Hi guys. I know more questions, lol. I am designing two trailers and I have the square drop one just about done and I am starting an adventure style trailer with a rooftop tent. My question is with my tow vehicle a 2dr JK I am wondering if I am better off with a 4x6 or a 5x6. Any thoughts?
Adventure trailer with rooftop tent size
- Thread starter ptulli
- Start date
That is a really broad question. Will the tires be under the body or in addition to the measurement?
In general, I find it annoying when you can’t see your trailer. I tow an AT Chaser behind my JK, and it is not always easy to see because it is a little too narrow, however, if it was any wider, it would be nearly impossible to reach the far side for loading or unloading. I think the bottom of that trailer is about 3x6, and the widest part at the top is probably 4’8” give or take a couple by 6’.
So basically, wider is nice as long as you don’t get much wider than the tow vehicle and you have a loading system that allows access to both sides.
In general, I find it annoying when you can’t see your trailer. I tow an AT Chaser behind my JK, and it is not always easy to see because it is a little too narrow, however, if it was any wider, it would be nearly impossible to reach the far side for loading or unloading. I think the bottom of that trailer is about 3x6, and the widest part at the top is probably 4’8” give or take a couple by 6’.
So basically, wider is nice as long as you don’t get much wider than the tow vehicle and you have a loading system that allows access to both sides.
AggieOE
Trying to escape the city
I just bought a 4x6 used Lowes style utility trailer as the next option up was a 5x8 (don't know where you're seeing a 5x6). Although not viewable in the side mirrors or rearview with my 4-dr, it may be viewable behind your 2-dr. Also, with a rooftop tent on top, I'm expecting to be able to see at least that when backing up to a campsite or what-not.
Other than that, I've seen plenty of 2-dr Jeeps towing bigger trailers although I wouldn't recommend over a 5x8.
Other than that, I've seen plenty of 2-dr Jeeps towing bigger trailers although I wouldn't recommend over a 5x8.
Sorry for not giving all the info to help you guys. The tires will be on the outside, the 5x6 would be the bed of trailer. I was hoping that 5' wide would hopefully track better behind the JK. As for the size, I will be having my brother weld me up this frame. When I do the squaredrop I will be doing 5x8 as I was thinking bigger was too big. Hopefully this helps!
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
billiebob
Well-known member
Two routes, 5 wide means the trailer body is close to the Wrangler body width. Great for aerodynamics AND backing up since you can see the entire trailer in the mirrors..... this is absolutely essential if reversing for any distance and real convenient backing into a garage. The other thought and the only reason to go narrower is to match the Wrangler track width. I doubt 4 wide will be an exact match. I just built a trailer to match the track of my TJR..... the axle has a 61" width, 43" spring hanger centers and runs the same wheels, tires as my Wrangler. The axle cost $270, custom made at City Spring and Axle.
To do it right you need wheels wells and the sleeping bed mattress will likely be a twin size. Only pic I have, work in progress.
My TJ is 60"wide, the OSB BOX is 60" wide.
Measure the width between the tires on the JK.... Take the wheels off the JK, measure the rear axle track width of the JK. Build to fit/match.
The axle is the most important piece of the puzzle.
To do it right you need wheels wells and the sleeping bed mattress will likely be a twin size. Only pic I have, work in progress.
My TJ is 60"wide, the OSB BOX is 60" wide.
Measure the width between the tires on the JK.... Take the wheels off the JK, measure the rear axle track width of the JK. Build to fit/match.
The axle is the most important piece of the puzzle.
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PCO6
Adventurer
Good advice above. As for the box size of your adventure style trailer, I just finished one and camped with it for the first time 2 weekends ago. It towed great frontwards and backwards ... and no roll overs! 
It's 4'x6' and it will be for solo camping. Everyone is different and if a second, third or? person will be joining you your needs will be different. I found that I had tons of room for storage. 5'x6' would be way too much for me alone.
I also have a tear drop and it's "box" dimensions are 5'x9' and the wheels/fenders are fully outside. My tow vehicles are an LJ, XJ & WK and they handle the different axle widths of both trailers fine. I'm not sure how they compare to a JK but I'm sure they're not far off.
It's 4'x6' and it will be for solo camping. Everyone is different and if a second, third or? person will be joining you your needs will be different. I found that I had tons of room for storage. 5'x6' would be way too much for me alone. I also have a tear drop and it's "box" dimensions are 5'x9' and the wheels/fenders are fully outside. My tow vehicles are an LJ, XJ & WK and they handle the different axle widths of both trailers fine. I'm not sure how they compare to a JK but I'm sure they're not far off.
MOAK
Adventurer
My tractor supply 4x8, heavily modified, has the exact track width as our 80 series. I’ve no trouble backing it up anywhere. I’ve always set my mirrors so that if I can see the trailer, I know I’m in trouble cause it’s coming around. I can, however, see the outmost edge of the tires. JMO, but if you go with a 5ft wide trailer with the wheels outside the box, it’ll be way too wide to track properly on the highway and on the trails. 
billiebob
Well-known member
I started this thread on silliest thing I did which was....
expeditionportal.com
I'll have to add to that cuz this year I did a new frame/axle to match the Jeep/Trailer tracks..... But it was a "project" and I live for projects.
Silliest thing I have done... add to the list.
For me the silliest thing was changing trailer tires to match the tow vehicle.... Why silly because with 120K miles on 2 trailers towing on highway, forestry road, logging spurs and over powerline passes, I have never had a trailer flat.... So silly but for all the silly reasons, ego, fireside...
expeditionportal.com
I'll have to add to that cuz this year I did a new frame/axle to match the Jeep/Trailer tracks..... But it was a "project" and I live for projects.
MOAK
Adventurer
That is a huge trailer compared to what I’m pulling and probably wouldn’t make it through a lot of the very remote places that we get in to. I prefer a trailer that has higher clearance and the same track as a tow vehicle. The vid makes my reasoning clearer, however, to each their own. Have fun, be good, do good !!
PCO6
Adventurer
5-wides are pretty common for tear drops that you sleep in as compared to adventure/expedition/off-road/...? trailers that you sleep on, or beside I guess. I have both and use them differently. I wouldn't take my tear drop to some places where I'm happy going with my off-road trailer.
I know a guy that builds fairly simple tear drop trailers as a business. They're meant for general camping vs. off roading. He builds both 4-wides and 5-wides and says the split is about 40/60. I have a few friends with 4-wide tear drops and I wouldn't want to sleep 2 people inside ... too tight. The interior dimensions of the RTT on my off-road trailer are 4'x6'6" and that's plenty for me alone. Opened up it becomes an 8'-wide ... but it stays put that way.
