Hiker / Lead Dog Trailer Owners Post Up

[danasince1979]

They actually have 3 different tiers, standard, mid-range, and offroad. I'd definitely recommend at least the mid range if you're leaving pavement at all. I had a mid range before this one. I actually drug that into quite a few places. Forest roads were no problem. On some of the slightly more technical two-tracks, the leaf springs and ball hitch made for slow going. The major differences between them are probably the lack of shocks on the standard/medium duty, lighter axle on the standard, and the offroad has a beefier frame with a receiver in the tongue for a multi-axis coupler. If your inclined enough, the shocks and coupler could probably be added after the fact. Also, the offroad comes standard with front tool box, roof racks, steel fenders, I believe they will add the coupler and stronger axle to any model for an upgrade charge. You can get steel fenders added to the lower models which is nice to use for a table and for standing on to reach the roof rack. Oh, and weight. Not sure what you're towing with and can't tell you the difference off the top of my head but the offroad weighs a bit more. Still, it's barely noticeable pulling behind my Jeep.

 

[Air the Flatlander]

As for a walk around video...there is a clip on youtube somewhere if you search it

 

[danasince1979]

Yup, there's this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Abpwwa8mMA

and this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYCUZkc9yBY

Ours is a 5x9 with screen doors, full electric w/solar, fantastic fan w/light ring, custom lights in and out, in floor storage, folding shelf in front, latching cabinet doors, swing out spare tire carrier w/extra 2" receiver on the swing out for bike rack, and a 20 gallon water tank (I still need to plumb and install pump + heater/shower box). A lot of those options are hard to track down visuals for on the webs so I took a ton of photos last night. I'll try and get those uploaded and take some video some time this week.

 

[Fireman78]

Do people with Jeeps have issues towing these?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[danasince1979]

Not me, but my Jeep has a 5.7l V8 w/a factory tow package (HD engine/tranny cooling). Even then, these trailers are maybe 2500 lbs fully loaded. I've pulled it w/my wife's Cherokee Trailhawk which has a v6 and I think is rated to 4500lbs. Definitely doesn't hold interstate speeds over hills in that car but does just fine.

 

[Capercrew02]

My wj doesn't even know the trailer is behind me until I get to a steep steep grade, then I will slow down to 55 just to take it easy on the engine since she's 18 years old. My fuel Milage is the same with and without the trailer though.

 

[Air the Flatlander]

We tow ours we with TJ. Straight 6 on 35s. Not really ideal for towimg with a short wheelbase and a dog of a motor but she pulls it just fine. Ours is an auto, so i beefed up the trans cooler set up big time to keep temps as low as possible, also put in a larger radiator and upgraded the mechanical fan to help keep the engine cool.

I opted for the electric brakes....and would highly recommend it. Especially in the rain. Makes stopping effortless. P2 brake controller is easy enough to tuck away in the cab as well

 

[Enfield]

They actually have 3 different tiers, standard, mid-range, and offroad. I'd definitely recommend at least the mid range if you're leaving pavement at all. I had a mid range before this one. I actually drug that into quite a few places. Forest roads were no problem. On some of the slightly more technical two-tracks, the leaf springs and ball hitch made for slow going. The major differences between them are probably the lack of shocks on the standard/medium duty, lighter axle on the standard, and the offroad has a beefier frame with a receiver in the tongue for a multi-axis coupler. If your inclined enough, the shocks and coupler could probably be added after the fact. Also, the offroad comes standard with front tool box, roof racks, steel fenders, I believe they will add the coupler and stronger axle to any model for an upgrade charge. You can get steel fenders added to the lower models which is nice to use for a table and for standing on to reach the roof rack. Oh, and weight. Not sure what you're towing with and can't tell you the difference off the top of my head but the offroad weighs a bit more. Still, it's barely noticeable pulling behind my Jeep.

Thanks for the info. My tow rig is a 100 series, so it shouldn't be much of an issue.

 

[danasince1979]

We tow ours we with TJ. Straight 6 on 35s. Not really ideal for towimg with a short wheelbase and a dog of a motor but she pulls it just fine. Ours is an auto, so i beefed up the trans cooler set up big time to keep temps as low as possible, also put in a larger radiator and upgraded the mechanical fan to help keep the engine cool.

I opted for the electric brakes....and would highly recommend it. Especially in the rain. Makes stopping effortless. P2 brake controller is easy enough to tuck away in the cab as well

Electric brakes on ours as well. Makes a huge difference. Went with the P3 which is probably overkill but it works great.

 

[Terex]

Do people with Jeeps have issues towing these?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Look at tow rating, tongue weight, trailer frontal area, etc. for your specific Jeep on the Jeep web site. The two door Wranglers have issues towing much of anything due to wheel base and JKU's don't have the power. Then throw in any suspension modifications you may have made to your Jeep plus expected gradient and altitude you'll be towing. Most people who want to tow things with their Wrangler won't be happy with the results. We bought a JGC Overland Diesel to tow our offload trailer and may eventually get a Chevy Colorado ZR2 Diesel or Wrangler JKU diesel for better off-road capability.

 

[FloatingAum]

danasince1979 do you perhaps a bunch of those photos of your trailer? I'm about to pull the trigger on a 5x9 off-road deluxe and would like some more detail shown on the rear and inside cabinets.

 

[Capercrew02]

Floating, the cabinets and rear are the same on all delux, mediums, and off-road. If you search hiker trailer and leaddog motorsports on Facebook you'll see a bunch of pictures of the galleys and cabinets. The 5x8 and 5x9's have a gap between the outside of the door housing and the outside of the trailer, the 4x has the door almost to the edge.

 

[danasince1979]

Yeah just finished pulling them off the camera. Give me just a bit to upload...

 

[danasince1979]

Started a thread for our trailer with details and photos here:

http://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/170209-Hiker-Trailer-5x9-Off-Road-Build

 

[Kmrtnsn]

Very nice!