Getting into the driveway....

[gtsum]

I think we have finally decided on what camper to get (product line anyways)...still trying to decide if we go with the trailer or the fifth (price difference is only about $4200)...but, I started looking at my driveway and I am not sure if I can get either one up into it without bottoming out the rear of the RV?? Not sure what I was looking at earlier, but there is a LOT of rear overhang on these rigs! What do you think?

PS - dont mind the Ram 1500...I ordered a 3500 Cummins about 10 days ago:)

Camper will more than likely (90% sure) one of these:





here is driveway:

[the_happiestcam]

2012Coleman wrote:

Francesca Knowles wrote:

2012Coleman wrote:
Who is included in we - as in "I can't tell you how many times we've heard some version of that statement."?

:h
"We" as in "members of these Forums" such as those two that the O.P. earlier responded to in this thread.(See below)

the_happiestcamper wrote:

tomkaren13 wrote:
No thought here as to whether or not either one will fit. Looks like some of our neighborhoods.

What came to my mind is if you have a HOA with restrictions as to what you can park there?

I was thinking the same thing - that looks like a newer neighborhood. Check out any covenants that may prevent this (saying to the HOA that you saw someone else do it is not a valid argument)

Yes - I read the entire thread and the posters who you quoted were also making assumptions about info the OP didn't ask about. I'm interested in helping when I can and not making assumptions about unknows so please don't lump me in with lectures on such information - thanks.

Pardon me. I did not make assumptions - I simply asked. It would be a real downer for the OP if he didn't consider this to begin with, and ended up with a fine for pulling his RV into the neighborhood.

Now if the OP stated in his first post that "everything is okay with the HOA, just need to know about the slope" and we started on him with "are you really sure", then you would have a point. He has a picture that shows a car in the street - yet says they are not allowed to have cars in the street.

[gtsum]

Mickeyfan0805 wrote:
To your original question, I think a basic laser level would give you a pretty good idea (it won't be exact, but would let you know how tight it is going to be). I'm having trouble figuring out how to write this, but, I'll try anyway. Hear's what I'm thinking...

Measure the height of the clearance at the rear bumper and the length of the overhang. Place a board at the lowest entry point of your driveway that is the height of the clearance you measured. Point the laser level towards driveway and measure the distance between that point and where the laser hits the driveway (that would simulate the rear of the camper backing up the drive). If the distance between the board and the laser hitting the driveway exceeds the length of the overhang, you should be clear.

hmmm...I might give that a whirl. thanks for the idea!

[Mickeyfan0805]

To your original question, I think a basic laser level would give you a pretty good idea (it won't be exact, but would let you know how tight it is going to be). I'm having trouble figuring out how to write this, but, I'll try anyway. Hear's what I'm thinking...

Measure the height of the clearance at the rear bumper and the length of the overhang. Place a board at the lowest entry point of your driveway that is the height of the clearance you measured. Point the laser level towards driveway and measure the distance between that point and where the laser hits the driveway (that would simulate the rear of the camper backing up the drive). If the distance between the board and the laser hitting the driveway exceeds the length of the overhang, you should be clear.

[bid_time]

2012Coleman wrote:
...
The poster who stated that backing in at an angle is correct. I have the same slope at the curb and do not have an issue baking in at an angle. No need for complex measurements or math equations on a dry erase board as your picture is worth a thousand words - you just needed a few people who are in the similar situation.

"No need for complex measurements" {mine works yours will too}I find it amusing that from two pictures you can tell that everything works because yours works for you. I hope it works for him. But as far as being able to tell him he's good to go from two pictures - well as I said, I find it amusing. Just wondering, you willing to "make him whole" if it doesn't quite work out for him like it does for you? I won't be needing the white board, bytes will work just fine.

[2012Coleman]

Francesca Knowles wrote:

2012Coleman wrote:
Who is included in we - as in "I can't tell you how many times we've heard some version of that statement."?

:h
"We" as in "members of these Forums" such as those two that the O.P. earlier responded to in this thread.(See below)

the_happiestcamper wrote:

tomkaren13 wrote:
No thought here as to whether or not either one will fit. Looks like some of our neighborhoods.

What came to my mind is if you have a HOA with restrictions as to what you can park there?

I was thinking the same thing - that looks like a newer neighborhood. Check out any covenants that may prevent this (saying to the HOA that you saw someone else do it is not a valid argument)

Yes - I read the entire thread and the posters who you quoted were also making assumptions about info the OP didn't ask about. I'm interested in helping when I can and not making assumptions about unknows so please don't lump me in with lectures on such information - thanks.

[Francesca_Knowl]

2012Coleman wrote:
Who is included in we - as in "I can't tell you how many times we've heard some version of that statement."?

:h
"We" as in "members of these Forums" such as those two that the O.P. earlier responded to in this thread.(See below)

the_happiestcamper wrote:

tomkaren13 wrote:
No thought here as to whether or not either one will fit. Looks like some of our neighborhoods.

What came to my mind is if you have a HOA with restrictions as to what you can park there?

I was thinking the same thing - that looks like a newer neighborhood. Check out any covenants that may prevent this (saying to the HOA that you saw someone else do it is not a valid argument)

[2012Coleman]

Francesca Knowles wrote:

gtsum wrote:

Not real concerned about it...I am buddies with the part owner of the development company that runs the neighborhood and I am good with having it there before and after trips...just cant sit it there for months at a time. Good to know the owners:)

:E

I can't tell you how many times we've heard some version of that statement. It's always buried inside the body of a long sad story of how the HOA is telling someone to move their RV because "it's against association rules".

And guess what:
If there's language in the papers to the above effect, the RV owner ALWAYS loses, no matter who they know. Why? Because everyone in the development is bound by those rules, and only one member need insist on their enforcement to oblige the association to act.

If you're countin' on a wink and a handshake from a part owner of the development to sort of get around any such rules, I think the learning curve ahead may be a lot steeper than your driveway!

Who is included in we - as in "I can't tell you how many times we've heard some version of that statement."? The OP didn't ask advice about HOA restrictions. I'll personally give him the benefit of the doubt instead of useless replies arguing with him about something he is very obviously not concerned about. Whats he supposed to do - provide a image of a permission slip fropm the HOA notarized with a ribbon? Give it a break already.

The poster who stated that backing in at an angle is correct. I have the same slope at the curb and do not have an issue baking in at an angle. No need for complex measurements or math equations on a dry erase board as your picture is worth a thousand words - you just needed a few people who are in the similar situation.

[PAThwacker]

our driveway creates many challenges. We park the camper on the side of the garage. We had to cut 3 trees down this photo, and are a few inches from hitting the rear of our 21ft hybrid.

[Francesca_Knowl]

gtsum wrote:

Not real concerned about it...I am buddies with the part owner of the development company that runs the neighborhood and I am good with having it there before and after trips...just cant sit it there for months at a time. Good to know the owners:)

:E

I can't tell you how many times we've heard some version of that statement. It's always buried inside the body of a long sad story of how the HOA is telling someone to move their RV because "it's against association rules".

And guess what:
If there's language in the papers to the above effect, the RV owner ALWAYS loses, no matter who they know. Why? Because everyone in the development is bound by those rules, and only one member need insist on their enforcement to oblige the association to act.

If you're countin' on a wink and a handshake from a part owner of the development to sort of get around any such rules, I think the learning curve ahead may be a lot steeper than your driveway!

[gtsum]

the_happiestcamper wrote:

tomkaren13 wrote:
No thought here as to whether or not either one will fit. Looks like some of our neighborhoods.

What came to my mind is if you have a HOA with restrictions as to what you can park there?

I was thinking the same thing - that looks like a newer neighborhood. Check out any covenants that may prevent this (saying to the HOA that you saw someone else do it is not a valid argument)

Not real concerned about it...I am buddies with the part owner of the development company that runs the neighborhood and I am good with having it there before and after trips...just cant sit it there for months at a time. Good to know the owners:)

[gtsum]

bid_time wrote:
The fact of the matter is - you have presented zero information to base a deciesion on, no slope on the driveway, no length to the grade, no overhang dimensions, no ground clearance measuements, just some photo's with no frame of reference. What that all means is; there is no possible way anyone on here can give you an intelligent answer to your question. They are all speculating. My take on the photos is - you got a problem! But you have two choices, you can invest the time and effort necessary to get the information you need for an informed decision, or you can roll the dice. So do you feel lucky today?

Well, whether I can get it in the driveway or not is not going to sway my decision on the trailer, or if I buy it..if it doesnt make it up, so be it..I will load and unload from the street. I just wanted other's opinions that have been in similar situations. I guess we will see how it goes

[the_happiestcam]

tomkaren13 wrote:
No thought here as to whether or not either one will fit. Looks like some of our neighborhoods.

What came to my mind is if you have a HOA with restrictions as to what you can park there?

I was thinking the same thing - that looks like a newer neighborhood. Check out any covenants that may prevent this (saying to the HOA that you saw someone else do it is not a valid argument)

[bid_time]

The fact of the matter is - you have presented zero information to base a deciesion on, no slope on the driveway, no length to the grade, no overhang dimensions, no ground clearance measuements, just some photo's with no frame of reference. What that all means is; there is no possible way anyone on here can give you an intelligent answer to your question. They are all speculating. My take on the photos is - you got a problem! But you have two choices, you can invest the time and effort necessary to get the information you need for an informed decision, or you can roll the dice. So do you feel lucky today?

[gtsum]

jmcgsd wrote:
Oh also remember to close the bloody lock on the coupler. Many years ago I had a 1953 13' canned ham Aljo. There is a pretty good sized drainage culvert at the corner of my street. I hooked up one day after a couple of adult beverages but forgot to lock the coupler. I hit that ditch at about 20mph, the trailer jumped off the hitch and I dragged it across the intersection on the safety chains. I opened up the back of that canned ham TT like a can of sardines.

Ouch! We loaded hooked up the atv trailer to my 1 day old ram last year and my neighbor didn't get it locked into the ball....drove up the ramps and the tongue shot off the hitch and luckily went straight up and not forward into my tailgate...miracle it didn't hit the gate....some lessons can be expensive...I was lucky on that one

Adult beverages were a factor there as well