Driveway problems, seeking advice
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 895
Likes: 0
From: Auburn AL
Driveway problems, seeking advice
My '98 is lowered 1.5", and scrapping the front air dam is a common occurance for me, but now I'm looking into buying a house that has a driveway that I currently cannot drive up.
The driveway setup is like this, starting from the street: street/drop 2ish inches for rain drainage/first incline slope/sidewalk/final incline slope.
I've been told I will probably be able to fill in a portion of the rain drainage area so that I can move my front end up to the sidewalk much easier, but I probably won't be able to modify the sidewalk in any way. The problem would be getting the whole car up on the final incline so that I can pull up into the carport.
Should raising my car back up to the original height possibly allow for clearance? Should I add those frame roller things?
Here's a link to the property listing with a partial pic of the driveway so you can get an idea of the slope angle.
House/Driveway
The driveway setup is like this, starting from the street: street/drop 2ish inches for rain drainage/first incline slope/sidewalk/final incline slope.
I've been told I will probably be able to fill in a portion of the rain drainage area so that I can move my front end up to the sidewalk much easier, but I probably won't be able to modify the sidewalk in any way. The problem would be getting the whole car up on the final incline so that I can pull up into the carport.
Should raising my car back up to the original height possibly allow for clearance? Should I add those frame roller things?
Here's a link to the property listing with a partial pic of the driveway so you can get an idea of the slope angle.
House/Driveway
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 24,129
Likes: 1,038
From: The Beautiful Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09, '14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Reminds me of when my wife and I were looking for a house. We found the "perfect" house. We loved the layout and everything else about it except the driveway. It was too steep for anything other than a Hummer (seemed like).
We kept looking.
Good luck.
We kept looking.
Good luck.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
Is it possible to hit the driveway at a 45* angle? My front end would scrape real bad if I went straight into my drive, but it just happens that my street is a dead end so I am always turning right to go up my driveway. A 45* approach angle is more than enough to get the needed clearance.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 895
Likes: 0
From: Auburn AL
Originally Posted by markcz
Is it possible to hit the driveway at a 45* angle? My front end would scrape real bad if I went straight into my drive, but it just happens that my street is a dead end so I am always turning right to go up my driveway. A 45* approach angle is more than enough to get the needed clearance.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 34,062
Likes: 4
From: Evans, GA
First rule of house shopping; no slopes in either direction, no ups, no downs. Learned that a long time ago and still practice it.
No downs will keep you out of most flood plaines and creek beds and no ups means when it snows or freezes, you can stil get in and out of the garage.
If builders insist on using any such lots, let them eat cake.
No downs will keep you out of most flood plaines and creek beds and no ups means when it snows or freezes, you can stil get in and out of the garage.
If builders insist on using any such lots, let them eat cake.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 895
Likes: 0
From: Auburn AL
Originally Posted by 1Patriot
First rule of house shopping; no slopes in either direction, no ups, no downs. Learned that a long time ago and still practice it.
No downs will keep you out of most flood plaines and creek beds and no ups means when it snows or freezes, you can stil get in and out of the garage.
If builders insist on using any such lots, let them eat cake.
No downs will keep you out of most flood plaines and creek beds and no ups means when it snows or freezes, you can stil get in and out of the garage.
If builders insist on using any such lots, let them eat cake.
This house is on the top point of the hill that the block is sitting on, so that won't be a problem either. But this is Alabama, and houses with sloped driveways heavily outnumber those with flat driveways. It's VERY difficult to find a reasonable house in Montgomery with a flat driveway.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,854
Likes: 8
From: Pearland, TX
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '20
I have a similar issue.
Pulling in at a sharp angle gets it to where just one corner of the plastic air dam hits (it flexes - no problem). I also have to back down the drive to avoid hitting the underside of the bumper.
I understand all about driveways in AL, some can be very steep with no chance of getting a vette in or out.
Good luck.
Pulling in at a sharp angle gets it to where just one corner of the plastic air dam hits (it flexes - no problem). I also have to back down the drive to avoid hitting the underside of the bumper.
I understand all about driveways in AL, some can be very steep with no chance of getting a vette in or out.
Good luck.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Muskego Wisconsin
Looks like the driveway can be fixed with minor adjustment that no one will be able to discern. It looks like you got a lot of house for your money. At least that's how it looks from where I'm living.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,333
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From: VA
St. Jude Donor '03-'11
Originally Posted by ArmyVette
The heck with the driveway. Did you see the price of the house? $115,000 doesn't buy you enough room to put up a tent around here.
I'm moving to Alabama!
I'm moving to Alabama!
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 0
From: Clovis, Ca.
In your case I would not recommend the skid bar wheels. I have them and they only work well when you go straight into a small incline. I have a stupid rolled curb at my house which requires me to approach at an angle. Unfortunately, when the wheels engage they are hitting at an angle causing them to no longer point straight. 
Looks like you need some kind of a James Bond device. Good luck.
Looks like you need some kind of a James Bond device. Good luck.
Burnout
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 12
From: South Surrey (White Rock) British Columbia
Originally Posted by vette 85
I have the same problem. I was thinking about putting a 1/4" mat on the concrete section where it tranitions to the street.
mrgil
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 101,562
Likes: 41
From: Ca
Originally Posted by ArmyVette
The heck with the driveway. Did you see the price of the house? $115,000 doesn't buy you enough room to put up a tent around here.
I'm moving to Alabama!
I'm moving to Alabama!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 895
Likes: 0
From: Auburn AL
115 is just asking price, but hopefully I'll get it for under 100 
It's also in one of the best neighborhoods in town. It's a fixer-uper house for sure, but it's mostly cosmetic work, etc. The real problem is that the pool in the backyard is TRASHED.
I drove by and checked it again this morning, and I THINK I should be able to get up the driveway as long as I decrease the angle of the incline coming off the street. I will probably have to raise it back up to stock height though
I now have a new hatred for sidewalks.
It's also in one of the best neighborhoods in town. It's a fixer-uper house for sure, but it's mostly cosmetic work, etc. The real problem is that the pool in the backyard is TRASHED.I drove by and checked it again this morning, and I THINK I should be able to get up the driveway as long as I decrease the angle of the incline coming off the street. I will probably have to raise it back up to stock height though
I now have a new hatred for sidewalks.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 18,401
Likes: 3
From: Retired but working
Cruise-In VI Veteran
I have a similar problem. I attack it at a 45 degree angle from the left turning in and when I back out I'm at a 45 degree angle to the right. Both sides get even wear.