The one thing that sux about buying a new van....

[Ssil2000]

My previous vehicles have all had a tow ball on the front for those times when fancy driving is required.

Not a bad idea offset on the passenger side would be perfect but not sure if I will be allowed to put a hitch on the front

Another possible option......to help with the manoeuvring rather than replacing ....

Try a winch, bolted to the rear of the area you want to get to but be careful and make sure everyone around knows how to use it.

We had a heaviesh off road camper years ago and absolutely no chance of backing it into yet another driveway so grabbed a hand winch for a boat, attached it and one person steered and pushed while the other wound the winch handle. (we didn't know then they could be powered...we thought all winches had handles)

We thought of that for our current setup but realised the weight of the van was much greater and we couldn't find a suitable fixing point. Maybe we should have persevered, as it would have been cheaper.

Is that a possibility for you? @Ssil2000

I can't see a winch working the angle it would be coming cross camber and the winch would drag it into the fence I'd rather reverse it into the fence then winch it there

 

[Drover]

Seen a few that have just a receiver under the bull bar or in it, just slip a hitch in when wanted.

 

[Ssil2000]

Seen a few that have just a receiver under the bull bar or in it, just slip a hitch in when wanted.

i have seen them, its a bit complicated its a work car my boss decks it out for me and is happy for me to tow the van even decked it out with tow pro etc etc but i cant ask for a hitch at the front i think thats a bit much, if it was mine id do it in a heart beat lol

 

[Dobbie]

We seriously considered this as well, particularly when faced with the last site in any Moree caravan park ...uphill, on an angle and a concrete slab sitting up at least half a metre. No wonder everyone else rejected it.

I put the plan on hold as the vehicle was almost new and thought I'd better not change or add too much to protect the warranty....now it's done a lot of work, I'll have another look at it!

It would, I assume, need something like the standard tow bar setup under the bulbar?

 

[Drover]

Would depend on the type of bar, a lot incorporate it to be a recovery point as well then it requires some engineering but not a lot for just pushing around.........can buy the set ups for some vehicles.

 

[peterg]

Shotgun on a trip wire? :laser:

I was thinking of either getting something to put in the coupling and lock it or maybe a wheel clamp?

Easier to put it on blocks and remove the wheels......
It ain't going nowhere without the round things!

 

[Ssil2000]

Can't be bothered taking wheels off lol that would mean MORE work for me!!

 

[MickL]

A good mate of mine who makes amazing custom boat winches 'reel hard marine - https://www.facebook.com/Reel-Hard-Marine-624804850922357/' designed and built a pretty heavy duty trailer mover not long ago for use with big boat trailers. Not sure if he was going to start making them for sale but I could find out if anyone was interested.

 

[Ssil2000]

I wish a winch would work for my situation unfortunately it just won't

 

[MickL]

I wish a winch would work for my situation unfortunately it just won't

Sorry I meant the trailer mover. He made one that the tow ball drops onto and has wheels etc to walk the van / trailer into place...

 

[Ssil2000]

Ahh yes that would work but I've convinced myself the van will fit... if I take out a couple of fences along the way I'll just put that down to learning lol

 

[Drover]

Just go slow, in low range, walk thru what you want to do a couple of times, do dummy runs with no van on back, visualize, worked for my reversing 40 footers into spaces with 50mm either side, you may have to rock forward and back over a 2mt section to get the angle......don't rush and only have people to yell when very close and make sure they can be seen in mirror at all times. Oh and make sure you have height clearance, eave's, gutters etc, many forget until they hear that sound, crunch from above.

 

[Ssil2000]

Clearance is not an issue thankfully I just started on the front yard overhaul today jackhammered all the concrete that has to go have bobcat coming next week to move the tree and clear it and get all my levels sorted and then I'll run the conduit for power once I have it cleared properly I'll be able to practice a bit

The more I look at it the more comfortable I'm getting I don't think it's as bad as I thought originally

 

[Dobbie]

Just a thought.

Once you've got the angles right....minus the van....then with the van....can you mark the beautiful new pad with some indicators? Spray paint on where it's best to turn, angle of approach etc. or whatever works for you?

It might confuse future generations as to why there are strange symbols on the concrete!

This is real progress you're making....you'll be stuffed by the time you get the van.

 

[Ssil2000]

This is real progress you're making....you'll be stuffed by the time you get the van.

Hahahahahaha

Once it's cleared and rubbled I'm going to use my bosses trailer to figure out the angles then do the conc to suit so not guessing angles his race trailer only a few feet shorter

 

[bigcol]

Hahahahahaha

Once it's cleared and rubbled I'm going to use my bosses trailer to figure out the angles then do the conc to suit so not guessing angles his race trailer only a few feet shorter

to be really persnickety, you could get some conduit and attach to the trailer to give you the "true" length

just a thought

 

[Drover]

Actually if the trailers wheels aren't in the same spot as the vans then it's all academic......the time to turn a trailer/van is when the wheels are lined up with the tree/post/shed otherwise you miss the mark if you have very little room, just too hard to describe the technique.

If you have 3 tries and it doesn't work, pull right away and start again with a fresh line up, saves much angst.

Up the pressure on your vans tyres as well, it will turn better, try not to slope concrete away to the side too much and a slab is better than tracks, tracks will make things way harder.

 

[Ssil2000]

If my calcs are correct I should be able to almost go straight back the sketch is not to scale obviously but it should be minimal corrections only issue will be is people parked in the way but that I can't control the driveway will be the only cross slope section and it's minimal

 

[Drover]

Looks a particle of urine, you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[bigcol]

ahhhhh Picasso, lovely pic

yes it explains

yes, should be a piece of the proverbial