The Swiss
Expedition Leader
For many years now I have a Maggiolina roof top tent that I sometimes carry on the roof of my Jeep,
sometimes on my Carry-on utility trailer.
I actually find it more practical on the trailer. So for a while I was ogling with an off-road trailer (or a FlipPac for my JK
)
Well, reality is that I live about 2,500 miles away from Baja and about 1,800 miles from Moab. In a good year, I might manage to go camping about 12 weekends a year, in a regular year, it's more like 6 to 8 times. Looking at this realistically, I can't justify shelling out the money for a Conquerer, a Chaser, an Oasis or a Kamparoo, (or the PlipPac, no matter how much I like it). Fabbing something from scratch is pretty much out, as I don't have a welder (heck, I don't even manage to make a straight cut with my jig saw so what in the world would I do with welder )
I decided to look for a new, suitable trailer fulfilling the following criteria:
A M416 would have been a possibility, but either they are affordable or in decent conditions, but very rarely both. Plus they are heavy. Utility trailers on the trailer lots were either too flimsy or too big, or both. A couple nice things came up on the ExPo, but all too far from home.
Anyhow, after a couple months of searching and not finding anything to my liking, I came across Outback Trailers in Steele, AL, a utility trailer manufacturer about an hour from home. Gary was willing to build a utility trailer close to my specs. Keep in mind, despite the rugged name - Outback Trailers - these people are not off-road trailer builders but manufacturers of good solid utility trailers. My trailer can not be compared to a fully fledged off-road trailer like Martyn and Mario build at Adventure Trailer or Robert at Outlander Trailer. But for what I intend to use it, it should do just fine.
Last Saturday I was able to pick my trailer up; here the specs and some pics of it.
Here my new trailer in the back ground, the old Carry-on in the front
Next steps
Thread to be continued ...
sometimes on my Carry-on utility trailer.
I actually find it more practical on the trailer. So for a while I was ogling with an off-road trailer (or a FlipPac for my JK
) Well, reality is that I live about 2,500 miles away from Baja and about 1,800 miles from Moab. In a good year, I might manage to go camping about 12 weekends a year, in a regular year, it's more like 6 to 8 times. Looking at this realistically, I can't justify shelling out the money for a Conquerer, a Chaser, an Oasis or a Kamparoo, (or the PlipPac, no matter how much I like it). Fabbing something from scratch is pretty much out, as I don't have a welder (heck, I don't even manage to make a straight cut with my jig saw
so what in the world would I do with welder )I decided to look for a new, suitable trailer fulfilling the following criteria:
- Cost under $1,500
- As light as possible, as strong as necessary
- Compact size, preferably 4x6 to match the size of my Maggiolina
- Sufficient gear carrying capacity under the RTT
- Suitable for travels at interstate speed
- Moderately off-road capable, suitable for the typical fire roads found here in NW GA.
A M416 would have been a possibility, but either they are affordable or in decent conditions, but very rarely both. Plus they are heavy. Utility trailers on the trailer lots were either too flimsy or too big, or both. A couple nice things came up on the ExPo, but all too far from home.
Anyhow, after a couple months of searching and not finding anything to my liking, I came across Outback Trailers in Steele, AL, a utility trailer manufacturer about an hour from home. Gary was willing to build a utility trailer close to my specs. Keep in mind, despite the rugged name - Outback Trailers - these people are not off-road trailer builders but manufacturers of good solid utility trailers. My trailer can not be compared to a fully fledged off-road trailer like Martyn and Mario build at Adventure Trailer or Robert at Outlander Trailer. But for what I intend to use it, it should do just fine.
Last Saturday I was able to pick my trailer up; here the specs and some pics of it.
- 4x6 utility trailer
- 24" side rails lined with expanded metal
- Frame sized for 3,500 lbs capacity
- 3,500 lbs axle on 2,000 lbs springs, spring over
- 15" wheels with 205/75-15 tires
Here my new trailer in the back ground, the old Carry-on in the front
Next steps
- Paint the underside of the trailer
- Mount Maggiolina
- Put a catch on the tailgate to use it as a table
- Fold down tables on the side
- And much more down the road
Thread to be continued ...
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