Do's and Don'ts Towing Off Road

[kb7our]

Hello all. I've been lurking here for weeks reading and researching trailers and now have an AT Horizon on order (after starting out with a Chaser order) which is anticipated to be completed the end of Sep - give or take. I've already learned a ton about the hobby - something I just started dabbling with after acquiring a jeep a few months ago. Unless I missed it, I have not found much reading material about "do's and don'ts" of towing an off road trailer so as not to get into trouble tipping over, etc. I've pulled a few camping trailers but only on the highway and as I get prepped for my new AT I would enjoy reading your hints and tips to stay out of trouble. Thanks and happy to be aboard.

 

[Halboo]

Mucho Cuidado

Please read this.
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=26162

 

[Nuclear Redneck]

1. Slow down! Seriously, take your time.
2. Remember that you have an extra set of wheels behind you. Wait for the trailer to clear the obstacle.
3. Leave your testosterone at home. If you have doubts about your ability to make an obstacle, then don't try yet until you are more familiar with your rig and its limitations.
4. Make sure you have adequate tongue weight. About 60% of your trailer's weight should be forward of the axle.
5. Your trailer will pull harder in soft sand or mud than it does on the highway. I'd halve your tow vehicle's towing capacity for off road work.

Hope this helps,

 

[spressomon]

Don't be afraid to air down the trailer tires in rocky terrain...just like the pull rig!

 

[7wt]

Don't let the trailer pass you.

 

[Tucson T4R]

Don't let the trailer pass you.

Now that is a tip worth remembering!:REOutArchery02:

I agree with the other suggestions above. Slow down and relax. Be aware the trailer will track inside your tow rigs's tracks when turning and plan ahead for where your trailer will be tracking.

If you have the luxury of electric trailer brakes they really add a lot of control and safety. If needed when offroading you can manualy activate the trailer brakes without steping on your truck's brakes. I found that to be helpful when towing in slipery conditions, going down hill.

If you do look out see your trailer passing you. Get out and run away!

 

[Whoknows]

Hey, glad to see you made it on the forum. I agree with the above (airing down the trailer is something I'd like to hear more about -- not sure how that would help -- but I bet others can explain). Being a newbie myself, I'd say it is really about experience. Take it offroad often in easy conditions and/or in limited challenges. I gained a ton of experience this summer and now have a much better feel for how to wheel with the trailer. Enjoy!

 

[Andrew Walcker]

1. Slow down! Seriously, take your time.
2. Remember that you have an extra set of wheels behind you. Wait for the trailer to clear the obstacle.
3. Leave your testosterone at home. If you have doubts about your ability to make an obstacle, then don't try yet until you are more familiar with your rig and its limitations.
4. Make sure you have adequate tongue weight. About 60% of your trailer's weight should be forward of the axle.
5. Your trailer will pull harder in soft sand or mud than it does on the highway. I'd halve your tow vehicle's towing capacity for off road work.

Hope this helps,

X2 :iagree:

Welcome Aboard! :beer:

Congratulations on your AT Horizon decision. IMHO, you have purchased one of the finest off road trailers to ever touch dirt (I have a AT Horizon also so am a bit biased)!

In addition to the advice already put forth, I will give you my opinion as I have followed both Horizons and Chasers for many miles off road. I am assuming that you will be using the Lock N' Roll hitch and the Silent Hitch Pins. These items along with the air-bag suspension will give you NO indication that you are towing! This system is absolutley seemless in the fact that there are none of the typical noises or jolts/bumps that are associated with towing a trailer. Most people use these noises and vibrations to gauge the limitations of a trailer. Without these reminders most people seem to speed up as they are not receiving the usual feedback they are used to getting indicating that the trailer is nearing its limit. I know Martyn will probably jump in at any moment and further explain why we all want to mash on the skinny pedal with our trailer in tow

 

[Martyn]

I know Martyn will probably jump in at any moment and further explain why we all want to mash on the skinny pedal with our trailer in tow

Andrew I think you guys are doing just fine, why drag me into this ???

Andrew and I have had this discussion many times, and we both believe the reason for most AT problems is that drivers forgetting they are towing a trailer. So remember you now have 3 axles.

As far as tracking goes the AT tracks very close to the vehicles path, it has a lot to do with the distance from the coupler to the axle, but Mario does all that engineering and calculus stuff, I just sell the things

Mario has really perfected the Off Road Trailer Technique, (ORTT, got to love those acronyms!) he is the master of the manual brake controller. I heard that Margaritas will loosen his tongue.

 

[Andrew Walcker]

Andrew I think you guys are doing just fine, why drag me into this ???

Like we could have a discussion on this forum about trailers without your input! :shakin:

 

[Martyn]

Like we could have a discussion on this forum about trailers without your input! :shakin:

Yeah I know.

As they say free advise is worth what you pay for it, and opinions are like ************** and elbows, everyone's got one.

Cheers.

 

[slosurfer]

I too, have a question about airing down the trailer tires. I don't see where it will help in the rocks, seems like it would just create more rolling resistance. In the sand, my trailer seemed to pull easier when it wasn't aired down, I could see that in some deep mud, airing them down may help float it a little bit more. The one place I have seen it help mine is on washboard roads aired down just a little bit. Anyways, I have seen others say to air down and I would like to be schooled on why.

Oh, and to the OP, make sure you take it out for some test runs, load it down with something to about the weight that it would be when you use it. Test it on dirt roads, trails, street, etc... Better to learn close to home.

 

[Casper]

I would agree with everyone else. Take your time and practice. The two things I suggest would be to go to your local OHV park and start with little opsticles and work your way up. Second, and this may sound dumb but practice backing up. Try long distances, corners and anything you can think of. If you have friends like mine then you will end up on a wrong trail with no easy way to turn around. I have even backed down a switch-back trail for what I swear was 1/2 mile (my friends say it was only a few hundred yard, I still don't agree.)
As for airing down, well I have tried it both ways. I have to say I find it easier at almost full pressure. The trailer seems to roll over bigger rocks better. That being said I have only been towing off-road for two summer seasons, so I may not have had it in all conditions. I hope this helps.

Congrats on your purchase. I know you will love it.

Casper
:smiley_drive:

 

[Martyn]

I too, have a question about airing down the trailer tires. I don't see where it will help in the rocks, seems like it would just create more rolling resistance. In the sand, my trailer seemed to pull easier when it wasn't aired down, I could see that in some deep mud, airing them down may help float it a little bit more. The one place I have seen it help mine is on washboard roads aired down just a little bit. Anyways, I have seen others say to air down and I would like to be schooled on why.

Oh, and to the OP, make sure you take it out for some test runs, load it down with something to about the weight that it would be when you use it. Test it on dirt roads, trails, street, etc... Better to learn close to home.

Chris

There seems to be some definite answers to trailer tire inflation;

Don't air down in snow
Don't air down in sand, unless the trailer bogs down, which they usually don't
Air down in deep mud


There are also some indefinites that seem to be preferences.

air down on corrugations
air down on rocks
air down off road

I think it would depend a lot on what pressure you are running your tires on a regular basis and what you consider airing down. If your running the tires at 28 lbs on road would you consider it airing down if you reduced it to 20 lbs for off road?? Or would it need to be less, say 15 lbs??

Suspension also plays a big part. I think you have a military trailer, so airing down off road on your trailer would probably have much more effect on smoothing out the ride than on a double leaf parabolic spring with Teflon friction pads. With AT's airbag suspension there is a much bigger cushion effect with the air bag so airing down the tires would have less effect, unless your air bags were over inflated. Having said that "Spressomon" believes in airing down on his Horizon ??

Dare these variables!

 

[spressomon]

Having said that "Spressomon" believes in airing down on his Horizon ?? Dare these variables!

You betcha! Of course "rocks" is a fairly ambiguous term...but on more aggressive rocky trails it seems to calm the Horizon quite a bit. Where I would air my LC down to say 18-20lbs. the Horizon likes it about the same or a little less. Mind you I am talking about fairly rugged trails...NOT gravel/washboard type surfaces...I'm still learning this stuff ;-)