Compact toy hauler, is there a better option?

[DesertJK]

Hello everyone,

I am considering one of these http://www.vrvtoyhauler.com/ to tow behind my Jeep JK unlimited. I tow a 6X16 cargo trailer with it loaded with 4 motorcycles and it does OK.
I am thinking that the 6X16 VRV trailer with the queen sized bed, awning, basic kitchen and the wet bath with two sport bikes (400# each) and I will still be OK towing with my Jeep. The trailer is only 1900 with the bathroom.

I was considering getting a Casita 13 foot and extending the frame to include a deck for two bikes in front, but I don't want my Ducati's to be exposed to the elements, and the thieves. I don't need the trailer to be capable of more off road than graded dirt roads and short distances on two track to get into cabins and camping spots. The thing holding me back is the price. It will be 11500 before shipping from AR to OR or CA.

Do you guys think a bigger trailer like this is better if it's tandem or single axle? I think tandem axle will tow better on washboard. My single axle wanders all over if I get going to fast. I have also been told the tandem will rock less over uneven surfaces.
Post pics and opinions please.

 

[DesertJK]

No interest?

I was hoping to get some opinions or suggestions on another trailer. I am still waiting for my final quote from these guys on a 6x16 foot trailer.
I will eventually add some bottom protection, bigger tires and wheels, and some sort of suspension improvements. The man purpose of this trailer is for me to be able to haul bikes to racing events, both paved and unpaved. I also want something that can get off the beaten path, but don't need to drag it over rocks or ditches.
I have had to pull trailers this size into some messed up places, and if you go slow and are willing to work a little, it ca be done.

 

[john101477]

Your adding substantial weight with the living quarters. I would check the weight of the trailer and check the recommended capabilities of your Jeep. $11500 seems a bit steep but not by to much for what your getting. plus it sounds new and that is always spendy. I personally like tandem trailers. they usually track much better than a single axle. In your case though it also adds weight that might not be appreciated. I would think long and hard about this buy. To me it seems a little over kill but that is just my opinion

My dad bought a Haulmark snowmobile trailer and outfitted it for sleeping and a few tables, electrical for microwave, coffee etc and it was awesome. he took it to Idaho for hunting, all over california for hunting camping and exploring on his polaris razor. It worked great. Most trailer and RV places carry things like he had . aluminum tables, fold out couches that turn into beds etc.

 

[18seeds]

I was hoping to get some opinions or suggestions on another trailer. I am still waiting for my final quote from these guys on a 6x16 foot trailer.
I will eventually add some bottom protection, bigger tires and wheels, and some sort of suspension improvements. The man purpose of this trailer is for me to be able to haul bikes to racing events, both paved and unpaved. I also want something that can get off the beaten path, but don't need to drag it over rocks or ditches.
I have had to pull trailers this size into some messed up places, and if you go slow and are willing to work a little, it ca be done.

Have you thought about converting a small enclosed cargo trailer?

 

[DesertJK]

I have been thinking about converting a cargo trailer. I have a single axle cargomate 6x16 foot. I haul motorcycles in it. It's been used by my employees for 5 years and is a bit worn. The single axle also sucks on washboard and in the snow. My jeep tows it just fine with 1600 pounds of bikes in the 1300 pound trailer, plus fuel cans, leathers, helmets, tools, and camping gear.
The reason these VRV trailer appeal to me is that they have the tilt out, that way I can have a comfortable bed and leave the bikes inside. I also like the idea of the inside/outside shower. I have done some enduros where I need to shower before going in the camper, and I sometimes need to mix business travel with pleasure travel, so being able to take a shower anywhere is a plus.
These are expensive, but I need to use it over the next few months a lot, and I have no time to acquire the parts to convert mine. I also think I would spend nearly as much, and still not have an all aluminum trailer.
I really wish a Casita, or Oliver had a big back door, seems like that would be a better conversion than a cargo trailer.

 

[alosix]

You already have a 6x16 enclosed trailer then right? So you'd only need to add the bed and the shower?

I'm currently waiting on a few quotes from CampingWorld to see what one of those fold out bed assemblies will cost me for one of my builds. The guy there seemed to believe that there were several manufacturers that would sell them separate.

From there you can just keep adding to your trailer to get it the way you want.


I'll post up when I have some more details of these beds.

Jason

 

[Aggie]

please do! I would be very interested in how all this comes along!

 

[elmo_4_vt]

Me too, I always thought that would be a nice way to make a trailer more convenient.

-

 

[RR1]

Those that you linked are nice.

There is also Work & Play trailers.

http://www.forestriverinc.com/nd/default22.asp?nav=rec&page=worknp&choice=brochure


Tandems tow and haul much better, worth the extra cost.

 

[john101477]

http://www.blazinbelltech.com/furniture.html
here is what my dad used for his Haulmark. it worked really well for him and my mom. Not sure what to say about a shower plus you need it pronto is seems so the build process might not be to your liking. my only thoughts were you already own the cargo you have and no matter how you slice it the build would be far cheaper. If you do decide to buy instead of build just make sure the weight will be ok. your rig was not really designed to pull like this so...

 

[RR1]

I have seen a simple 7X12 enclosed where the guy made recessed trays in the floor at the rear of the trailer, so the front wheel of the bikes were secured in the trays. Then had a his bed lower from the ceiling over the bikes. Built his kitchen and storage at the front of the trailer. It was fairly slick and cheap to build.

For a shower you could get a shower privy and get one of those Zodi's. Or fashion your own. I just heat my water on the camp stove and throw a 12V water pump in the container, put a garden hose "shower head" on the end of the hose. Super cheap to do. Nothing like a hot shower after a long day of riding dirt bikes.

 

[DesertJK]

My Cargo Mate is hammered from being towed at 60 down washboard, and backed into crap by employees. Plus is belongs to my business, which is a corporation, and is liquidating. I probably can't keep it, and I am better off with a trailer I don't own right now.

Whats driving me nuts is that I can build a better trailer than what I have seen for sale, but have had no time in the last 2 years, and now I need to use it. I got a quote of 12K for the 6x16 VRV. They say they can only do the shower out sie on the 6 footer though. I don't want the 17 footer, but need an inside shower. Dirt events are of with the outside shower, but road racing is a bit urban for that, especially for my wife.

 

[RR1]

. I got a quote of 12K for the 6x16 VRV. They say they can only do the shower out sie on the 6 footer though. I don't want the 17 footer, but need an inside shower. Dirt events are of with the outside shower, but road racing is a bit urban for that, especially for my wife.

Are you meaning you don't want the 7 foot wide or the 17 foot long?

It is only a foot either way, if you have to have a inside shower. Wouldn't think it would be that big of deal. I would be more worried about that Jeep pulling that size of a trailer. Buddy of mine has your model Jeep, and pulls a 16' pop-up, that thing is squirrelly even with the trailer being somewhat "aero". A little scary following him.

I would get a 3/4 or 1 ton truck to pull it. By the time you load bikes, fuel, water, supplies. The trailer weight is going to be very close or perhaps over what the Jeep can pull which is 3500 lbs for an Unlimited. The trailer is at 2000 lbs give or take, I don't trust manufactures weight figures they usually lie a bit. Then your bikes alone are going to be 800 lbs. Going to be a little dangerous towing that trailer with a Jeep Unlimited. I always like to tow at 1/2 or 3/4 of the vehicle's max capacity, for safety and the tow vehicle won't take a lot of abuse.

 

[DesertJK]

So, I am about to do it.

I have been talking to VRV and have decided to do it. Like I was saying before, we really love the Jeep JK unlimited we have and only want to own one 4 wheeled vehicle for a while. I was planning on building but owning a motorcycle shop is time consuming, I build stuff all the time for others in exchange for money, now that we are closing, I have no time left.

I will however modify this trailer as time goes on. I have been checking out some of the tandem axle systems available from Australia and can change from the Dexter torsion system later, if I need to. After the Hemi is in the JK, I will move the fenders up a bit and install some larger and tougher tires. I can add some better protection for the box, and there are no hoses or cable under this anyways. I also want to install a larger tire on the tongue jack and use my rear winch to move the trailer out of tight situations if needed.
It may take some time, but eventually I will have this trailer set up to fit it's multiple missions. Here are a few things I need to use it for:

Hauling expensive motorcycles in urban areas while keeping them clean and out of site.

Sleeping at road racing tracks, off the ground, and with A/C.

Sleeping at motorcycle off road events, at staging areas or camp grounds with heat, and off of the dusty rocky ground.

Using it as a base camp when working in the field (helicopter maintenance) in remote locations. I need a secure place for me and my stuff for 2 to 3 months at a time. This may also require towing it down a hundred miles of wash board roads.

Exploring Baja, Alaska, and anywhere else my post motorcycle shop owner life takes me, and I always take at least one bike.

A lot of our trips will be Me, my wife, our two dogs, and two light weight bikes (my Husqvarna 450 is 240 pounds, my wifes 310 is 225) We like to find our own spots to camp. This usually requires gravel roads, followed be some narrow two track. I don't plan to rock crawl with it, but if there is a small to medium obstacle, I will usually go over it.

I will start a build and use thread when I get it. It will take them 4 weeks to build it for me if I send the deposit today.

To the guy who said following his buddies tent trailer behind the Jeep was scary: What Jeep does he have? I tow a 16 foot cargo trailer all the time. Once from Bend Oregon to Redding CA (over Shasta) with 1350 of trailer 550 of Moto Guzzi, 420 of Ducati 848, and 600 of BMW GS. Plus some gear at probably 100 so thats 3020 pounds. I felt it was stable except for steep down hill corners (no trailer brakes) and the lack of engine power meant revving the crap out of it up hills to keep it above the speed limit.

I am planning of OME extra heavy rear springs and heavy fronts, fox remote reservoir shocks, and rear air helper springs. I am also staying with close to stock sized tires (the rubi came with 32's, I will replace with very slightly larger ones) and we are already shopping for a Hemi to use with the new AEV 6 speed kit. I will do fine towing this, and it will be a compact and light setup for what it is.

Opinions? Advice? Anyone in Arkansas want to stop by VRV and check out the factory for me?
My only hesitation is that I am picky about how things are built. I will go and pick the trailer up in person, but can't go down there before hand and chack it out. I am only going by what the owner/designer at VRV tell me and send pictures of.

David
Bend Oregon (but not for long)