely grateful for your well considered responses. I believe I can post a photo or two to provide you with additional information and will certainly explore the options provided. I dig this forum and the honesty and genuineness of those who 'put-in'.
Great stuff and thanks again. P.S I'll get those shots in this arvo.

Red Dog 4x4 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 03, 2013, 07:58:11 AM »

Quote from: Brumbypt on October 01, 2013, 08:01:33 AM

USE low range to back ya trailer, much easier..

if you have an 80 series, then u can unplug the transfer so it doesnt go into 4wd.

if you are backing down the driveway while towing then also use the handbrake to slow ya self down..

can you post pics of your drive way and camper parking spot so we can get an idea of what you have to do to park where u park??

iPad with IOS 7.02 using Tapatalk HD

Have a look for what is called the Pin 7 mod, so you can go into low range in the 80 &105s with out it locking the centre diff. I think I found it on the I8Mud forum.

Brumbypt · « **Reply #12 on:** October 03, 2013, 08:03:58 AM »

the mod is on LCOOL..

its easy, just unplug the plug at the 2 oclock postion when looking ut the back of the transfer box. then test..

mine has been off for about 14 years. with the same bit of tape on it.. I should really change it.

I did the mod to me mates two 80s a few months ago.

iPad with IOS 7.02 using Tapatalk HD

HEM19X · « **Reply #13 on:** October 04, 2013, 07:00:53 AM »

Wocka, Low range is the go. We have a BT50 that burnt out a clutch when backing up a small rise, also things move slower etc.

If you are unhitching when the CT is not on the same plane as the 4by, you will have problems. The reason is that when you wind up the jockey wheel to lift it off the hitch pin, the hitch point moves putting lateral strain on the hitch.

Depending on the angle, you can try rocking the 4by back & forward [gently] or if this does not work, drop the jockey wheel but only wind it to the point where the CT takes the weight off the hitch, then remove the hitch pin on the 4by & drive forward. For both methods I would chock both CT wheels front & back.

PM me if I can better explain this

Regards

Hem

truckiejas · « **Reply #14 on:** October 04, 2013, 10:34:49 PM »

Quote from: HEM19X on October 04, 2013, 07:00:53 AM

Wocka, Low range is the go. We have a BT50 that burnt out a clutch when backing up a small rise, also things move slower etc.

If you are unhitching when the CT is not on the same plane as the 4by, you will have problems. The reason is that when you wind up the jockey wheel to lift it off the hitch pin, the hitch point moves putting lateral strain on the hitch.

Depending on the angle, you can try rocking the 4by back & forward [gently] or if this does not work, drop the jockey wheel but only wind it to the point where the CT takes the weight off the hitch, then remove the hitch pin on the 4by & drive forward. For both methods I would chock both CT wheels front & back.

PM me if I can better explain this

Regards

Hem

done that a few times myself, when the coupling doesn't want to play the game. just pull the pin on the hitch and slide it out of the receiver, you may need to wind the jockey wheel up or down as it is coming out as not to jamb up.

re the slope just take your time and get someone that you know that knows how to back a trailer to help you.

Shaker · « **Reply #15 on:** October 05, 2013, 08:14:57 AM »

Quote from: D4D on October 01, 2013, 10:11:49 AM

I can do that in my Prado...

How?

D4D · « **Reply #16 on:** October 05, 2013, 08:18:49 AM »

I have an auto, transfer case has H or L and I have a switch to lock in the centre diff lock. So I can have H, H locked, L or L locked.

Wocka · « **Reply #17 on:** October 22, 2013, 08:50:49 PM »

Well gentlemen, I have managed to put the Lifestyle in and out about 4 times now and the bride and I have got the process 'wired'....so to speak? Maybe I over estimated the drama but with a little common sense and a great support crew all's good!
However it's important that I acknowledge the feedback and thank you for taking the time to offer advice and support based on first hand experience.
Love the camper and continue to look forward to many more trips. Took it to Mt Warning Rainforest Park with our sick Staffy and I love it even more and of course the Mrs was as usual at her level headed best.
Cheers Gentlemen