Wet grass tire chains??

[SC_camper]

I tried to get the camper out of the yard for the first trip of the year. We had some rain and ice earlier in the week. I first tried 2 days after any weather, didn't move the camper 4 inches. Had another inch of rain, waited another 2 days, put out 14 bags of drainage rock in tire paths. This time I got the camper to move 30 yards and then just spun in the grass. Now I have muddy ruts and couldn't go camping.

My Excursion is only 2wd and a 4x4 purchase isn't in the cards. I'm thinking about getting some type of snow(wet grass) chains for these situations. Will chains give me the traction needed or will I just dig bigger ruts?

[SC_camper]

Bedlam wrote:
I think your long term solution is position the trailer so it is a straight shot out the the back and add some pavers to your lawn. You can screen the trailer with trellis and even get get some vine growths started for more screening.

The troubles you are having accessing your trailer takes away from the enjoyment and convenience of owning it - I know your setup can be improved without having to replace your vehicle or tear up the lawn.

We are thinking more about the re-positioning idea. If we had built a building for the TT, it would have sat in that direction. We can't swing the cost of a building that will get approval by the HOA. I'm almost to the point of doing what I want and if they don't like it, we will put it back or move.

[SC_camper]

rhagfo wrote:

Houston Remodeler wrote:
As a former Yankee, I can swear the chains will make things worse or just as bad. Boards are the way to go, but you'll need quite stout boards.

When you have the time bury thesethese in the grass They are often buried around office buildings so the fire trucks can drive right up to the building.

There is also a cinder block that also allows grass to up through yet provide a solid surface and cost less.

I have looked into the honeycomb stuff before. I think you can get it something like the squares but actually comes in a roll. Not cheap either way.

I'll look into the cinder block type.

I counted turns tonight, If you count each forward movement and each backwards movement separately, total was 7.

[SC_camper]

We made other plans for this past weekend since we couldn't get the TT out. Saturday, Sunday and Monday was dry but mostly cloudy. It rained again Tuesday. DW informed me Tuesday the DD had this coming weekend off and they wanted to go camping. It was foggy and a little mist today until 2pm, then the sun came out and temps got in the 60's. I was able to get a 4x4 from work this evening and pulled the camper right out. The yard was still moist but didn't even spin a tire.

[Naio]

BurbMan wrote:
$3.50/SF for those buried traction squares...:E

THOSE ones, but I bet OP could get some concrete ones locally for $1/ sq ft.

That seems like the best solution to me. Two long strips of them, under the trailer and all the way out. Once the grass grows they will be invisible to the HOA.

Of course you would need a sh*tton of them for the 6 point turn.

Bedlam's idea of parking the trailer broadside on, with a lattice and vine wall hiding it, also sounds very good. So is the french drain that someone mentioned.

Of course, any or all of these solutions might cost as much as just storing it elsewhere.

[campigloo]

I think your best bet would be limestone. Dump it 4" thick where you need a road. It will compact like concrete the more you drive on it and the grass will grow through it in time. We have gumbo mud here and find that gravel just continues to sink until all that's left is the mud. I think the stone size is #45 but check at the gravel yard. You need a pretty good size stone, not the powder most of them like to sell

[BurbMan]

$3.50/SF for those buried traction squares...:E

[rhagfo]

Houston Remodeler wrote:
As a former Yankee, I can swear the chains will make things worse or just as bad. Boards are the way to go, but you'll need quite stout boards.

When you have the time bury thesethese in the grass They are often buried around office buildings so the fire trucks can drive right up to the building.

There is also a cinder block that also allows grass to up through yet provide a solid surface and cost less.

[brulaz]

dodge guy wrote:
Once you get it out, either gravel or pave that area and the shot to it! that`s going to be a problem anytime it rains!

We plan to sand/gravel our trailer storage area and driveway this summer as well.

Had almost exactly same problem last fall getting the trailer out after a hard night frost. The soaked grass and soil froze then thawed and turned to mush.

But I have only a short run to the highway so was able to get enough sand under the rear wheels to get out. Not a good start for our long trip to Florida.

The next truck will be a 4x4 as we've had similar problems backing the trailer up slight inclines in sandy soil and on wet grass before.

[dodge_guy]

Once you get it out, either gravel or pave that area and the shot to it! that`s going to be a problem anytime it rains!

[BurbMan]

I think the real answer is some defined drive areas in the yard with a bunch of gravel....either that or a 4WD truck.

[hawkeye-08]

We have clay here and it is just like grease when condition are right. I don't think there are any easy or cheap answers, although with enough boards and help, you might make that work. Maybe hire some local teenagers to help move boards?

Don't give up on the winch idea, you could perhaps install a front receiver/winch mount on your truck along with some anchor points at strategic locations in your yard... although the backing up part may be a problem then.. perhaps a combination of winch and boards?

[Bedlam]

I think your long term solution is position the trailer so it is a straight shot out the the back and add some pavers to your lawn. You can screen the trailer with trellis and even get get some vine growths started for more screening.

The troubles you are having accessing your trailer takes away from the enjoyment and convenience of owning it - I know your setup can be improved without having to replace your vehicle or tear up the lawn.

[BurbMan]

No easy answers based on what you need to do there...it's not just a soft spot, you need to drive that thing all over the yard.

[Houston_Remodel]

a 4x4 and know how to drive it