Recommendation for Preventing Car Trailer From Dragging Up Steep Driveway

Updated 07/21/2020 | Published 11/05/2017

Question:

Looking at purchasing home with a steep driveway. I have dovetail open car trailer. 1600 lbs and usually just a miata on it together about 4200 lbs I would guess. The question is, do trailer skid wheels work for this sort of problem? And the ones I have seen are steel. Would they chew up the driveway? Are there other solutions? Thanks.

asked by: Eric

Helpful Expert Reply:

Adding skid wheels to your open car trailer is indeed what I recommend to help prevent the trailer from dragging when going up a steep driveway. These are designed specifically for this very purpose and will work well.

I recommend taking a look at the Ultra-Fab Skid Wheels for Low-Profile RVs # UF48-979011. You will simply weld the included brackets to your trailer frame and then bolt the skid wheels to the brackets using the hardware that is also included. These skid wheels feature a sturdy steel construction but also a 1/4 inch thick urethane layer on the outer edge of each wheel. This will provide an anti-skid barrier but will also protect your driveway and ensure that the wheel lasts even longer by avoiding metal degradation.

I have attached the complete installation instructions along with a short video demonstration on this product that you can check out.

expert reply by: Chris R

Ryan W.

7/17/2020

I am looking at purchasing a direct drive boat that has a drop down prop protector on the back of the trailer. The trailer has 5” of clearance at that protection point. I also have a steep driveway that has a dip at the bottom. Would you recommend the ultra fab skid wheels as an alternative? I imagine, looking at the driveway, the trailer will be on the skid wheels and the hitch for a few feet at the bottom of the driveway. The boat is 2750lbs plus the trailer, will the skid wheels support that? I appreciate your input and other suggestions. Thanks!

Chris R.

7/21/2020

The Ultra-Fab Skid Wheels # UF48-979011 mentioned above would work for this application. I have to imagine with that small of ground clearance the existing contact point you mentioned will definitely hit the ground when going up/down your driveway. These skid wheels have plenty of capacity for the trailer.