6x12 or 6x14?

Converting Cargo Trailers into TTTs

6x12 or 6x14?

Postby JokerOne » Fri Nov 30, 2018 4:16 pm

Does anybody regret getting a 6x14 and wished they had gotten something smaller to tow?

My goal is
For National Forest Roads, and BLM land. (Tow vehicle is a unlifted Jeep JKU with tow package, axle, 3,500#)

Nothing technical, if you can get there in a mini-van, then thats what I'm after. :D

thanks in advance.
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Re: 6x12 or 6x14?

Postby Andrew Herrick » Fri Nov 30, 2018 4:40 pm

JokerOne wrote:Does anybody regret getting a 6x14 and wished they had gotten something smaller to tow?

My goal is
For National Forest Roads, and BLM land. (Tow vehicle is a unlifted Jeep JKU with tow package, axle, 3,500#)

Nothing technical, if you can get there in a mini-van, then thats what I'm after. :D

thanks in advance.


If you want to go places you sometimes can't go in a minivan, then a combined length of 30-35 feet is the magic number. See the blurb below:

https://camperreport.com/best-rv-length ... nal-parks/

Unless you're concerned about approach/departure angles, I think the combined length is the more important number rather than the exact length of the trailer. I only tow 10- and 12-footers around cross country, so no personal data on 14+ feet ...
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Re: 6x12 or 6x14?

Postby JokerOne » Fri Nov 30, 2018 5:37 pm

Andrew Herrick wrote:If you want to go places you sometimes can't go in a minivan, then a combined length of 30-35 feet is the magic number. See the blurb below:

https://camperreport.com/best-rv-length ... nal-parks/

Unless you're concerned about approach/departure angles, I think the combined length is the more important number rather than the exact length of the trailer. I only tow 10- and 12-footers around cross country, so no personal data on 14+ feet ...


cool, thanks for sharing. I had been looking at a Skoolie conversion, but decided against it after speaking to the local manager of our school district's bus fleet. Seems the EPA made it too big of a headache/expense for 2005 models and up.

I may have answered my own question. I found this photo. A mini van by itself could easily negotiate that little bump. This is not a reflection on this guy's build, its great, but physics are physics.. :cry:
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Re: 6x12 or 6x14?

Postby hankaye » Fri Nov 30, 2018 5:44 pm

JokerOne, Howdy;

First off, WELCOME!!!

I pull a 6 X 14 into the Gila Wilderness on the FS roads, I use a 2004 F-250 SD 4X4.
so far no problems. Here's a link to my build pages, should show what I've dealt with.
SHould bring ya to pg. 6.
viewtopic.php?f=42&t=53787&start=75

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Re: 6x12 or 6x14?

Postby Andrew Herrick » Fri Nov 30, 2018 6:03 pm

True, physics are physics! I've seen some Expedition Portal builders elevate their 4x7 trailers 24+ inches. Yikes.

Still, in reference to that picture, a few modifications could significantly improve the off-road maneuverability of that rig. Swapping out the A-frame jack (which hangs about four inches low) for a swing-away jack would help. So would an adjustable towing ball hitch mount. The tire size on that CTC looks maxed out ...

Obviously, redesigning the suspension could get you any ground clearance you wanted, but changing out the jack/ball mount and/or tires can make a significant difference on approach/departure angles on generic back roads.
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Re: 6x12 or 6x14?

Postby dirtsailor2003 » Fri Nov 30, 2018 6:37 pm

Most of the BLM and forest service roads I travel are tight for the 6x10 behind my 2005 RAV4. I wouldn’t want anything bigger.


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Re: 6x12 or 6x14?

Postby Iconfabul8 » Fri Nov 30, 2018 6:53 pm

Any pics of that rig on level ground? Cuz it sure looks like he could easily turn his receiver ball mount over.
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Re: 6x12 or 6x14?

Postby JokerOne » Fri Nov 30, 2018 7:24 pm

Iconfabul8 wrote:Any pics of that rig on level ground? Cuz it sure looks like he could easily turn his receiver ball mount over.


Yes, here is his build log link. Again, I think he did a really cool job. He also raised the axle from a drop to a straight.

viewtopic.php?f=42&t=68975&hilit=6x14
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Re: 6x12 or 6x14?

Postby JokerOne » Fri Nov 30, 2018 7:26 pm

[quote="dirtsailor2003"]Most of the BLM and forest service roads I travel are tight for the 6x10 behind my 2005 RAV4. I wouldn’t want anything bigger.

thanks, that type of feedback is exactly what I didn't want to hear.. :lol: But I needed to hear.. :thumbsup:

I really appreciate it.

So you mean 6x10 is as wide as you would want, or as long as you would want or both?

thanks again!
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Re: 6x12 or 6x14?

Postby JokerOne » Fri Nov 30, 2018 7:37 pm

hankaye wrote:JokerOne, Howdy;

First off, WELCOME!!!

I pull a 6 X 14 into the Gila Wilderness on the FS roads, I use a 2004 F-250 SD 4X4.
so far no problems. Here's a link to my build pages, should show what I've dealt with.
SHould bring ya to pg. 6.
viewtopic.php?f=42&t=53787&start=75

hank


thanks!

That Gila National Forest looks great. Looks like the rangers do a great job keeping the roads graded, and warning signs posted.
Only national Forest roads if been on is in Missouri. My GPS keep trying to get me killed.. :lol:
Those roads look way better than I what I'm use to. I'm sure their much worse out there though.

Call me a wuss, but I look at it like this. If I have to use 4WD, I've done something wrong. (Like listen to my GPS.. :D )
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Re: 6x12 or 6x14?

Postby Andrew Herrick » Fri Nov 30, 2018 7:39 pm

JokerOne wrote:
hankaye wrote:JokerOne, Howdy;

First off, WELCOME!!!

I pull a 6 X 14 into the Gila Wilderness on the FS roads, I use a 2004 F-250 SD 4X4.
so far no problems. Here's a link to my build pages, should show what I've dealt with.
SHould bring ya to pg. 6.
viewtopic.php?f=42&t=53787&start=75

hank


thanks!

That Gila National Forest looks great. Looks like the rangers do a great job keeping the roads graded, and warning signs posted.
Only national Forest roads if been on is in Missouri. My GPS keep trying to get me killed.. :lol:
Those roads look way better than I what I'm use to. I'm sure their much worse out there though.

Call me a wuss, but I look at it like this. If I have to use 4WD, I've done something wrong. (Like listen to my GPS.. :D )


As a former Missourian, on behalf of all the rednecks: I apologize. Doesn't make up for all the 8-inch boulders strewn over the limestone and dirt, but it's all I got :lol:
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Re: 6x12 or 6x14?

Postby JokerOne » Fri Nov 30, 2018 7:42 pm

Andrew Herrick wrote:
As a former Missourian, on behalf of all the rednecks: I apologize. Doesn't make up for all the 8-inch boulders strewn over the limestone and dirt, but it's all I got :lol:



Too funny. Apology accepted.. :thumbsup:
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Re: 6x12 or 6x14?

Postby dirtsailor2003 » Fri Nov 30, 2018 7:49 pm

JokerOne wrote:
dirtsailor2003 wrote:Most of the BLM and forest service roads I travel are tight for the 6x10 behind my 2005 RAV4. I wouldn’t want anything bigger.

thanks, that type of feedback is exactly what I didn't want to hear.. :lol: But I needed to hear.. :thumbsup:

I really appreciate it.

So you mean 6x10 is as wide as you would want, or as long as you would want or both?

thanks again!


Definitely not any wider. And on lots of roads not any longer. Lots of narrow turns in between trees, rocks, etc. and I should mention I’m not doing any real off-road with this, at least not what I’d like to be doing.

I will say a 6x10 is a good size that I think a lot of people pass up on. Lot of bang for the buck!


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Re: 6x12 or 6x14?

Postby JokerOne » Fri Nov 30, 2018 8:30 pm

dirtsailor2003 wrote:Definitely not any wider. And on lots of roads not any longer. Lots of narrow turns in between trees, rocks, etc. and I should mention I’m not doing any real off-road with this, at least not what I’d like to be doing.

I will say a 6x10 is a good size that I think a lot of people pass up on. Lot of bang for the buck!


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Thanks, yes 7 foot would be fun, but Its not realistic for me and what I want to do.

The only off roading I'm planning is when I pull off the road to a campsite.

I'm leaning to a 6x12 but I really enjoy hearing feedback from you and others about things like this, that I have no experience with. I'm think a 6x14 is just a bridge to far for me. thanks.
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Re: 6x12 or 6x14?

Postby onehoser » Sat Dec 01, 2018 5:20 am

as mentioned above, i had to replace the A frame jack with a side mounted swing/removable jack as i had crushed the A frame jack on a couple of occasions on rough roads heading into campsites. it also allows me more room to open the swinggate on my jeep.
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