I'm interested in doing some semi long term boondocking. I wasn't much looking at truck campers because I'm a full timer and I thought they only had so much space and tankage. I've seen some pics and youtube videos though that have made me think a TC might be the way to go. Has anyone tried pulling one of those adventure/expedition type off road cargo trailers behind one just to give a little more storage and gear? I'm thinking one of the smaller ones that are made to pull behind jeeps maybe. Could carry extra water, generator fuel, a cooler etc. Plausible or just crazy talk?

Dave,It's done all the time. I would go to the expedition trailer forum on Expedition Portal to find a LOT of people in the same boat and what they put together for long term use. These are some creative people. That forum is the all-time best off-road trailer forum anywhere.The only thing to worry about is, how far off the beaten path are you going? If extreme, then you want the trailer to have a lot of clearance, big wheels and tires, a H.D. frame and suspension, not the usual wimpy trailer frame and definitely not standard, off the shelf trailer springs. See below. If you just need some storage for things you use in the outback, a suitable 'jeep' style trailer would be good. Back in my hard core jeep dayz, I had a series of small, tough jeep trailers to haul the stuff that would not fit in the rig. This is the current one:It's a 1955 David Bradley sold by Sears and Roebuck. This one is the choice after you cannot find a reasonable M-100 or M-714 actual military jeep trailer. I use a pintel with this one and two others I owned. Clanky stone age tech, but bomb proof. How proof is bomb proof? Glad you asked. The DD manual for the destruction before the enemy of the M-100 and M-714 trailers is a thick document describing how many hand grenades it takes to disable one.This is a 1968 M-714 used by the Navy with our SOA and pintel on my CJ-8: It will actually float if you get in deep enough water.Here are a couple JTTT's: one is a converted M-714 and the other is a special:A very rare 1967 Con Fer Toyota Land Cruiser jeep trailer with matching 6 lug hubs and track width. It had 4 gas can racks, and hinged locking waterproof lids. The best of the 5 'jeep' trailers I owned.The only woe was they used regular trailer springs of which the mainspring took a dump join the middle of nowhere: The mainspring is hanging down. Snapped at the centering bolt. Ironwood and bailing wire did not work well as a mainspring replacement. No centering hole. Yes, that's me in 1975 when I had a lot more testosterone. Vizciano Desert in Baja: 90 miles west of Guererro Negro. I had a couple others with no pix. If you get an enclosed utility trailer, which may be your best option, be sure it has a rather wide track. Why? So you can see it in your mirrors while backing. Those real narrow ones disappear from view until it's too late to recover. Why? short swing base: hitch over tongue to axle. I would advise against getting more trailer than you need. On a narrow track with no place to turn around, it will be a long day or night backing the thing for a long distance. The good thing about a jeep trailer is you can back it into almost any spot with no worries to turn on the wye and go back the way you came.jefe

I was going to suggest that you talk to jefe 4x4 about that.

I did this for a while. Toad a motorcycle trailer behind my truck camper. It was great to have the extra space. But then I decided if I was going to tow a trailer I might as well toe a bigger one . So I went from a truck camper to a toy hauler of 20 feet. Not only do I have a real shower and a real bathroom and a real bed but I get to use the truck once the camper is unhooked.

jefe 4x4 wrote: I would go to the expedition trailer forum on Expedition PortalExPo

towing an expedition trailer behind a TC? | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

ticki2
Explorer
Sep 13, 2016
Fair enough Jefe , I look forward to your post .
jefe_4x4
Explorer
Sep 13, 2016
quote=06Fargo back to Missouri Dave's original programming -
jefe writes: Dave and Tiki, I've walked all over the OP's query long enough. As soon as I get the new tires on I'll post a piece on, "Reinventing the TC wheel" with more specs and pix than we'll ever need.
jefe
ticki2
Explorer
Sep 13, 2016
Jefe

Did you have any trouble purchacing the Stockton wheels ? Did they make them hub-centric for you ?
missouri_dave
Explorer
Sep 13, 2016
Jefe do those wide tires change the payload or tow rating any?
noteven
Explorer III
Sep 12, 2016
jefe - from the angle of the image it looked like DRW... those 375-16's worked good in the off roads of the desert I bet... not sure if you have picked a 315-16 tire but Goodyear DuraTrac's are popular in this area - I have a set on a FJ80...

back to Missouri Dave's original programming - we have a TC (Snowbird/SnowRiver 8-1/2 with dinette slide out) and a 16 foot Cargomate simple cargo trailer (bike hauler)...
a trailer really compliments a truck and camper... you won't be disappointed by getting one...
jefe_4x4
Explorer
Sep 12, 2016
06Fargo wrote:
jefe...those are some great 4x4 rigs. Did the Dodge sprout training wheels recently?

Fargo, those are my dying super singles. 375x65R16's on 12 inch wide aluminum wheels. 4.5 inch B.S. At the widest point they are 16 inches wide which equates to double the tread surface of a single factory truck tire. I loved those tires. The best TC tire I've ever had. Alas, they are discontinued. Kaputt.

Here's a panorama view of the rear track:

I'm in the process of changing all my aluminum truck wheels to all steel wheels for strength and replacing the tires to 315x75R16's all around (35's): Fronts on 8 inch wheels with a 6.25 inch B.S. left wheel; front offset; right wheel; rear back spacing:

and 10 inch wide Stockton Wheel rears with a 4.5 inch B.S. Both sides in view:

jefe
missouri_dave
Explorer
Sep 12, 2016
06Fargo wrote:
Have a look at Brian Appleby's (and others) here: Truck Camper Magazine

I just finished reading that article. Awesome rig.
Bedlam
Moderator
Sep 12, 2016
06Fargo wrote:
Have a look at Brian Appleby's (and others) here: Truck Camper Magazine

Mine is similar, but at 20'x8' which allows me to carry two on/off road toys, 80+ gallons of fresh water, 25 gallons of LPG, 15+ gallons of gasoline, 5 additional batteries, heavy tools, spare parts, ...
TxGearhead
Explorer II
Sep 12, 2016
TxGearhead wrote:
A covered cargo trailer would be nice but....I had an old home made trailer (by my father in law) that had a Checker taxi cab front axle with a 1/2" piece of keystock welded on the kingpins to keep it straight. I had the springs re-arched and raised it a bit. It even had felt grease seals on the hubs. I put a custom sized heavy truck tarp on it and it stayed pretty clean inside.
Anyway....I would look for a well established trailer dealer that you can order what you want. I would get Vault hubs, torsion bar suspension, and an extended tongue with a Bulldog hitch. The torsion bars can be set when they are built to give you added clearance. At least 15" wheels.
TxGearhead
Explorer II
Sep 12, 2016
A covered cargo trailer would be nice but....I had an home made trailer (by my father in law) that had a Checker taxi cab front axle with a 1/2" piece of keystock welded on the kingpins to keep it straight. I had the springs re-arched and raised it a bit. It even had felt grease seals on the hubs. I put a custom sized heavy truck tarp on it and it stayed pretty clean inside.
Anyway....I would look for a well established trailer dealer that you can order what you want. I would get Vault hubs, torsion bar suspension, and an extended tongue with a Bulldog hitch. The torsion bars can be set when they are built to give you added clearance. At least 15" wheels.