Cal Club Autocross Forums

We would like to get a trailer for the Vette, and we would like to be able to store it behind the house under the car port. The problem is getting up the drive way and around the corner.

Anyone have any experience using Powered Trailer Caddies? http://www.powermoverinc.net/



We would have to back up the trailer to bridge the steep first half ... which is about 40' long and climbs about 44". The second half is about 45' long and climbs another 20".

Driveway is 20' wide ... car port 11' wide where the AC unit sticks out.

Then we have to get around the 90˚ corner ... w/ a 20'+ trailer.

Doable? Not worth the trouble?

I think you could probably make that 90 backing the trailer.

Mako,

I have a Power Caster (powercaster.com) unit that I bought when I had my boat. No more boat......only Power Caster left.

It's in storage...I can't remember if it is one or two wheel. I paid about $1,000 for it.

My area was flatter than yours. The key for you is grip up the hill.

I'll check over the next week or so whether it is one or two wheel, and let you know.

Have used trailer caddies at the boat storage. They work well, like anything else they are prone to problems, most notably charge. Have you considered having someone with a trailer come over and try it? You can probably rent a power caddy.

Do a demonstration and have someone experience speed your learning curve.

Sebastian Rios wrote:I think you could probably make that 90 backing the trailer.

That was my thinking, just back it in with you tow vehicle.

I don't know if I'd trust a power caster on that hill. Be sure the battery is good on your emergency breaks and be prepared to use them.

You could always put a front hitch on your tow vehicle and "drive it" in that way.

Sebastian Rios wrote:I think you could probably make that 90 backing the trailer.

I don't think he could, but it'd sure be fun to watch him try!
Mark D.

Tom Dobyns wrote:Mako,

I have a Power Caster (powercaster.com) unit that I bought when I had my boat. No more boat......only Power Caster left.

It's in storage...I can't remember if it is one or two wheel. I paid about $1,000 for it.

My area was flatter than yours. The key for you is grip up the hill.

I'll check over the next week or so whether it is one or two wheel, and let you know.

Sorry to hijack, but if Mako's not interested in the your old Power Caster, I have a friend that may need to buy one (if you are indeed wanting to sell it).

Whoever gives Tom the most slightly used R tires for his Vette gets it.

I PROBABLY Could get it around the corner with a front hitch ... anyone who saw me moving those six out-houses from runway to runway at El Toro on Set-Up Friday before the Divisional's can attest to that! I simply pushed/slide them around with my Previa. Sometimes it's nice having an old car/van.

Since we would be using the Power Caddy just in our driveway, it seems that the way to go is using a plug in AC model instead of a heavier battery model.

Tom ... is yours batteries or AC?

It's electric. I only used it a couple of times. Thought it would be cool. Because my driveway/garage was completely flat, it was just easier to push it in the garage. It did however move it with authority. The electric motor has a lot of torque. If I had to "turn" the trailer, it would have been great.

It's going to be about a week before I can get to my storage unit. Daughter getting married this weekend.......

Sebastian Rios wrote:I think you could probably make that 90 backing the trailer.

I second Seb's thought. A piece of cake!

Mako Koiwai wrote:Since we would be using the Power Caddy just in our driveway, it seems that the way to go is using a plug in AC model instead of a heavier battery model.

Tom ... is yours batteries or AC?

Having seen your driveway, don't think the turn would be an issue.

But, you may want that heavier unit. I'm not sure I would want to be on the downhill side of that unit if it lost grip and started coming back at you. More weight may be a good thing.

Tom Dobyns wrote:Mako,

I have a Power Caster (powercaster.com) unit that I bought when I had my boat. No more boat......only Power Caster left.

It's in storage...I can't remember if it is one or two wheel. I paid about $1,000 for it.

My area was flatter than yours. The key for you is grip up the hill.

I'll check over the next week or so whether it is one or two wheel, and let you know.

Mako, I also have a Power Caster with the brake hook-up for my 24' enclosed trailer that empty is about 4500 lbs...

It has a hell of alot of torque and will probably have little trouble pushing your trailer and car up that hill as long as you don't stop. The brake controller will not stop my trailer unless I also turn the drive wills to a 90. It really is not a problem since I cannot see around the trailer while I am operating the Power Caster so it is always a two person job anyway. One directing with chocks in hand!!!!!

If you want to borrow mine and give it a try let me know.....

Don

Thanks guys ... according to the web site, the more traction that is required, the more wheels you want on the unit, as in side by side wheels. Still considering options. Which used Cayman would work well in SK1?