Lowering trailer
08-17-2020 | 08:35 PM
#11
Thread Starter
Registered
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 262
Likes: 15
From: Fond du Lac, WI
So many options...
I have squeezed a big Pontoon boat under a 10' tall door by taking the tires off of one of two axles. All the weight settles on the one axle, to slide under the door; then put the other two tires on.
You can lower the tongue of the trailer to the ground, with a cheap adjustable drop hitch, or buy a drop hitch for a lifted truck. That could lower your windscreen (highest point) by 6" or more.
You can let air out of the tires to the point that they barely roll.
You could back the boat onto the garage floor, then take the wheels/tires off, and set the trailer frame on machinery movers. Or you could set the axles down on tire dollies.
If you have a gravel driveway, you can dig out at the right distance where the REAR axle of the truck dips down enough that the windscreen clears the garage door.
You could do a combination of the above.
I have squeezed a big Pontoon boat under a 10' tall door by taking the tires off of one of two axles. All the weight settles on the one axle, to slide under the door; then put the other two tires on.
You can lower the tongue of the trailer to the ground, with a cheap adjustable drop hitch, or buy a drop hitch for a lifted truck. That could lower your windscreen (highest point) by 6" or more.
You can let air out of the tires to the point that they barely roll.
You could back the boat onto the garage floor, then take the wheels/tires off, and set the trailer frame on machinery movers. Or you could set the axles down on tire dollies.
If you have a gravel driveway, you can dig out at the right distance where the REAR axle of the truck dips down enough that the windscreen clears the garage door.
You could do a combination of the above.
08-18-2020 | 06:37 AM
#16
Registered
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 922
Likes: 128
From: Hemlock, MI
With that windshield being ahead of the axles, pull off front two tires and buy longest drop hitch that clears ground with tongue weight on it, betting that will get you really close! Deflate other tires to get the rest.
08-18-2020 | 06:50 AM
#17
21 and 42 footers
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,207
Likes: 146
From: Richmond VA
I agree. With the rig in front of the garage, back trailer tires up on a ramp so you cam easily remove the front 4 tires. Figure out how much drop hitch you can use and have it already lowered as much as possible. With all the weight on the back tires and the hitch an inch or so from the ground I suppose it will back into the garage and clear. Try not to make any turns rigged like that!
08-18-2020 | 07:20 AM
#18
Forum Regulator
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 24,203
Likes: 1,592
From: Worldwide
I agree. With the rig in front of the garage, back trailer tires up on a ramp so you cam easily remove the front 4 tires. Figure out how much drop hitch you can use and have it already lowered as much as possible. With all the weight on the back tires and the hitch an inch or so from the ground I suppose it will back into the garage and clear. Try not to make any turns rigged like that!
Take video.
10-05-2020 | 10:01 AM
#19
Thread Starter
Registered
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 262
Likes: 15
From: Fond du Lac, WI
well got it in! used a 6" drop receiver and plenty of room! was planning on using car dolly's to push it to the side to make room for the second boat... that didn't go so well as soon as I lowered the boat the dolly's failed, supposed to be 2K each dolly proved that spec wrong! had the random thought why not try the tractor, low range moved the boat with ease! it of course would support the tongue weight so I just used a floor jack and threw a movers dolly under it.
