which trailer?

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which trailer?

Postby Curdoger1034 » Mon Jul 24, 2017 10:17 pm

I have a question for the fulltime people I'm looking for a trailer to pull behind my 2009 tacoma it's got the tow package so it's rated for 6500 lbs. I plan to leave my job an travel full time. I want to be able to get off the beaten path an boondock away from the crowd. I have quite a few rentals so I have income that's not my issue. my issue is do I go with a cargo trailer I was thinking of a 7x16 off road cargo trailer from Colorado trailers or do I find something smaller like a overland trailer. I plan on using this 365 days a year. It will be my home an my base camp for running hounds chasing cats, bears, hogs an other hunting an fishing trips. that being my main reason I want to be able to get away from the crowds. I'm sure my neighbors wouldn't be thrill listen to the hounds going crazy every time they smell or hear something.

well if anyone can give me some insight on how easy or how hard it is to get back off the grid with a trailer I'm all ears.
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Re: which trailer?

Postby Cosmo » Tue Jul 25, 2017 10:55 am

Off road  extreme trailers often  have a back end that sweeps up rather than straight like a cargo trailer, very high ground clearance with a jacked up suspension and huge tires.  This helps with rocks and crossing gullies and river beds where the angle of the tow vehicle and trailer are more like a V than flat. As the trailer crosses the angle can cause the back end to bottom out (and other issues). From what I have read a small van/RVs  with 4WD (a winch, tow strap  and jack) are a popular  vehicle for getting into back country for RVs. Terrain varies greatly around the country. Would be good if you could scope out your desired limitations for rough roads and build or buy to that specification.

From what I have read it seems like the prevailing opinion on trailers and back country is “smaller is better”. Low height is better than tall. Short is better than long. High ground clearance is better than low. Light is better than heavy. Maybe you have one already but a cap or slide on for the pickup bed can afford more indoor space in addition to the trailer.

In my case the tow vehicle  has 8.5 inches of clearance and my trailer has 10 inches of clearance. So when I see a rock sticking up I get out and measure it or my “spotter” tells me if I am clearing it. When the road is too bad I ditch the vehicle,  put on my boots and grab the backpack and tent (I plan that in advance).   Your needs may vary!

Depending where you are, the good news is many people don’t get off the beaten path so it’s often not necessary to push too deep into the bush to find satisfaction.

On behalf of the hounds I will thank you for giving them great vacations too!

=Cosmo

 



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Re: which trailer?

Postby Curdoger1034 » Wed Jul 26, 2017 10:53 am

I agree with all you stated in your comment. I'm just having a hard time finding a trailer that fits my needs to live fulltime out of. That is truly off road capable. My thoughts on going with cargo trailer is it offer plenty of living space I can sit at a desk do book work for the rentals lay in bed lounge in a chair. Even cook inside. if I can just get down fire roads on National Forest with it an not have neighbors that works great. if if want to go deeper in the mountains or woods I load up the Tacoma an go. It will be built with lockers good tires an suspension all the necessities of a overlanding vehicle. I will always have my pack loaded for the backcountry with hammock an sleep system to stay dry an warm.
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Re: which trailer?

Postby tony.latham » Wed Jul 26, 2017 1:32 pm

I'm not sure what an "overland trailer" is. Googling around on this site, I think you might be thinking of an angular shaped teardrop. Poking on Google leads me to think you are toying with a Jeepish trailer with a rooftop tent.

You can't find a bigger fan of teardrop trailers than me, but I can't imagine living out of one––if that is one direction you are leaning. (Where do you winter?)

Draw up a floor plan and figure out what size of cargo trailer you can live with and go from there.

T
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Re: which trailer?

Postby Curdoger1034 » Thu Jul 27, 2017 4:30 am

Overlanding trailers would be small teardrop or jeep type trailers. Yes I agree it would be difficult to live out of one. I want to be able to live out of a trailer an be comfortable but I do not want to be concerned about where to winter. This little excursion is about going an seeing new places chasing different game with the hounds than I do in the mid west an lots of adventure. In reality I may stay gone a month at a time then come back home Check on the rental properties an plan another trip an take back off. I have just had a hard time finding the right trailer that can be purchased off a show room floor. I really like the tear drop trailer an some other exposition type of trailers I'm seeing but it just blows my mind how much they cost. I'm not a fan of camp grounds so I plan to avoid them like the plague.
Love This forum so many ideas here.
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Re: which trailer?

Postby Cosmo » Thu Jul 27, 2017 10:05 am



Tacoma may have about 9.4 inches of ground clearance depending what year you have. That might be a good minimum height to start with for the trailer. Maybe more is better getting across gullies ditches and river beds etc. If you scouted out places your might want to go it could help with the decisions. If you plan on exploring "the unknown" you might have make some assumptions and decide the limitations of your "system". Nature will identify errors in assumptions quickly.

http://www.tacomahq.com/613/toyota-taco ... nce-specs/
The above link shows, "angle of attack", "break over angle " and "departure angle" for clearing obstacles.

As Slow pointed out, depending on your needs you could always raise the trailer and/or tow vehicle with various methods.

I have not seen any of these trailers in person, but they do stress off road capability (and every capability has its limits). Paying no regard to cost These off roaders seem to share some design features.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxJPKuuBwDA

Oregon TrailR flexes some enjoyable off road muscle at minuet 1:16 in this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qdi9HvYhxE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfftEzJaiUU

I don't get my thrills raising lots of dust and mud or seeing how high I can get the trailer or tow vehicle to bounce. But I certainly get TrailR's extreme off road capability.

My trailer is not designed specifically for off road but it did very well on moderate dirt roads and rocks with 10 inches of ground clearance. I have a Dexter independent torsion axel (EZ-Lube) (not the extreme off road damped spring and/or air suspension type set up you might see in these advanced off road videos).

My car is not jacked up and does not have an armored underbelly. But I still get where I want to go so far. I just slow down on the ruff stuff and make sure I can clear what is in my way before attempting it. I know my limits.

I do sometimes carry a small shovel, tow strap (30 foot rated 30,000 pounds), 2 shackles for attaching the tow strap, a small saw and small axe. In my case the most likely unplanned obstacle is a fallen tree in my way on some deep forest dirt road and self rescue is required. I hope those items will solve that problem. One item still on my shopping list are traction pads
SAND: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ8U2C-2jU4&t=41s
MUD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovd-BxLSPo4

I would love to take a winch but I cant justify it right now.

I always take a wench when available.


=Cosmo
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Last edited by Cosmo on Mon Jul 31, 2017 7:51 pm, edited 3 times in total.


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Re: which trailer?

Postby Curdoger1034 » Fri Jul 28, 2017 5:12 am

Thank you for the reply Cosmo. The truck will be very Capable when finished I don't plan to really try to get far back on some one track goat path just plan to stick with national forest roads an decent single track dirt roads. I will scout everything before I drag a camper back there. I'm really looking at 7 to 7.5x 12 off road cargo trailer from Colorado trailers. I may just see what I can find on Craigslist an build to what I think I may need the if I find it doesn't suit my needs I won't have as much money in it.
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Re: which trailer?

Postby Medicclark86 » Fri Jul 28, 2017 4:35 pm

Check out theses, I have narrowed down what I want but I am also not looking at full time livings in one:

http://adventureboxlife.com

http://adventuretrailers.com/campers/toyota-habitat/


http://hikertrailer.net/our-models/5ft- ... ad-deluxe/
There are a few others but can't think of them right now.



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