how steep a drive way

[markb5900]

Hi
We recently purchased a new house and it has two driveways.
One drive is approximately 150 feet long and is maybe 15 or 20 degree angle going down, then levels out.
My mind tells me I will be ok going down it with the 5er, my devil/angel on my shoulder keeps reminding me there is not enough room to turn around before the bottom, so once I start it I am committed. It is the leveling out at the bottom I am concerned about that I will drag.

Wondered which one most of you follow, your methodical mind or your devil/angel telling you BEWARE you are about to screw yourself.

Why I want to go down it is, eventually, I want to make a winter parking spot for the 5er there. Go straight down it, then back over to the winter parking spot.

Your thoughts?
(32 foot Rockwood ultra light, 3/4 ton chevy TV with a reese revolution pin box)

Thanks

[Papa-t]

If you have 4 wheel drive just put it in low 4x4. This will force you to take it nice and slow. Second suggestion is to back in; then you won't have to worry about turning around.

[markb5900]

OH I plan to go slow. If it was just the bumper dragging I wouldn't care.
But I have electric stabilizers on the rear, if they drag.
It is going to be costly.

[bob caldwell]

Just have some planks handy, if needed

[silver]

While not a fifth wheel my driveway is like yours and my 39 foot Berkshire drags if I do not make the approach correctly. I had the same problem with my Travel trailer. I found if I go up at an angle it allows me to just clear the frame and not drag. The other thing I have don't is mount a wireless camera on the frame so I can watch how close I get when backing in. I use to have a dedicated monitor for the camera. Now I use the video input of my GPS.

[markb5900]

Originally Posted by silver

While not a fifth wheel my driveway is like yours and my 39 foot Berkshire drags if I do not make the approach correctly. I had the same problem with my Travel trailer. I found if I go up at an angle it allows me to just clear the frame and not drag. The other thing I have don't is mount a wireless camera on the frame so I can watch how close I get when backing in. I use to have a dedicated monitor for the camera. Now I use the video input of my GPS.

Thanks
Just may mount a camera.
I LOVE my DW to the ends of the earth, but when helping me with this type of thing, we tend to "clash" on what she is trying to communicate to me and what I am understanding. LOL

[OldCoot]

If it didn't drag on the way up the drive, why would it drag on the way out? How did you get it up there and turned around?

[markb5900]

It has NEVER been on that drive way.

[flymhi]

Frame casters in the back?

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by markb5900

It has NEVER been on that drive way.

I would hook up and start and stop or have someone watch closely on the way in or you can back it in and leave it on the level spot.

[elind]

Watch for the front of the FW to hit the truck box if turning on a ridge or valley. I dented the front top of my box by turning over a ridge on to a road. The truck can twist and turn to cause damage.

[pdqparalegal1]

Originally Posted by markb5900

Thanks
Just may mount a camera.
I LOVE my DW to the ends of the earth, but when helping me with this type of thing, we tend to "clash" on what she is trying to communicate to me and what I am understanding. LOL

U B normal
Been there, done that, got the tongue lashing!

[KyDan]

I don't see the problem.... give it a try and have someone watch. If it looks like it's going to drag -- back out of there.
OR
Let your wife drive and YOU watch and give directions.

My wife gives lousy directions but she takes them perfectly when parking.
I walk along side and tell her which way to turn and how much.
It works every time.
We typically park our rig inside a shed with no more than 6 inches of clearance on one side. She drives- I talk- it works.
She is the perfect human remote control in this case.
It's pretty much the only time she does exactly what I tell her but hey- it
works for us!

[Butch Wilson]

It's going to drive you nuts until you try it. Go for it, if it touches back out !

[mnoland30]

I think what you're asking is if you have the brakes to stop it, and the power to
pull it out. I believe the answer is yes. Boat ramps are very steep, and people pull huge boats out of the water behind pickups. Your truck and trailer brakes should give you plenty of stopping power. Going up, you'll have great traction because of the tongue weight. As for dragging, that's been covered.

[Vince and Charlette]

One of my favorite sayings is "When in doubt, don't!" I have had two nasty scrapes in the last few years - one with a fiver I used to own and one just this January with the Class A we now own. In both cases, I thought I had enough clearance but didn't. Once that scraping sound starts, you're left with the ugly decision do I keep going or try to back out of this situation. Both options can cause damage. Be particularly careful with a fiver and TT since the forces on the vehicle are slightly different pulling vs. backing. When backing, you may note that the rear bumper is slightly lower than when pulling forward. Check it out carefully!

[mtnlvr]

I don't know if I would risk it. My rear auto leveling jacks don't have much clearance and I'm always trying to get a good angle when pulling out- not just straight on or I'll scrape. This also reminded me of a Jaguar sedan w/ extended wheel base that I used to own. That car rode really low and I actually did got stuck a couple times because of that and I had to call a tow truck to get me pulled free. Be careful.