17' Series Driveway From Hell

Klugerclan

Member
Aug 31, 2011
147
8
18
Well big man, finally back with a you tube clip, you have forced me to become a bit of an IT nerd (and well worthwhile too) !! Got the van back at weekend after service and hail damage repair, and for first time reversed her up the hill using the old man's Kia sorento and trying out the newly attached castor wheels .

I asked my 7 year old to film and she ended up recording 17 minutes which I have got down to less than 3 on the attached link (she did a great job). The castor wheels were fantastic as can be seen, I could 'up and down' to get the car / van in right place for first time which made all the difference. Still learning and think will be even easier next time but here's how it went - enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbYtx7iNxLE&feature=channel&list=UL

and the finishing touch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jzr7xX-9gCg&feature=g-upl&context=G2756ea6AUAAAAAAABAA

Hope you can appreciate the gradient

Having spent so much time on getting the winch in, still so unsure how to use without stressing out the Kluger as will never be able to sync push / pull with car and winch. Get it wrong and will kill the car, which is a great shame after all the effort put in. Has been a great adventure to date and very happy to have our panda back home.
 

macca

(aka maccayak)
Mar 20, 2012
1,660
832
113
Victoria
I also liked the way that you used your father in laws car.

I have a similar kluger, how does yours go towing the expanada. Mine is AWD so I hope that make a difference but I am a bit worried as they dont have a great tow rating.

Geoff
 

Klugerclan

Member
Aug 31, 2011
147
8
18
Thanks all for kind comments ! Yes I was the one behind the wheel and was my neighbour doing the running around. The suspension set up on the van is standard. Very pleased with the castors as have got the set up right, as can be seen the bumper is just above the tarmac when reversing onto the drive. When the castors kicked in, front wheel off the ground and rear axle taking some of the weight. When we get to the top, the rear wheels of the ground for a short distance.

Kluger been fine towing, plenty of grunt for the hills, we only have the FWD, no issues to date and the panda has helped smooth the rough bits being a twin axle. As previously said, low range essential for the driveway, hence the old man's car.
 

Billrw136

Well-Known Member
Jun 20, 2011
849
1,216
93
North Rothbury
Well done Klugerclan - makes my issues of getting our van into our garage by letting tyres down and fiddling with jockey wheel pale into insignificance!

Bill
 
  • Like
Reactions: Klugerclan

ElectricGuru

Member
Sep 5, 2011
189
22
18
SE Brisbane
Hey Klugerclan, that is a massive effort. Your photos of just the driveway alone didnt do it any justice. Having the van in the video gives it all scale of how hard it is with the steepnees of the driveway. Great video! I am going to watch the video a few more time for some tips :clap2:

Our storage of the van is not that extreme but it starts in the next street and works it's way down to our place since we are in a culdesac. It also take 2-3 people running around and ensuring there is enough clearance between the van and the house eves/fences.

As you said, a few inches either side and that's it. (Have already had to re-concrete the gate post :doh:)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Klugerclan

cruza driver

Hercules
Staff member
Nov 9, 2010
6,550
4,447
113
Mighty Victoria
:clap2: :clap2: Well done thats some angle mate thanks for doing the vid as it gives a great appreciation to the lengths you have gone to. My Uncle and Aunty use to live in the same suburb as you, I know what the driveways are like it even had the same concrete :smile:

The Kia looked like it made light work of the job as well.

Getting the Expanda in there will be a peice of cake now getting onto any tight sites with your reversing skills :thumb:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Klugerclan

Klugerclan

Member
Aug 31, 2011
147
8
18
I should add that I do take my hat off to the Kia, it pushed the van up very capably. I was not a fan when the old man bought a Kia, but have to take that back now.

Also helped this time I have now hooked up the van brakes. First time we tried to drive the van out, I didn't have the right adaptor so no electric brakes. Handbrake would not hold the combined weight when we got stuck so we have a wonderful situation of changing drivers over by having to get a foot on the brake from outside the car before we could get me out and the missus in. All the time the van wanted to go down the hill and we could really feel the weight of the van, I cannot tell you what a nightmare we had that day.

Next project will be to get some suitable 'driver aids' so I can get the van in by myself. Some kind of camera at the back of the house which will show where the back of the van is going.

Big man, you seem to be the newly appointed forum IT guru, any ideas ?
 

bigman0510

Well-Known Member
Apr 9, 2011
1,754
1,019
113
45
Moranbah, Queensland, Australia
moranbahweather.com
Next project will be to get some suitable 'driver aids' so I can get the van in by myself. Some kind of camera at the back of the house which will show where the back of the van is going.

Big man, you seem to be the newly appointed forum IT guru, any ideas ?

OHHHH.... now your talking my language.

I have about 4 cams around the house that I can view anywhere in the world and control via my Iphone.
Cams.jpg

you can get them for about $50 delivered from here:
http://www.aliexpress.com/product-f...-Audio-Camera-Cam-IP-Cameras-wholesalers.html

If anyone want to do something simliar, i can walk you through how to setup your home router etc.
 

Klugerclan

Member
Aug 31, 2011
147
8
18
A few thank you's for the all help received along the way. Being part of the forum has made much more enjoyable to be able to share and take on board all the comments received. Where to from here.....?