Light offroad Casita

toyotatruckjunkie

Adventurer
I was trying to do some measuring on mine the other night. Seems my axle is approx 64 1/2" mounting plate to mounting plate. Based largely on your reports, I'm thinking I should order 68" or so.?. Do you know what kind of backspacing there is on your wheels? I need to measure the factory wheels to insure clearence for the inside sidewall.

I'm thinking about stepping up to the 5200 lb axle in 45 degree down config. This gives me some extra capacity, a little over 5" of lift, as well as 6x5.5 lub pattern. With the jump from 25s to 31s it brings it up 8". Hoping it's not that unstable. Mine is higher center of gravity than yours (raised roof, and roof ac). Am I crazy?

I scored 4 used 31" BFG's for free. They are pretty worn, but will be my size testers. If I can get them to fit, I've got a source for a barely used set. Sadly, the (unmounted) 31's don't look that much wider than what I've got.
 

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Every Miles A Memory

Expedition Leader
I've got a question to ask which doesnt necessarily pertain to this thread only, but to all the trailer builders out here.

Why do you put such meaty tires on your trailers? Other than matching the ones on the truck, I dont see why anyone would want the extra weight, rolling resistance and agressive tread on something that doesnt have the ability to have a drive axle installed on it.

If I was building a trailer, I might find tires that are the same size as the ones on my truck, but they would have the most minimal amount of tread I could find on them. More of a 100% road tire to keep the rolling resistance down

Can anyone explain this to me? Just asking because I know it looks really cool, but I dont see any benefit in putting agressive tires on a trailer?

Please, I'm not trying to start an argument, because I've wondered this for a long time, I'm just asking
 

DrMoab

Explorer
Two reasons for me.

The first is the ability to match my Jeep. I plan on taking the A/T's off and replacing them with MT tires just like my Jeep has.

The second reason is reliability on rocky roads. The more space you can put between the carcass of the tire and the rocks....ie the tire tread. The less chance of a puncture. MT tires generally hold up better in the rocks than an AT style tire does.
 

wesel123

Explorer
I've got a question to ask which doesnt necessarily pertain to this thread only, but to all the trailer builders out here.

Why do you put such meaty tires on your trailers? Other than matching the ones on the truck, I dont see why anyone would want the extra weight, rolling resistance and agressive tread on something that doesnt have the ability to have a drive axle installed on it.

If I was building a trailer, I might find tires that are the same size as the ones on my truck, but they would have the most minimal amount of tread I could find on them. More of a 100% road tire to keep the rolling resistance down

Can anyone explain this to me? Just asking because I know it looks really cool, but I dont see any benefit in putting agressive tires on a trailer?

Please, I'm not trying to start an argument, because I've wondered this for a long time, I'm just asking


For me it was having the ability to put on a sturdy tire. There is only one tire size smaller than what I got so then it came down to looks. But mainly to put on a good tire at a common size that I could replace out on the road if I blow my spare and main tires. Trailer specific tires are just as pricy and do not have the sidewall protection that I think the BFG's give me...oh did I mention they look waaaayyyyyy cool??????:sombrero:
 

Every Miles A Memory

Expedition Leader
Yeah, I agree, they look way cool, just thought the rolling resistance would be a big factor.

I have 10ply tires on our camper, but I shopped around till I found normal ones that had the least amount of tread. Ok, Back to Casita talk, just had to ask that question :victory:
 

GroupSe7en

Adventurer
My wife has been 'suggesting' that we get something like a Casita. :littlefriend:

I'm watching your build progress very closely!

Good luck and keep posting.

Cheers,
Mark
 

wesel123

Explorer
My wife has been 'suggesting' that we get something like a Casita. :littlefriend:

I'm watching your build progress very closely!

Good luck and keep posting.

Cheers,
Mark

Dude thats when you jump on things....once the CFO says go you go!!!!!!
 

toyotatruckjunkie

Adventurer
I'm doing large offroad tires because I'm looking for; ground clearance, flotation, puncture resistance, air down ability, and of course the right 'look'.

I too originally wanted to match the tire size on one of the tow vehicles for spare redundancy, but both of them are too big for the wheel wells on my trailer. The 5x150mm bolt pattern on the 100 also negates this fact.

I've thought about the lack of need for lots of tread on non-powered tires, and thought maybe I'll just keep these worn ones, but the last thing I want is a blowout, on road or off.
 

toyotatruckjunkie

Adventurer
BTW, the CFO approval is another BIG reason why we have a Casita. Don't get me wrong, I dig it, but her and the 2 dogs like it. That was worth a LOT to me. It made it much easier to justify putting more money into modding it.

They will likely never be made into something to drag thru the Rubicon, but I'm hoping to make it usable for light offroad/beach boondocking type camping.

I concur; strike now.!.
 

wesel123

Explorer
No not really in mods. Kinda been working on a few bits inside. I have a 200w Kyocera solar panle left over from a project and plan on mounting that soon. Been pretty much just using it.
 

Aids10

xploraz.net
Installed deadlock, about to install a/c mod & started cutting out for front window :sombrero:
 

toyotatruckjunkie

Adventurer
Aids,

What's the front window mod? Not familar with that one.

I'd like to install a power roof vent in the bathroom, found the need for that on the last trip, but not familar with a common front window mod. Do you have a side window in yours? What model is yours?

I'd also like to install the privacy glass cover mod on the side window so you can have it open while using the bathroom and still have privacy. More for my wife than for me.

Glad everyone is using their 'Sitas. We have used ours a few times this summer, but not as much as I would like.

I'm trading a Warn 8274 for a virtually new set of (5) 31 BFGs mounted on 15x8 6x5.5 wheels next week. I will be using (3) of them on my 'Sita. May be interested in selling the others. Will post up here if I decide to.

Later,
 

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