Guys,

What makes a good offroad trailer? I know you want to match your tracks as much as possible but what else? Ebay has the military 1-1/2 tons in a variety of prices from 399-699 and up from there.



The above style is my favorite. You could hook up LP to that thing! Anyone know anything about these? Can they be made?

Also, what kind of weight would be max for an offroad trailer. Back to the Ebay thing, they have the trailers for hummers but think that's way too big.

Thoughts?

 

I just saw this in the most recent 4Wheel/Offroad:

http://www.milspecoffroad.com/index.html

I know there are several other sites, but since my computer crashed I lost all of my favorites. They can get pretty pricey though. If you're a good fabricator, you'll probably come out better getting a military trailer and doing the mods yourself.

 

Thanks for the link! Been pokin around the net at more options and they get WAY up there in price. I don't want to mess with making one really. Thinking the military trailer might be my best option, then just modify it from there.

 

I had gotten a Land Rover magazine from Britain about 6 months ago that had all sorts of trailers in it. I can't remember if it was an article or just some ads though. Might be good for some ideas...

 

How about building one from a taco/tundra bed? Just some food for thought.

 

Cebby,

Might do a search for defender 90s on google and see what pops up. They always have the crazy accessory sites is seems.

Might have to check out what GoodTimes mentioned and start with a Taco bed or something.

Trying to keep the price under the cost of a military trailer or will just start there I guess.

 

I have often thought the same thing myself.

 

I have wanted one too. the 1 1/2 ton are huge! probably too big for a minitruck.
I was looking for a m416 which is a 1/4 ton "jeep" trailer, they used them behind the cj3a and the mutt. they are hard to find, typically thrashed or $1500. if you like the m416, check out this link:

http://vegasauto.net/m416.html

My new idea is to get a front end wreck 89-95 pu, 4wd, and cut the frame under the cab and use the bed/axle. It would somewhat match my truck, have the tire carrier under, leave the gas tank in and you have an auxillary tank. Also in dire circumstances you could scavenge some of the axle parts in the field. Also with the pick up bed, you could throw a cheap campershell on that puppy and have a nice little "house" you can leave at camp while out wheelin!!! Also the wheels on the trailer would be interchangable with the truck, so in the event you get more flat tires than you have spares (happened to me coming down from crown king), you can drop the trailer roll into town to get the tires fixed.

 

also I have seen a canadian variant of the m416 they are much cheaper, more available, but I recall something funky on them, I jst can't remember what, I have not looked at them in a while, and I am leaning toward the pickup chop job.

 

Try these

http://www.safaritrailers.com/
http://www.tentrax.com/
http://www.campausa.com/
http://www.buff4lo.com/trailer.htm
http://www.adventuretrailers.com/
http://www.4x4trailers.com/

These guys have a lot of other info you might want.
http://www.4wdtrips.net

 

Wow! Jackpot! Dang, they're expensive!

Jutty, are you looking for this for storage and take it on the trail or just as something to pull to camp and leave it at camp before hitting the trail? If you're planning on leaving it at camp and just using it for camping, then how about these popup campers:

http://www.jayco.com/html/catalog/pr...php?prod_id=85
http://www.fleetwoodrv.com/evolution/
http://www.starcraftrv.com/starcraft...rt_series.html

The Jayco model can be had for about $9000 with the front storage rack, shower, hot water, stove, outside bbq, a/c, gas furnace, battery, axle brakes, etc, etc. The non-shower version is even less $$ and lighter. I looked at it when I bought my current popup. The Jayco is lifted on 15" tires and will go more places than any other camper-but it can't be offroaded like the 4x4 trailers mentioned above.

 

Wow! Awesome links there for sure. I need something that can be pulled on the trail while carrying a generator, cooler, tools. Not alot, but enuff that it needs to happen cause putting them in the back of my truck isn't an option. I tend to carry all the extras to the campsite and it's starting to get ridiculous and a small towable trailer is much needed. Like DLBRunner said, weight is a huge issue.

9K was about the average I found as well for some of the higher end stuff. It almost makes me think bending a tube trailer might be the key. Got to thinking about it last night and a tubular would be strong, you could line it with expanded metal so it drains water and most, it would be light.

I've heard that the tongue length is key to an offroad trailer. Need to do some more homework.

What are your guys thoughts on a tube trailer?

 

Tube trailer, Hmmm, I likey! Thats what I like about this board, just when you think you have run through all the scenarios, someone comes up with another idea.

The draining idea is cool. One thing to keep in mind, the m416 bed has no tailgate, the trailers specs say it can actually float with 500 lbs of cargo. how often you need a trailer to float is questionable, but hey why not, good bragging material!

Those premade 4x trailers and tent trailers are cool, but $$$. I could not justify that. The other option would be to buy an old tent trailer that is pretty small, and mount that on a fabbed frame, or cut off frame. I have seen tent trailers in the paper for cheap, only problem is they probably have had cats living in them.

Whatever trailer I decide on will have to pull double duty, hauling stuff for house projects as well as camping. I don't like loading up the runner with rocks and dirt and other stuff, that kind kind of thing TRASHED my exploder. I fully support the trailer idea, you get the most flexibility, you still have the SUV, but have the option to work it like a pickup!

 

I've thought of Goodtimes' idea as very plausible with some welding fabricating help. Someday i'd like to do this.
The back end of a pickup of the same generation would be good. You could keep an extra third in there as a just in case measure. Also if you kept comparable tires/wheels/axles that would be ideal.
Leafs, shocks, other modifications would be more accesable already being in the Toyota community.

 

Doing the truck bed trailer would be a slick way to go for the Western Folks, but here in the East, I can't see it working. Trails are tight, wet, and all that. One thing for sure, doing double duty is key to me also. It would be nice to use it for firewood or chores around the house.

I'll have to look into that m416. Can see floating like that helpful in not bogging down the truck in water crossings. I've got the tubing bender. Might have to do a price comparison between building a small basket style trailer to the m416 if I can find one that is.

 

A regular mini truck bed would be no larger than your current truck, but in certain tight situations I can see it may be a liability, I have heard of people pulling m416 through the rubicon with little trouble. No matter what the situation a trailer will be an extra thing to deal with. Not having experience out east, what is the concern with the extra wetness on the trail for a trailer? is it more prone to slide around?

Each person will have different uses for their trailer, personally I have done more multiday expedition type stuff, that may have a few tough sections, but for the most part the trailer could be left behind for the day when you want to get really nutty. For my use the p/u bed is the best/most cost effective option, if I can get a good donor, there would be a ton of other spare parts I could use too, maybe weld a box into the trailer to keep those spares in.

I like that trekker with the military look, way cool. How about this: Find the toy frame/axle, and put on the m416 bed. then you get the best of both worlds. a lot of the 416 I have looked at sometimes have a trashed tub, but good frame/axle and vice versa. These trashed ones can be found for cheap sometimes. Also one of those links has a 416 replica, they might sell you the tub only for a reasonable deal, slap that on the toy frame, match the paint and yr good to go!

 

Slippery here in the East and WET! Need something that will drain fairly easy.

Well, I'm in negotiations right now for a used M416 trailer in Denver, CO. for 200 bucks. I'm paying shipping.

We'll see...wish me luck, I'll know if it's mine in 24 hours

 

good luck...cool idea...and military trailer will match your truck nicely I must say. Definitely get a longer type tongue for off roading purposes and mount the spare there, tool box...and you'll have plenty of room in the trailer for wood, gear..

I would imagine you could even design a lightweight cage that would use a canvas top to cover it and be lightweight and somewhat water resistant...canback style...?

cool project!

 

$200, damn!!!! that is a heck of a deal! Good luck! Does the person have anymore? Id be tempted to drive out there and pick one up! If you do go the 416 route, the combination pintle hook/ball for the towing truck, might be a good route. Make sure the 416 still has the pintle setup, some have been chopped and replaced with the ball type

 

Just found this, hope it helps.
http://www.g503.com/forums/viewforum...45419aad89e0dc