best trailer to start a build with?

[gabe]

Well I'm looking to build a off road trailer and I see that the Bantum and other military style trailers are quite popular as a starting point. Is there any other style that makes a good base? What should I be looking for while I'm at auctions and driving around? I've looked at a lot of build threads and though I'd like to build from scatch but if I can save time and money by modyfing an existing trailer....
I think I'd like to build something that I can pull behind my lifted cherokee that's on 34's.

 

[TheGillz]

I was looking at military ones, I think that is a decent way to go IF you can get ahold of one for a reasonable price, however if you have seen my thread, i decided that I had features that I wanted that weren't going to be easy mods for one of those. Really think out what you find attractive about the different trailers and then go custom or buy an AT or even an outlander, I almost went that direction.

But welcome and have fun!

 

[Cruiser]

Whats your $ range,, you might find some new that aren't really that much $.. as the military trailers are going up the harder they are to find.. The Canadians are going for 12-1500 in the mid Atlantic states,, if you can find them,, and a good shape 416 restored is about a grand,, unrestored about 4-500.. give or take,,
Good luck..

 

[gabe]

Thanks for the responses. Right now we've been camping with a pop-up so the thought is to sell it and that will be my budget but that's also for whatever tent we decide upon as well. I'm guessing I could get between $2500 and 3k for my Yuma but I haven't really researched that yet. Being in the northeast we don't have the open country so most of are trips will be to one site of course that site might be at the top of a Mt. I hope to have a 12 volt system that can run a few items like lights and a fan, I have stoves and heaters and most of the other equipment.

 

[gabe]

two questions as I'm looking for a good trailer to start a build with, how much should I expect a trailer to weigh empty 500 lbs? I'm looking to run some sort of 12v system, tring to research the best way to do this, I first thought well I'll just put a duel Batt. in the jeep but that would mean I need to keep it hooked up all the time, how hard is it to just put a batt. on the trailer and set up a couple of dc type outlets?

 

[JIMBO]

:Mechanic: You have an admirable goal, but

To build a camping trailer that starts at 500 lbs, is close to "FRANTIC"

 

[JIMBO]

:Mechanic: You have an admirable goal, but

To build a camping trailer that starts at 500 lbs, is close to "FRANTIC"

 

[JIMBO]

:Mechanic: You have an admirable goal, but

To build a camping trailer that starts at 500 lbs, is close to "FRANTIC"

Even basic M416 or similar are at least 700 lbs +++

I think most of these guys with off-ropad trailers are dealing with 2000 to 2800 lbs "ready to go"

Mine weighs 6oo lbs "emtpy" because its just for camping "transportation" and we don't sleep on it/cook on it/shower on it-etc

fully loaded it weighs 1000 lbs, but it's constructed using fiberglass and you would be limited on your construction using that

You have a BIG project--good luck

:gunt: JIMBO

 

[Extreme Steel]

Check out your local tow yards, sometimes they have some trailers sitting around that have no I.D. or some that do, they will give you some lien sale paper work and I can't imagine that you would spend anymore than $200.00
I myself have cut boat trailers and out-fitted for utility use. Steve.

 

[JIMBO]

:wings: You could investigate the possibility of modifying your "pop-up' trailers suspension, for more clearance and bigger tires???

I mean, it already has all you'll need to camp-right?

:gunt: JIMBO

 

[gabe]

:wings: You could investigate the possibility of modifying your "pop-up' trailers suspension, for more clearance and bigger tires???

I mean, it already has all you'll need to camp-right?

:gunt: JIMBO

yes but it's so heavy I'm trying to reduce my payload overall if I can be under 1500 total that might be ok, plus a pop-up(my PU) can't really go where one of these small at trailers can. I haven't completly ruled out just lifting it and being happy with less wild site's.

 

[ZR2nit]

????

I too am interested in which type of military trailer is best suited for my needs to start a build on. I would like to buy something a little bigger than a m101. Is there some type of index on different "M" trailer measurements???

 

[The Swiss]

I think it really depends on how far off-road you want to go. The base of my trailer is a regular, small 4'x6' utility trailer with a SOA lift and slightly larger tires. I mounted my Maggiolina RTT on top and an array of plastic containers below to hold our gear.

For me, weight is the bigger issue than extreme off-road worthynes as my trailer rarely sees anything more extreme than fire roads or a class 2 trails. I probably would not take this trailer down Baja, but it is by far good enough for the stuff we do around here. And with an empty weight of less than 300 lbs and its low profile, I hardly see a drop in mpg towing it.

 

[Martyn]

..... For me, weight is the bigger issue than extreme off-road worthynes as my trailer rarely sees anything more extreme than fire roads or a class 2 trails.....

This is an overlooked factor when selecting a base trailer. Extreme off roading i.e. rock hopping does very little damage to a trailer unless you have a collision.

Dirt roads and wash board are much more punishing on the trailer. The high frequency vibration plays havoc with the welds, rivets, and seals. Unless you are using bolts with nylocks they too vibrate loose.

Short length leaf springs do little to dampen the vibration, although shocks help, and lifting a trailer with shackles provides another articulation point for unwanted movement and sway.

Do not underestimate dirt roads, fire roads, and wash board as a major factor when it comes to degradation of your trailer.

 

[gabe]

I was thinking about both these point's I'm not likley to try to take this anywhere to extreme more like two track logging roads and accross ditches, I'll be looking to go around things if I can as opposed to over if I was just out wheeling. I really think for me it's all about the weight as well, If I can carry the majority of my camping equipment, tent, stove, propane, cooler in it and keep most of the equipment in it when at home then I would think that would be great, if it limits me a little then I can adjust to that by where I go.
And as for the point about washboard roads, they're the worst. When I pull my PU it shakes everything out of place and I'm sure it does more damage then if I were to try and pull it accross any obstacle primarily because of speed but still I think I would be doing more 30mph dirt roads then class 3 trails.