OFFROAD TENT TRAILER QUESTIONS

[nucktaco]

Hi,

Ive got a tent trailer i picked up for cheap a while back and wanting to try do some modifications to make it better offroad. i know its an old tent trailer but still works decent.

it currently has the axle flipped but still on stock 14 inch tires. its a 1976 bonair 700.

We took it camping saturday and it was bouncing like crazy behind my tundra. was only doing maybe 10km/hr and the trailer was getting 2-3 feet of air behind the truck on the logging road.
ended up losing a wheel and destroying the left side hub.

plans are to redo the frame and install a 3500lb axle and ideally step up the tire size.

the tongue length is currently pretty short. would that have anything to do with the bounciness of the trailer?

also am i best to go with leafs again for the rear?

keep in mind i know im not taking this thing wheeling, mainly just logging roads and a little bit of mud/offcamber stuff to get into campsites. i have my tacoma with roof tent for more technical trails.

pics attached showing the truck and trailer. and yes a new pop up canopy is in the future too...apparently it didn't like the snow we received overnight.

 

[4x4JeepCamper]

I have a 2nd cousin that had a similar tent trailer, with the same small tires. First trip, we went camping on Santa Rosa Mountain, about 15 miles of FS road. It bounced like crazy. It was so bad, it took us an extra hour each way. He swapped the axle out, put lift blocks under the hangers, and added large tires. It was an entirely different experience after that.

Here's what I would do:
1. Axle. Just as you are planning, put a 3500lb axle under it. It's a little overkill for what you need, but it will probably be ok. I would get brakes.
2. Those small, narrow tires are killing you. Get some 32's under it. They will roll right over stuff the small tires fall into, and they have enough sidewall that low pressure can be your new friend.
3. I would think that a longer tongue will help reduce any trailer wag.

I had an F150, and towed a Starcraft 10RT tent trailer behind it. The 10RT is designed to be used off road, and comes with a 3500lb axle, leaf springs, large tires, etc. I've pulled it around on dirt roads of southern Utah. It towed very nicely, to the point of forgetting it was behind me a few times. I'm not sure, but i might have even got a wheel in the air. Anyhow, no damage, just embarrassment, and a few "remarks" from the wife.

 

[ottsville]

Tongue length will have have less, if any, effect on bouncing than tire size, air pressure, and springs. Leafs should be fine for your camper, just don't put 3500 lb springs on a 1200 pound camper.

 

[CampStewart]

Along with the previously mentioned tire size, spring rate, and tire pressure if you are redoing the frame the longer the leaf spring you use the smoother the ride and shocks will help the pogo stick action. If I was considering reworking the frame and longer springs I would be looking at something along the lines as leafs from a YJ wrangler. Info on spring rates for those is readily available.

 

[silvrzuki77]

What ottsville said! I think after building several trailer my last being a tent trailer I would get away from the trailer leaf springs.
Here is a newer setup
https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Ax...MI7ImgqaTG2QIVULbACh1ODwU3EAQYASABEgLx-PD_BwE
Or to keep things super simple use suzuki samurai front springs. I know a lot of people don’t do it but I suggest running shocks on the trailer as well.

I would go through your tent trailer and start adding in wood and bracing. Tent trailers are not designed for Offroad travel lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[OilfieldCowboy]

Along with the previously mentioned tire size, spring rate, and tire pressure if you are redoing the frame the longer the leaf spring you use the smoother the ride and shocks will help the pogo stick action. If I was considering reworking the frame and longer springs I would be looking at something along the lines as leafs from a YJ wrangler. Info on spring rates for those is readily available.

What kind of spring rate would you go with for a 3,500 pound capacity goal?

 

[COUNTRYCOWBOYRANGER]

As for leaf springs i would go with Samurai Leaf Springs and as far as your tongue goes I would make it 2.5" receiver tube that way you can extend it when needed...

 

[CampStewart]

What kind of spring rate would you go with for a 3,500 pound capacity goal?

With that much weight I would strongly consider 52 inch Chevy rear springs. https://www.generalspringkc.com/Leaf_Springs_Chevrolet_GMC_Truck_1500_1973_1987_s/1823.htm You need to consider the free arch and how much they will settle with weight on them for tire clearance. The chart I linked doesn't show spring rate, I would contact the mfgr. to get free arch and spring rate per inch. You also need to calculate the dimensions of the hangers and shackles. Don't lock yourself in on the 52 inch Chevys, there are a lot of other popular springs out there that people swap into non stock applications. With the weight of your trailer I suggest you stick with 2.5 inch wide springs.