Steep driveway ideas

bobkatfly · 10-17-2024, 01:18 PM

Bill, are you talking 18 degrees or 18% grade? My last house had a 300 ft long gravel driveway that was approx an 18% grade (about 10 degrees). Standard pickup with plow and good tires usually had no issues. Once in a while with ice it was tricky but tossing some sand down took care of it. 18 degrees is a different story. If it's 18% grade I'm surprised no one will take it.

fatlazyless · 10-18-2024, 02:52 AM

Another safety item for descending and ascending the super steep hill, covered with ice and snow in addition to using friction Yaktrax grips and ski poles is running a 1/2" x 100' line from a sturdy tree to other trees which you use like a hand railing for extra safety where it is needed.

Ascending is maybe easier and safer to do than descending and the more times you make the climb, the more doable it will become. If you think you can do it, then you can do it. After a few trips up and down, it becomes a routine type of a walk.

That steep climb was SO easy ......... no problemo! .......

SAMIAM · 10-18-2024, 07:14 AM

Measure the width of your tires and lay two heat tapes (the kind they use on roofs) from top to bottom of your driveway.They will clear a path wide enough drive on……poor man’s heated driveway

longislander · 10-18-2024, 11:57 AM

I've been using a plastic plow for decades. Solotec plow has been out of business for many, many years, although having won design awards for the plow. My driveway is a dirt driveway about 600 ft.

https://daed.com/experience/37

The following is not my video, and it staightens up, but gives an idea of its plowing capability.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7mIMgV5TRw

Just "straps" to the car. I used to clip under the car with stainless steel wire that I left strapped onto the car frame. Might scratch plastic bumpers. I had put carpet remnants on the ends of the plow to help prevent scratches. I now have a tractor with bucket and the plastic plow fits right into the bucket. I realize I can plow with the bucket, but this is so much easier and I might as well use the plow I bought many, many years ago for $200. Delivered by mail to the house in two bags, half plow each and pinned in the middle. I think the weight was/is 70 lbs.

There are other products that you might consider.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-CRm28uq4A

Steep driveway ... first plow pass, down the midddle of the driveway... back up (chains on the car)... hit the sides of the driveway.

dpg · 10-20-2024, 10:01 AM

When you say a heated driveway is not practical why isn't it? Do you mean not practical for the layout, etc or financially not do-able for you?

That does sound like the best answer probably however, people who install them have this thing about wanting payment when finished.

BillTex · 10-21-2024, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobkatfly

Bill, are you talking 18 degrees or 18% grade? My last house had a 300 ft long gravel driveway that was approx an 18% grade (about 10 degrees). Standard pickup with plow and good tires usually had no issues. Once in a while with ice it was tricky but tossing some sand down took care of it. 18 degrees is a different story. If it's 18% grade I'm surprised no one will take it.

18*.

300’ length.

We do have parking at top and bottom of drive. But no good place to store a tractor. That would also make a lot of work clearing snow if we are up for just a weekend.
Have considered tracked vehicles also (Ranger, etc). That may be the way to go! Anyone have one for sale?

bobkatfly · 10-21-2024, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillTex

18*.

300’ length.

We do have parking at top and bottom of drive. But no good place to store a tractor. That would also make a lot of work clearing snow if we are up for just a weekend.
Have considered tracked vehicles also (Ranger, etc). That may be the way to go! Anyone have one for sale?

Bill, not sure if it's just me but your post comes across as 18* (asterisk). I guess it's meant as degrees. If that's the case then you'll probably need to look at the options posted by the other replies. I wouldn't want to plow 18 degrees either.

BillTex · 10-21-2024, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobkatfly

Bill, not sure if it's just me but your post comes across as 18* (asterisk). I guess it's meant as degrees. If that's the case then you'll probably need to look at the options posted by the other replies. I wouldn't want to plow 18 degrees either.

Sorry, * = degrees in engineer keyboard speak(degrees F in this case). Local Guy tried to plow it against my advice…2x…he had to get towed out.

Re: snow machines. We have sleds! First year we had the cabin snow was so deep could not get sleds through the deep powder up the driveway (New England trail sleds, not long track powder sleds). Now we keep the sleds at top of driveway next to boat winter storage.

Lots of good suggestions, like tractor with chains, etc. what i dont want to do is spend several hours cleaning out driveway when we are just there for a long weekend! I think tracked vehicle may be a good idea and could be multi purpose.
We are very conscious of run off and water quality of the lake, so are reluctant to add any hard scape (pavement).
Thanks again, so far a lot of this conversation has confirmed what we thought already…hiking in is good for the body and soul! Please keep suggestions coming—-someone else has probably come up with a good idea!

Thank you,

Bill

ishoot308 · 10-21-2024, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillTex

Sorry, * = degrees in engineer keyboard speak(degrees F in this case). Local Guy tried to plow it against my advice…2x…he had to get towed out.

Re: snow machines. We have sleds! First year we had the cabin snow was so deep could not get sleds through the deep powder up the driveway (New England trail sleds, not long track powder sleds). Now we keep the sleds at top of driveway next to boat winter storage.

Lots of good suggestions, like tractor with chains, etc. what i dont want to do is spend several hours cleaning out driveway when we are just there for a long weekend! I think tracked vehicle may be a good idea and could be multi purpose.
We are very conscious of run off and water quality of the lake, so are reluctant to add any hard scape (pavement).
Thanks again, so far a lot of this conversation has confirmed what we thought already…hiking in is good for the body and soul! Please keep suggestions coming—-someone else has probably come up with a good idea!

Thank you,

Bill

A Polaris Ranger or similar with tracks will get up and down without having to plow…

Dan

bobkatfly · 10-22-2024, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillTex

Sorry, * = degrees in engineer keyboard speak(degrees F in this case).

I get it. Engineer here too. FWIW, here's a link to some keyboard shortcuts for the degree symbol °.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Degre...0in%20a%20cell.
I've used the Windows shortcut in the past but not sure 5 or 6 key strokes constitutes a shortcut.

10-17-2024, 01:18 PM	#1
bobkatfly Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Center Tuftonboro Posts: 370 Thanks: 57 Thanked 54 Times in 48 Posts	Bill, are you talking 18 degrees or 18% grade? My last house had a 300 ft long gravel driveway that was approx an 18% grade (about 10 degrees). Standard pickup with plow and good tires usually had no issues. Once in a while with ice it was tricky but tossing some sand down took care of it. 18 degrees is a different story. If it's 18% grade I'm surprised no one will take it. __________________ Bob F Amherst till the big 66 comes (made it!) Winter Harbor/Mirror Lake till the big guy comes

10-18-2024, 02:52 AM	#2
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,766 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 300 Thanked 1,016 Times in 740 Posts	..... set up a safety rope line ..... good to go down or up. Another safety item for descending and ascending the super steep hill, covered with ice and snow in addition to using friction Yaktrax grips and ski poles is running a 1/2" x 100' line from a sturdy tree to other trees which you use like a hand railing for extra safety where it is needed. Ascending is maybe easier and safer to do than descending and the more times you make the climb, the more doable it will become. If you think you can do it, then you can do it. After a few trips up and down, it becomes a routine type of a walk. That steep climb was SO easy ......... no problemo! ....... __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

10-18-2024, 07:14 AM	#3
SAMIAM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 2,902 Thanks: 336 Thanked 1,678 Times in 587 Posts	Measure the width of your tires and lay two heat tapes (the kind they use on roofs) from top to bottom of your driveway.They will clear a path wide enough drive on……poor man’s heated driveway

10-18-2024, 11:57 AM	#4
longislander Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 546 Thanks: 49 Thanked 100 Times in 75 Posts	I've been using a plastic plow for decades. Solotec plow has been out of business for many, many years, although having won design awards for the plow. My driveway is a dirt driveway about 600 ft. https://daed.com/experience/37 The following is not my video, and it staightens up, but gives an idea of its plowing capability. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7mIMgV5TRw Just "straps" to the car. I used to clip under the car with stainless steel wire that I left strapped onto the car frame. Might scratch plastic bumpers. I had put carpet remnants on the ends of the plow to help prevent scratches. I now have a tractor with bucket and the plastic plow fits right into the bucket. I realize I can plow with the bucket, but this is so much easier and I might as well use the plow I bought many, many years ago for $200. Delivered by mail to the house in two bags, half plow each and pinned in the middle. I think the weight was/is 70 lbs. There are other products that you might consider. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-CRm28uq4A Steep driveway ... first plow pass, down the midddle of the driveway... back up (chains on the car)... hit the sides of the driveway.

10-20-2024, 10:01 AM	#5
dpg Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,597 Thanks: 153 Thanked 229 Times in 166 Posts	When you say a heated driveway is not practical why isn't it? Do you mean not practical for the layout, etc or financially not do-able for you? That does sound like the best answer probably however, people who install them have this thing about wanting payment when finished.