Help moving camper thru mud

[Oldcoyote]

Here is my 24 ft camper

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/cvcccg3aq4804id/AAA3SY9V7NJONwJuOqQXhD8ca?dl=0

I hope the picture works. I need to move this camper to a new location and could use some advice. I have never towed it before. It probably
weighs around 4800 lbs. The Sequoia tow vehicle is a 4WD.I only need to move it about 75 yards to dry land where a 2WD truck will take over.


We have had constant rain here in Georgia and the 50 or so yards in front of the camper is muddy and slick. The wheels of the camper are not down in the mud. The camper is on a very slight incline with the back about 18 - 24 inches lower than the front. It is about a two hour drive to the camper. I will wait until there has been no rain for about one week before trying to move the camper.


My plan is to chock all 4 wheels, jack the trailer up and hook up the Sequoia. Then remove chocks from all except the two back wheels. Put the Sequoia in low range 4WD. I have two traction boards (and a shovel) and will use them if wheels slip a lot. Sequoia tires will have 30 lbs and I can reduce that if necessary as I have a compressor.


If the 4WD can't find traction, I may try locking the center differential.


A 2WD truck used a few days ago promptly got stuck well before reaching the camper. The Sequoia pulled him out using 4WD High range.


Forgive the length of this but I am in uncharted territory. Suggestions will be much appreciated.

[Grit_dog]

DownTheAvenue wrote:
Your car is not designed to do any heavy pulling in extreme 4 wheel drive situations. You could try pulling it with the car in 4 wheel drive, but if the trailer bogs down, it is time for tow truck.

Lol, what are you talking about? You’re insinuating that a full size suv will break pulling a 5000lb trailer 75 yards at 1/2 mph in 4wd?

[time2roll]

Oldcoyote wrote:
If I use plywood how thick? I would cut 4X8 sheets to 2X4 for ease of handling.

I presume OSB not strong enough.

I would be inclined to cut to 16" wide and 8' long to yield 3 boards per sheet. Not sure how soft the mud is to need 3/8, 1/2 or 5/8 etc. OSB should be fine. Hopefully this is just single use so if the wood is a bit damaged you don't care.

[valhalla360]

I can't pull the picture up but from the description, if by traction boards, you mean the offroad aluminum ones to get you unstuck...your original plan should be fine.

If it's only 50yds, you could also look at picking up a 200' anchor line (1/2 or 5/8" should be enough). Secure it well to the 2wd on dry ground (you don't want it coming off under tension). Then have the 2wd take up the slack and apply some force before the 4wd starts. The anchor line will be cheaper and easier than several sheets of plywood. (don't try jerking it out)

[WTP-GC]

You're just not trying hard enough...

Get it done!!

[All_I_could_aff]

Jack up the trailer, wood under the trailer tires, and at least a few feet ahead of them. 4low, lock every diff locker available, set up video camera, open beer, yell “watch this” and then send it.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Any farmers in the area? Get a tractor to do the pulling.

[doxiemom11]

A tow truck winched our 36' motorhome from being buried up to the axles in mud to dry ground, probably 50'. It was sitting on top of the grass - no mud visible and not raining when we tried to move it - sunk right in . I'd just call a tow company - tell them size, weight of what you have and they should be able to get it moved for you. If not possible, I'd try the plywood

[twodownzero]

You should be locking all the differentials you have before even trying to move it. I don't know why you would save the center differential; that's like waiting to put a truck into 4wd until you're stuck. By then it's too late.

Whether you'll be able to move your trailer depends a lot on the incline, the ground, and other factors that we can't assess from here. If your feet are sinking in the mud, you probably won't be able to get it up much of an incline.

[okhmbldr]

4 wheel drive LOW is your friend!
Your towing capacity is plenty for this trailer. If you wait a week as stated, you should have no problem pulling that trailer 50 yards. Just try to go as straight as you can without turning the wheel too sharply. I've done it before and you will be amazed at how well the 4WD works. Go for it!

[Veebyes]

This is why I carry at least 4 2X10 boards for the trailer. The primary use is levelling however they have come in handy for getting out of a sticky situation that those plastic lego thingys would be useless for.

A 12 ton bottle jack & plenty of blocks of wood for use with that comes in handy too.

I'd try to get it out on my own. I like a challenge like that. Lift the trailer. Get some boards under its wheels to get it out of the holes they have created. Wait for the ground to dry as much as possible. Possibly use both vehicles in tandem to pull it out.

Did something similar to that once with a 32' 12,000# inboard boat. Getting the boat out of the water the trailer went off the end of the ramp onto soft bottom. It took boat in gear almost wide open, TV pulling with all its might & a Bob Cat pulling the TV to get up & onto the ramp. I imagine we were quite a sight to see.

[jkwilson]

ZINGERLITE wrote:

jkwilson wrote:
Just use a tractor.

I don't think your average person has access to a tractor lol. I suppose you could rent one from the local tool rental?

The average person at my house does!

A tractor, if available, would be a better choice than a tow truck. But adding planking to keep the trailer wheels up out of the mud is important because the force applied to the tongue if the wheels sink could be extreme.

[Oldcoyote]

This is a fairly isolated hunting camp. The last time we had a truck stuck (a few miles away) we got some loggers to pull it out. The tractor was wedged against a tree and he used his winch. All accompanied by whoops and hollers. He did this expertly in spite of being drunk!

[Halmfamily]

Let a tow truck move it, probably cost you $100 to $150 and done in 30 minutes and all you have to do is watch.

[Tinyandthegang]

I would lower tire pressure on both your Sequoia and the trailer to 20lbs put your transfer case in low range lock the differential pull the trailer out and then air up your tires. This is the same as driving in the sand. What you want is flotation.

[BarabooBob]

The problem with hooking onto it with enough traction to jerk it out of the mud is that you can bend the axles. The planks would allow you to use your brains instead of brute strength.
Moving the plywood after you cut it up would allow easier moving of the wood but would make slippage of the wood much more of a problem.
I would go with the 2 x 12s
Good luck getting out of the situation.