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[unusedusername]

The frame is the biggest difference. It's a 1"x1" instead of a 2"x3". I wouldn't drag an on road frame anyplace where you might get offcamber. It isn't set up to have the entire weight on one wheel.

Also you would be limited to on-road tires since the offroad ones are too big to fit.

If you are 90% on pavement and 10% on graded forest roads then you'll be fine. If you want to drag it up trails then you'll break something.

We took our krawler through the Mojave and wound up flopping it on it's side over an embankment (10 feet down). The winch got it back on its wheels. It bent the roof rack a little and broke a water seal, but after being factory checked out nothing else went wrong with it. The offroad models are incredibly tough. The 1" frame would not hold up to that.

 

[mizeide]

I just wanted to jump in here and clarify a few things. The on road frames are 2"x2" square tubing rather than the 2"x3" of the off road models. It is true that here is not as much cross bracing on the road trailers or as much tongue strength due to the design. However, the on road trailers are lighter than the off road versions leading to less stress put on the frame and components and the tow rig. We have towed our personal Sierra on 100s of miles of forest roads without trouble but one has to be aware of limitations, keep your speeds slow and don't let the trailer bounce over obstacles and it will do fine. An option to be able to put larger tires on the Sierra is a torsion axle lift such as this one as long as it is properly installed and regularly checked/maintained. Just be aware of the limitations and the Sierra can hold its own down "a dirt road or two". It will never be a rock crawler or desert racer.

 

[Space Wrangler]

I just wanted to jump in here and clarify a few things. The on road frames are 2"x2" square tubing rather than the 2"x3" of the off road models. It is true that here is not as much cross bracing on the road trailers or as much tongue strength due to the design. However, the on road trailers are lighter than the off road versions leading to less stress put on the frame and components and the tow rig. We have towed our personal Sierra on 100s of miles of forest roads without trouble but one has to be aware of limitations, keep your speeds slow and don't let the trailer bounce over obstacles and it will do fine. An option to be able to put larger tires on the Sierra is a torsion axle lift such as this one as long as it is properly installed and regularly checked/maintained. Just be aware of the limitations and the Sierra can hold its own down "a dirt road or two". It will never be a rock crawler or desert racer.

I know it's more expensive but could you do the same with a new axle at a 45 deg down position ?

 

[mizeide]

I know it's more expensive but could you do the same with a new axle at a 45 deg down position ?

While it can be done, there are a few problems going this way 1) as the axle swings down, it also swings forward, changing the centerline of the axle at rest so the wheel/tire will no longer be centered in the fender at normal ride height without relocating the mounting brackets 2) this also changes the effective "spring-rate" of the axle as at 22.5 deg, the axle mostly travels up during compression, at 45 deg, the axle has to swing more rearward before it can move up making for a rougher ride for the trailer.

 

[Space Wrangler]

While it can be done, there are a few problems going this way 1) as the axle swings down, it also swings forward, changing the centerline of the axle at rest so the wheel/tire will no longer be centered in the fender at normal ride height without relocating the mounting brackets 2) this also changes the effective "spring-rate" of the axle as at 22.5 deg, the axle mostly travels up during compression, at 45 deg, the axle has to swing more rearward before it can move up making for a rougher ride for the trailer.

Ahhhh So to achieve the same center line you would have to move the axle forward so in compression you wouldn't have a issue to possibly hitting the rear of the fender.. Yeah that seems like way more trouble .

BTW I need to make it up to your shop and check it out sometime . Live in West Linn and work in Clackamas .Beavercreek isn't all that far out

 

[cactusjk]

Any thoughts on the locking expanded metal cage? I think I am going to add that to the build.

 

[No Ma]

Expanded metal cage? -- Yes

We're in the, get as much storage/cargo space as possible camp. We have the locking metal cage on our 510xs. If it's in your build budget and you can use the storage space, get it, it's well worth the $$s. The grab bars on the front of the cage are very handy when hitching/unhitching the trailer too. Makes the teardrop much more self-contained and easier to travel with. Without it there would be quite a bit more equipment in the back of the Jeep and on the 510xs roof rack. The lock is nice for the occasions when we're in an organized campground or at a stop when we're travelling through populated areas.... helps to keep the honest people honest ;^)

 

[cactusjk]

Sold! Should I get the diamond deck floor?

 

[No Ma]

Sold! Should I get the diamond deck floor?

I didn't, and for what we carry in there, I wouldn't. We currently carry the following in the cage:

• 20lb propane bottle
• propane fire ring
• self contained cassette style toilet
• rubberized entryway mats
• leveling boards
• risers for a health club sized aerobic step platform (so a short wife can better reach the galley work surface)
• 2 sets of wheel chocks

Rain or splashback is going to get into the cage, and a solid bottom will hold more of the water in place next to your cargo. With the expanded metal bottom, it just drains through. Even after a soaker of a rain storm, the cage and the stuff we have in it dries out pretty darn fast.

It surprised me how many of the bigger items we carried fit in there and there's still room in the corners for odds and ends if needed. I had checked with Becky at SoCal for measurements before we ordered it, so I knew it was big enough for some of the "must fit" items.

If the diamond deck rock guard option covers just the lower front portion of the teardrop body (I think it does, and doesn't extend onto the tongue), that might give you a tougher backing for the storage area instead of just the aluminum skin of the trailer. If I were buying again, I'd think about that option.... but honestly, with just a bit of thoughtful packing (mats in the back as pads for heavier metal items) and bungees to strap heavier stuff in place, it's not an issue for us and what we stow in there. Had to stop adding options somewhere...

 

[cactusjk]

Great info! Agree the drainage is nice. From the Socal pictures it looks like the cage has a back to it which should protect the body. If that is the case I should not need the diamond deck rock guard.

 

[No Ma]

Great info! Agree the drainage is nice. From the Socal pictures it looks like the cage has a back to it which should protect the body. If that is the case I should not need the diamond deck rock guard.

No, there isn't an expanded metal back on the cage. At least not on ours. I see what you mean though, the pictures on the So-Cal site do show a back cage piece. An expanded metal back would be nice, but would cost you some space in the storage area. What I've found so far is that the aluminum skin on the frame is very solid, so I'm not too concerned about it.

 

[cactusjk]

Thanks for the great info. Down to the last few decisions. Treeline picked up the parts last week from Gabe. Build starts Tuesday and should be done in about two weeks.

 

[mizeide]

Ahhhh So to achieve the same center line you would have to move the axle forward so in compression you wouldn't have a issue to possibly hitting the rear of the fender.. Yeah that seems like way more trouble .

BTW I need to make it up to your shop and check it out sometime . Live in West Linn and work in Clackamas .Beavercreek isn't all that far out

Awesome, we'd love to have you come by. We're actually in the process of moving our facility to a new shop on 99E in Oregon City so we will be even closer, more accessible and have regular posted hours. We will be in it around this time next month.

 

[Keith Starr]

Any thoughts on the locking expanded metal cage? I think I am going to add that to the build.

Little late to the party here but I have the cage on my 510 and it's proven invauable. Large item storage is at a premium on these things. Also, storage that won't get damaged by it's [metal? sharp? heavy?] cargo. The galley/kitchen is obviously wood and has no way to secure cargo so short of soft items I don't store anything in there while traveling. You can always store things inside the trailer but again, secure it.

Camp chairs, solar panel, extra propane tank, table, ARB awning room, wheel chocks, it's all in the cage. I do find myself wondering why they didn't make it a solid box. The expanded metal is fine but everything in there gets soaked/dirty/etc. Not the end of the world but knowing what I know now I might have discussed enclosing it with my builder.

Great info! Agree the drainage is nice. From the Socal pictures it looks like the cage has a back to it which should protect the body. If that is the case I should not need the diamond deck rock guard.

Regarding body protection the cage does not have a back and the silly "skate board tape" So-Cal puts on the body (and fenders) isn't quite up to the task either. The piece on the front started peeling off within a couple months, the fenders are peeling now too. The adhesive is apparently inadequate. I removed the cage, peeled off the tape and had that area Line-X'd. Very happy with the result. I'll Line-X the fenders soon. Congrats on your So-Cal! You're going to love it.

Cage removed and ready:

Line-X on:

 

[Keith Starr]

The water heater door has a tendancy to swing partially closed from a breeze, if it's bumped, the trailer is leaning to the right, etc. A couple small neodymium magnets attached with good weatherproof double-sided tape and it stays securely open. The main doors have holdbacks but unfortunately the water door doesn't.