Length for a Storage / Camper / Off Road Trailer

[fzmax]

Hello everyone, I'm new here and found this site while looking at trailer designs. There is a ton of good info here!

I'm in the process of building a trailer to pull behind my TJ. We often take the Jeep on road trips and as a family of four, lockable storage space is at a premium. The trailer's primary function will be to hold gear and parts, but I'll also use it a platform for a tent.

Since there is no wheeling close by there will be provisions to lock the doors and top to it so we can leave it at the trail head. However, I'm sure there will be times when we will have to drag it along with us. I have no experience taking a trailer off road (we typical run Blues and Blacks), but I'm thinking a long enough tongue that would allow the trailer to turn 90 degrees to the body would be helpful, but not totally necessary. What do you guys think of that? I've seen quite a few different approaches, but no real standard.

 

[Titanpat57]

Well..you touched on a subject as big as well, let's say the whole outdoors.

As always..the basics.

What's your skill level? Do you weld? Can you measure? Do you have lots of tools?

What's your budget? Sky the limit? Buy something that requires minimal work?...or go for a fresh start. Open or closed? Do you have an exact list of wants and haves? Do you want to be able to boondock for two days or two weeks?

By the look of your Rig (very nice BTW) you have more than basic skill...so then it's just a case of coming up with a size and a design with all the whistles and bells you need and want....sounds like your close. The longer the trailer, probably the more complex to get through tight spots...upside of that is more room for gear, so probably more comfortable...lol

Plan for the future with your design, considering your current tow capacity. I've never towed real off road so I couldn't comment. I do like your idea as a basecamp though..I think that's a great concept wether hiking or wheeling.

Living in the NE also, we miss out on that "Big Country" the guys out West get to use, running days on trails and never seeing anyone...just doesn't happen anymore around here, or the all the good stuff is scapped up by some treehugger outfit that hates wheelers(and sometimes I can't blame them).

In my case my build was one of laziness..got sick of hunting for all the gear, loading and unloading it. Now it's all in one spot all the time...load the cooler, pack some clothes and in 20 mins. I'm friggin gone Jack! (Oh yea,,,stop for Yuengling)

I wish you luck you your build..there's no better place to look for your answers then right here.

Pat

 

[fzmax]

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I have the tools, materials, some skills and all the money my wife lets me have. What I'm building will look like the back half od a Jeep, but kicking around the idea of building an alternate deck so I can unbolt the Jeep tub and use it as a regular utility trailer to haul motorcycles, crap to the dump and more back home from Home Depot.

As far as the tongue design goes I'm leaning towards a hybrid of sorts. The Jeep is a little over 60 inches wide, a straight narrow tongue ~32 inches long would allow for more than 90 degrees of jack knife before the trailer contacts the body. But a narrow triangular one that doesn't reach all the way up will still allow a lot of angle without sacrificing much strength. Also as pointed out to me in an email, a long trailer will be easier to back up.

I'll post up my progress, so far I've done little but gather the materials and cut the front off the tub.