help with garage storage question

[cbird]

We are getting closer to making our first pup purchase. Down to storage, insurance considerations etc.

Here is the problem- our two car garage has two seperate doors, creating two rather narrow entrances. We will only have a clearance of about 1.5 inches on each side of the trailer when passing through the garage door, quite a bit more once we clear the door (have carefully measured this against the model we are interested in). And to keep it challenging, our paved driveway has a slight grade. We can't store  the trailer in the driveway or side of the house. What is the reality of us being able to back the pup into the garage with so little clearance? I would hate the cost and inconvience of storing off site for the whole year so wait with trepidation for your thoughts...

Thanks in advance for your experienced input! I have already learned a lot browsing this site.

[gager2002]

Did you take into account fittings, lights, canopy, etc....anything that sticks off the sides?  If so, then ask the salesman to let you 'test park' it.  If he/she wants the sale then they may bend some rules for you.  That's really close.  Good luck.

[cbird]

Did you take into account fittings, lights, canopy, etc....anything that sticks off the sides?  If so, then ask the salesman to let you 'test park' it.  If he/she wants the sale then they may bend some rules for you.  That's really close.  Good luck.

Yes, we looked at the fittings and were conservative in our estimates, though we assume we will remove the awning.

Its close, but is it possible... to position one of these trailers within an inch of where you want it, or is that a feat no "back-up" expert could pull off?

[gager2002]

Well, if your driveway is only a slight slop, then maybe pushing by hand will work.  I've had to do that - in a parking garage.  Maybe a trailer ball on the front of you lawn tractor or 4-wheeler?  They make a trailer dolly, that could help.  If it is the 1-1/2" on both sides, I would go for it.  That's my opinion..  Good luck

[abbear]

Two ideas.

First - you don't say what kind of tow vehicle you have so this may not work but some folks I know have put a hitch receiver on the front of their tow vehicle so they can do just the kind of precision maneuvering you are talking about.  It makes it much easier as you are looking straight ahead and can see what is happening much clearer.

Second - if the first is not possible there are motorized trailer dollies that will let you do the same thing.  It might be that your dealer can order you one of these and include it in the price of the popup.

Hope this helps.

[wavery]

That's a pretty individual call. I have seen guys put 18 wheelers in tight spaces like that.

I would find it challenging but I'd do it. The key is to go slow and use your mirrors. The grade adds an extra challenge because you will have to give it a bit more throttle and that will lower your ability to control it slightly.

I park my trailer in an underground parking structure. I have to make a u-turn inside, back in at an angle and put it between another car and a concrete post. I have a lot more than 1 1/2" though. But I do line the trailer up so that it is exactly on the painted lines. Sometimes I just unhook and push it in (if the lot is crowded) but as I do it more and more it becomes 2nd nature.

As long as you get the trailer lined up evenly and back straight in, you've got it made. The hard part will be getting it centered before you actually enter. As long as the trailer is centered and clears when you first cross the threshold, the rest is easy, up to the point where the trailer wheels cross the threshold. That is when you may want to unhook and push in by hand. You are a lot more likely to get off course after the wheels cross the threshold because all of the dynamics change at that point.

I would suggest practicing in a parking lot by backing between a couple of boards or wagons or something movable that won't damage the trailer. I think that you might surprise yourself.

You also might want to paint a line on the pavement where your left tire is located when the trailer is exactly centered, just before you get to the garage opening. That will make it easier for the next time that you pull in. I use the lines on our garage floor all the time. It makes it a lot easier.

If you are the slightest bit dyslexic, forget it :p .

[cbird]

Two ideas.

First - you don't say what kind of tow vehicle you have so this may not work but some folks I know have put a hitch receiver on the front of their tow vehicle so they can do just the kind of precision maneuvering you are talking about.  It makes it much easier as you are looking straight ahead and can see what is happening much clearer.

Second - if the first is not possible there are motorized trailer dollies that will let you do the same thing.  It might be that your dealer can order you one of these and include it in the price of the popup.

Hope this helps.

Interesting, never thought about a hitch on the front. I have a Honda Oddesy minivan, don't know if thats possible.

I have seen the motorized dollies online. They look cool, but with shipping around $1,000!

[cbird]

That's a pretty individual call. I have seen guys put 18 wheelers in tight spaces like that.

I would find it challenging but I'd do it. The key is to go slow and use your mirrors. The grade adds an extra challenge because you will have to give it a bit more throttle and that will lower your ability to control it slightly.

I park my trailer in an underground parking structure. I have to make a u-turn inside, back in at an angle and put it between another car and a concrete post. I have a lot more than 1 1/2" though. But I do line the trailer up so that it is exactly on the painted lines. Sometimes I just unhook and push it in (if the lot is crowded) but as I do it more and more it becomes 2nd nature.

As long as you get the trailer lined up evenly and back straight in, you've got it made. The hard part will be getting it centered before you actually enter. As long as the trailer is centered and clears when you first cross the threshold, the rest is easy, up to the point where the trailer wheels cross the threshold. That is when you may want to unhook and push in by hand. You are a lot more likely to get off course after the wheels cross the threshold because all of the dynamics change at that point.

I would suggest practicing in a parking lot by backing between a couple of boards or wagons or something movable that won't damage the trailer. I think that you might surprise yourself.

You also might want to paint a line on the pavement where your left tire is located when the trailer is exactly centered, just before you get to the garage opening. That will make it easier for the next time that you pull in. I use the lines on our garage floor all the time. It makes it a lot easier.

If you are the slightest bit dyslexic, forget it :p .

Not dyslexic and up for a challenge... Just hate the idea that I probably will never be able to do this without help. Sometimes my daughters (5 and 7 years old) and I camp without the DH when his schedule is crazy or vice versa.

I was thinking about the painted lines myself. that seems like a great idea.

[zamboni]

Wavery beat me to it.

When your camper is in a "perfect line" with the garage, trace the line of one wheel on your driveway.  Find a suitable, but not obnoxious, color.  Paint a stripe the width of the wheel, for the last 10 feet leading into the garage door.

The driver-side wheel of the PUP.

Then, when backing up, you can lean out & look back, or use your mirrors, to see if you are on the line.

As to the question - can it be done?  Definitely.  My father was always able to back our 1973 Starcraft down our steep dirt driveway, around a 90-degree corner (angled AWAY from the driver), into our garage... where it had to be within an inch of the door on the passenger side so that the (now blind due to the angle) driver side cleared the pole in the middle of the 2 car garage that supported the rest of the house -- by another single inch.

He did it the first time every time.

In my current house, I had my RV slip poured with the measurements to back my former Niagara PUP up & down it.  Now that I have a Jayco Hybrid, I have 1.5 inches of clearance on the outside of the wheels on both sides before the trailer "falls off" the RV slip.  The first time, it took forever and many wiggles back and forth to get the camper up it (about 35 feet).  I've gotten faster in the maybe 10 times I've backed the new camper -- and can do it myself without help now.

[wynot]

Interesting, never thought about a hitch on the front. I have a Honda Oddesy minivan, don't know if thats possible.
 

No, it won't be possible.  Even if it were, your ground clearance would be even lower.  You have these available for full size truck-based vehicles, so pickups, large SUVs.
 
We have a Tahoe with a front receiver hitch.
 
Could you park it in the garage backing in, yes?  But popups really become pivot points on the single axle, so you will have to be dead on straight going in.
 
I also use our lawn tractor to move our around our property, I have a 2" hitch ball on it.

[SpeakEasy]

I would absolutely do it, and I'd love the challenge! Want me to come over and back it in for you???

Believe it or not, getting it out again can be surprisingly challenging too, in your situation. Why? Because unless you back the TV in again in perfect alignment, then when you begin to pull out, the rear will swivel away from dead center and will hit the door on the way out. Be VERY careful, even getting it back out again.

[brainpause]

1. One inch on each side is TIGHT. You are not an experienced "backer," and, yes, it can be done, but I would bet my front yard that your PU will get damaged. A year's storage would be less than the damage repair costs.

2. Taking your awning off every time will be a pain.

3. If you live in a neighborhood with an association, I bet even an appropriate color stripe on your driveway will cause problems. I'd get a letter in a week if I did it.

4. Sorry to be a stick in the mud.

Larry

[gravy]

we have the old narrow block type garage on a slopeand we have an Evolution so it is a little bulky.I back it in till the hitch wheel is on the flat garage surface and then manuever it by hand.Plus DW and I use walkie talkies.From the roof to the ground it is 59" plus we have a/c,so we have to tie the garage door as high as it will go so Evo will fit under it.It's a real experience everytime but well worth it.She thinks I'm good because I pull a 53' trailer behind me all week.

[DGrant09]

You may take a look at these if the driveway slope is minimal and there is no possible way of the PUP getting away from you..  There are usually several similar ones listed. Just a thought.  Enjoy your new PUP..

Ebay:

TRAILER-TOW DOLLY-JET SKI,MOTORCYCLE,CANOE,CAR,ATV,BOAT  
BIG12"Wheels-HEAVY DUTY-600LB,  Item number: 4614839929

[tlhdoc]

Others have done it and you can, but it will be tough.  Would I do it?  YES, for the savings of having the trailer at home and having access to it.  Good luck.