IM1RU's VMI Trailer (now with Trimbren 3500HD suspension)

[IM1RU]

So after lugging it around just put miles on it (a couple hundred), so I could then re-check all the hardware torque specs. I'm glad to say everything is absolutely awesome! The feeling of the tail wagging the dog is almost completely gone (I am towing after all, it's always there a little), soooooo much better. The trailer rides straight and smooth.

Went out and camped for a couple of days, It was hot, and the solar kept up with electrical needs, the trailer is back to being its totally **************' self, and then some.

 

[Terex]

Correct, the base model roof pivots from the hinges on the rear of the trailer. The full roof lift is a spendy option. Nothing against those who have it done that way, but I honestly don't see the need or use, not in the Canyon size anyway. The only useful place to stand is right in front of the door anyway. In my opinion the $$ are better spent on other options.... like solar.

We have the full roof lift and it gives us 1) More clearance under the exterior pull-out canvas roof (ours is attached to the roof edge, is L-shped and goes around door side of trailer and galley on rear), 2) more cross ventilation with screen openings in sidewalls of canvas between the trailer sides and top and 3) temporary storage area over the galley in the rear.

 

[Hillbilly Heaven]

Nice job on the suspension upgrade.

I should have never have opened this thread and the VMI site with the wife sitting beside me. She now has me looking into the Compass. We need the creature comforts inside, yet still be outside enjoying life. I have been limiting myself to 16 feet single axle. It has been a difficult search finding the trailer that has what we need inside. The Compass seems to be able to cover all our needs. It appears there will be long discussions about can this be changed and can this be done. First thing she wants is the full roof lift. This place never ceases to cost me money.

Love how you have outfitted yours. One exception I have is I prefer my jerry cans to slide out rather than lift up. It makes it easier on the old body when necessary.

 

[IM1RU]

You gotta pay to play. And yes, every forum I've been a part of has cost me many $$.

 

[Redman333]

Hey I came along this thread when researching teardrop trailers. I really like your setup. How does the trailer handle light rock crawling and off-road situations. Can it pretty much go where the exterra can go? I've got a 100 series land cruiser so I'd imagine I can go through most of what an exterra can since they are close in size.

 

[IM1RU]

Within reason yes it can go wherever the X can pull it. The Timbren set up makes it much more so. I haven't really done too much serious crawling with it, but then again, I'm not really sure why you'd want to pull a trailer through many of the trails I frequent. I'm hoping to take it on the White Rim in Moab. I'd use it more in the Overlanding category than Crawling category.

 

[Redman333]

Within reason yes it can go wherever the X can pull it. The Timbren set up makes it much more so. I haven't really done too much serious crawling with it, but then again, I'm not really sure why you'd want to pull a trailer through many of the trails I frequent. I'm hoping to take it on the White Rim in Moab. I'd use it more in the Overlanding category than Crawling category.

Honestly I'd prefer not to pull the trailer on every trail. The way we camp though is about 50% of the time we will setup a base camp and in that situation the trailer won't be on the trails. The other half we have a route set and run anywhere from 3-10 days and never stay at the same camp twice. On these situations we don't always know what the trail will look like until we get to it and this is when I'd need my trailer to be able to follow the rig.

I'd definitely be using this as an overland trailer though but think more Xoverland type then just camping in a known area.


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[Redman333]

.

When I see this pic with your truck it doesn't seem much bigger overall then some of the teardrops I've looked at and even my buddies M416 type trailer with a raised rack and RTT on it.

My thoughts are to get the biggest trailer I can manage now rather then get the smaller one and wish I had gone bigger. Although I'm not sure that's the best train of though for what I'm needing the trailer to do. I may just stick with a teardrop style.


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[IM1RU]

This is (footprint wise) the same as a 5 x 10 tear drop (it is a bit heavier though). Total length tongue to tail is 15', 72" track width, and a 10' long box..... but with the top raised I can stand inside. It's just a bit taller while towing is all.

I've got more storage than I need. With the galley outside (which they don't do anymore) is just like cooking in a smaller version of my home kitchen.

 

[fireball]

Surprised they don't do the outdoor kitchen any longer? That's one of my complaints with the four wheel campers that they devote so much interior space to cooking which we would never use.

 

[IM1RU]

From their web site:

"The standard unit has the galley out back much like the traditional teardrop trailer. Due to popular demand, we are introducing an optional layout for the Canyon that moves the galley from the back and puts it inside (fridge and countertop) and outside with an exterior grilling cabinet on the passenger side. This layout makes the trailer more useable in different climates and seasons. Also with the exterior galley on the passenger side as opposed to the rear, the outside covered area (with optional awning) is much larger, and more friendly if you plan to visit established campgrounds."

It appears it is still an option for Galley to be outside... (My personal preference )

 

[jingram]

I just stumbled across this thread. What a fantastic trailer. I literally have the same year and color pro-4x xterra. I've been looking at a few options up here in the rainy NW and this seems like a great fit and certainly better than a TD. Out of curiosity, since I didn't see it asked, what is the standing room in the interior with the top raised? I noticed that originally you had shipped them Nissan wheels which is what I would end up doing. It seems like nobody has that as a standard bolt pattern option. Did you run spacers? I noticed that when you switched over to the Timbren axle, you switched rims. Is this because of bolt pattern issues with the Timbren hubs?

Again, awesome trailer. Would buy it off you tomorrow!

 

[IM1RU]

Standing room as listed on their site, (since I haven't measured) is 6'3" or 6'4" at the end of the bed when the top is raised. I did ship them wheels, and they reluctantly put on adapters (which I doubt they'll do again), but that is what we all believe caused the axle to bend under heavy off road use. Oddly it's the Nissan 6 on 4.5" bolt pattern that is not standard, 6 on 5.5" is. After speaking with the Timbren engineers I decided it was time to switch rims. So I no longer have matching wheels from tow rig to trailer, but a couple adapters can get me out of a sticky situation, and I just have to have them in the rig. To answer your last question, it's not an issue with Timbren (as they use Dexter hubs) it is an issue with the stupid 6 on 4.5" pattern that Nissan used on our Xterra's.

Thank for the offer, but it's not for sale, sadly you'll have to get in line and wait.

It's a truly awesome trailer, and we love it.... a lot.

 

[jingram]

Standing room as listed on their site, (since I haven't measured) is 6'3" or 6'4" at the end of the bed when the top is raised. I did ship them wheels, and they reluctantly put on adapters (which I doubt they'll do again), but that is what we all believe caused the axle to bend under heavy off road use. Oddly it's the Nissan 6 on 4.5" bolt pattern that is not standard, 6 on 5.5" is. After speaking with the Timbren engineers I decided it was time to switch rims. So I no longer have matching wheels from tow rig to trailer, but a couple adapters can get me out of a sticky situation, and I just have to have them in the rig. To answer your last question, it's not an issue with Timbren (as they use Dexter hubs) it is an issue with the stupid 6 on 4.5" pattern that Nissan used on our Xterra's.

Thank for the offer, but it's not for sale, sadly you'll have to get in line and wait.

It's a truly awesome trailer, and we love it.... a lot.

I should have clarified. When I said standard, I was referring to it being the defacto bolt pattern used by Nissan for these vehicles.

You're totally right that it isn't a standard, more widely used bolt pattern and it is a major pain in the ***. What I wouldn't give for a 6 x 5.5!

How well does the X do with it both on and off-road? We would primarily use it as a base camp, but do take some pretty rutted tracks into the bottom of the John Day and miles of rough washboard in SE Oregon. Does the 4.0 liter feel the weight much at all? What did you do about the floppy rear suspension on the X? I'm running Timbrens now, but know that I'll have to go to OME or something if I am going to go down this road.

 

[grogie]

Like a log cabin inside! Nicely done!