Backing Uphill Driveway to Park

[karliefoxk]

Moderator's note: two threads on same topic have been merged here, with a couple of duplicate posts removed. Carry on, Garth.

Hi FG RV Community,
Will my 2022 Highlander Hybrid 3500lbs tow capacity vehicle be able to back a 17b up my driveway??? Mine is a short and steep uphill driveway that probably is 50 feet long and a 15-foot rise. I see that the 17b has 15" wheels, and I can get a lift. Will that be enough to not scrape my trailer while backing to driveway parking spot? What do you all do to ensure your trailer doesn't scrape?
Thanks, Kk

[ShelbyM]

What you are asking about is known as approach or departure angle. Here is a link to a calculator. http://https://www.vcalc.com/wiki/Ku...parture)+angle And here is your grade.

[jgilliam1955]

I installed a front hitch on my pickup. 2015 Colorado. It works for me. You may want to look at trailer movers. Do not go cheap. They make them with remote controls now. Trailer movers work on cement but will not work on gravel or grass.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPviVNftJ-8

[jgilliam1955]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5o5cnHxlMnI

[jgilliam1955]

I have used this in the past. It would not work on grass and had to sell it.

https://parkit360.ca/products/force?...41156456022197

[jerrybob]

A couple of 2x6s at the bottom of your driveway would probably allow enough lift to prevent bottoming out......I think your vehicle could handle the load.

[John LF]

i have a steep DOWNHILL driveway on a narrow street with cars often parked on the other side which makes it really difficult to park my trailer. i use a receiver hitch mounted winch which makes parking a breeze. maybe you can rig something up in your garage to pull your trailer uphill and lower it back down.

[Yardsailor]

Hi KK, If you want a guess, I don't think you will have a problem. If it is close you can improve the odds by starting along the street line and curving into the beginning of the driveway rather that straight in. Good luck.

[StevenMaria]

what I would be careful about is the transmission cog which locks the gears in park. On that hill with all that load, it puts a lot of stress on the cog, especially going in and out of gear, park to reverse or drive.

what I have heard said and what I do is stop with the foot brake then apply the the emergency brake to hold the vehicle in place on my Toyota forerunner then when the vehicle is comfortably stopped and held by the emergency brake I put the transmission in park. This way that transmissing cog isnt holding all the load.

[Jon in AZ]

What Yardsailor said. The problem is the transition. It looks like you have plenty of room to enter the driveway at an angle rather than straight on. You could also put a board(s) to flatten out the curb even more. Shouldn't be any problem if you do that. Backing uphill is not fun regardless. You'll be an expert in no time!

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by StevenMaria

what I would be careful about is the transmission cog which locks the gears in park. On that hill with all that load, it puts a lot of stress on the cog, especially going in and out of gear, park to reverse or drive.

what I have heard said and what I do is stop with the foot brake then apply the the emergency brake to hold the vehicle in place on my Toyota forerunner then when the vehicle is comfortably stopped and held by the emergency brake I put the transmission in park. This way that transmissing cog isnt holding all the load.

You are talking about the parking prawl. Not sure the hybrid transmission works the same or not, but you are correct for conventional transmissions. With your foot on the brake, set the parking brake before shifting to Park, and shift out of Park before releasing the emergency brake. Never let the vehicle roll hard onto the parking prawl.

[ShelbyM]

Nissan recently had a parking pawl related recall of Frontiers and maybe some others . Mine wasn't included but after reading so much about it I've become religious in the use of the parking brake.

[Darrell in Al]

My driveway would be a nightmare for some then to add to it I was backing up it with a M.T. Jeep Wrangler.

After every rain, I have to replace some of the rocks in washed out spots. I've got to pour more concrete in some of the washed out spots again too. Prior owner had placed material cloth and carpet to help hold soil in place then put down gravel. I started with rocks and concrete to fill in the deep ruts and to hold some of it in place. Clay and limestone are not the best for a driveway.

[Bill in Pittsburgh]

Originally Posted by Darrell in Al

My driveway would be a nightmare for some then to add to it I was backing up it with a M.T. Jeep Wrangler.

After every rain, I have to replace some of the rocks in washed out spots. I've got to pour more concrete in some of the washed out spots again too. Prior owner had placed material cloth and carpet to help hold soil in place then put down gravel. I started with rocks and concrete to fill in the deep ruts and to hold some of it in place. Clay and limestone are not the best for a driveway.

Backing up hill with a manual is both a challenge to the driver and the vehicle. After having owned nearly fifty vehicles in my life I now own two with automatics and one of which with 4wd, Firsts on both counts for me. At 73 years of age it was probably time.

[Darrell in Al]