I need a smaller 8' trailer to replace my 24' featherlite sadly. 96" wide please?

[rebar]

I need a smaller 8' trailer to replace my 24' featherlite sadly. 96" wide please?

Iv learned over the last few years there are so many beautiful boondock sites I can't get to due to the ground clearance and turn around space issues of a 24' TH in Colorado.. Sadly the 4" lift I gave my featherlite did little to make it boondock worthy, as the quality and construction methods of this featherlite surv TH would have lasted a lifetime.

I'm in the process of converting a 1995 E350 van to 4x4 on 32" tires. When that's complete, I want to match it with a trailer which can be pulled wherever the 4x4 van can go and not limit my travels. So I'm guessing nothing longer than 8'?

Which brings me to my second question..

Who makes a cargo trailer that is as wide as the wheels? Meaning the wheels dont stick outside like all the 7' wide shorter trailers Iv found?

Thanks!

 

[njtacoma]

In my brief search it seems you can only get the 96" width in tandem axle trailers. I wonder if the manufacturers are concerned about overloading a trailer that wide if it only has a single axle (wild speculation).

I've seen plenty of tandem axle trailers, but not a single axle, or not that short (8').

I was thinking Livin Lite might have something, but can't get their site to come up.

 

[rebar]

Yeah sorry 96" would be crazy wide at the same length! Must have been thinking 69.. yeah..

I guess what I'm looking for is a trailer that has wheel wells on the interior, as I just didn't understand the advantage of them hanging out.

Maybe I should find another E350 and turn it into the trailer?:ylsmoke:

 

[indiedog]

Rebar, I've got a Jayco Dove currently but selling that for a few reasons. One is that it's too wide at 86" to fit into places I want to go. 96" sounds waaaaay too wide overall. The other thing is that the trailer track width is a fair bit wider than the car (KJ Liberty) and this is telling when towing through soft sand etc.

Those E350's would nearly be big enough to camp in! How many lodgers you got to accommodate?

 

[rebar]

Those E350's would nearly be big enough to camp in! How many lodgers you got to accommodate?

I'm on my own lately.. All of my trips to Colorado were solo and its hard to tell if that will change.

I think I will end up needing to build this trailer as no one builds what I'm looking for.

Simply, a small lifted cargo trailer with tip out bunks. Outfitted with a separate tent which attaches to the trailer. But I haven't decided how I'm going to bring my DRZ400 yet. Which requires tools and its own gear. My kayak would also be welcome.

Im wondering how long this Quicksilver VRV is

 

[PA Slammer]

Quicksilver makes a bunch of lengths.

I've owned a 6X15 and now have a 7X20. I really like them. I'd be a bit concerned about beating them up on the off roads though.

 

[Brain's 97 Diesel]

Elmo's New Toy Hauler Build by Elmo_4_vt shows a build using a trailer he acquired from trailershowroom.com check it out (both build & site) I don't know if that is what you are looking for.

 

[Campfire]

I've been looking for the same, and had a trailer basically drop in my lap. A co-worker called and gave me the deal, so I scrambled over and snagged it.
I have been looking for a small trailer to get out of the weather, haul stuff, bivouac, and haul the bike with. I thought I would try making into what I need, but it was way too low to start with.

Had to lift it a bit, but it hauls the KLR around and I can fit a cot inside with the bike if I have to. I can stand up, walk around, and even equipped it with a Thetford Porta-Potti.

 

[calicamper]

The jeep guys have a trailer commonly seen where the storage bins sit over the wheels and the gap forward and behind the wheel works well for fuel and water cans etc. I've seen some with really nice kitchen setups and a bracket that raises up for a awning. If you need more bunk room they put the roof top ten rig on them seems like the ideal set up really. I agree though 8ft box is about max and thats probably on the large side especially if your tow rig is long also. I really like the size of my little 4x6 which is 12ft hitch to tail lights but its far too light to be set up like these really slick off road rolling gear and kitchen wagons. With your van length I think you might even find 8ft box which is what probably 15-16ft hitch to tail lights too long.

Aluminum trailers also you need to be really aware that they are not as tolerant of the abuse the old soft steel trailers are. Livin light trailers are nice but I would probably not be big on doing really abusive off road miles with them.

 

[rebar]

Aluminum trailers also you need to be really aware that they are not as tolerant of the abuse the old soft steel trailers are. Livin light trailers are nice but I would probably not be big on doing really abusive off road miles with them.

Is that right?

I had no idea my featherlite's monocoupe construction was inferior.. But it sure is different without the main frame running under the entire thing..


Installing 4" lift

I guess Im stuck with the big thing for now. So Ill concentrate on the 4x4 conversion.

 

[calicamper]

Is that right?

I had no idea my featherlite's monocoupe construction was inferior.. But it sure is different without the main frame running under the entire thing..


Installing 4" lift

I guess Im stuck with the big thing for now. So Ill concentrate on the 4x4 conversion.

Its not about being inferior its about the nature of aluminum and the way the trailers are built. Aluminum trailers built to handle the vibration and abuse of off pavement use are not built the same way as Aluminum trailers built for typical road use. Aluminum doesn't bend it cracks so there are lots of known build steps you take when building Aluminum trailers given the expected use for the trailer. Livin lite trailers and all your typical RV rigs not built for off road use are built to be light weight lighter than the steel alternatives the results of this is that the design and expected use is primarily for pavement hauling so you get lots of design aspects that work for road use but will break and fail crack etc when they spend too much time bouncing down dirt roads. 90 degree door openings vs rounded single aluminum piece door openings for example.

It sounds like you almost need two types of trailers one for hauling into the back country and one for hauling ATV type gear to the parking lot at the trail head etc.

 

[rebar]

It sounds like you almost need two types of trailers one for hauling into the back country and one for hauling ATV type gear to the parking lot at the trail head etc.

Yeah, but I only have one trailer hitch!

 

[TwinStick]

This one can do both. XVenture https://www.google.com/search?q=xve...chuttindustries.com%2FConsumer.aspx;2000;1737

 

[rebar]

I finally sold my big 24' featherlite surv toyhauler and wasn't easy because I knew it would be hard to find anything built as well.

Reading back, I understand aluminum trailers crack instead of flexing especially pulled off road. But I want to be able to shower in my new project trailer with no enclosure (only a curtain) to save space, so I cant have a plywood floor. Really, the shower is the only thing which is stopping me from looking for a wooden floor trailer. That, and all trailers leak and its a matter of time before the floor is damaged.

Any suggestions short of a outside shower set up? Iv done that, and froze my *** off in the cold wind.

Thanks!