We want to outfit it for camping. We have come to the point that it looks like we need one.
Buying from a fellow surveyor, or beer legger seems like a good way to get one.
Thanks!
Nate
Nate The Surveyor, post: 326678, member: 291 wrote: We want to outfit it for camping. We have come to the point that it looks like we need one.
Buying from a fellow surveyor, or beer legger seems like a good way to get one.Thanks!
Nate
I'm pretty sure, even a Cuban smuggler couldn't fit your family into a 6' x 10' trailer!
Personally, I would lean towards a dual purpose trailer...something like a stock trailer.
Keep it clean and pressure wash w/bleach before camping.
I used to have all of my tailgate camping gear in a large box that I could throw in at a moment's notice.
It was always in my truck in the winter time.
OK, we have a 15 passenger van. 1 ton. We now have 10 children. They all fit in the van with us, (that's 12 persons) with room for 3 cousins, if they want to come. This leaves little room for unicycles, fishing poles, tents, supplies, and sleeping bags. We want to outfit the trailer with racks on top, for canoes, and kayaks.
We want to set it up, to keep all our camping supplies organised, and add a few food boxes, and ride. As it is, (with an open top trailer) we have to carefully pack, and tarp it.
There were those who set up RTK base trailers, but now have RTN set in their town.
If the trailer came with a case of canned sardines, herring, or Tuna that would be a plus!
🙂
Nate
Finding a used one in the midwest is almost impossible, not sure about your area. Check the axle, and most importantly the metal crossmembers under the trailer - including the rear threshold - they seem to be the first to rust out. If you are going to load it heavy, then get a duel axle, and spring for teh side door. Rear ramp door is up to you, I don't like them, but others swear by them.
Wells cargo will be about the best, Haulmark is a good mid-line. I own an Interstate 1, and would never buy another, thought it had good features, but it is poorly made.
Hit craiglist, but I think you will find that they go for 70-80% of new, so just look for a good closeout on last years models at a dealer.
We don't plan to load it real heavy... however my WIFE's Indian name is "Little Woman, BIG pack". In fact, I'll probably name the trailer that! 🙂
Thanks for the advice. It seems nobody wants to part with those trailers, once they get one! New, they are 2-3000, used, they are 1900-2800!
N
Understandable - it IS nice to be able to leave on a moments notice.
Sounds like a good idea.
As a side note, I have seen some pretty awesome looking roof racks for the large vans, complete with ladders.
Tiny Houses It's not really in line with what you're asking about. Some of these are portable and exhibit a bit of creativity.
Check with your favorite used car salesman, a few around here have them..... Car auctions move anything with wheels......
I was in Texarkana yesterday and there are a few setting on the corners where it is possible to park something for sale with a sign & phone number to contact
Those are hard to find used and when you do find one are not cheap. It may be worth your while to shop around and buy new.
Nate The Surveyor, post: 326695, member: 291 wrote: ..... It seems nobody wants to part with those trailers, once they get one! New, they are 2-3000, used, they are 1900-2800!
Outfit I was with bought one. People would come up to us in the parking lot and ask if we wanted to sell it. When we did decide to sell it we got full asking price, which was not a whole lot less than what we had paid, in cash, after only a couple of days on craigslist.
Nate
Take a look at www.tnttt.com
They have a section on cargo trailer conversions that is pretty cool. There are a lot of really cooll ideas on there.
Wow! Thanks Jimmy. There is alot of info there.
N
few years ago a local trader had a unit built on a trailer that looked like a small cabin with a sloped roof to hold camping gear in the front and his ATV in the back.
Was fitted with electric and water hookups and would double as a sleeper.
it was cool B-)
Over the years we have had a couple of enclosed cargo trailers at the office. We unanimously voted to get rid of the first one, the top of the rear door was 2" shorter than the top of our heads. I had been cold-cock knocked out a half dozen times (once to Emergency Room even.) John had been knocked out a couple of times too. I took to wearing a hard hat with a chin strap when loading and unloading until we replaced it.
But when we went to get one that we could walk out of that was slightly bigger than us, we ended up with dual axials and a bit bigger than we had expected. However, I can not express how happy I am to not hit my head on the door frame anymore. The larger dual axial trailer is just as easy to pull as the smaller trailer AND it does not whip around nearly as much at high speeds (the posted speed limit is 70-80 in most of Utah now.) I don't believe that there was a difference in mileage between the smaller single axial and the larger duallys. I mention this because depending on the size of your van, it might be safer to pull a larger trailer than a smaller one.
That said, there are always a bunch for sale on KSL Classifieds here which is the local free replacement for ebay and craigslist. You might check it for price comparisons:
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=231&nocache=1&search=cargo+trailer&zip=&distance=&min_price=&max_price=&type=&x=33&y=
they are used for hauling snow machines, atvs and side-by-sides.
Good luck, we do a similar thing on our family holidays. It works out great.
M
Tandem axle always pulls better.... and adds about 1000-1500 to the price. I was thinking of a trailer that was the same height as the van (E-350) I'm 6'3" and I'm real prone to duck.... My head has damaged a number of things!
Wow.... I just sold a 6x10 few months back, for more than I paid for it 4 years ago. I sold it to a young man who is outfitting it for his hunting and fishing gear and a place to sleep when camping.
I purchased my current trailer (7x14 TA) from Craigslist. There is a Facebook page here just for trailer sales. Maybe check for one in your area.
Best advice I ever got was buy a Wells Cargo, 10 years later not one bit of trouble. I would NOT be pulling a trailer at warp speed, regardless of the speed limit UNTIL you put some tires on rated for it. Also change your tries every few years even with tread, your fenders will thank you later.
SHG
R.J. Schneider, post: 326699, member: 409 wrote: Tiny Houses It's not really in line with what you're asking about. Some of these are portable and exhibit a bit of creativity.
Something like one of those would make for a great man-cave!!
In my case that would be my train room. Since my trains run on low voltage DC and some AC for the turnouts I could easily build a solar panel supply for it.
It would need some sort of leveling out-riggers however.
As it is now, it would take me a lot longer to dismantle this thing than it took me to build it. Just documenting all the wiring would take a couple days.
E
At this point, I'm thinking of a 2 horse, 2 axle trailer. It is heavier, and stronger, and can be used for many other things. And, I can find them in pretty good shape for 800-1200. I can rattle can paint it, screw some 3/8" osb over the windows, and cover that with aluminum skin, which I have a roll of. Then, seal it with silicone. But, I don't really like the idea of it weighing alot. But, they are available.
N
Nate, check out Ebay for a Pace or a Wells Cargo. If you can go for one with the Dexter Toro Flex Axel. I have a 6' X 10' single axel Pace that pulls like a dream. It has barn doors on the back and a side door. The side door is well worth it. The Dexter Toro Flex set up is and indenpendent suspension set up. I hauled a bunch a plate glass mirows in it stacked on edge with no padding. I managed to haul them over 1000 miles and never broke one. One problem you may find is ground clearance. I have my truck set up for a 19" high ball and the trailer is only 9 inched off the ground. floor height, not the lowest point of the frame so be careful off pavement.
I was looking for a 6' X 12' when I found this one several years ago and it was too good of a deal to pass on. If you buy new, you can special order one that is taller in 6 inch increments. Mine is only 5' 9" inside and I have bend the rear header a few times. After you pick your self up off the floor 2 or three times, you remember to duck. This one iis a little lower than a van.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2003-Pace-American-16-ft-Box-Trailer-/141722780476?forcerrptr=true&hash=item20ff56033c&item=141722780476
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-6x12-6-x-12-V-Nose-Enclosed-Cargo-Trailer-w-RAMP-/381329918644?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58c908cab4
