Help! Stuck in driveway with new rv

[roadstar99]

We just purchased another Dutch Star after our other one burned up in November. It is a 41' and old one was 38'. We had an extra pad poured beside our house and had wired to park RV. The pad is large enough for even bigger RV, but our driveway to get there is inclined with a dip at the bottom before the higher pad. We had to have skid wheels put on the 38' to get past the dip so we had them installed before bringing new one home. We backed in and skid wheels worked great. We scraped at the top of the driveway and scrubbed the front bumper for about 5" but then no problem. Now we tried to get it back out and tried to turn to the right to get past the hump where the bumper dragged and the break in driveway at the top where we scraped. We got stuck with the skid wheels causing rear wheels to spin. Put it in neutral and let it roll backward.
Do not know what to do to get the RV out of the driveway and to a storage area until we can do something about the driveway. It was suggested to put wood in the dip and lift the rear that way. Anyone had a problem like this. Never would have thought 3 more feet would cause such a problem. Could it be towed out? Had estimate of $5000 to level the top of the driveway somewhat but that will not fix the problem of the dip at the bottom. Afraid we will spend a lot of money on driveway and because of the lay of the land, would still not be able to use it for the RV. Am sick. Really love this RV. Afraid we'll be damaging it somehow. Skid wheel installer thinks if we stayed on the concrete (one wheel was in the grass) and went straight that we might be able to get out. Afraid to try.

[vsheetz]

Difficult to help without seeing the situation firsthand, but sounds like wood blocking in the dip and staying out of the grass are best options.

If you need a tow truck assist, got ERS? If not, would get one today - usually in effect in 24 hours.

[Ted Lambert]

If you get a tow truck. Make sure you get an experienced driver. Tow trucks have done more damage which you don't want.
If the fellow shows up looking like Fonzy Beware!

[jettyjock]

Could you bring a load of crushed stone in to help level

[Gregsproles]

Yes, use 2x12 wood and build up the low spot as needed to level out the area

[chuckster52]

Originally Posted by roadstar99

We just purchased another Dutch Star after our other one burned up in November. It is a 41' and old one was 38'. We had an extra pad poured beside our house and had wired to park RV. The pad is large enough for even bigger RV, but our driveway to get there is inclined with a dip at the bottom before the higher pad. We had to have skid wheels put on the 38' to get past the dip so we had them installed before bringing new one home. We backed in and skid wheels worked great. We scraped at the top of the driveway and scrubbed the front bumper for about 5" but then no problem. Now we tried to get it back out and tried to turn to the right to get past the hump where the bumper dragged and the break in driveway at the top where we scraped. We got stuck with the skid wheels causing rear wheels to spin. Put it in neutral and let it roll backward.
Do not know what to do to get the RV out of the driveway and to a storage area until we can do something about the driveway. It was suggested to put wood in the dip and lift the rear that way. Anyone had a problem like this. Never would have thought 3 more feet would cause such a problem. Could it be towed out? Had estimate of $5000 to level the top of the driveway somewhat but that will not fix the problem of the dip at the bottom. Afraid we will spend a lot of money on driveway and because of the lay of the land, would still not be able to use it for the RV. Am sick. Really love this RV. Afraid we'll be damaging it somehow. Skid wheel installer thinks if we stayed on the concrete (one wheel was in the grass) and went straight that we might be able to get out. Afraid to try.

Can you take the skid wheels off to get out ? would keep the drive wheels on the pavement.....and try turning on an angle as you go out Chuck

[31stParallel]

Quick and inexpensive fix try a truck load of wood chips or crushed dolomite rock. Should be 150-200 depending. Hard to say how big your dip is or what landscaping material you have local to your area. Fill the dip with heavy(and most likely the most expensive) top with lighter material. You can always reuse in flower beds or add the rock to extend pad vertically or horizontally. Can also try having a round bail of hay delivered if chips aren't an option.

[roadstar99]

I would definitely avoid a Fonzie or the Cable Guy. Thanks.

[roadstar99]

Chuckster52. We were turning at an angle to go out and came in straight when we drug the bottom. If we took off the skid wheels, we would bottom out in the rear unless we get the dip filled in. Thanks.

[NITEHAWK]

Airbags On the coach?

Can you inflate rear bags to max height and lower front air bags with coach in neutral?
Let air out of front tires, but not totally!!
Was going to suggest you jack up rear axle so you could slide planks under the tires, but afraid the coach might roll while you are attempting this. Then let coach rear wheels down onto planks, inflate rear air bags and drive off.

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by roadstar99

We just purchased another Dutch Star after our other one burned up in November. It is a 41' and old one was 38'. We had an extra pad poured beside our house and had wired to park RV. The pad is large enough for even bigger RV, but our driveway to get there is inclined with a dip at the bottom before the higher pad. We had to have skid wheels put on the 38' to get past the dip so we had them installed before bringing new one home. We backed in and skid wheels worked great. We scraped at the top of the driveway and scrubbed the front bumper for about 5" but then no problem. Now we tried to get it back out and tried to turn to the right to get past the hump where the bumper dragged and the break in driveway at the top where we scraped. We got stuck with the skid wheels causing rear wheels to spin. Put it in neutral and let it roll backward.
Do not know what to do to get the RV out of the driveway and to a storage area until we can do something about the driveway. It was suggested to put wood in the dip and lift the rear that way. Anyone had a problem like this. Never would have thought 3 more feet would cause such a problem. Could it be towed out? Had estimate of $5000 to level the top of the driveway somewhat but that will not fix the problem of the dip at the bottom. Afraid we will spend a lot of money on driveway and because of the lay of the land, would still not be able to use it for the RV. Am sick. Really love this RV. Afraid we'll be damaging it somehow. Skid wheel installer thinks if we stayed on the concrete (one wheel was in the grass) and went straight that we might be able to get out. Afraid to try.

Without a picture - my guess is - just get some solid 2x12's cut to fill the dip.

If needed get some 3/4 ply wood to widen and hold 2x12's together if they need to be doubled in width to work.

Without a picture, hard to really solve your problem, but I would think the wood would work, just keep it as close to solid as possible and you should be able to construct a smooth transition. $100 vs tow truck?

Picture and a little sketch would help.

Best of Luck, and let us Know how it goes,

[roadstar99]

Sounds good to hear alternatives. Trying to post pics. Sho





rt driveway and when front wheels get to next break, front bumper comes up.

[roadstar99]

Air us also down in these pictures. Any way to get larger air bags?

[Russtj60]

It must've been tough to get it in there. If a tow truck couldn't lift it so the rear would clear, I would try a bunch of 4x4's or 4x6s... if that didn't work gravel....