Sloped Driveway - Backing the trailer uphill?

I am connsidering making an offer on a house that has a slightly sloped driveway to the garage - maybe 10 degrees or so. Wondering if I will have any issues with the trailer brakes locking up or? I have attached a few pics. Any comments?

As long is it's plugged in and the brake system is working properly you will be fine. I'd be more concerned about the drive going up the 10 degree hill. That is steep! 10 degrees is 4 degrees steeper than the grapevine. The northbound steep side.

As Ribby said, keep it plugged in and the brakes will not engage.

I used to own a house with a really steep driveway. I don't know what ratio it was, but I had to back up in 4WD low to get my boat into the garage. It was a PITA, but doable.

you will have an issue, but there should be a place to lock out the surge brakes, I just cant see it in the picture.

minijeep said:

you will have an issue, but there should be a place to lock out the surge brakes, I just cant see it in the picture.

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This type of braking system uses the power from the tow car to lock out the surge brakes going backwards, no lockout is available on this type..

Jefftowz said:

This type of braking system uses the power from the tow car to lock out the surge brakes going backwards, no lockout is available on this type..

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U are correct but it should also have a manual lock out deal. My trailer has both.

Jefftowz said:

This type of braking system uses the power from the tow car to lock out the surge brakes going backwards, no lockout is available on this type..

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That's how mine is. Once in reverse it disconnects the surge brake so you're not fighting it. For a driveway that steep I'd almost consider installing a hitch in the front of the truck so you can use low gear. Backing up something that steep in reverse would be hard on a trans.

My driveway is about 75* according to my phone app. First time I tried to put the boat away the wheels spun. Had to buy a 4 X 4. No problems now.

McRib said:

As long is it's plugged in and the brake system is working properly you will be fine. I'd be more concerned about the drive going up the 10 degree hill. That is steep! 10 degrees is 4 degrees steeper than the grapevine. The northbound steep side.

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^^^
I guess that I'm not much of a mathematician...you're right 10 degrees is a hell of slope:yikes. Maybe more like 2 - 3 degrees. Not a huge slope like some of the places in Havasu, but has enough to make me wonder if there would be an issue. I thought that since the trailer has electric operated brakes wouldn't be an issue. Previous trailers had the mechanical brakes and had to put a dowel in to keep it from locking up.

Bobby V said:

View attachment 410605 My driveway is about 75* according to my phone app. First time I tried to put the boat away the wheels spun. Had to buy a 4 X 4. No problems now.

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Thanks! The one that I'm looking at isn't that steep...Have a F250 Diesel with 4x4...

underpressure said:

Thanks! The one that I'm looking at isn't that steep...Have a F250 Diesel with 4x4...

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4x4 will really help. Cause you can put it in 4low and save your trans. If it's not as bad as Bobbys driveway I don't think you'll have a issue honestly

Make sure you able to make the transition from the street to drive way . I would try it before buying , I made that mistake and ending putting a new drive way in even with the new drive way I had to come at the transition from the street to the drive way at a angle so that the right side of the trailer wheels would start to go up first and make the climb up allowing the outdrive to clear then the left side would follow as I made the turn . It was a hard push up the hill even with a f350 in 4 wheel drive locked in .

McRib said:

As long is it's plugged in and the brake system is working properly you will be fine. I'd be more concerned about the drive going up the 10 degree hill. That is steep! 10 degrees is 4 degrees steeper than the grapevine. The northbound steep side.

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Highway and street grades are measured in percent, not degrees. 10 degrees is 17.6% A 6% highway grade is only 3.4 degrees

Captain Dan said:

Highway and street grades are measured in percent, not degrees. 10 degrees is 17.6% A 6% highway grade is only 3.4 degrees

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It's still steep.

McRib said:

It's still steep.

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For a highway, yes it is.

Probably not a big deal. I backed up a 28 Eliminator Eagle up a decent sloped driveway for many years with a 1/2 ton Chebby.

FYI: If you do have brake issues backing up, check to make sure the brakes are installed correctly. I had a triple axle trailer where one axle had the brakes on backwards, free wheeling going straight and locking up no matter what going backwards :yikes

I would recommend make a test run first. If you have a V, will the drive drag going in reverse (cats tend to sit higher). Also, will the rearmost section of the trailer hit - if not you may need to add rollers if the transition is too much. While I can make it up our driveway (cat), my pops Advantage (V), does not...

steep driveway.....no problem

Front hitch is a good idea.

Always heard reverse is the weakest gear in a tranny, but you could always fill us in a few months.

I had our first house with a sloped driveway never again could not clean the boat in the driveway or when I pulled it out part wat the rear tires of the trailer came off the ground. Much happier with our flat driveway now. Ask the owner if you can put your boat in the garage to see if you would be happy with it

I use to have to back up a 28ft party prowler on a steep ass hill, like hard to walk up steep and into the garage with 1" clearance on top of boat( if you didnt put the tilt wheel down it would hit) and 3" total on side of boat to get it into hole in garage, that was some rough shit all hungover.

Good info, thanks! Probably over estimated how steep it really is (thanks McRibby for pointing that out!). The current owner had a deck boat also. Mine is the 29ft Nordic. Wondered about the back part of the trailer also, but doesn't look like a realy steep entry angle.

Get a drop hitch that will allow just the right amount of angle so the rear will clear and the hitch won't drag.

djunkie said:

That's how mine is. Once in reverse it disconnects the surge brake so you're not fighting it. For a driveway that steep I'd almost consider installing a hitch in the front of the truck so you can use low gear. Backing up something that steep in reverse would be hard on a trans.

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Very good idea :thumbup: