Moving a Bryan James 4 wheel trailer in narrow driveway?

Moving a Bryan James 4 wheel trailer in narrow driveway?

Author
Discussion

Erich Stahler

Original Poster:

2,878 posts

269 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
Basically I can tow it in but need to rotate before can tow it out again, If you have this problem what have you tried and how successful has it been?

Seems the options are:

1. Electric powered Jockey wheel - Some say unless you have enough down-force on hitch they slip on rough ground or slopes.

2. Caravan Mover


3. Powered dolly:
|https://thumbsnap.com/I53HSEOI[/url]

4. Hand powered dolly:
[url]

Any feedback appreciated.
Many thanks.

CharlesElliott

1,991 posts

281 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
How big is the trailer and car on it? With my Minno and a Caterham on it, I wind the jockey wheel up to lift the front axle off the ground, I can then rotate the whole trailer fairly easily by hand.

fat80b

2,242 posts

220 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
CharlesElliott said:
I wind the jockey wheel up to lift the front axle off the ground, I can then rotate the whole trailer fairly easily by hand.
Same here - once you get 2 of the 4 wheels off the deck, it can be maneuvered fairly easily on the jockey wheel.

I reckon you could rotate it round in its own space with a bit of effort.

Bob

Erich Stahler

Original Poster:

2,878 posts

269 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
quotequote all
Actually guys was able to rotate with two of the four wheels off the ground in the end with some help, thanks for the tip.
Will soldier on that way for now, but I will probably build a electric powered dolly as a little project.

tapkaJohnD

1,930 posts

203 months

Wednesday 2nd August 2017
quotequote all
Erich,

caravan owners install an electric motor, with a drive wheel that bears on one tyre.
Look for "caravan motor movers": http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/helpand...

John

Thurbs

2,780 posts

221 months

Wednesday 2nd August 2017
quotequote all
Buy some cones, find some empty space and learn how to reverse. It is dead easy and I could get this:



In to this:



Quite easily. Even with cars parked along the verge. With the wife's Discovery 4 it was even easier. I could do it with this:



But needed the verge to be clear.

Sadly, I don't live there anymore frown

dhutch

14,198 posts

196 months

Monday 25th September 2017
quotequote all
Given the price of the powered trailer moving machines we make at work, while good kit, winding the jockey wheel up or learning to reverse has to be cheaper.

Daniel

77racing

3,346 posts

186 months

Tuesday 26th September 2017
quotequote all
I have the same problem and have just bought myself a ride on mower which had no cutting deck, dead cheap off the bay and plan to weld a ball hitch on the front to spin mine round on a tight gravel drive. Finger's crossed ,if that don't do the trick, my son in law has got a xmas present for his two son's to mess about on biggrin: Dxmas

smiles1

543 posts

221 months

Tuesday 26th September 2017
quotequote all
77racing said:
I have the same problem and have just bought myself a ride on mower which had no cutting deck, dead cheap off the bay and plan to weld a ball hitch on the front to spin mine round on a tight gravel drive. Finger's crossed ,if that don't do the trick, my son in law has got a xmas present for his two son's to mess about on biggrin: Dxmas
Can I ask what you class as dead cheap? Your idea has tempted me smile

captainpugwash

110 posts

103 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
quotequote all
77racing said:
I have the same problem and have just bought myself a ride on mower which had no cutting deck, dead cheap off the bay and plan to weld a ball hitch on the front to spin mine round on a tight gravel drive. Finger's crossed ,if that don't do the trick, my son in law has got a xmas present for his two son's to mess about on biggrin: Dxmas
Cracking idea smile


RobM77

35,349 posts

233 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
quotequote all
I've got a BJ Sprint Shuttle and a gravel drive and can easily push around and turn my trailer with a friend or, very occasionally, Mrs RobM77 (provided I remember to spill the water off the top first.. biggrin). It weighs 670kg. I do like to be self sufficient though and I've heard good things about caravan movers, provided you have a hard surface (I don't think they'd work on my gravel drive, so I have to get help). I can almost move the trailer on my own, but I have a bad back so shouldn't try.

smiles1

543 posts

221 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
quotequote all
RobM77 said:
I've got a BJ Sprint Shuttle and a gravel drive and can easily push around and turn my trailer with a friend or, very occasionally, Mrs RobM77 (provided I remember to spill the water off the top first.. biggrin). It weighs 670kg. I do like to be self sufficient though and I've heard good things about caravan movers, provided you have a hard surface (I don't think they'd work on my gravel drive, so I have to get help). I can almost move the trailer on my own, but I have a bad back so shouldn't try.
My neighbour has a caravan mover and we have a joint deep gravel drive and it is fine moving the caravan on the gravel so should be ok with the trailer smile

77racing

3,346 posts

186 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
quotequote all
smiles1 said:
Can I ask what you class as dead cheap? Your idea has tempted me smile
I paid £105 for a countax 16hp v-twin should easily be man enough I recon.

mine is similar to this but has the 16hp engine in it and this has the grass collector and the cutting deck which you can sell on to reduce the cost.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Countax-C300H-Ride-on-la...

RobM77

35,349 posts

233 months

Thursday 28th September 2017
quotequote all
smiles1 said:
RobM77 said:
I've got a BJ Sprint Shuttle and a gravel drive and can easily push around and turn my trailer with a friend or, very occasionally, Mrs RobM77 (provided I remember to spill the water off the top first.. biggrin). It weighs 670kg. I do like to be self sufficient though and I've heard good things about caravan movers, provided you have a hard surface (I don't think they'd work on my gravel drive, so I have to get help). I can almost move the trailer on my own, but I have a bad back so shouldn't try.
My neighbour has a caravan mover and we have a joint deep gravel drive and it is fine moving the caravan on the gravel so should be ok with the trailer smile
Thanks very much, that's well worth knowing smile

smiles1

543 posts

221 months

Thursday 28th September 2017
quotequote all
77racing said:
smiles1 said:
Can I ask what you class as dead cheap? Your idea has tempted me smile
I paid £105 for a countax 16hp v-twin should easily be man enough I recon.

mine is similar to this but has the 16hp engine in it and this has the grass collector and the cutting deck which you can sell on to reduce the cost.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Countax-C300H-Ride-on-la...
Thnaks, that is a decent price!