Thoughts on a trailer...

[Martinjmpr]

Discussing our 2012 plans with the wife last night, we both agree we'd like to do more camping together (we haven't camped together since 2007 when I had my Tacoma with a shell.)

Thing is, the interior of the 4runner is a little bit too small for two people, a dog and our gear (it's OK for one person which is why I've camped solo for the last year or so.) But she mentioned the possibility of a trailer. I have to admit, up until she said that I had never seriously considered it but now she's got me thinking...

But I don't know much about camping trailers, to be honest. I've seen the big "pop up" trailers but those are way, way more than we need (there are only two of us and a 40lb dog.)

When I was at the Maze District of Canyonlands in 2008, there was a guy who was set up near me on the first night, he had an older model Suzuki Sidekick 4 door and he was pulling a very small pop up trailer. It worked the same way as the 'big' pop-ups, that is, the center section raised up and there were side 'wings" that folded out and canvas/fabric sides but I swear the whole thing wasn't longer than 5 - 6' when folded up. Does anyone know what those are and where I can find one? it seems like it might work well for our needs.

The other thing I liked about this persons' setup was that it looked like the trailer had fairly decent sized wheels (maybe 15") and decent suspension travel, meaning it wouldn't compromise off-road-ability too much (I understand a trailer will keep me off of some trails, but if it gets me more camping time with the wife it's worth the trade-off.)

The other possibility - which I've seen people here use - would be a utility-type trailer with a RTT mounted on it. While that would work for us, I think it would be more than we would actually need for the limited kind of camping we'd be doing.

Anyway, I'd appreciate any input or suggestions.

[Pikeman]

Martin, good to see you over here. I am starting to build a M101 A2 3/4 ton military trailer. While it is a little big it should work well for a base camp trailer and moderate trails behind the 3rd gen. It was $200 at Gov auction and towed the 300 miles home nicely. I am pretty sure I saw a pic of trailer you are talking about on here a week or two ago. I will try to find the thread and post link to it.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...a-good-project

In the link they say what brand they think it is etc.

[cruiseroutfit]

I'm sure you'll get some great opinions on the subject here on ExPo but I just finished an updated "Will An Off-Road Trailer Work For Me? The Off-Road Trailer Conundrum" article for TacomaMagazine that will be appearing in their upcoming e-magazine. I'll post a link when it goes live.

[Martinjmpr]

A quick google search turned up some small pop ups that are designed for small cars or motorcycles. I think the one I saw in 2008 is one of those.

May try to shop around on CL and see if anybody is selling one...

[cruiseroutfit]

A quick google search turned up some small pop ups that are designed for small cars or motorcycles. I think the one I saw in 2008 is one of those...

Pay close attention to the frame, axle and suspension of these. While there undoubtedly some models out there up to the rigors of trail use, most of the ones I've seen first person have been very light duty, literally designed to be towed down the smooth interstate. It may be an option to beef up the undercarriage but at what cost?

[Yellowkayak]

Check these sites;

http://www.pop-up-campers-trailer.co...facturers.html


http://www.popupportal.com/index.php...16;wwwRedirect

Fleetwood no longers makes popup campers, but the equivalent is Jayco. There are dozens of manufactureres that makes tiny popups. I personally ahve a 2007 Fleetwood Niagra rigged for boondocking with solar and generator, as well as a new water ctach system to keep my fresh water tank full. We have toilet, shower, stove, oven micro wave....yup...we are spoiled. Plus I did an axle flip and gained six inches of body clearance to go off roading...nothing severve, mostly logging roads.

JJ

[jim65wagon]

It's not a pop-up but would something like this Teardrop (not mine - I just saw it on Ebay)suit you? Small, lightweight, if you can find a used one with a box frame (some of the home-built versions use HF angle iron frames). A set of nice tires and it could follow you just about anywhere....

[Martinjmpr]

Pay close attention to the frame, axle and suspension of these. While there undoubtedly some models out there up to the rigors of trail use, most of the ones I've seen first person have been very light duty, literally designed to be towed down the smooth interstate. It may be an option to beef up the undercarriage but at what cost?

Well, that's why I need to see them in person. As I said above, I'm willing to accept some reduction in off-road capability, but something that will restrict me to paved roads is a non-starter.

Of course, the one I saw in 2008 was at Hans Flat which is at the entrance to the Maze District, and was 45 miles from the nearest paved road. Furthermore, I saw that guy on the road to High Spur and Horseshoe Canyon (classified by the NPS as a "High clearance 4wd road") the next day. That's the kind of capability I'm looking for.

[Martinjmpr]

It's not a pop-up but would something like this Teardrop (not mine - I just saw it on Ebay)suit you? Small, lightweight, if you can find a used one with a box frame (some of the home-built versions use HF angle iron frames). A set of nice tires and it could follow you just about anywhere....

Wife and I both love the teardrop trailers but weight and cost might be against them. The inability to sit up is also something of an issue.

[jim65wagon]

Wife and I both love the teardrop trailers but weight and cost might be against them. The inability to sit up is also something of an issue.

At 1000 lbs the Silver Shadow we rented last summer is lighter than just about any pop-up you can find. And you can sit-up perfectly well inside.....what you can't do is stand-up inside them....
Cost will be an issue, of course, whichever road you take.