Lightweight Expo Trailer

[cnskate]

I would like a small trailer just to haul the roof tent, 3-4 jerry cans, and a few camping odds and ends on forest service roads and maybe 2.5 rated trails. I'm thinking around 300 lbs of gear or so. An M416 seems like overkill for my needs, with trailer weighing about three times as much as the payload. Any suggestions? This trailer seems like a possible starting point- http://www.etrailer.com/p-TP150.htm
but I'm not sure even with modifications if it could handle rough roads.

 

[meach4x4]

You may want to step up to a heavier duty trailer. For even easy trails and washboard roads, I think you will be happier if you get a trailer that is built for more load. At least get one with 15" wheels and tires. If you ever get those 4.50x12 tires on a muddy or sandy road, you'll be hatin' life. MHO:sombrero:

 

[jagular7]

Check your local CL for personal watercraft (pwc) trailer. They are boxed frame with crossmembers. Many are flat but most have tilted crossmembers. They will easily carry 300#s but you would have to configure a way of carrying your gear. Full size truck boxes would work well. Or you could add a small truck bed with a cover on it.
You could go with different springs and even drop brackets like on your M416 to gain height. Many have fenders that are relatively small and they are removable. So depending on your layout, you could enclose the tires or cover them with a bigger fender off your layout.
During the winter time, you should be able to find something like this in the $200 range easily.

 

[Inkog]

Just an FYI -

A M416 only weighs in at ~ 500lbs dry.

A RTT + 4 cans of water/fuel is already close 300lbs without any other gear.

Maybe a M416 type trailer isn't as overkill as you think?

 

[cnskate]

Thanks for the tips. I'll look into the the PWC trailers.


I searched again and came up with 610 lbs for the M416. Maybe it's the M101 that's even heavier? I've heard they are beefier.

The roof tent, camp furniture, and jerry cans are about all I would want to carry in the trailer, with the rest being in the Jeep for daytrips.

 

[meach4x4]

No cook stove? Pots? Utensils? Dutch oven? Food stores? Lantern? Heater? Generator? Radio? Extra water and Fuel? Firewood? Medical supplies?

Not that I am doubting you, it is just that every camper I've had eventually became overloaded with all the stuff I took along "because I could." I am hoping to limit my load in my converted cargo trailer to 300 lbs of gear AFTER all the bedding (no tent, as it is a hardtop) electrical, laptop, etc. is loaded in.

When I take my Unlimited Rubicon out on day trips, I only take the gear I will be using on the trail, in order to have less load to pull up the hills and brake down the hills. So everything else goes in the camper/trailer at base camp. Isn't that one main reason to have a trailer? It is for me, anyway. Keep us posted on your decision.

 

[cnskate]

We might put the Son of Hibachi on the trailer. That's living large for us, we have sort of a "backpacker's with beer" mentality.