The Reality of Handling Trailers in the Back Woods

[proper4wd]

I have yet to have any major issue navigating my Kamparoo through the tight woods of New England, including on some very difficult tracks and turning around on dead end roads between many trees. That being said, I am re-working some of the trailer this winter and considering adding a small ~3000lb electric winch to the rear of the trailer, with the primary intent to pull it side to side around tight corners/trees if necessary.

 

[fike]

You may not need much more than one of these offroad jockey wheels.
http://www.arkportablepower.com/pages/xo-trailer-jack

Something of that sort is definitely on the list. I am not sure if this one isn't overkill. The folding Jack-e-up with a wheel looks like it may be more rightsized for a teardrop. I think the jack-e-up with a decent wheel on the bottom would probably be good for most stuff.

 

[fike]

I have yet to have any major issue navigating my Kamparoo through the tight woods of New England, including on some very difficult tracks and turning around on dead end roads between many trees. That being said, I am re-working some of the trailer this winter and considering adding a small ~3000lb electric winch to the rear of the trailer, with the primary intent to pull it side to side around tight corners/trees if necessary.

That is EXACTLY what I am thinking of. It would be nice to be able to pull the camper into some tight little sheltered spots that the tow vehicle can't readily get to. I think this could be accomplished with a rear receiver hitch clevis pin and a good come-along...possibly even a block and tackle could work if you had a partner that could manually articulate the brakes when you want to rest.

 

[proper4wd]

I thought of that too, but a nice little superwinch is only about 200 bucks.

 

[Coachgeo]

hmm.. 3000 lb winch... a heavy duty trailer stand with a reworked wheel(s).. maybe a spare tire donut as tire(s)? BUT.... instead put a pully on tire and make a belt for it from pulley to winch spool..... add a long lever to steer by... and whala..... you got a drivable trailer when needed.

Yeah I know easier said than done... might be fun project for someone.

 

[WeeJeep2]

Here's an idea I put together a few years ago to solve the swing the trailer to the side problem.
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http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/83270-Trailer-Maneuvering-Idea?highlight=WeeJeep2
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I haven't had to use it yet on the trail, but with the small size of the adapter I carry it on most trips just in case.
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I like the winch idea. Seems like it would tend to bunch the cable to one side when trying to pull to the side much. For my larger truck I picked up a small, (1/2 ton) lever hoist with a 10' long load chain to handle the spare tire. I plan to use it for this type of trailer pulling also when the situation arises.
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[Curtis in Texas]

How about building a rear spare tire carrier using a hub, bearings and spindle to mount the tire on?
Then put the axle & hub on a crank down trailer jack. Like you'd find used in a 5th wheel or commercial trailer.
(I have one on my 30 foot flatbed for the heavy tongue that is 4 inches square.)

This would allow you to lower the tire and raise the rear of the trailer not only for maneuvering, but save your back by eliminating the need to pick the tire up to remount it on the carrier after a tire change. (Thinking of those bigger 36 and 37 inch vehicle matching bead lock tires.)
Yea it would be a little heavier, but the larger tire would make rolling on rocky or sandy ground a lot easier. Up hill or down hill.

I have a 5000 lb winch mounted on a receiver hitch tube with a 1" grade 8 pivot pin for side pulls.
Which would work well in this conversation.
I use it more for yard work than anything, but it goes camping with us. A handy tool!
(Once used it to pull our kayak up and down a cliff on the Buffalo River. Our Motorhome was parked at the campground on top of the cliffs.)(Been known to pull up downed tree to cut up for firewood.)

Off the subject of maneuvering
I've been wanting to build a tire carrier that tilt out and allow the tire to lay out flat above the ground about 32 inches, to make a make shift camper table. Maybe a hard shell spate tire cover or a round plywood table top set on the tire for it's table surface.

A little taller and you could have nice bar table just itching for some tall folding bar stools.

 

[teotwaki]

My trailer's spare tire carrier started life as a Jeep spare carrier from FabCore. (I don't recommend that company due to fitment issues)

When I don't feel the need to carry that spare I can easily leave the tire and carrier behind.

 

[Lucky j]

My trailer's spare tire carrier started life as a Jeep spare carrier from FabCore. (I don't recommend that company due to fitment issues)

When I don't feel the need to carry that spare I can easily leave the tire and carrier behind.

When you add the tire carrier /tire combo on your trailer, do you have to compensate for the shift in center of gravity?

I am planing a trailer with mounted gaz tank and water tank, and wonder on one or the other empty would affect shift in center of gravity to a point where it would become anoying. Trailer would be about as long as yours.

 

[mojavephonebooth]

I am in the middle of my 3rd and last build. I keep going smaller. Anyway on my trailer I use electric brakes, I use one (4) of the large onboard battery to power the brakes if it becomes disconnected through a typical cable pull emergency switch. Now here's the cool part, between the battery and the brake side of the emergency switch I mounted a 25 amp waterproof switch on the tounge so I can use the electric brakes incase I need to hand push it, or until I place the chocks out. Works great as a temporary parking brake.

 

[teotwaki]

When you add the tire carrier /tire combo on your trailer, do you have to compensate for the shift in center of gravity?

I am planning a trailer with mounted gas tank and water tank, and wonder on one or the other empty would affect shift in center of gravity to a point where it would become annoying. Trailer would be about as long as yours.

My trailer's weight is biased towards the front so the tire's additional weight to the back probably makes only a small difference towards the rear. For you it will be all about the position of those two tanks and their full versus empty weights. My water tank adds about 160 pounds on the front when it is full.

 

[Lucky j]

Thanks! Can't wait to begin this project after skiing season is over!