Support Trailer

[Grodyman]

Well with a family of 5 and a Lance 830 it became clear that to make the truck camper work I need a support trailer. I just picked up a Carry-on 5x8 utility trailer with wood floor and steel sides. There were too many things cluttering up the floor space of the camper (laundry bag, trash bag, duffle bags, toys, multiple pairs of shows (each), water bottles, etc.)

I can also carry more items like firewood, extra propane, barbq, additional chairs etc. to make the outdoors more comfortable.

I have come to realize that with a family this size I cannot carry everything I need only using hitch mounted cargo trays, and the inside clutter adds up making the camper feel even more crowded.

I believe the use of a truck camper is maximized with a small utility trailer or enclosed trailer as support. Hopefully photo soon.

Please post photos of your support trailers/experience.

Gman

[_DJ_1]

deltabravo wrote:
The responses from last week's "question of the week" at TCM have been posted online:

TCM's question of the week: Cargo Trailers

Great article!!!

I see one from one of our previous posters form years ago. Sutak. I wished they would have shown the inside of that trailer. When he was still posting on the TC forum he would show it off. It is the best laid out trailer with the coolest stuff inside that I have ever seen.

[deltabravo]

The responses from last week's "question of the week" at TCM have been posted online:

TCM's question of the week: Cargo Trailers

[2BLAZERS]

Our 20' 2005 Pace Trailer.---my understanding is Pace went bankrupt about 5 years ago....someone may have bought the rights to the name since then though.

[deltabravo]

Boatycall wrote:
I had an issue with taking a drill bit to my shiny new trailer, so talk about "measure twice, cut once"... Ya, I was like, "measure 2,300 times, drill once".

I am with you on the measure multiple times, cut/drill once.

I am in the same boat right now installing new lights in the ceiling panels. I'm measuring 3 times before I drill holes in the ceiling.

The project is taking about 5 times longer than I had envisioned. I've worked on it multiple hours per day all week.

Prior to relocating to Spokane 2 years ago, I lived in Classic View Estates, right behind the 3 schools at 224th & 38th Ave.

[deltabravo]

egarant wrote:
I am looking at those two brands of trailers, can you tell me/us which brand you are most happy with?

Both are very nice trailers.

Wells Cargo and Haulmark are one giant company now - Universal Trailers.

Haulmark and Wells Cargo make several models of trailers, as do most other trailer manufacturers.

The various models are all at a different price point.

The low end Haulmark is a Passport. The same trailer in a Wells Cargo name is a Fastrack. Both have leaf spring axles.

Other Brands I have seen:

Carry On. Not impressed with them. They seem to be an entry level cargo trailer. The A-Frame that forms the tongue of the trailer sits "below" the main frame of the trailer, giving them a higher step-in height, which for me is a deal breaker, but might be good for people that plan to go off highway. I friend bought one and it had wiring problems that had to be fixed before he was able to tow it home.

Continental Cargo:
They make several lines of trailers. The Tailwind series is nice - I've looked at them a lot at a local dealer in Post Falls, ID.
Adding Torsion axles is an upgrade.

Interstate Trailers:
They also make several lines of trailers. I've looked at them on occasion. They have some weird construction techniques on some models:
The fenders sit too high in relation to the tires. Imagine someone installing a lift kit on their Jeep and keeping the stock tire size... it looks goofy.
On some models, there's a large frame around the side door which isn't covered up by the skin of the trailer - that looks goofy too.

Cargomate:
I haven't looked at them much.

Pace (Pace American):
Haven't looked at them in a long time - I think their dealer network is smaller.

There's a lot more brands I see going down the road, which must have been purchased from different parts of the country. They are brands I've never seen at dealers in the Pacific NW.

What it really comes down to is how much money can you afford to spend. Go shopping with that in mind, and pick a trailer that you like the features and appearance of, which fits within your budget.

A well built trailer will have the majority of the wiring run through the frame of the trailer, not routed "under" the trailer through conduit or wire channels.

A Tandem axle trailer is much more stable when unhooked from the truck - no need to use stablizing jacks if you are just using it as a gear hauler. Jacks would probably be needed it you have motorized toys in it and plan to load/unload them when unhooked from the truck.

An tandem axle trailer is less sensitive to how the cargo is loaded (weight distribution). Tandem will ride smoother too.

But, a tandem costs more and is heavier.

[Boatycall]

deltabravo wrote:
I lived about 4 miles from Lentz's RV when they were still on the Mountain Hwy, so I checked with them. They got me in later that week and only charged $150 for the install.

OMG, that literally would have been my back yard! I'm about 4 miles from where they were on Mtn Hwy.

The power awning was easy to install, problem is, took me all day. I had an issue with taking a drill bit to my shiny new trailer, so talk about "measure twice, cut once"... Ya, I was like, "measure 2,300 times, drill once".

[deltabravo]

Boatycall wrote:
I got the awning and solar roughed in last weekend, this weekend I'm gonna finish it up... pics to follow.

I added an awning to mine too, though I sure wish I'd have gone with a power awning.

I ordered it through one of my wholesale suppliers and was going to have Freeway Trailers install it. They were booked out several weeks or more, and wanted quite a bit of money to install it. I was on a time crunch to get ready to head to Overland Expo (OX12) and couldn't wait 3+ weeks.

I lived about 4 miles from Lentz's RV when they were still on the Mountain Hwy, so I checked with them. They got me in later that week and only charged $150 for the install.

[Boatycall]

I got the awning and solar roughed in last weekend, this weekend I'm gonna finish it up... pics to follow.

[deltabravo]

~DJ~ wrote:

deltabravo wrote:
With the interior of my trailer gutted right now, maybe I should do a new thread on it, describing the upgrades.

I would subscribe to that~!~!

I should sort through my photos and get a thread going on it.

It sounds like you and I have the same addiction for trailers.

In 2012, I owned 3 enclosed trailers for a short time. During that time, I changed my mind about 3 times about what I needed, which is why the 8.5 x 20 came along.
I've had two flatbed car trailers too, not both at the same time, but I did own them during the time I have owned the various cargo trailers.

I owned the 6x12 since 2010. I bought a little 5x8 in January 2012 for doing shows with and was going to replace the 6x12 with a 7x16 for motorcycle hauling/support trailer for camping. The 7x16 was going to be fully decked out inside. I optioned it out pretty heavily and had it on order. Then I started thinking about if I outgrew it, it would be really hard to sell it and recoup my money because of all the options. No one in the market for that size of trailer would want to spend that much money for one. I started scanning Craigslist for other trailers, and found the 8.5x20 in Susanville, CA. It was about $4,000 less than what the new, decked out 7x16 was that I had on order. I bought it and cancelled the 7x16, which hadn't gone on the production schedule yet.

My new theory is: you can't have a trailer that's too big.

Also, I don't adapt my camping regime to the trailer, the trailer needs to work for me - so if it isn't working for what I want to do, I replace it! I exchanged a few PMs with another member, and he said the same thing.

It sounds like there's a few of us that follow that mantra. 🙂

I won't outgrow the 8.5x20. It's better to be overkill than undersized. Yes, that big of a trailer is large for some of my uses, but it's nice the not have so much clutter in the trailer, preventing me from moving around inside to get at my gear.

[anutami]

egarant wrote:

deltabravo wrote:
I have two support trailers....
6x12 Wells Cargo Road Force
8.5x20 Haulmark

I use them for different type of trips.

When I head to the Plain, Washington Overland Rally this summer I will take the big trailer.

I usually use the small one most trips, but that may change this summer.

I am looking at those two brands of trailers, can you tell me/us which brand you are most happy with?

You should look at Solares Trailers in Hemet. You can get a custom trailer for the same price as a mass produced one.

Here is my thread on the trailer I purchased
Thread on my 8x12

[bjbear]

Wheelholder wrote:
I have thought of this idea also. I have a concern with the tongue weight of the trailer on the back of the pickup.

We also have an 830 on a s/b 2500 silverado. My current weight on the rear axle is approx 6400#. Tires are capable of handling 7500#.

Has anyone weighed their rig with trailer attached?

You definitely need to watch your weights when you pull a trailer with a TC. I cannot load my trailer to max without exceeding axle weights. When I load my Jeep, I need to back it in and keep the weight near the rear of the trailer or I get too heavy on the rear axle. You can see my weights here www.visualsc.com/TC_WT.pdf

I also have my GMC Terrain set up to tow behind my TC. It makes a great place to store things and also gives us a way to get around without breaking camp.

One of the reasons we like the TC, is that it gives us so many options. Just the truck and TC lets us get into lots of great places without towing anything. With the car, we have some storage and a way to sight-see while leaving the TC set up. With the trailer, we have lots of storage for toys and it is great for boondocking.

[egarant]

deltabravo wrote:
I have two support trailers....
6x12 Wells Cargo Road Force
8.5x20 Haulmark

I use them for different type of trips.

When I head to the Plain, Washington Overland Rally this summer I will take the big trailer.

I usually use the small one most trips, but that may change this summer.

I am looking at those two brands of trailers, can you tell me/us which brand you are most happy with?

[_DJ_1]

deltabravo wrote:
With the interior of my trailer gutted right now, maybe I should do a new thread on it, describing the upgrades.

I would subscribe to that~!~!

[_DJ_1]

Hello, my name is DJ. I am a trailerholic!!

Doesn't matter. Open, closed, flatbed, car hauler, deck over, you name it. And I've had at least one of everything!!

But I guess my favorite is an enclosed. There is so much potential for modifying them to your needs plus being dual purpose as a "camper" for your kids.

This is a 6x12 I fixed up for my snowmobile.



This is a 7x16 I fixed up for my quad and extended dry camping.





This is my current trailer. 7x14 TNT called a sidexside for hauling UTVs hence the door on the traffic side. I'm not real happy with it. It is not the quality I expected. Currently saving up for a custom built 7x14.

[deltabravo]

Oh yeah.... I would also recommend torsion suspension axles - the trailer will ride much smoother when loaded lightly, and won't bounce and beat up your cargo.

My 6x12 was torsion, as is my big trailer. In place of my 6x12 for doing shows this past fall/winter, I use my brother's 7x16 leaf spring trailer - I hated the way it bounces all the time. Every little imperfection in the road surface was transmitted to the truck, even with using a WD hitch.