Finally got the new driveway. It's been a dream for years, and now its all done and paid for! New gates too. That'll let me get the van into the back/side yard, out of storage and off the roadway when its home. Nice!
Nice wide gates, nice straight driveway, nice even slope.... nice.
Only now I have to admit I've never reversed the van up a slope...ever.
I could drive in, and back out, but the car would be stuck there.
It's not a big van= 15ft poptop, and the tug will be ok= diesal ford territory rwd. Its me. Its scary.
Anyone got any hints for me?
robkim said
04:31 PM Jul 18, 2012
If it has 4WD low rang that will help
Gerty Dancer said
04:59 PM Jul 18, 2012
We have the same scenario Rosie, plus the gates are only just wide enough and its a busy street. Theres a dip at the curb too. Its difficult! The Prado has low-range which helps.
Taking it very slowly seems to be the way to go. Good luck!!!
Rip and Rosie said
05:17 PM Jul 18, 2012
Thanks Gerty. Our street is relatively quiet, busy at peak hours as a short cut, and the gates give me about half a metre each side. I would feel better about it if the friends and neighbours didn't keep asking "While Rosie be okay backing the van in there?" Now, I'm not 100% sure if they think there's a real problem, or if its because I'm not a bloke. Rosie
gst said
06:21 PM Jul 18, 2012
You could fit a tow ball to the front of the vehicle it's easier to push then back a trailer or van
Cupie said
09:03 PM Jul 18, 2012
I have a similar situation with house on one side & brick fence the other.
SWMBO looks out for traffic & I do the business in 4wd low range (haven't had transmission lock up yet - mostly on grass). I get out often & look how I'm going.
Of course it helps if the neighbour is home. He is a caravaner & guides me in just like one of those CP valet parking people.
Would love a pusher bar but never got round to fitting one.
valnrob said
09:58 PM Jul 18, 2012
You'll do fine Rosie, all us girls have got our money on you !!!
cheers Val
Dougwe said
01:15 AM Jul 19, 2012
Hi Rip and Rosie,
If you are that worried about it and I don't blame you one little bit you could think about a "Camper Trolley" www.campertrolley.com.au. I have had a go at one of these little beauties and they are great but a tadd on the costly side.
ibbo said
02:14 AM Jul 19, 2012
gst wrote:
You could fit a tow ball to the front of the vehicle it's easier to push then back a trailer or van
Thats the way to go if it is possible to fit a tow ball to the front of your vehicle.Good luck.
Hylda&Jon said
01:40 AM Jul 20, 2012
Same problem here but with a dogleg to add to the trouble.
The Landcruiser does the steep slope easy but thats not really the problem
First time I got the van home I tried to get it around the dog leg & finally gave up & the neighbour offered to let me park it on her front yard...she said it would save her mowing that patch.
Now she has had a tree removed so I can swing the tow vehicle a little onto her side as I go up to manouver the dogleg, much bettter, plus I hope I'm a little better at it after traveling for a couple of years
Finally got the new driveway. It's been a dream for years, and now its all done and paid for! New gates too. That'll let me get the van into the back/side yard, out of storage and off the roadway when its home. Nice!
Nice wide gates, nice straight driveway, nice even slope.... nice.
Only now I have to admit I've never reversed the van up a slope...ever.
I could drive in, and back out, but the car would be stuck there.
It's not a big van= 15ft poptop, and the tug will be ok= diesal ford territory rwd. Its me. Its scary.
Anyone got any hints for me?
We have the same scenario Rosie, plus the gates are only just wide enough and its a busy street. Theres a dip at the curb too. Its difficult! The Prado has low-range which helps.
Taking it very slowly seems to be the way to go.
Good luck!!!
Our street is relatively quiet, busy at peak hours as a short cut, and the gates give me about half a metre each side.
I would feel better about it if the friends and neighbours didn't keep asking "While Rosie be okay backing the van in there?" Now, I'm not 100% sure if they think there's a real problem, or if its because I'm not a bloke.
Rosie
I have a similar situation with house on one side & brick fence the other.
SWMBO looks out for traffic & I do the business in 4wd low range (haven't had transmission lock up yet - mostly on grass). I get out often & look how I'm going.
Of course it helps if the neighbour is home. He is a caravaner & guides me in just like one of those CP valet parking people.
Would love a pusher bar but never got round to fitting one.
cheers Val
Hi Rip and Rosie,
If you are that worried about it and I don't blame you one little bit you could think about a "Camper Trolley" www.campertrolley.com.au. I have had a go at one of these little beauties and they are great but a tadd on the costly side.
Same problem here but with a dogleg to add to the trouble.
The Landcruiser does the steep slope easy but thats not really the problem
First time I got the van home I tried to get it around the dog leg & finally gave up & the neighbour offered to let me park it on her front yard...she said it would save her mowing that patch.
Now she has had a tree removed so I can swing the tow vehicle a little onto her side as I go up to manouver the dogleg, much bettter, plus I hope I'm a little better at it after traveling for a couple of years
Cheers
Jon