Hello all, newbie here... We just upgraded from a popup to a 2005 skyline nomad. If at all possible I'm wanting to store the trailer at our house, not a storage lot.My problem is we have a pretty extreme driveway uphill to the house, consisting of a decently sharp switch back up the hill. Our TV is a 2006 Chevy crew cab 2500hd 6.0L gas shortbed. It weighs about 5900 pounds, the trailer weighs 6100 pounds.I'm confident I can make it up the hill to our yard... but scared to death to try going down. Going down the driveway is about 170 feet of about 12% grade, about 25 feet of it is about 20%:E . After the 20% grade I have to make a sharp turn to the right on a fairly large flat area to an immediate steep hill (not as steep) again to the street.The driveway is all concrete and asphalt. I'm visualizing me going down the steepest part and having the trailer push me as I turn to the right jackknifing me, pushing the rear of the truck sideways because the trailer will still be coming down the hill as I turn the truck on the turn. Can I trust the trailer brakes going down the hill? I also plan on staying in 4lo going down.Will disconnecting the weight distribution, putting weight on the back of the truck help or hurt? I also will tether the back of the trailer to another truck just in case it does start to push.Just looking for some advice from some of you with tricky driveways or maybe experience from a challenging campsite..... I know... just store it somewhere.... Not worth the chance damaging the thing before we get to use it.... BUT I'm all for the challenge!

The trouble you have is you should not be in 4 Low where your wheels can't slip. You are on concrete and asphalt and there is nothing giving there, so you are loading up the wheels with the extra weight behind pushing, and making turns. Now I don't know what you have for 4 low, but I know I have Warn hubs in mine, and the joy of that setup is you can set the trannie for low range, but not use the front wheels unless you put the hubs in. If yours works like that, go for 4 low and you will be handsomely rewarded I bet.If you have to use all 4 wheels on the way down the straight stretch, go for it, but I would avoid turns and just bring it to a stop and then go forward again in 2wd

They make power dollies that can safely get you in and out of that driveway...battery operated and electric, might even make a gas model...not cheap but it should do the trick....

The length of driveway you describe is not enough to overheat your brakes. As mentioned, don't use 4WD on dry pavement unless you have manual front hubs to disconnect.Use your brakes. Keep it dead slow (even stop before starting the scary bit). Set your trailer brakes a little on the aggressive side and go manual on the trailer brakes if you think the rear end is going to get loose. Once you've done it a couple of times and get your heart rate under control you should be OK.Just go slow, slow ,slow.Stu

That doesn't sound so bad.I've towed up and down long gravel roads over 25%, with many switchbacks. At that point, removing WD is a must for going up. But going down it down helps the front tires grip. Gearing down of course is a must, and sometimes riding the trailer brakes is useful, such as during a sharp turn.If I'm on a really steep grade, I'll put on the parking brake for some extra drag. If I'm on REALLY steep (over 50%) I'll put the transmission in the opposite gear (i.e. drive for backing down) which lets the torque converter absorb most of the braking energy. It actually works great, and is a similar principle to the transmission retarder used on big buses. However, I'm not sure how well other transmission would hold up to this. Seem to not bother mine.

If you can make it up... the down will be easy. Low gear and ride the brakes at 2 mph or less.No on the 4lo unless the front hubs unlock.

Looking for some advice for our steep driveway | Good Sam Community

opnspaces
Navigator II
Aug 27, 2014
Can your trailer make the transition from the street to the driveway and from the driveway to the street without dragging the rear end?

As far as the hills you're brakes should be fine. Just put your thumb on the manual brake lever, but don't use it if you don't need to. At those speeds unless it's icy I can't imagine the trailer pushing the truck around.
AH64ID
Explorer
Aug 27, 2014
It doesn't sound like it will be an issue, but do not use 4wd unless you find a way to disconnect the front CAD. It's too bad Posi-Lok doesn't make anything for that year truck.

Even if the trailer brakes fail you will be fine at driveway speeds.
time2roll
Nomad
Aug 27, 2014
If you can make it up... the down will be easy. Low gear and ride the brakes at 2 mph or less.
No on the 4lo unless the front hubs unlock.
carringb
Explorer
Aug 27, 2014
That doesn't sound so bad.

I've towed up and down long gravel roads over 25%, with many switchbacks. At that point, removing WD is a must for going up. But going down it down helps the front tires grip. Gearing down of course is a must, and sometimes riding the trailer brakes is useful, such as during a sharp turn.

If I'm on a really steep grade, I'll put on the parking brake for some extra drag. If I'm on REALLY steep (over 50%) I'll put the transmission in the opposite gear (i.e. drive for backing down) which lets the torque converter absorb most of the braking energy. It actually works great, and is a similar principle to the transmission retarder used on big buses. However, I'm not sure how well other transmission would hold up to this. Seem to not bother mine.
buzzard616
Explorer
Aug 27, 2014
The length of driveway you describe is not enough to overheat your brakes. As mentioned, don't use 4WD on dry pavement unless you have manual front hubs to disconnect.
Use your brakes. Keep it dead slow (even stop before starting the scary bit). Set your trailer brakes a little on the aggressive side and go manual on the trailer brakes if you think the rear end is going to get loose. Once you've done it a couple of times and get your heart rate under control you should be OK.
Just go slow, slow ,slow.

Stu
GENECOP
Explorer II
Aug 27, 2014
They make power dollies that can safely get you in and out of that driveway...battery operated and electric, might even make a gas model...not cheap but it should do the trick....
Artum_Snowbird
Explorer
Aug 27, 2014
The trouble you have is you should not be in 4 Low where your wheels can't slip. You are on concrete and asphalt and there is nothing giving there, so you are loading up the wheels with the extra weight behind pushing, and making turns.

Now I don't know what you have for 4 low, but I know I have Warn hubs in mine, and the joy of that setup is you can set the trannie for low range, but not use the front wheels unless you put the hubs in.

If yours works like that, go for 4 low and you will be handsomely rewarded I bet.

If you have to use all 4 wheels on the way down the straight stretch, go for it, but I would avoid turns and just bring it to a stop and then go forward again in 2wd

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Looking for some advice for our steep driveway

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