Custom Trailer to haul "Toad" vehicle (vs flat-tow)

[IdaSHO]

I'm considering a purpose built trailer to haul our Tracker TOAD vehicle, and would like to hear some thoughts.
All in, the tracker will be around 3500#. I figure I could build a trailer to do it for under 1500lbs
So total tow weight would still be 5k or less, with 4-500lbs of tongue weight for a single axle, less for a tandom.

an example, this one being a single axle dual. Id be more than fine with a traditional single axle, and torsion hubs to keep things low.

At first glance, the benefits vs flat tow...

Easy to tow, easy to back up, proper trailer brakes, utility options, reduces wear/tear on TOAD, and even provide options for rock/gravel screen to protect TOAD.
Could also fit it with wheels/tires that match tow vehicle.

Drawbacks....

Additional weight, additional tongue weight, and still have a trailer to contend with even with tracker unloaded....
so complications if/when tight turns/turn arounds needed both loaded and unloaded.


Thoughts?

 

[Buddha.]

I’ve seen a few late model cars equipped for flat towing. It’s not an easy process. I think it’s probably 8-12 hrs. Some of the parts installed are quite expensive too.

No experience flat towing but a friend shared an experience showing up to a campsite with a dead battery in the toad, and you can’t really back those up attached to the tow vehicle so it was a bit of a roadblock for a minute.

 

[NatersXJ6]

Lots of pros and lots of cons come to mind.

Is the trailer for any sort of rough / off rod use?

Does the tracker break down frequently and need a ride?

It seems like the best bet would be something in the super-light skeletonized and specific only to getting the tracker off the ground department.

BTW, 1500 lbs sounds crazy heavy. My 7x16 dovetail car hauler was only about 1300 with a wood deck and it did many trips cross country hauling all manner of trucks and cars over about a 16 year life before I cut it up and made workbenches out of the steel.

It would be an interesting challenge to design a tow frame or fitting that could get the tracker off the ground and still be collapsible so you don’t have to leave the trailer somewhere when you drive both.

 

[IdaSHO]

The 1500lbs estimate is a very conservative estimate including a tow rig matched set of wheels/tires.

 

[DirtWhiskey]

That lil Tracker sunuvagun is almost purpose built for a TOAD! Yes the systems (especially braking and no reverse) is a huge PIA but 10s of thousands of ppl do it. And the reverse issue can be addressed by unhooking and driving the TOAD out of the problem, but still a PIA. For every downside a flat tow has, the trailer has its own. Primarily clearance, a trailer has a very long overhangs for departure and approach, so it depends on your approaches to where you're going. Where I go mostly on the Colorado Plateau, Rockies and Great Basin, the approaches always have ruts, washouts etc that trailers don't like. So YMMV. Considering a tracker like yours for that very purpose!

 

[IdaSHO]

These Trackers are a hoot. Im excited to get this thing overhauled and back on the road.
The body will be coming off the chassis for a complete overhaul in the next couple of weeks,
Im hoping to have it back together to DD it in the spring

Considering the crazy short wheelbase of the Tracker, overhang clearances are not among my list of concerns.
Wheelbase is under 8' and overall length bumper to tire carrier is right about 12'

Trailer wouldnt have to be much...

This seems fairly ideal. Though I would go with a proper axle with brakes, and likely a small fold up beavertail or integrated ramps for loading.
And as much as I like the grating, for being towed full time behind the truck/camper, I feel a solid deck would keep the underside of the TOAD considerably cleaner,
especially off the pavement and during winter/foul weather travel.

 

[IdaSHO]

And a tandem axle example. This would reduce overhangs further... and would reduce the amount of tongue weight on the truck (if axle was shifted forward some)

 

[mog]

It seems that any of the smaller/folding side-by-side trailers would be a great inspiration to build a slightly heavier-duty trailer for your Tracker, with matching wheels/tires.
The matching wheels are a good idea. I did that with my RZR trailer and my Gladiator, so besides good looks, only a need to carry the existing truck spare without the need for a dedicated trailer spar tire. Folding (like below) does not add a huge amount to the build, and certainly makes it much easier to store (vertical), and without the Tracker and folded, easier to maneuver in tight spaces. If you are really talented you could incorporate the 'folding' into becoming a drop ramp for loading.

 

[driveby]

Trailer pros, no wear on the TOAD, more choices (doesn’t have to be street legal, 4 down towable etc), you can back up. Cons, you have to park the trailer and the TOAD at sites and at home. Maybe more license fees (Toad and trailer), longer time to pack up.

4down is ~5 minutes to set up to leave, loading a trailer is at least 10, prob more like 20 minutes by the time you strap the vehicle wheels, and attach the trailer to the truck.

Both are solid choices for the right reasons. We have a TJ that we 4down for years behind our Motorhome. Super simple to set up and go.

 

[IdaSHO]

Digging into SXS and UTV trailer designs now...
At first glance it looks like most all are limited to 2000lb payloads.
But the designs will help.

These new ones are curious

 

[NatersXJ6]

Do you know the wheelbase, outside tire width, and front / rear weight distribution of the tracker?

I was thinking along the lines of that top SxS pic you posted, but having the full length ramp is waste, all you really need is the spine and something to lift the wheel.

 

[IdaSHO]

Wheelbase is roughly 90"
Tire width is roughly 65"

No idea on weight dist front to rear. But it is stubby.... if I had to guess its probably about 60F/40R
Would have to play with trailer axle placement for sure to get things correct.
With the soft top, Id also have to drive it on front forward.

 

[tacollie]

Metcalf built a cool one.

Post in thread 'Project: Blanco, The 2007 F350 Standard Cab Adventure Truck' https://expeditionportal.com/forum/...ndard-cab-adventure-truck.211883/post-3037429

 

[ITTOG]

I would build a trailer if the plan is you will tow over a lot of distance. I can't decide if I would go single axle or tandem. Again, if the distanced traveled is long then I would go tandem. It helps a lot with tire blowout safety on highways and maybe even more when off-road and towing over rough trails. In fact, all my trailers have been tandem.

 

[NatersXJ6]

Here’s a thought:

What if instead of a trailer you made a quick-release bracket to mount a wheel and airbag suspension to the midpoint of each side of the tracker frame? Then you could use a relatively simple tow bar that “lifts” the tracker off of its wheels, basically turning it into a single axle independent suspension trailer with light enough parts to carry on/with your truck or itself?

7 million details (give or take) to work out, but I bet it could be done.

Put it in production and you could become a hundredaire in a few short decades!