Methods to get Bug off street and up driveway

[Master slacker]

I don't know where else to post this, but we just bought a new house and the driveway has a slight upward slope to it. I figured this would be a problem getting an inoperable car up to the garage, so I had a flatbed tow it to the house and drop it up the driveway for the first time. When I do get it running again and it inevitably shuts down in a neighborhood ride, how would I get it back to the garage? I can't push it from the street, up / over the driveway ledge, and then UP the driveway (in cul-de-sac). I can't be the only one with this driveway incline issue. What is your solution? Pic for science.

[Ol'fogasaurus]

I usually use a floor jack under the rear of the car lifting the rear wheels (or the heavier end of the vehicle) off the pavement then carefully push the car to the point where the rear wheels would be sitting on the up ramp and the front wheels are at the edge of the ramp. Then is should be able to push the vehicle to the front/rear wheels that are at the ramp's edge. You should be able to push the front/rear up onto the ramp but if not then the floor jack could again be used.

If you have to use the floor jack in front, then be sure to put a stop block or something like that in front of the rear wheels so the car isn't able to roll forward negating what you have done.

This is just one way of accomplishing what you want, it sounds easy but be careful!

Moving the vehicle away from the ramp then pushing it as fast as you can could allow the wheels to bump up onto the ramp but you should have additional help this way.

Lee

Also, short pieces of flat wood behind the wheels and onto the ramp might work also.

[Bruce.m]

Concrete a long eye bolt or equivalent firm mounting point at the top of the drive. Keep a mobile winch set up in the garage & use the post to secure it when needed.

[GS guy]

Tow rope from the lawn tractor.

[Ol'fogasaurus]

The problem with tow ropes/straps and that kind of thing is where to hook them up to the bug without having the potential of dam(n)aging things.

The tow idea depends on help keeping the vehicle being towed to keep going straight (especially if towing from the rear due to the steering geometry when going backwards.

Both ideas are good doable ways as is my way but remember, in-animate objects have to rules other than to be a pain in the (whoops).

Lee

[Kafer_Mike]

I have a similar driveway. Put a 2x4 across the base of the curb (to lessen the transition), meet your new neighbors, and keep some cold beer handy. That has always worked for me.

[SCOTTRODS]

Not terribly hard to build a transition ramp to lay in the low spot to make it a smooth move across the curb area. I like the idea of the anchor to install a hook in and a winch to pull it up the hill... could even build your transition ramp as two ramps, like loading a car on a trailer, that way it's easy to handle and move them to address the car's orientation to the driveway. You should be able to move just about any sedan of any make or model up there with that process... once to the "almost level" area there are many options for moving the vehicle around including pry bars and wheel chocks to move and stop the car in small steps if you have to go it alone.

[Ol'fogasaurus]

The pull rope from the garage, like getting it on a trailer, is OK unless you are pulling the rig from the rear. Again, the front geometry (the toe-in) can cause the front end to move to one side or the other unless there is someone in the rig and holding onto the steering wheel or tying the steering wheel when the rig is in a straight on alignment.

We did try using the winch to pull the buggy on my trailer from the rear once and the front end did start to move to one side almost immediately. We back or winch it up the ramps and in now but I haven't had to trailer it for several years now.

I don't have a problem with using the winch method but the pull line from the winch and the geometry of the rig to be pulled has to be in a straight-line alignment to insure this doesn't happen... even in short tows.

My term of using blocks was about the same thing as Scott and Mike use... just shorter and easier to find scraps to do it .

For what it is worth...

Lee

[Master slacker]

Man, I'm kinda leaning towards the winch method. Make it easy whether I need to pull the VW or any other disabled vehicle up the driveway. Hobo Freight has a 3500 lb winch for $150. The most difficult part of that idea is getting the stamp of approval from the wife. Oofta

[Ol'fogasaurus]

I am sure pulling the buggy up backwards will work but you will need to either have someone behind the steering wheel or you will have to tie the steering wheel facing straight ahead, or if there is a slight bend in the direction you will want/need to go plus you may want to stop to keep an eye on things as you progress slowly.

Again, that is because of the steering geometry with the toe-in being the culprit.

Lee

[SCOTTRODS]

Just a question though... why would you pull the car up backward? Seems smart to just winch it up in the go direction... front first. Eliminates the need to worry about toe in and steering geometry unless he's got some major steering issues such as a blown out ball joint... I've used ratchet straps to hold ball joints together for just such a process... even pulled one about 10 miles that way once... scary, but don't get in a hurry and it's do-able,
anyway, from the look of it in the picture, I think he has some wiggle room once lulled in face first, but not much just pull the vehicle toward the garage instead of it's current parking position. I'd also put another anchor behind that location it';s sitting and maybe use a drill stock receiver with a post you could use in both locations... concrete deep enough to allow the set up and maybe a small angle toward the house to give a no slip situation to the post inserted

[Ol'fogasaurus]

Just a question though... why would you pull the car up backward? Seems smart to just winch it up in the go direction... front first. Eliminates the need to worry about toe in and steering geometry unless he's got some major steering issues such as a blown out ball joint... I've used ratchet straps to hold ball joints together for just such a process... even pulled one about 10 miles that way once... scary, but don't get in a hurry and it's do-able,
anyway, from the look of it in the picture, I think he has some wiggle room once lulled in face first, but not much just pull the vehicle toward the garage instead of it's current parking position. I'd also put another anchor behind that location it';s sitting and maybe use a drill stock receiver with a post you could use in both locations... concrete deep enough to allow the set up and maybe a small angle toward the house to give a no slip situation to the post inserted

If he is going to put the rig in the garage with the front of the car facing outside, then going to the garage backwards eliminates having to turn the vehicle around a second time.

If he didn't have that curb to deal with then wheel dollies might be the way to go. I keep my black car on dollies or on lifts sitting on adapters I made allowing the car to sit higher for working on but still allow me to keep "it as" is when I need to slide it around when additional room is needed, but I really don't recommend this as too much push and things can fall. It is only for in a smooth area like a cement floor in a garage.

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Lee

[SCOTTRODS]

I don't recall the OP stating he wanted it in any particular orientation, however I gave some decent advice I think, that would be helpful. Once he gets it up there, if he has some minor amount of help from the wife or a friend, he should be able to manage from there. Even where the car sits now he could go in the garage either end first. Also having the alternate winch attach point would be useful in these "turn arounds" I think he probably can make something work with all the info though. Sounds like he was more interested in dealing with the approach being a big dip, than the driveway ramp anyway... but who knows? Hope he has a good outcome.

[Ol'fogasaurus]

No, he didn't. That stuff will come along starting in the near or far future...usually does. I always try to plan ahead for the worst but enjoy it when it doesn't.

Lee

[Ol'fogasaurus]

There is still the floor jack hooked to the rear trans cross-piece which I have used many times. Watching one of Ian's shows on TV and remembered he does use it that way a lot. Can it be a failure... yes but then most anything can also.

Lee