requesting help from AT owners

[DavidEllzey]

We are looking at the Chaser model outfitted with

EA 1800
engel 45L
12 volt system
nose box
water tank
lock and roll hitch
rear stabilizer
stove
Tailgate

A couple of questions for you guys though, I am running 35 MTs on the jeep, beyond size and coolness factor, does it matter if the trailer tires are MTs? My thought is since no power is transferred to them aren't they are in fact being drug through/over whatever?

This may be a naive question, but for those of you with fridges in trailer, how do you charge your system while in the field other than solar?

And if you have any other advice or suggestions on what you could've done without or wish you had, they would be appreciated. The wife and kids have been tent camping with me for years so this will be a real step up, duration will be 3-7 day outings and I live in Washington State so there are plenty of opportunities to get out in the mountains.

Jason,

We have a very similar AT to the one you are ordering.

One thing I would suggest adding are the dual fuel cans, at least for the trips we take. If anything its nice to know you don't have to pay "mountain prices" for fuel.

The 1800 tent is surprisingly large, at least to our perception. We've been hiking with an UL tent for the last year so the RTT seems downright palatial. So far the largest occupancy has been myself, the wife, our 19 y/o daughter and a 40lb dog. We had enough room left over to use the tent to store all our clothing bags.

So far we have not had a problem running the Engel 45L a full 3 days disconnected with daytime highs in the 80s. I'm looking to upgrade to a dual battery soon to get us out to 6 days. You might want to consider that too.

Get the fender mounted shelf, you can't get enough horizontal space during cooking and cleanup.

Get locking silent pins, ideally you want to (almost) forget you are pulling a trailer and listening to the hitch rattle spoils that.

Regarding the matching tires & MTs. I agree with the previous statements about having the single spare solution. I'd also be careful not to discount how much off-road traction your AT needs either. Going down hills it can use it's own brakes to counter the the addition of its own weight. I've also watched videos of guys pulling theirs through some difficult trials and the lateral traction of the AT should match that of the vehicle pulling it.

Best of luck,
Dave

 

[Redline]

Thanks for the clarification, I was ignorant.

James

The ARB thermometer isn't located in the refrigerator box, it's located at the condenser. So the temperature it indicates is inaccurate when it comes to the contents of the food. I would put my money on the Engel thermometer with a sensor that goes directly into the box.

It looks like Jason has been taken care of well with some sage advice.

 

[Gear]

Originally Posted by boknows
We are looking at the Chaser model outfitted with

EA 1800
engel 45L
12 volt system
nose box
water tank
lock and roll hitch
rear stabilizer
stove
Tailgate

Hello Boknows,
I have been pulling Chaser #15 around for close to 2 years now. The first year was with an 03 Rubicon. Here are my thoughts:

EA 1800 - ? maybe too small. I have two boys currently 3 and 5. We just acquired a Springbar Tent to off set our growing family. I will also use the Springbar for windy/rainy conditions. We currently have the Overland large RTT.

engle 45 -- I have an engle 35 and a two zone. I had the engle before I bought the trailer. If I had to do it over again I would buy the 45. There is a 20 degree temp. difference between the inside bottom and top. So while I do not bring a lot of frozen foods this leaves the top Two Zone compartment at 54 degrees. Not as useful as the 45 or like others have said go to the larger 60.

12 volt system. Great! I have a single battery and can go 3 solid days without recharging.

Nosebox. Great. Inside mine I have installed a shelf just above the battery with access to the bottom. Over the battery I have a Quick Air III compressor. The nose box is great for quick access.

Water Tank. Works well. I would like to see a lower ball valve for quick dispensing of water.

Lock and roll hitch. Worth its money. I second the silent hitch pins. They are great.

rear stabilizer - ???? I rarely disconnect my trailer. I have only used this product once and it worked great. If I was looking to buy something later on this would go on that list.

Stove. Works well. - This is overkill for me. I could have been just as well off with a Jet boil. But then again I eat to live and don't live to eat!

Tailgate. ????? I have been second guessing this one lately. To this day I have never really opened it on a trip. Unless you can see a real reason for it I think I could have passed on this one. The opening is to small for the Engle to slide out, the locking handles protrude into the storage area which also makes the usable space on the tailgate minimum. I believe there original idea was if someone wanted to slide a large easy awning in from the back then the tailgate would help.

And because you said you like white here is an older shot of my 03 Rubicon.

Feel free to keep the questions coming. One thing is for certain you are going to love this trailer.

 

[boknows]

Thanks, this thread has been extremely educational. I will definitely get the silent hitch pins, I towed my jeep across the country last year, Florida to Washington and was amazed how much noise and frustrations milimeters worth of play in the hitch can cause. Like I said, I love my TJ, more than any man should. I will throw up a pic soon. I have been building her for years, beefing up the axles, gears, going with the long arm suspension all in prep for 35 inch tires. The last stage of the suspension build (new TIRES, springs and shocks) will be in September when I come home from Iraq (The idea is to pick the trailer up that month and take the fam on a pnw adventure). Well, I am on the fence right now for tire size, since I have been over here I have been considering the trailer and want to use the 4runner as a secondary tow vehicle. I am wondering if I should stay with my 33's now so there is not a huge gap in difference between the runner and TJ...but I guess if that is my biggest worry while I am over here, than I am good. Ha, I wish.

Martyn, with your new awning system for the Chaser, can the lid be opened up when tent and awning are deployed?

Gear and all with partner stove, nice jeep. How do you like that stove and where do you all keep the propane tank on the chasers? By the way, you ran over a trawler in that picture:Astrologist:

Jason

 

[Gear]

How do you like that stove and where do you all keep the propane tank on the chasers?

I modified a PowerTank bracket to fit the 5 pound tank. Modifications included larger stainless steel straps and a few cuts to the bracket to allow the tank to slide all the way into it.

 

[Martyn]

Martyn, with your new awning system for the Chaser, can the lid be opened up when tent and awning are deployed?
Jason

Jason

Yes the lid can be opened with the tent and awning deployed.

 

[boknows]

Does anyone not use the locking plate with the fridge?

 

[DavidEllzey]

Locking plate, its really quite easy to snap it in and out if you want to. I just leave ours in.

Dave

 

[boknows]

Do your trailers have VIN numbers? I am kind of new to trailers and weren't sure if they had them? Located on chassis?

 

[boknows]

I modified a PowerTank bracket to fit the 5 pound tank. Modifications included larger stainless steel straps and a few cuts to the bracket to allow the tank to slide all the way into it.

Gear, that is so cool and probably what I will try to emulate. How long does your 5# tank last for?

 

[Martyn]

Do your trailers have VIN numbers? I am kind of new to trailers and weren't sure if they had them? Located on chassis?

All of our trailers are issued with VIN numbers on a DOT certified VIN label.

The trailers also have the DOT and NHTSA required tire information label.

When you receive your trailer it comes with a Manufacturers Certificate of Origin, MCO, the trailers birth certificate. It is the MCO and Bill of Sale that is used to register the trailer.

 

[boknows]

Awning

Ok, guys, the day has come. I am about to drop the order on a CHaser and had one last question for those of you with the Fiamma or EA awnings attached to trailer.

Is it worth it? Would you throw down the money again or would you opt for a self standing awning and just set it up closely? Thanks

Jason

 

[spressomon]

I use my Fiamma 35 all the time on my Horizon. It continues to amaze me just how tough it is while deflecting branches, etc while out exploring overgrown trails ;-).

The Fiamma is pure joy to open and close: The hardware is super tough and very well/stoutly constructed. And the engineering behind it excels too! There is not one thing I can criticize about it!

I want to mount their 45 on my LC for additional awning options when the Horizon isn't/is along!

So...get it you won't regret it!!!

 

[Whoknows]

Didn't jump in on the prior discussion b/c it seemed well-in-hand. I will say that the Fiamma awning is indispensable for us. It is rugged, well placed, and easy to deploy. We wish it were bigger b/c it really isn't enough outdoor shelter for us in the event of storms. I think that is mostly b/c we are a family of 4. If it were just the 2 of us, I think it would be fine. Last year on a 2 week outing, we ran into frequent afternoon storms most every day. Hanging out in the RTT for more than an hour or so to wait out a storm is not real fun with 2 little ones with short attention spans. So, we're adding a small free-standing shelter to our gear for those occasions. Congrats on your pending order. You're going to have lots of fun with it.

 

[tdesanto]

Get the awning. You'll thank me later. It's especially nice to quickly deploy if you're taking a break and need some shade to cool off. Depending on where you travel, the awning may be the only shade you can find.

I have the EA awning as well as the Fiamma. I got the EA because I wanted the 3 recvee panels to create an enclosed room. I've only used the full room setup a few times, but I sure like it.

If you don't need the extra panels, you won't be disappointed in the Fiamma. You can also get it in different sizes from AT. I've seen Martyn post a few times that they can get it in a few different lengths.

Good luck with the trailer!

The hardest part about the whole deal will be waiting for it once you've made the decision to get it.