Expedition trailer or stick to the jeep.

[jameswj4]

Hello all. Well I'm going to start my Sr. Year in college in sept. studying Industrial design and we have to come up with a huge Sr. Project to work on and my plan is to do something for expedition. But my problem is I can't decide if I want to build a trailer to hold the gear. Or build a storage system and racks to hold the gear in the jeep.

If I did the trailer I would end up desigNing everything including adding a shower and power and such.

With the Jeep I would probably design and build a drawer system in the back. And have it able to be removable if need be. Main reason I would go with this route is I worry about to troubles of getting through a trail pulling a trailer

If anyone with trailer would give input to their opinions on pulling trailers that would be awesome.
This wouldn't be a project starting right away like I said it's a Sr. Project and will take a couple months of fully planning before I build.

 

[Tundraexplorer]

If you are out of room in the jeep, I would for sure say trailer. I've never pulled a trailer off road, however from what I have read your main problem would be backing out of a trail if it dead ends. But a little practice and a few tries, and you would probably be fine. The trailer would also probably be more fun to build, and allow for more options as well as being to leave it behind and not have to haul all the extra weight when not needed. Depending on where you are, there might be different restrictions for towing a trailer. For example in California it is a maximum of 55 statewide, and I have heard of someone getting a ticket for doing 58. Sounds like a fun project, and I suspect you can't go wrong with whatever route you chose! Just save enough money so you can actually use it

 

[HRPINDC]

So while I personally don't care for trailers. There's three of us and a dog in my family, so let's be honest, if I can't fit our gear in a JKUR I'm doing something wrong. I do think they would be a pain to haul on some trails.

That being said, I don't think designing a rack for the interior of the Jeep would pose such a design challenge that it would make for a good Sr. project. The trailer could have a lot more elements and gadgets and give you the ability to be more creative, going in any number of directions. Either way you go, you have to take it in a completely different direction that anything already out there.
Just my two cents. Good luck.

 

[Una4dbl55]

you can always park the trailer and set up camp before heading on a trail

 

[tarditi]

is the project just to solve a problem or show the ability to design something that has marketability?

There are more jeep owners that don't want a trailer but do want storage solutions if that matters (just look in aftermarket catalogs!).

 

[Happy Joe]

I have done it both ways, when fully (over)loaded (~800 lbs.) the Jeep CJ actually has a bit more trouble on difficult trails... with a small trailer & same/similar load (on the same trails) it requires slightly different driving techniques (often more momentum or slightly different line) and backing down obstacles can be a bit more stressful.

I ended up getting rid of the trailer and have been second guessing myself ever since (not really sure which is/was better)... I do miss the onboard 20 gallon water tank; I use a portable deep discharge/small (35 AH) solar system for electricity, mostly lighting, either way. Showers consist of a garden sprayer now although a higher volume electric pump based system was nice. I am a tent on the ground person.

The complete load/unload times were similar except that the trailer could be used to store the non consumables between trips.
Not certain if I will build another trailer due to the expense/license/slight hassles, if I needed more room the trailer would be the way to go.

I found that either way camp was always setup before wheeling, in some more "civilized" locations, I chained the trailer to a tree before leaving.
I don't have nor want a drawer system in the Jeep because I prefer to wheel with as little weight as possible.
I tend to wheel moderate to difficult trails any more and don't go for the extreme stuff since I really do not like fixing trail damage/sheet metal (rolls or flops).

Enjoy!

 

[jameswj4]

Thanks for all the input. As for the point of the project is to somewhat solve a problem and show what I am capable of designing which is why I've leaned towards the trailer as its more complex like it was said. And the only thing that pushed me away from the trailer was pulling it on trails. But I definitely did not thing about dropping it offor at camp first. I'll definitely be putting in some thought about both. Thanks all

 

[Happy Joe]

My preferred camping spots are typically beyond the reach of most stock RVs/SUV's (some wheeling required)... I find that this gives me a better chance at higher quality camping neighbors (if there are any).

Enjoy!

 

[jameswj4]

Yeah I definitely agree with that. I have a buddy that I go with and we like to find remote areas in the mountains. I live on the Washington/Oregon border

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: I can't see having a jeep and NOT HAVING a trailer--

You've just gotta be sure the trailer is lower weight/has more ground clearance than the jeep/is for function/doesn't extend above, or sides of jeep-

Try to make trailer self positionable/without jeep and you'll have any trips solved-and try for tire size/wheels that are interchangeable/w jeep

Color match, only if you want to-my trailer carries all camping needs and an RTT for sleeping, which leaves the jeep open for exoloring-

Good luck

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[vegasjeepguy]

I'm with Jimbo and couldn't imagine Jeep life without my trailer. Since I have an 04 Rubicon, storage was definitely an issue. The biggest advantage with a trailer is the ability to drop it and drive away without having to fold up my roof top tent. It's easier to organize and access to gear is better in my trailer. The trailer also works double duty when not loaded with camping gear. My trailer gets a lot of work transporting my firearms and shooting gear out to the desert, hauling firewood, picking up a new mattress/box spring.

I have a CDN M101 which gives me plenty of ground clearance and tracks behind my Jeep like a champ both on and offroad. The hubs have also been swapped out to match the Jeep lug pattern.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: Now that's a sweet combo !

I'm with Jimbo and couldn't imagine Jeep life without my trailer. Since I have an 04 Rubicon, storage was definitely an issue. The biggest advantage with a trailer is the ability to drop it and drive away without having to fold up my roof top tent. It's easier to organize and access to gear is better in my trailer. The trailer also works double duty when not loaded with camping gear. My trailer gets a lot of work transporting my firearms and shooting gear out to the desert, hauling firewood, picking up a new mattress/box spring.

I have a CDN M101 which gives me plenty of ground clearance and tracks behind my Jeep like a champ both on and offroad. The hubs have also been swapped out to match the Jeep lug pattern.



View attachment 295933

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[onetraveller]

I think you are asking the wrong question first. The first thing you need to do is to define the problem you are trying to solve, then identify your design parameters. Depending on how you structure your problem and the design parameters and constraints, you may decide that neither a trailer nor a drawer system is the correct solution to your problem.

The most prevalent problem in design development is clearly defining the goal and objectives of your effort. It is far to common for designers to jump directly to a preconceived solution that may not solve the problem at hand. I fight this problem daily with the engineers and designers that work for me on the oilfield. Think first, then do, not the other way around.

Mike

 

[vegasjeepguy]

Isn't the goal of the project storage solutions for expedition gear? Seems pretty straight forward and the same problem I dealt with having a space challenged TJ. Based on the user name I would assume the vehicle is a WJ which offers a little more room, but certainly is no full-sized quad cab pickup truck.

 

[onetraveller]

Isn't the goal of the project storage solutions for expedition gear? Seems pretty straight forward and the same problem I dealt with having a space challenged TJ. Based on the user name I would assume the vehicle is a WJ which offers a little more room, but certainly is no full-sized quad cab pickup truck.

Maybe, but maybe not. He talks about the possibility of adding a shower system, power, etc. This is generally called scope creep in the project management world. It takes a lot of discipline to sit down and thoroughly think through and define the problem being solved. The next step is to set up performance criteria and decide on what the priorities are; for example, light weight, electrical power, green materials, fabrication requirements/restrictions (steel tubing, woodwork, fiberglass, carbon fiber, etc. all require different fabrication techniques), tankage for fluid storage with types and amounts figured out, etc. From that you can determine the must haves vs. the nice to haves. This feeds into decisions about schedule, budget, fabrication tools, material choices, suppliers, etc.

Most homebuilders do this through an iterative process of trial and error. That works fine when you aren't trying to make a living from it. Professional designers need to be more efficient than that. There will still be an R&D/prototype phase, but it's much more controlled.

Also remember that as a student doing a final design project, the true purpose is to learn how to effectively work through the design process, not just to end up with another piece of gear.

Mike