MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Wocka on October 01, 2013, 07:34:08 AM
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Love this site for us inexperienced rookies. Just acquired a Lifestyle CT and rapt with deal. However my garage and driveway combination leave me somewhat sceptical about reversing trailer down, unhitching and moving off back up the drive in manual vehicle. Indeed skill around the hill start is a critical element of the process. The hitch is DO 35 and I believe I can unhitch when CT and tow vehicle are on very different angles? My strategy is to chock trailer then unhitch and move away.
Can you knowledgeable seasoned folk provide me with some suggestions? thanks in advance for your assistance.
Wocka
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Can you knowledgeable seasoned folk provide me with some suggestions? thanks in advance for your assistance.
Buy a new house :)
Seriously now, I have a steep drive also however it goes low to high rather than high to low like yours. I had looked at fitting a hitch setup onto the front of my vehicle but in the end I swapped to a lighter camper I could man handle around.
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My drive is steep, low to high and have to reverse uphill to garage. Need it in 4high and lots of power.
Put it in 4 high when you go down, in case you need to drive up to correct in case extra traction needed. Maybe a few practice runs with a standard trailer.
Should be able to unhitched at an angle.
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USE low range to back ya trailer, much easier..
if you have an 80 series, then u can unplug the transfer so it doesnt go into 4wd.
if you are backing down the driveway while towing then also use the handbrake to slow ya self down..
can you post pics of your drive way and camper parking spot so we can get an idea of what you have to do to park where u park??
iPad with IOS 7.02 using Tapatalk HD
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I forgot to mention, buy a new 4x4 with an auto box
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I forgot to mention, buy a new 4x4 with an auto box
^^^^ This!! So much easier with an auto.
I have to back up a steep driveway to garage the trailer - also on side-slope. Pain in the arse to get it done and park exactly where you want, only to find the hitch won't release!! I have a hyland. Which hitches will release at more severe angles? (Note: I might be doing it wrong.)
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This situation highlights one of the few but very annoying drawbacks with Prado, no low range without the centre diff locked!
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I can do that in my Prado...
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If your reversing down a hill to a level area you may find you'll have trouble unhitching the trailer as the tow ball
maybe to low for you to attaching the jockey wheel depending on the angle of the car.
Yes choke the wheels of the trailer before you unhitch and obviously if it is a down hill
slope make brake is applied.
Is actually much better to back down a steep hill than to drive down as you may
not have the traction to be able to reverse back up.
Cheers
Leigh
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Hi,
Dead easy with one other person and 3 metres of chain with a few connectors.
Back the trailer up to the start of the driveway and park it, brake on, jockey wheel in position.
Turn the vehicle around and put the chain to the front towing or recovery point and the safety chain on your trailer.
Take up the slack with the vehicle, your helper releases the trailer brake and steers it down the drive way as you control the descent in the vehicle.
This will even work around a few bends as the length of chain allows the jockey wheel to be pushed sideways quite a bit with little effort.
cheers
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Thanks gentlemen, I am extremely grateful for your well considered responses. I believe I can post a photo or two to provide you with additional information and will certainly explore the options provided. I dig this forum and the honesty and genuineness of those who 'put-in'.
Great stuff and thanks again. P.S I'll get those shots in this arvo.
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USE low range to back ya trailer, much easier..
if you have an 80 series, then u can unplug the transfer so it doesnt go into 4wd.
if you are backing down the driveway while towing then also use the handbrake to slow ya self down..
can you post pics of your drive way and camper parking spot so we can get an idea of what you have to do to park where u park??
iPad with IOS 7.02 using Tapatalk HD
Have a look for what is called the Pin 7 mod, so you can go into low range in the 80 &105s with out it locking the centre diff. I think I found it on the I8Mud forum.
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the mod is on LCOOL..
its easy, just unplug the plug at the 2 oclock postion when looking ut the back of the transfer box. then test..
mine has been off for about 14 years. with the same bit of tape on it.. I should really change it.
I did the mod to me mates two 80s a few months ago.
iPad with IOS 7.02 using Tapatalk HD
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Wocka, Low range is the go. We have a BT50 that burnt out a clutch when backing up a small rise, also things move slower etc.
If you are unhitching when the CT is not on the same plane as the 4by, you will have problems. The reason is that when you wind up the jockey wheel to lift it off the hitch pin, the hitch point moves putting lateral strain on the hitch.
Depending on the angle, you can try rocking the 4by back & forward [gently] or if this does not work, drop the jockey wheel but only wind it to the point where the CT takes the weight off the hitch, then remove the hitch pin on the 4by & drive forward. For both methods I would chock both CT wheels front & back.
PM me if I can better explain this
Regards
Hem
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Wocka, Low range is the go. We have a BT50 that burnt out a clutch when backing up a small rise, also things move slower etc.
If you are unhitching when the CT is not on the same plane as the 4by, you will have problems. The reason is that when you wind up the jockey wheel to lift it off the hitch pin, the hitch point moves putting lateral strain on the hitch.
Depending on the angle, you can try rocking the 4by back & forward [gently] or if this does not work, drop the jockey wheel but only wind it to the point where the CT takes the weight off the hitch, then remove the hitch pin on the 4by & drive forward. For both methods I would chock both CT wheels front & back.
PM me if I can better explain this
Regards
Hem
done that a few times myself, when the coupling doesn't want to play the game. just pull the pin on the hitch and slide it out of the receiver, you may need to wind the jockey wheel up or down as it is coming out as not to jamb up.
re the slope just take your time and get someone that you know that knows how to back a trailer to help you.
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I can do that in my Prado...
How?
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I have an auto, transfer case has H or L and I have a switch to lock in the centre diff lock. So I can have H, H locked, L or L locked.
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Well gentlemen, I have managed to put the Lifestyle in and out about 4 times now and the bride and I have got the process 'wired'....so to speak? Maybe I over estimated the drama but with a little common sense and a great support crew all's good!
However it's important that I acknowledge the feedback and thank you for taking the time to offer advice and support based on first hand experience.
Love the camper and continue to look forward to many more trips. Took it to Mt Warning Rainforest Park with our sick Staffy and I love it even more and of course the Mrs was as usual at her level headed best.
Cheers Gentlemen
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I have an auto, transfer case has H or L and I have a switch to lock in the centre diff lock. So I can have H, H locked, L or L locked.
Doesn't it automatically lock the centre diff when low range is engaged?
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Doesn't it automatically lock the centre diff when low range is engaged?
No, I parked the camper the other day like this.
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I have an auto, transfer case has H or L and I have a switch to lock in the centre diff lock. So I can have H, H locked, L or L locked.
Is that factory or aftermarket?
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Is that factory or aftermarket?
Factory
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Factory
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Because mine did not have switch, automatically locked when stick was moved to HL or LL. 2008 GXL.
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I have the Option pack with traction control, downhill assist, side airbags etc.
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Here's a pic of the switch, enables me to run H or L unlocked or H or L locked
(http://blkmav.com/prado/centrelock.jpg)
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To help with the Hyland if you can do it im not sure of weather your driveway is actually flat where you finally park the camper do not engage the trailer brake till you get it uncoupled i dont know why but it always goes on and off much easier without the trailer handbrake engaged