Trailer Parking Problems

[Paul_H]

Hi,

I’ve been lurking here on ribnet for some time now & it has been a valuable source of information for me as in my first year with a rib. Some really excellent information on using & maintaining my boat/engine – thanks everyone!

Anyway, to get to the point – I have overcome most of the usual learning scenarios encountered when new to boating, (towing, launch & recovery etc) but have one problem that remains that I would like to hear some other opinions on as quite frankly, it is driving me potty as to what the best solution maybe.

The problem that remains is that when I have finished my days boating I have difficulties when I return home. I keep my rib in the garage & our driveway is 30M long & on a step(ish) incline (150mm in 1M – aprox 9 Degs). If I can get to the drive it is not too much of a problem to reverse the trailer (although my trailer reversing skills are still pretty poor) but 50% of the time someone will be parked opposite & I cannot turn the car & trailer the 90 Degs into the driveway. This leave me stranded on the road. As the boat/trailer/engine etc are not particularly heavy – aprox 400KG (guessing at 150KG rolling load up the hill), I have so far (with the help of the wife) been able to push the boat from the road to the garage but this is not an ideal situation. Additional it is made more difficult by the fact that the ‘drop’ curb is not a true drop & more of a step (aprox 50mm). This takes a bit of a run up to overcome which is not always possible depending on where cars are parked. I have looked in depth at a couple of solutions & neither are perfect (1) pull boat from a winch in the garage & (2) fit a drivable jockey wheel (Hitchline or similar).

I’m interested to hear if anyone has encountered a similar problem & what their solution was. I have thought a lot about the problem & possible solutions but now would value some fresh thinking before I finalize a way forward.

Thanks in advance.

Paul.

[Nos4r2]

Have you thought about a front towball?

[Jono]

Block and tackle/rope and pulley system. Cheap as you wish and dead easy.

[Paul_H]

Nos4r2,

That is an interesting idea - fitting a front tow hitch - not one that I have considered. Unfortunately I have a Vauxhall Zafira so I don't think that it would be an option at present.

Thanks anyway.

[Paul_H]

Originally Posted by Jono

Block and tackle/rope and pulley system. Cheap as you wish and dead easy.

Jono,

I have considered this & think that the idea has merit - there are a couple of aspects that I can't think through though: (1) how much rope? I was thinking that the pulley system would need 3-4 pulleys to reduce the weigh sufficently - would i then need 120-150M of rope to pull the length of the drive? thats a lot of rope! (2) I would like to pull up the boat back first but would like to be at the front of the trailer to steer (& manage the nose weight) this would be a bit ackward don't you think?

Is this something that you have tried?

Thanks,

Paul H.

[Andy JC]

Originally Posted by Paul_H

Additional it is made more difficult by the fact that the ‘drop’ curb is not a true drop & more of a step (aprox 50mm). This takes a bit of a run up to overcome which is not always possible depending on where cars are parked.

Not a complete solution but you could make 2 small permanent ramps for the trailer wheels by mixing up a some cement/chippings. This would at least make it easier to overcome your 'drop' curb.

Even if you then later went for another option (block and tackle, drivable jockey wheel etc) this would certainly help cusion the blow.

[Paul_H]

Originally Posted by Andy JC

Not a complete solution but you could make 2 small permanent ramps for the trailer wheels by mixing up a some cement/chippings. This would at least make it easier to overcome your 'drop' curb.

Even if you then later went for another option (block and tackle, drivable jockey wheel etc) this would certainly help cusion the blow.

Andy,

Totally agree - this part of the problem needs resolving as a seperate issue. I will make something up out of ply or steel sheet - I don't know how the council would view me 'adding' to THIER road with concrete or ashphalt.

Thanks,

Paul H.

[Poly]

Paul - until a year ago I was in a similar situation to you and frequently considered fitting some sort of winch. I solved the problem by moving house!

Originally Posted by Paul_H

Jono,

I have considered this & think that the idea has merit - there are a couple of aspects that I can't think through though: (1) how much rope? I was thinking that the pulley system would need 3-4 pulleys to reduce the weigh sufficently - would i then need 120-150M of rope to pull the length of the drive? thats a lot of rope! (2) I would like to pull up the boat back first but would like to be at the front of the trailer to steer (& manage the nose weight) this would be a bit ackward don't you think?

Is this something that you have tried?

Thanks,

Paul H.

You wouldn't get me standing downhill from any trailer being pulled up on pulleys or winch, unless it was very carefully designed, if a single part fails - it will run you down (I am guessing you don't have breaks on a 500 kg trailer/load).

It looks like you can get a (removable) front tow ball for a Zafira though - http://www.westerntowing.co.uk/acata...h-Towbars.html

Might be just as cheap as a decent winch by the time you get it all set up? Although if you change your car frequently it will be a PITA.

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Paul_H

Andy,

Totally agree - this part of the problem needs resolving as a seperate issue. I will make something up out of ply or steel sheet - I don't know how the council would view me 'adding' to THIER road with concrete or ashphalt.

Thanks,

Paul H.

I doubt they'd notice if no-one told them...

[Downhilldai]

Can you use the trailer winch to pull the outfit up the drive?. As it's 30m, you'll need to have a few shots at it, but it may be an easy and cheap solution.
Remember to secure the bow eye of your boat to the trailer winch post (should already be done anyway).

[Paul_H]

[QUOTE=Polwart;251729] Paul - until a year ago I was in a similar situation to you and frequently considered fitting some sort of winch. I solved the problem by moving house!/QUOTE]

Polwart,

Thanks for the suggestion - we only moved last October. I'm sure the wife would be pleased to up sticks again ;-)

[Paul_H]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Can you use the trailer winch to pull the outfit up the drive?. As it's 30m, you'll need to have a few shots at it, but it may be an easy and cheap solution.
Remember to secure the bow eye of your boat to the trailer winch post (should already be done anyway).

Downhilldai,

I thought about doing it this way but concluded it would be too slow. Winch moves aprox 150mm per Revolusion & as you say it would take a few shots to get to the top of the drive.

Thanks - Paul H.

[Northern Tim]

Take the neighbours out for a day on the water and get them to help you manhandle the boat back into the garage. Next time you go out, ask if they'd move the car for a few minutes whilst you reverse up the drive!

[Limey Linda]

How about if you sunk an eye into the ground at top and bottom of driveway attach a single snatch block to each eye. Run rope from trailer to upper block back under trailer to lower block and then to car tow bar.use car to pull it up. When done just unhook blocks and store the kit ready for next time or for lowering back down driveway.

[mark-f]

Originally Posted by Paul_H

Nos4r2,

That is an interesting idea - fitting a front tow hitch - not one that I have considered. Unfortunately I have a Vauxhall Zafira so I don't think that it would be an option at present.

Thanks anyway.

HI Paul,

try watling engineering, they say they can supply a front tow bar for any type of car

http://www.watling-towbars.co.uk/front_towbars.html

regards

Mark

[Hightower]

My Father has a very steep drive and a caravan. I installed a heavy duty boat winch coupled to a towbar hook that was connected to the hitch in the usuall manner and then winched up as per normal, the boat winch has the added advantage of the ratchet and low gear ratio

[Paul_H]

Originally Posted by Northern Tim

Take the neighbours out for a day on the water and get them to help you manhandle the boat back into the garage. Next time you go out, ask if they'd move the car for a few minutes whilst you reverse up the drive!

Tim,

The neighbours are very obliging & are willing to move cars to improve the access were possible but as they have 3 cars on the drive most of the time I feel like a right pain in the backside for asking I am hoping to find a solution that is quick, safe, minimizes disruption, cheap(ish), suitable for (mostly) single handed operation & most of all, with the all of the above solved, ensures that I enjoy my days out boating.

Surely there must be others out there who have encountered & solved similar scenarios

Thanks - Paul H.

[Paul_H]

Originally Posted by Hightower

My Father has a very steep drive and a caravan. I installed a heavy duty boat winch coupled to a towbar hook that was connected to the hitch in the usuall manner and then winched up as per normal, the boat winch has the added advantage of the ratchet and low gear ratio

Hightower,

Yes this would work but it would be a long way to winch (30M). How long was your Dads drive? You are right though, the ratchet has a good safety advantage.

Thanks - Paul H.

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by Paul_H

Hightower,

Yes this would work but it would be a long way to winch (30M). How long was your Dads drive? You are right though, the ratchet has a good safety advantage.

Thanks - Paul H.

Hey, point taken! Hmm, still it's a long way for a block and tackel too. You'll be tieing yourself in knots

[Paul_H]

Originally Posted by Hightower

Hey, point taken! Hmm, still it's a long way for a block and tackel too. You'll be tieing yourself in knots

Hightower,


Totally agree... This problem is doing my head in!!! If only I could find one simple solution! It seems that everything (winching, pulling, pushing etc) has its pro's & con's & I'm struggling to see a clear direction to go in.