Will the TT Fit?

[BaconLover]

I’ve been doing a lot of research as to which travel trailer would work best for us, but one thing we can’t figure out - we have a side driveway that has plenty of straight space at the back, BUT we would have to back it through a pretty tight curve to get it to that space.

Any tips or ideas on how to figure out what size trailer we can fit? We thought about asking someone we know who has a similar size trailer or trying to mock up the overall size, but any other ideas?

We are looking at smaller TTs since this is our first and our F-150 TV wouldn’t be able to do more than 6000 lbs or so (also factoring in passengers and stuff in truck bed). If it helps, I can post a picture of what we’re dealing with. We have a tall retaining wall that is holding back a big hillside on one side of the driveway and then some dirt on the other side, so we have a little bit of leeway, but not a ton.

And yes, we could rent a storage space or maybe use a tow dolly, but my husband doesn’t want to get the TT if we can’t just store it our house (he would rather move the retaining wall than pay to store it offsite for the rest of our lives). I think redo-ing a tall retaining wall would be really pricey. Thanks for your help in advance!

 

[hshaynes]

Pics would help greatly.

 

[bikendan]

Pics would help greatly.

And dimensions.
And a new wall might be the cheaper way to go, if you add up months of storage costs.
Especially in California, where $100/mth is pretty standard.

 

[Reverse_snowbird]

? We thought about asking someone we know who has a similar size trailer or trying to mock up the overall size, but any other ideas?

Asking someone you know to try to get a similar size trailer into that space is probably the best idea. A mock up probably isn't going to show you how a trailer would back into that space.
A tight turning radius is easier for a shorter length trailer like a pop up or a frame. They are lighter too.

 

[GPs37FLH]

Definitely figure out a way to move the wall, if possible, and widening or reconfiguring your driveway may help with backing in too. Pictures and the dimensions in those pictures would help.

I had a similar dilemma with too big a camper, too narrow a driveway over a drop off drainage ditch and not enough turning room to back it all in. I had to store the camper at a storage facility lot with no electric hookup until I had my driveway widened six feet. The $100 monthly storage fee I paid (probably double in CA) adds up quickly and the expenses paid to move the wall or reconfigure your driveway will pay for itself quickly. I also hated burning gas back and forth to the storage facility with food and other gear just to go and come back from a trip. You can't beat that convenience and is worth every penny to have it at your home, plugged into a 30 or 50 amp outlet, if you can swing it.

 

[Skip12]

If you know it will fit but won't be able to get it there with the truck, maybe take a look at Trailer Valet for increased manuverability - https://trailervalet.com

 

[dward51]

Trailer Valet would be cheaper than moving that retaining wall.

And they have a "mini-tank" model. How cool is that!

 

[BarabooBob]

I have a 17" TT and drive an F150 supercrew cab and long bed. The turning radius of my truck definitely limits my ability to back into parking spaces. Your truck may be part of any ;limits on where you can park your TT.

 

[BaconLover]

Thanks everyone for the quick responses so far! I'll take some pictures tomorrow and post them. That Trailer Valet thing is so awesome looking! And yes, everything is always that more expensive in Southern California - I was looking at RV Trader yesterday, and the same TT was $5K more in Orange County, CA than up in Fresno, CA!

 

[bikendan]

And yes, everything is always that more expensive in Southern California - I was looking at RV Trader yesterday, and the same TT was $5K more in Orange County, CA than up in Fresno, CA!

And 20%-30% cheaper in the Midwest, which is why we drove from California to the Midwest to buy our first new trailer.

 

[U.S.ArmyVeteran]

According to Etrailer

Trailer valet.

$3,999.00

Lots of wall for 4 Grand

 

[Bama Rambler]

Since you have a friend with a similar sized RV, the best course of action would to ask them to come take a look and try backing their RV into your space. If they're experienced with their RV they can probably look at it and tell you if it'll fit without any trouble. They can probably also tell you the best approach to get it in there.

 

[rjb16fq77]

If you install a hitch on the front of your truck it makes it easy to back your trailer into a tight spot.Years ago I installed one on my truck and off set it enough so that I could see the passenger side of the trailer while backing up.Worked very well. Might be worth a try before you start moving walls. GOOD LUCK

 

[BaconLover]

Pictures!

Thanks for the responses - here are some pictures. We also went out last night with a tape measure, and I think we can get it in if we had some kind of trailer dolly. I think we can pull the TV into the garage and then use a trailer dolly to turn the trailer and push it back.

We have a couple of challenges because we have a curved driveway to the house and then the side driveway is off of that part in front of the house. The side driveway pad is 12' wide but at least the curve part goes up to around 13.5' so at least it's a bit wider.

Hopefully, these pictures make sense.

 

[Bama Rambler]

You might be able to make it if you stick to 26' or less. A tow dolly will certainly help, but you may not need it.

Have that friend look at it and see what they say.

 

[Qwkynuf]

That roof overhang at the corner makes this look like a non-starter to me. You will have to swing wide to have a chance of missing it, but then you are putting your back bumper right next to the wall with no room to swing.

If I am looking at the pictures correctly, you have a nearly 90 degree turn off of the driveway, followed by another 90 - in the opposite direction? I don't think I could do it. Not even with my little 21 foot trailer.

 

[Relaxin in the woods]

No way you can carve out a niche closer to the street?

 

[cdog7201]

backing in drive way

with that roof hanging out I don' think I could back anything bigger than my 17 foot trailer in and it is only 20ft long.but it is also 9ft 6in high and your drive is 13ft wide the trailers will be at least 8ft wide so you might snake it in .but you might need to find another parking spot. all you can do is try.I hope you haven't bought it yet. good luck .

 

[Chuck_S]

The trailer is no more than 8-1/2 feed wide or it's not be road legal. And the door is probably 3' wide so all ya need for width is 11-1/2 feet to be able to get in the thing.

Even if zoning/HOA restrictions permitted I'd not want mine sucking up my driveway and detracting from the look of my house. Monthly rates where I am are in the $125/month range outdoors, it's part of the price.

-- Chuck

 

[Reverse_snowbird]

That roof overhang at the corner makes this look like a non-starter to me. You will have to swing wide to have a chance of missing it, but then you are putting your back bumper right next to the wall with no room to swing.
If I am looking at the pictures correctly, you have a nearly 90 degree turn off of the driveway, followed by another 90 - in the opposite direction? I don't think I could do it. Not even with my little 21 foot trailer.

^^^^x2.
Don't think I could have made that turn with our 21' trailer. It's the total length of your tt and trailer that would make that difficult if not impossible. Our rig including the truck was 40' long.
It's not only the roof overhang, but the overhang of that large tree in the side yard. Plus if and when it rains, the roof runoff is going to hammer that trailer.
I don't think you're going to believe anyone who tells you it's not going to fit without moving that retaining wall. Even then, it might not fit. So you need to go back to what you suggested.... asking a friend who has a similar trailer to attempt it.