Tight RV Parking Space

[ScottLewis]

The area where I park my 31' 5th wheel is wedge shaped with a narrow opening that doesn't allow me to maneuver enough to provide room for the slide out to open. I must back straight in, parallel to the fence on the driver's side.



After a lot of study I came up with a sort of trolley on which to locate the wheels of the trailer. I then activate a mechanism that moves the entire rear of the RV sideways over 3'. This provides enough room for the slide and also brings the door next to a ramp and platform I have there.



A number of my friends have suggested that I patent and sell these things but I don't need a job. Instead, I'm sharing the info with you. If there's interest, I'll provide more specifics. I used a lot of stuff from my junk pile to build mine so my cost was minimal.



Dan

 

[JRBurn]

My parking is tight, I live on a hill and trailer leans into the garage, I only have about 4" on each side when backing it in.

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[Ragain]

JRBurn, Interesting photo! I wondered if you are able to back straight in, by climbing the curb, or are you "blindsiding" in through the driveway approach? I would imagine if you were backing in at an angle off the approach, tail swing on the trailer might get into the fence. Looks like a good challenge though... . especially if there is much traffic on your street!

 

[ScottLewis]

JRBurn: After seeing your pic, I guess I have lots of room in comparison. One thing I did, and you might consider, is have a roofer friend trim off a corner of the roof overhang to give me a bit of wiggle room.



Dan

 

[JCasper]

JRBurn: After seeing your pic, I guess I have lots of room in comparison. One thing I did, and you might consider, is have a roofer friend trim off a corner of the roof overhang to give me a bit of wiggle room.



Dan

My neighbor did that exact same thing to be able to park his motorhome.

 

[Tractorat]

After seeing where you parked your 5'r, all I can say is that I'm impressed.



TRat

 

[ScottLewis]

Where the RV is sitting is about 25' in front of the spot where it parks. To get this far I had to back up about 40' to the gate, a slight dogleg to the passenger side then 60' next to the fence. Once past this spot, it widens out but because of space, I can't turn the RV. That's why I built the trolley. The tire tracks on the driveway show how many tries it takes to get it lined up right. I have more room than JRBurn but can't maneuver because the truck is so close to the fence.



Dan

 

[231jasonS]

wheres the pics of your dolly device?

 

[ScottLewis]

Here's a sketchand one pic. I didn't want to attach too many unless there was interest.



Dan

 

[231jasonS]

Very nice. I need something simular for my side yard. It must be nice to stop in the same spot every time. It seems as if im adjusting the final resting place over and over each time.



Maybe some car wash type guides for the tires to ride in would work well.

 

[ScottLewis]

Having markers to show the correct position helps a lot. Since the trolley is electrically powered, if I'm off a few inches sideways one way or the other I can shift it to match the wheels, then back up onto it. Then I press the switch and move it over against the ramp. We sure enjoy having it setup that way. Makes it a lot easier for the wife to cart all the groceries and stuff into the rig when we get ready to go. Something about a ramp vs. steps for old knees (mine, not hers in case she reads this).



The power mirrors get a work out everytime I locate it. First to watch for contact with the roof and then to watch for alignment with the trolley.



Dan

 

[JRBurn]

JRBurn, Interesting photo! I wondered if you are able to back straight in, by climbing the curb, or are you "blindsiding" in through the driveway approach? I would imagine if you were backing in at an angle off the approach, tail swing on the trailer might get into the fence. Looks like a good challenge though... . especially if there is much traffic on your street!

A straight back approach is not doable because of a small street and city parkway trees across the street. The main problem is I live on a hill, so the trailer leans into the garage when I’m backing it in, I only have about 4” of clearance on each side, but as the trailer swings it comes close but the DW keeps me in check.

JRBurn: After seeing your pic, I guess I have lots of room in comparison. One thing I did, and you might consider, is have a roofer friend trim off a corner of the roof overhang to give me a bit of wiggle room.



Dan

Yes we do plan on trimming the roof, although we would have to trim much more because of the height of the trailer, we are thinking of making it a straight cut about 6" from the wall the whole length of the garage and angle it at the bottom.

 

[troll3193]

ok, mine is not near the house, but I have to get into this "I park my TT in an insane place" picture thread...



Here is the approach to mine, cant really see the TT from the road.



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this one shows the turn you have to make.



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and finally the final resting spot.



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I have a 18"x18" concrete paver for each tire and tongue jack that I have to land on. Also have to be in 4x4 low to get it up the hill backwards and not overheat the transmission. . TT and TV combo is 55' long overall.



Bryan

 

[231jasonS]

Well at least its a lot easier to trim some trees than the house.

 

[fireman29hfd]

Well i guess i have it easy then, i drilled a hole in the bucket of tractor, mounted a ball in it, when i get home, back the trailer in drop it off the truck and pick up the tongue with the loader and move it any where i need (very easy to manuver)

 

[bighammer]

Call me an idiot, but I built my house with a 3 car garage figuring I's use the 3rd bay for our 22' boat. I thought the boat was 8" wide, and figured 9' door is plenty. Well of course, the first time I go to back in, the boat seems very wide and the big tree in the center of our circular drive is not quite a longbed-quadcab-plus-boat-on-trailer length away. The boat turns out to be 8'-6" wide and a 9' door gets a little smaller with trim... .

I have electrical tape on the garage floor so I can put the trailer wheels between. Not much wiggle room, but it works. It sure would've been better to plan a bit more and check my sizes first.

 

[I-6DZL]

Call me an idiot, but I built my house with a 3 car garage figuring I's use the 3rd bay for our 22' boat. I thought the boat was 8" wide, and figured 9' door is plenty. Well of course, the first time I go to back in, the boat seems very wide and the big tree in the center of our circular drive is not quite a longbed-quadcab-plus-boat-on-trailer length away. The boat turns out to be 8'-6" wide and a 9' door gets a little smaller with trim... .



I have electrical tape on the garage floor so I can put the trailer wheels between. Not much wiggle room, but it works. It sure would've been better to plan a bit more and check my sizes first.

LOL how long have you been in your new house yet ? It seems like it's been ages since i was up there last, and you were just starting on it (i think). Need to get back up there soon.



Curtis