Thoughts on a trailer...

[ghutch]

pikeman is right....the 101'series are great for most apps....adding a roof top tent does not effect the ability to haul and be used for storage or a utility trailer. I pull these trailers with a Tacoma pickup v6 without any problems. Google & youtube has some cool modded 101-3's. they are heavy duty

[lowenbrau]

Consider a Kamparoo. They are just an overgrown tent on casters but they are big enough to get you a good night's sleep and a meal out of the elements if they need to.

[Martinjmpr]

So the quest continues...We had a big "Outdoor Expo" in Denver this weekend and the wife suggested we go to see what they had, camper wise. We saw some nice off-road trailers (can't remember the brand - it was NOT Adventure Trailers though) and some other lightweight trailers.

But it got me to thinking: Most of the "adventure type" trailers were essentially a small M416-type trailer with some sort of pop-up tent on top.

Now I know folks here get the 1/4 ton military surplus trailers and throw a RTT on them, and that seems great. My only concern would be (1) the fact that old military trailers are, IMO, excessively heavy (more trailer to pull = less cargo I can carry, and the weight of the trailer = more wear-and-tear of the tires, suspension, etc.) and (2) the fact that it's kind of a 'crap shoot' as to whether you get a nice trailer or a rusting hulk that will not be roadworthy without lots of work. Prices seem to be all over the place, too.

So my question is: What would be the modern equivalent (in terms of size and capability) to the venerable M416? To me, the 416/100 has another drawback if you put a RTT on it: No tailgate! So you have to rig up some kind of lift mechanism if you want to be able to use the storage space underneath the RTT.

Now I know AT is a sponsor here, and props to them for that, but I just have to say that like a lot of things "ExPo", AT is just a little too rich for my blood. Not gonna spend $8k on a bare-bones trailer and then another $1500 to put an RTT on it.

I'm thinking something more in the $1500 - $2000 range for the basic trailer. Also looking for light weight which is why I'd have preference for plastic, fiberglass, aluminum or really anything lighter than steel (not wood, though - I need something more durable than that.)

So any ideas would be appreciated...

[Scott B.]

... I'm willing to accept some reduction in off-road capability, but something that will restrict me to paved roads is a non-starter...

I think the ability to tow it across Mengal Pass is a good criteria...

[Pikeman]

So the quest continues...We had a big "Outdoor Expo" in Denver this weekend and the wife suggested we go to see what they had, camper wise. We saw some nice off-road trailers (can't remember the brand - it was NOT Adventure Trailers though) and some other lightweight trailers.

But it got me to thinking: Most of the "adventure type" trailers were essentially a small M416-type trailer with some sort of pop-up tent on top.

Now I know folks here get the 1/4 ton military surplus trailers and throw a RTT on them, and that seems great. My only concern would be (1) the fact that old military trailers are, IMO, excessively heavy (more trailer to pull = less cargo I can carry, and the weight of the trailer = more wear-and-tear of the tires, suspension, etc.) and (2) the fact that it's kind of a 'crap shoot' as to whether you get a nice trailer or a rusting hulk that will not be roadworthy without lots of work. Prices seem to be all over the place, too.

So my question is: What would be the modern equivalent (in terms of size and capability) to the venerable M416? To me, the 416/100 has another drawback if you put a RTT on it: No tailgate! So you have to rig up some kind of lift mechanism if you want to be able to use the storage space underneath the RTT.

Now I know AT is a sponsor here, and props to them for that, but I just have to say that like a lot of things "ExPo", AT is just a little too rich for my blood. Not gonna spend $8k on a bare-bones trailer and then another $1500 to put an RTT on it.

I'm thinking something more in the $1500 - $2000 range for the basic trailer. Also looking for light weight which is why I'd have preference for plastic, fiberglass, aluminum or really anything lighter than steel (not wood, though - I need something more durable than that.)

So any ideas would be appreciated...

Ok to answer a couple questions... most of them are based on the 416 or the 100. I believe the 416 and Canandian 101 both have tailgates, are the 1/4 ton and don't weigh much and even the M101 A2 weighs in around 1200lbs. Also can tell you that even fully loaded with tons of equipment for several day excursion you would be hard pressed to be adding 700-1000lbs. Take a look at the dry weights of the common manufacturers trailers and you will find they are not that far off of military. I am guessing my fully loaded weight with RTT and everything on my M101 A2 will be around 2000lbs being towed behind my 98 4Runner. A M416 style will come in around 1500.

Other manufacturers would be Tentrax, Sierra, and some more on here. There is a local guy that advertises on CL here in So Cal off-road trailers for $3500.
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/bfs/2701627096.html

[Sean VHA #60013]

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

Would you post a pic of your modified Fleetwood? I'd like to see it

[Shurppa]

My American tear drop fully loaded almost to the roof with shower tent suv tent 14x14 colman even tent dutch ovens campchef stove chairs and a bunch of other crap only weighed 1080 LBS and towed it with my 4 cyl nissan no problem. they hold up well in bad weather and come in on and off road modles .BUT do you realy want to tow a trailer on the trail. a pain to turn around if you have to on narrow roads. if you want a pop up tent why not put one on the roof? I love my tear drop but its best for campgrounds. I just bought a flip pack so if I want to I can go camp off road in areas I would not want to take a trailer of any type.

[JCMatthews]

Now I know folks here get the 1/4 ton military surplus trailers and throw a RTT on them, and that seems great. My only concern would be (1) the fact that old military trailers are, IMO, excessively heavy (more trailer to pull = less cargo I can carry, and the weight of the trailer = more wear-and-tear of the tires, suspension, etc.) and (2) the fact that it's kind of a 'crap shoot' as to whether you get a nice trailer or a rusting hulk that will not be roadworthy without lots of work.

The M416 is not heavy. I found one years ago and love it. I use it as a utility trailer as well as for camping. I can haul 1 ton of rock or dirt in it and, this is the truth, still lift it off of my hitch. Then I can push it around my back yard. My wife and I call it our big wheelbarrow. It is very well balanced to not put too much weight on the tounge.

I pulled it for years with my XJ Cherokee. I used it as an equipment trailer/chuckwagon with my scout troop. I would load it as full as possible and then off we'd go and it was never any problem to tow. I have a good kitchen set up that I put on the side of it. I even pulled around the White Rim Trail twice completely loaded. Once with bikes on top of the load.

They do not come with a tailgate. Mine had been modified to have one, and would not be hard to do for the DIY. I could not more fully recommend having one if you can find one in good condition.

[Martinjmpr]

Well, we'll be looking at a Teardrop this weekend. Home built on a utility trailer frame. Anything I should look for? Besides the obvious I mean - leaks, water damage, overall structural strength, etc.

[jim65wagon]

Well, we'll be looking at a Teardrop this weekend. Home built on a utility trailer frame. Anything I should look for? Besides the obvious I mean - leaks, water damage, overall structural strength, etc.

other than the typical leaks, water damage, structural strength.....axle bearings, brakes?(most don't have),tire condition, box frame is better than angle but the torsional rigidity of a teardrop makes up a lot of the structural stability of the whole unit, two doors - unless you like climbing over your spouse in the middle of the night. Ceiling fan is good to have.