Overland trailer brakes and spare essential?

[kchan628]

Hi guys, first post here.

I recently got a roof top tent and a bunch of gear. Fridge, battery, etc. we have been backpackers but now we have 2 young kids and I stumbled upon overlanding while shopping for a popup camper trailer.

it seems like overlanding would be a way for us to get out there away from the packed campsites with the kids without having to hike! Seems like a great fit for us.

unfortunately I quickly find that I am already pushing to the limit of the load capacity of my 2018 Volvo XC60 so I am looking at purchasing a trailer to increase my load capacity and also to move the RTT off the car.

I plan to stick to decent forest roads until I can get a more rugged vehicle or at least some all terrain tires with a full size spare.

I’ve been looking at the FSR overland trailer, the CVT trailer, the VMI xtender, the Schutt XV-3, the Taxa Wooly Bear, the Turtleback getaway, and the Smitty Scout.

I want something basic and small. I don’t need all the bells and whistles as I already got most of the gear standalone that just needs storage.

I have never pulled a trailer before and want something that can eventually be taken off the beaten path so I don’t have to get another one down the line, for example if I get a Rubicon or 4Runner.

I like the size of the FSR trailer. With the removable tongue it would be easy to store in a corner of my garage. They said I can opt for a full size spare, but I am worried that it doesn’t have brakes. The sales person said since it’s so small it’s not necessary.

How important is it to have brakes on a small overland trailer?

How about a spare for the trailer?

 

[kchan628]

From our trip last weekend at Trinity Lake, CA


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[Todd780]

Definitely make sure to have a spare. You can get a flat anywhere.

All the trailers I've towed have had trailer brakes. I started out towing tent trailers.

So, I can't comment on if they would be required on the trailer you are looking at. However, I can't imagine having them would be a bad thing safety wise.

 

[MotoMind]

Rope style plug kits are very easy to use, as long as the tire and puncture are accessible to the tool. It won't help you with gashes but will fix punctures from nails and screws and such.

 

[alia176]

Welcome to the site @kchan628

It doesn't matter if trailer brakes are required, they're a MUST for your family's safety as well as that other family's safety who is sharing the roadways with you. PERIOD. Hopefully I wasn't too subtle. When it comes to the safety of everyone, towing a trailer should be done with trailer brakes. Evasive maneuvers are no joke when a trailer is pushing your hind end sideways.

Regardless of how many pounds of trailer the Volvo can pull, I'd try to be well under that max cap. For a family of four, I'd think a popup might be a nice compromise, if you're thinking about trailers. I'm sure the OP (original poster) have thought about this so I maybe redundant with some of my random thoughts in no particular order.

Benefits of popups
- can carry water crafts/bikes on top
- can exist inside when it's crappy outside. Can't do that in a RTT. You can play go fish for so long sitting indian style.
- can cook inside if needed.
- can nap inside with the fan running. Will need a generator if you want the A/C to run.
-low profile, less affected by cross winds and semi trucks passing you on the hwys
-usually can sleep four, maybe five WITH the family dogs inside.
-always ready to go. Just add food in the cooler, water in the tanks and you're off. Anything else, you have to "plan and load" , then come home and "unload".
-usually comes with an awning but if not, easy to add. Then you can also add a screen room to go with the awning. Perfect for those mosquito infested camp spots.
-your stuff is secured and in a clean environment. They're staying dry and dust free while you tool around the dirt roads.
-Your tow rig is completely empty except maybe the cooler and you don't look like the Beverly Hillbillies going down the road!

Going camping shouldn't be a monumental event for a family as that takes the fun out of it for the parents. On a whim, grab the kids, hook up and leave town. Fill the cooler on your way out of town. These make for fun times. When the parents have to work less to leave town for the weekend, it becomes more enjoyable for all. I personally HATED packing up my landcruiser like a game of Tetris with the one child and two dogs.

Good luck amigo and go make some memories.

 

[Todd780]

It doesn't matter if trailer brakes are required, they're a MUST for your family's safety as well as that other family's safety who is sharing the roadways with you. PERIOD. Hopefully I wasn't too subtle. When it comes to the safety of everyone, towing a trailer should be done with trailer brakes. Evasive maneuvers are no joke when a trailer is pushing your hind end sideways.

Regardless of how many pounds of trailer the Volvo can pull, I'd try to be well under that max cap. For a family of four, I'd think a popup would be a nice compromise. I'm sure the OP (original poster) have thought about this so I maybe redundant with some of my random thoughts in no particular order.

Benefits of popups
- can carry water crafts/bikes on top
- can exist inside when it's crappy outside. Can't do that in a RTT. You can play go fish for so long sitting indian style.
- can cook inside if needed.
- can nap inside with the fan running. Will need a generator if you want the A/C to run.
-low profile, less affected by cross winds and semi trucks passing you on the hwys
-usually can sleep four, maybe five WITH the family dogs inside.
-always ready to go. Just add food in the cooler, water in the tanks and you're off. Anything else, you have to "plan and load" , then come home and "unload".
-usually come with an awning but if not, easy to add. Then you can also add a screen room to go with the awning.
-your stuff is secured and in a clean environment. They're staying dry and dust free while you tool around the dirt roads.

Your tow rig is completely empty except maybe the cooler and you don't look like the Beverly Hillbillies going down the road!

Going camping shouldn't be a monumental event for a family as that takes the fun out of it for the parents. On a whim, grab the kids, hook up and leave town. Fill the cooler on your way out of town. These make for fun times. When the parents have to work less to leave town for the weekend, it becomes more enjoyable for all. I personally HATED packing up my landcruiser like a game of Tetris with the one child and two dogs.

Good luck amigo and go make some memories.

I would agree with all of this.

Another benefit of a pop up is, depending on your situation, they can be stored in a garage year round. That's what we did with ours.

 

[alia176]

I would agree with all of this.

Another benefit of a pop up is, depending on your situation, they can be stored in a garage year round. That's what we did with ours.

I know that some folks, including me, don't have the luxury of storing a popup in a garage. However, since the canvas is tucked neatly inside a hard shell, they can be left outside with a cover. Out here in the SW, anything composite will be degraded by U.V. in short order. Even the cheesy tarps get worn out after a couple of years but they sacrifice themselves protecting the camper.

 

[kchan628]

Definitely it was a long decision process. I had originally started out wanting a Trailer but started looking for something smaller that will fit in my garage. Then I looked at almost all the popups out there and wanted a Somerset. Then I decided I want something smaller that I can get off road more easily so just decided to get a RTT. Now my issue is load capacity in my med suv. Right now we are tracking toward purchasing a Taxa Woolly Bear. Which is a cargo trailer that I can mount my RTT to and also has a nice kitchen and awning setup. 95% there to pulling the trigger. But can only order direct and the shipping brings the cost to 13k. What an expensive toy! Something the family will use for many years I hope. We may end up upgrading to something with internal space. The Taxa Tiger Moth would be something like that. Basically a tear drop trailer.


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[kchan628]

My HOA does not allow me to park anything in the driveway or on the street except a car.


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[Todd780]

I know that some folks, including me, don't have the luxury of storing a popup in a garage. However, since the canvas is tucked neatly inside a hard shell, they can be left outside with a cover. Out here in the SW, anything composite will be degraded by U.V. in short order. Even the cheesy tarps get worn out after a couple of years but they sacrifice themselves protecting the camper.

When we moved two years ago, we couldn't store it in our garage anymore.

So, it had to be stored in a storage yard for the winter months due to local bylaws.

I did not use a cover or tarp as I had read covering the trailer over winter could trap in unwanted moisture.

 

[alia176]

Ahh, good point actually. I don't think about real winters anymore now that I'm no longer living in the Midwest.

 

[CampStewart]

Brakes are shockingly better than they were 10 years ago. I am amazed at my Crosstreks ability to stop a trailer without brakes at max rated trailer towing weight. If I upgrade my axle I will put brakes on it but it does fine without brakes. Off road going on steep downhills on wet muddy roads is where I would really want brakes the most.

 

[kchan628]

I rented a tear drop trailer this weekend, my first time hauling a trailer ever. It was a very light one. Tongue weight loaded with 300lbs of our gear was 140lbs so prob 1500lbs. It didn’t have brakes and I didn’t have any problems but I definitely could feel the weight of the trailer when trying to brake. It was wet on our way up to the mountains and on some downhill segments I was definitely a bit nervous about the whole thing getting away from me.

I ordered a Taxa Woolly Bear! I guess it’s considered a gear hauler since you can’t sleep in it. We will be sleeping in the RTT.

It comes with electric brakes but I need to add the brake controller so I will definitely be doing that so that I can stop better in an emergency situation.

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[billiebob]

Hi guys, first post here.

I recently got a roof top tent and a bunch of gear. Fridge, battery, etc. we have been backpackers but now we have 2 young kids and I stumbled upon overlanding while shopping for a popup camper trailer.

it seems like overlanding would be a way for us to get out there away from the packed campsites with the kids without having to hike! Seems like a great fit for us.

unfortunately I quickly find that I am already pushing to the limit of the load capacity of my 2018 Volvo XC60 so I am looking at purchasing a trailer to increase my load capacity and also to move the RTT off the car.

I plan to stick to decent forest roads until I can get a more rugged vehicle or at least some all terrain tires with a full size spare.

I’ve been looking at the FSR overland trailer, the CVT trailer, the VMI xtender, the Schutt XV-3, the Taxa Wooly Bear, the Turtleback getaway, and the Smitty Scout.

I want something basic and small. I don’t need all the bells and whistles as I already got most of the gear standalone that just needs storage.

I have never pulled a trailer before and want something that can eventually be taken off the beaten path so I don’t have to get another one down the line, for example if I get a Rubicon or 4Runner.

I like the size of the FSR trailer. With the removable tongue it would be easy to store in a corner of my garage. They said I can opt for a full size spare, but I am worried that it doesn’t have brakes. The sales person said since it’s so small it’s not necessary.

How important is it to have brakes on a small overland trailer?

How about a spare for the trailer?

Brakes, I think CA has the lowest threshold for requiring brakes at 1500#. I tow 2000# without brakes and never have an issur but you do need to adjust for the longer stopping distances. Most states and Canada don't require brakes until 2500 - 3000#.

Spare Tire..... definitely. OR at least get AAA plus the RV option. I have been driving and towing for 40 years. I have had 4 flats and never had a trailer flat. It is just a personal comfort thing. If you get a flat on the trailer and have no spare..... how comfortable are you to drop the trailer and take the flat to get it fixed..... on a Sunday. AAA or CAA with the RV option, they will deck your trailer to a tire shop.

Another option, use the same rim and tire as the Volvo on the trailer. Then the one Volvo spare does it all..... or you could say you have three spares for the car.

FSR makes great products.

 

[billiebob]

It was wet on our way up to the mountains and on some downhill segments I was definitely a bit nervous about the whole thing getting away from me.

Yep, towing takes a new mindset, regardless of how light it is, brakes or not you need to pay attention and react early.

that is an amazing little trailer