Re: Steep Driveway Reply #25 – October 09, 2020, 05:27:58 pm I know there will not be an issue with the power to climb the driveway. However, I am a little concerned the back end of the rig will drag or scrape the driveway. (I added a new photo at the top of the thread.)
Re: Steep Driveway Reply #26 – October 09, 2020, 06:45:58 pm Looking at the new pic, I tend to agree. I think the engine can pull you up a short grade, but I think the back with a 27 or 31 model will drag as you turn into the driveway. Further, I don't see a good way around that. Even the shorter units may drag.Here is something you might try. Determine the rear overhang and the clearance, bumper to flat ground, of the rig you are thinking about. Start with a 31' unit. Buy a few 2x4's and sandwich some of them into a 4x4 that is the length of the rear overhang plus about 8 feet. Then, use some plywood pieces the width of the bumper height above ground plus 3.5", and use them to attach the 8' 2x4 to the 4x4 assembly so the 2x4, on the ground, will hold the 4x4 above the ground at the same height as the bumper clearance. Then rest the 2x4 on the bottom of the driveway and see if the 4x4 hits the street. If it does, shorten it to match the overhang of a 27' unit. Try it again. Then you will know if you are going to drag and by how much, or if you will clear.Cheap, quick, easy and dependable...If you need a better description, or a sketch, let me know.Ken F in NM
Re: Steep Driveway Reply #27 – October 09, 2020, 07:23:04 pm Quote from: Kenneth Fears - October 09, 2020, 06:45:58 pmLooking at the new pic, I tend to agree. I think the engine can pull you up a short grade, but I think the back with a 27 or 31 model will drag as you turn into the driveway. Further, I don't see a good way around that. Even the shorter units may drag.Here is something you might try. Determine the rear overhang and the clearance, bumper to flat ground, of the rig you are thinking about. Start with a 31' unit. Buy a few 2x4's and sandwich some of them into a 4x4 that is the length of the rear overhang plus about 8 feet. Then, use some plywood pieces the width of the bumper height above ground plus 3.5", and use them to attach the 8' 2x4 to the 4x4 assembly so the 2x4, on the ground, will hold the 4x4 above the ground at the same height as the bumper clearance. Then rest the 2x4 on the bottom of the driveway and see if the 4x4 hits the street. If it does, shorten it to match the overhang of a 27' unit. Try it again. Then you will know if you are going to drag and by how much, or if you will clear.Cheap, quick, easy and dependable...If you need a better description, or a sketch, let me know.Ken F in NMI understand the concept. I had the same idea. One question would need to be answered first: What is the distance from the street to the bottom of the rig (at or near OCCC)?
Re: Steep Driveway Reply #28 – October 09, 2020, 07:44:08 pm Quote from: Kenneth Fears - October 09, 2020, 04:01:20 pmOops. Looks like I was way off on the I-70 grade. Checking with Google Earth, and with USGS mapping, it looks like 6%. For some good discussion on maximum road grades, take a look at Wikipedia on grades If anyone has a copy of the AASHTO Green Book, I would be interested in what it says about maximum Interstate grades and maximum special use road grades.Ken F in NMMaximum Grades on Colorado Mountain Passes — Colorado Department of Transport...Chris 1 Likes
Re: Steep Driveway Reply #29 – October 09, 2020, 07:55:24 pm Quote I think the back with a 27 or 31 model will drag as you turn into the driveway.How about a couple of sturdy casters on the back to ease the end past the bad part of the driveway? Or some skid plates to protect the bumper or whatever is vulnerable?
Re: Steep Driveway Reply #30 – October 09, 2020, 08:22:05 pm Can you get the County to raise the road a couple of feet? It's 9 ft from the rear tire on the pad and the 'ouch-dragging' indicator has only 10-11" clearance with dry water tank.I have built ramps to get thru deep gutters but the driveways were relatively flat. I'd have no problem going up your driveway - with the tow'd. Do you have friends who are civil engineers?
Re: Steep Driveway Reply #31 – October 09, 2020, 08:33:27 pm Quote from: joel wiley - October 09, 2020, 08:22:05 pmCan you get the County to raise the road a couple of feet? It's 9 ft from the rear tire on the pad and the 'ouch-dragging' indicator has only 10-11" clearance with dry water tank.I have built ramps to get thru deep gutters but the driveways were relatively flat. I'd have no problem going up your driveway - with the tow'd. Do you have friends who are civil engineers?I will send my contractor all the information discussed in this thread to see what he has to say.
Re: Steep Driveway Reply #32 – October 09, 2020, 09:49:52 pm "Or some skid plates to protect the bumper or whatever is vulnerable?""skid plates" Take a look under the back end of any Lazy Daze... do you not see the two loops welded to the frame members on each side? Or is my 30' the only one that has that particular feature? Those are there to allow the rear end to *skid* over depressions so as to not damage the bumper... or heaven forbid, the tow equipment! You won't like the sound it makes but it will save your A*s!
Re: Steep Driveway Reply #33 – October 09, 2020, 10:02:02 pm This group does indeed have an infinite amount of knowledge, with a small amount of added humor. Thank you for allowing me (as well as other newbies) to learn from the best. 1 Likes
Re: Steep Driveway Reply #34 – October 11, 2020, 04:21:29 pm C'mon, people, can't someone get him a measurement from the ground to your skid plates?Ken F in NM
Re: Steep Driveway Reply #35 – October 11, 2020, 04:38:02 pm My '99TK overhang and springset isn't representative of new LD's. I do have a short slanted driveway, complicated by a pretty good crown on the street. Combined with a softer spring on the E350 chassis I have dragged the nut on a ball mounted to the receiver. So I had a friend (a professional welder) attach a roller to the receiver. I have hit quite a few times (not my driveway), maybe a few I wouldn't have hit without the roller. The two skids on longer model LD's could each have a roller to avoid 'digging in' to asphalt or dirt. They also come as a ball version. https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Skid-Wheels/Ultra-Fab-Products/UF48-979022.html RonB 1 Likes
Re: Steep Driveway Reply #36 – October 11, 2020, 05:23:12 pm Quote from: RonB - October 11, 2020, 04:38:02 pmMy '99TK overhang and springset isn't representative of new LD's. I do have a short slanted driveway, complicated by a pretty good crown on the street. Combined with a softer spring on the E350 chassis I have dragged the nut on a ball mounted to the receiver. So I had a friend (a professional welder) attach a roller to the receiver. I have hit quite a few times (not my driveway), maybe a few I would'nt have hit without the ball. The two skids on longer model LD's could each have a ball to avoid 'digging in' to asphalt or dirt. RonBThank you for the concept of a roller to the receiver. Is this similar to what you have?Ultra-Fab 48-979020 Hitch Receiver Protector
Re: Steep Driveway Reply #37 – October 11, 2020, 11:26:08 pm For a 2011 MBGround to bottom of skid 13”Ground to bottom of hitch 15.5”YMMVSue 2 Likes
Re: Steep Driveway Reply #38 – October 11, 2020, 11:36:48 pm Quote from: CBSShermans - October 11, 2020, 11:26:08 pmFor a 2011 MBGround to bottom of skid 13”Ground to bottom of hitch 15.5”YMMVSueAwesome. Thank you for your help.
Re: Steep Driveway Reply #39 – October 11, 2020, 11:47:12 pm I just realized it might be helpful to know that my dual rear wheels are at 77 psi, front wheels at 67, full water tank, full gas tank, black tank is empty, gray tank is at 13%. To be honest, I don't know how much any of this affects the measurements I supplied.Quote from: Wingersky - October 11, 2020, 11:36:48 pmAwesome. Thank you for your help.You're most Welcome.
Re: Steep Driveway Reply #40 – October 12, 2020, 09:06:44 am Sue, there will be little effect. Thanks for posting the measurements.Ken F in NM
Re: Steep Driveway Reply #41 – October 14, 2020, 10:50:42 pm If a 34 foot Newmar made it up the driveway just fine, does that mean a 27 foot LD would be fine?
Re: Steep Driveway Reply #42 – October 14, 2020, 11:43:55 pm Quote from: Wingersky - October 14, 2020, 10:50:42 pmIf a 34 foot Newmar made it up the driveway just fine, does that mean a 27 foot LD would be fine? Apples and oranges.Chris 1 Likes
Re: Steep Driveway Reply #43 – October 15, 2020, 05:44:01 pm "If a 34 foot Newmar made it up the driveway just fine, does that mean a 27 foot LD would be fine?"Wingersky (do you have a name we can use?")I offer this suggestion mostly because I find myself getting tired of reading your anxiety over your driveway. You live in the southwest where there are probably quite a few Lazy Daze owners. Why don't you ask for a volunteer to drive their LD to your residence and see IF one can actually get into your driveway? Offer to take someone out to a very nice dinner as an incentive. Somebody else made a similar successful request a few years ago.An alternate plan would be to go rent a similar sized Class C with the same wheelbase and see for yourself if your driveway is usable. And are you planning to back into the driveway or go forward?For what it's worth, I personally don't think a 24 or 27 foot LD is going to get in or out of your driveway without scraping and I don't think you are going to have a confident answer until you actually see if it will work.Steve K
Re: Steep Driveway Reply #44 – October 15, 2020, 06:42:07 pm You could try backing one up the driveway. That way, incompatibilities will show up right off the bat in time to avoid damage.(wrote this a few hours ago, but forgot to hit 'post'
Re: Steep Driveway Reply #45 – October 15, 2020, 06:45:17 pm Quote from: Steve K. - October 15, 2020, 05:44:01 pm"If a 34 foot Newmar made it up the driveway just fine, does that mean a 27 foot LD would be fine?"Wingersky (do you have a name we can use?")Steve K Sure, my name is Sam Wingersky. With COVID, it may be hard to persuade someone to make the trip up to my driveway.
Re: Steep Driveway Reply #46 – October 15, 2020, 06:53:17 pm Sam, you never know without asking. Someone may have cabin fever and a mask and want an excuse to exercise the rig. Joel 1 Likes
Re: Steep Driveway Reply #47 – October 15, 2020, 06:55:27 pm HOWDY Sam!I understand about the Covid issue but all you need is someone, probably a local, to see if it can enter the drive. Offer them a gift certificate or a good bottle of wine. You may get someone to try. For sure you won't if you don't ask.And I think most Class C's on the Ford E450 with same wheelbase and length will be similar to a LD. Go rent one before you order. Seeing is believing. Good luck,Steve K
Re: Steep Driveway Reply #48 – October 15, 2020, 06:56:39 pm Sam, backing in might answer the question, but the key issue is the angle between the bottom of the front and rear tires, and the low point on the overhang. Wheelbase comes into play if you are crossing a high point where you might high center yourself, but you are dealing with a low point, not a high point. So, the issue for you is that angle. Your wooden construct should give you a definitive answer.Ken F in NM (And if I were not sitting out in the desert with soft sand to cross in and out, and if you were near me, I would be happy to test it for you.)
Re: Steep Driveway Reply #49 – October 15, 2020, 07:48:40 pm Thank you, everyone, for all your help and suggestions. To help, Steve K, from "getting tired of reading your anxiety over your driveway," I will not post another question. However, I will create a new topic to "ask a local to see if it can enter the drive."Sam Wingersky
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