What is influencing your decisions between building and Buying an expedition trailer?
- Thread starter Tight_wad
- Start date
R_Lefebvre
Expedition Leader
Did you really build it for that cheap?
I've been thinking of building one very similar to yours. I've got a 4x8 utility trailer now, but it doesn't suit my needs perfectly. I'd also like a small trailer with tons of clearance that is more suitable for pulling along on a "wheeling" trip. Just for carrying camping gear for the family when we don't want the big trailer. Or, pulling into the woods to dig up some trees for transplant, rocks, etc. Also logging roads for firewood. I was thinking of selling the utility trailer, and building a 4x6 simliar to yours. But I also wouldn't want the damn thing to cost $5000 by the time I'm done. And after the cost overruns on the big trailer, I'm afraid to even get started.
frumpy
Explorer
For me the biggest issue was cost. Also, even if I could afford a really nice well equiped AT or something similar there are two drawbacks for me. The first is my trips aren't really long and I would rather "rough it" a bit rather than have all the amenities. Second issue is I would cringe every time I went down a narrow trail or a spot where I might drag/bump the trailer.
I'm building mine on a budget and over time. I just got the trailer (M101 CDN) for $725, pintle and plate was $125, and already have the gas can/propane cylinder/water cans I plan on mounting. Brackets are going to be fabbed up with princess auto parts and hopefully next year I will be adding a titan RTT ($1200). So, I should have a tough trailer for around $2500 that I can drag through rough terrain, barely notice on the highway, and give me a little extra storage room and comfort on my trips.
I'm building mine on a budget and over time. I just got the trailer (M101 CDN) for $725, pintle and plate was $125, and already have the gas can/propane cylinder/water cans I plan on mounting. Brackets are going to be fabbed up with princess auto parts and hopefully next year I will be adding a titan RTT ($1200). So, I should have a tough trailer for around $2500 that I can drag through rough terrain, barely notice on the highway, and give me a little extra storage room and comfort on my trips.
DrMoab
Explorer
I paid $3900 for my M416 and didn't bat an eye.
Why? Because that is what the guy had into it and my time is worth a lot. Sure there are lots of things I would have done different but for the most part he got stuck with the crappy part of the build and the rest of the things I want to change are just the little things.
Why? Because that is what the guy had into it and my time is worth a lot. Sure there are lots of things I would have done different but for the most part he got stuck with the crappy part of the build and the rest of the things I want to change are just the little things.
The Swiss
Expedition Leader
- Yes, I would have bought a manufactured trailer if they would not be that expensive.
- Yes, seeing all that goes into these trailers, and that they are basically hand-made, I think they are accordingly priced, only that they are above my budget.
- Well, for me it's the other way around; even the most base models have more options than what I would like to start with. Ideally, I would like to see bolt-together components that would allow me to build my own trailer, without that I really have to fabricate it. I'm good at bolting stuff together, but not a fabricator able to cut and weld etc.
- Probably; the more I was thinkering about my current trailer, the clearer my picture became of what my dream trailer would look. Again, a big box of interchangeable trailer components (or a fabricator who is so intrigued by my clever design ideas that he is willing to build a prototype for me for free :elkgrin
would be my dream.
REasley
Adventurer
Do you think that you would purchase a manufactured trailer, if they were not as expensive?
No, the price was not the factor.
Or do you think that they are priced accordingly?
It cost me roughly $3500 to build my trailer and continues to climb long after completion. If I calculated labor, overhead and a profit margin in it would be pushing $8000 at retail.
Do manufactured trailers offer you all the options that you need, or do you have to build a trailer to get all that you really want?
No, my issue was weight. All of the available commercially built trailers are very stout and very very heavy.
Would you build a trailer no matter what, because you can?
I have built several trailers over the years, so the challenge of building a trailer was not part of my decision.
__________________
No, the price was not the factor.
Or do you think that they are priced accordingly?
It cost me roughly $3500 to build my trailer and continues to climb long after completion. If I calculated labor, overhead and a profit margin in it would be pushing $8000 at retail.
Do manufactured trailers offer you all the options that you need, or do you have to build a trailer to get all that you really want?
No, my issue was weight. All of the available commercially built trailers are very stout and very very heavy.
Would you build a trailer no matter what, because you can?
I have built several trailers over the years, so the challenge of building a trailer was not part of my decision.
__________________
traveler57
Observer
I am new to this forum and I have just started my own build a few weeks ago. So, I think these questions are interesting ones and ones I have been dealing with up until the point I finally pulled the trigger on my build.
Do you think that you would purchase a manufactured trailer, if they were not as expensive?
Yes. but the fact that there are ZERO local sources in the NorthEast pushed me to start my own build. you guys in the West and Southwest have all the fun. Heck, I even have to get my Jeep parts over the internet.
Or do you think that they are priced accordingly?
The really high end ones seem a bit over priced. I was quoted a simple "starter" level one for around US$7000 and then one of the top end ones for US$22,000. (I thought he was kidding!) But note that my trailer frame with axle and 33" tire/wheels started at US$1900. But today I am looking at over $1000 for just the parts for the 12VDC battery/wiring/AC inverter/charger/DC panel/floods/isolator/switches package. (Yes I am looking at a used high end Xantrex inv/charger) So I will never tell someone that "doing it yourself" is going to be cheap!
Do manufactured trailers offer you all the options that you need, or do you have to build a trailer to get all that you really want?
I don't really have special needs for the options, but yes, doing each option myself means I can get the exact mix that I want.
Would you build a trailer no matter what, because you can?
I am not a welder so I am actually starting after the true "make it myself" stage. (But I fully respect all the fantastic welding that people on this forum are doing. I could never do some of trailer builds that I see on here.)
But the adding of the options (and toys) onto the trailer myself is mostly so that I can add the options over time. Spending $1-2000+ over each year will simply make it less painful. I will start with just a good frame set up with storage and kayak/bike racks and then add cold AND hot water, DC fridge, propane w/ grill and stove. The RTT would be last.
But, yes, doing this myself will be fun and make the trailer more "mine" in the end.
Do you think that you would purchase a manufactured trailer, if they were not as expensive?
Yes. but the fact that there are ZERO local sources in the NorthEast pushed me to start my own build. you guys in the West and Southwest have all the fun. Heck, I even have to get my Jeep parts over the internet.
Or do you think that they are priced accordingly?
The really high end ones seem a bit over priced. I was quoted a simple "starter" level one for around US$7000 and then one of the top end ones for US$22,000. (I thought he was kidding!) But note that my trailer frame with axle and 33" tire/wheels started at US$1900. But today I am looking at over $1000 for just the parts for the 12VDC battery/wiring/AC inverter/charger/DC panel/floods/isolator/switches package. (Yes I am looking at a used high end Xantrex inv/charger) So I will never tell someone that "doing it yourself" is going to be cheap!
Do manufactured trailers offer you all the options that you need, or do you have to build a trailer to get all that you really want?
I don't really have special needs for the options, but yes, doing each option myself means I can get the exact mix that I want.
Would you build a trailer no matter what, because you can?
I am not a welder so I am actually starting after the true "make it myself" stage. (But I fully respect all the fantastic welding that people on this forum are doing. I could never do some of trailer builds that I see on here.)
But the adding of the options (and toys) onto the trailer myself is mostly so that I can add the options over time. Spending $1-2000+ over each year will simply make it less painful. I will start with just a good frame set up with storage and kayak/bike racks and then add cold AND hot water, DC fridge, propane w/ grill and stove. The RTT would be last.
But, yes, doing this myself will be fun and make the trailer more "mine" in the end.
Borrego60
Rendezvous Conspiracy
I started with a m-416 over a year ago built a lid ect. After some thought looking back at what I needed and at the final outcome I decided to buy a Horizon from AT. I wanted the side boxes and all the other stuff and I could not match the workmanship to get what I wanted to build in my garage. I have not looked back and really enjoy the AT I have now.
Errant
Explorer
1) I think they are priced high, considering the pricing of other campers.
2) Yes, in fact, they offer more than what I need.
3) No, but then I really don't have the skills to build from scratch.
I have an M100 that I use to haul gear on large trips. I do not mount the RTT on the trailer, as I prefer it on the vehicle for the increased sleeping/viewing height and so that I don't have to move it back and forth for trips where the trailer isn't needed. There are a few things I'd like to do to the trailer to get it better organized, like fuel/water/propane/shovel/axe mounts on the outside. I'm also wondering about adding a carrier to the front somehow to be able to bring a dirt bike. Other than that, it's stock form pretty much serves my needs
I was one of the folks that benefited from the Conqueror Blow out.
I was in the middle of a 416 build when I heard about these and drove down to take a look-see.
Between the base price I paid for the trailer ($900- rust free), shipping ($400.00), having it blasted and rhino lined to match the truck (at the time- and yes, I know Rhino Lining seems like it would have been a lot, but the cost was about the same as painting), custom hubs with wheels to match truck, and wiring ... I was already sitting at about $3800.00 and still had no top, roof top tent, storage solution, battery set up, water storage, etc.
When I found the Conqueror at around $7500, ... I had to have it as I determined I would be in at over that price if I continued with my build.
I purchased my trailer and found a buyer for the 416 a price equal to what I had it the trailer at the time.
Yes, there is some satisfaction from building your own as you then know every inch of the trailer (much like a custom truck build), but I found just as much satisfaction making my own mods to the trailer.
The real benefit, was the time saving factor. Immediately, I was able to hit the road and go camping and exploring, rather than wait another year or two as I worked towards finishing the other trailer.
Thanks and great thread.
Dendy
I was in the middle of a 416 build when I heard about these and drove down to take a look-see.
Between the base price I paid for the trailer ($900- rust free), shipping ($400.00), having it blasted and rhino lined to match the truck (at the time- and yes, I know Rhino Lining seems like it would have been a lot, but the cost was about the same as painting), custom hubs with wheels to match truck, and wiring ... I was already sitting at about $3800.00 and still had no top, roof top tent, storage solution, battery set up, water storage, etc.
When I found the Conqueror at around $7500, ... I had to have it as I determined I would be in at over that price if I continued with my build.
I purchased my trailer and found a buyer for the 416 a price equal to what I had it the trailer at the time.
Yes, there is some satisfaction from building your own as you then know every inch of the trailer (much like a custom truck build), but I found just as much satisfaction making my own mods to the trailer.
The real benefit, was the time saving factor. Immediately, I was able to hit the road and go camping and exploring, rather than wait another year or two as I worked towards finishing the other trailer.
Thanks and great thread.
Dendy
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AlexJet
Explorer
I love the build-up process and will build anything.
Even with that in mind I was shopping for AT Chaser. Why I didn't buy it and built my own...? Answer is simple - COST. To bring and cleared the Chaser to my driveway would cost me $12'000 not counting those upgrades AT offers such as fridge, etc. I ended up building my own using some AT parts. It cost me $3'000. If only could get Chaser for $5k, it wouldn't be a question, but unfortunatelly they are not in that price range.
Even with that in mind I was shopping for AT Chaser. Why I didn't buy it and built my own...? Answer is simple - COST. To bring and cleared the Chaser to my driveway would cost me $12'000 not counting those upgrades AT offers such as fridge, etc. I ended up building my own using some AT parts. It cost me $3'000. If only could get Chaser for $5k, it wouldn't be a question, but unfortunatelly they are not in that price range.
Eric06Rubi
Observer
I say built, not bought... Just My Humble Opinion tho.
I got a towable although way too lite frame & axle from a guy for 75 bucks and have been modifying it since. Boxed the frame added shocks , built a bed added a tongue box ect. Now I just have to build a lid and it'll be good to go. All built from used steel and stuff I got from friends . I have more in the tires & lighting than in the whole rest of the project
I got a towable although way too lite frame & axle from a guy for 75 bucks and have been modifying it since. Boxed the frame added shocks , built a bed added a tongue box ect. Now I just have to build a lid and it'll be good to go. All built from used steel and stuff I got from friends . I have more in the tires & lighting than in the whole rest of the project
teotwaki
Excelsior!
Warning, a little rambling but the anecdotal tidbits are examples of how I reached my conclusion that the trailers labeled as "high" or "expensive" are actually priced appropriately. The fact that someone (including me!) can't afford one is not a factor in the price.
When I first became "serious" about finding a trailer I knew that I did not have the fab skills, space and tools to apply to a scratch built or junker platform. I looked at a lot of military trailers that had been reconditioned such that the running gear and paint were in good order and they were in the $2,000 range. The addition of a tailgate, lid, battery, and tent would be worth at least another $1500 to $2500 depending on what a fab shop might charge for work (which can be $65/hour).
I took a middle ground approach and purchased a slightly used but well equipped trailer from someone who was trying to get into the offroad trailer business. A sort of pre-production one-off but otherwise well finished trailer. It has a nose box with dual batteries and inverter, a large Camping Labs tent, 65 watt solar panel, 15 gallon stainless steel water tank, 2 Optima blue tops, electric braked Dexter axle, tailgate, lid, rear hitch receiver and more. It may not be an AT Chaser clone but is shares a similar cargo box profile and it cost me less than a base Chaser trailer.
The trailer has some areas in need of improvement or additions that I knew that I could handle but otherwise I could easily hit the trail with it right away. For instance, I wanted to add a shore powered battery maintainer and went through the thought process of how to handle the AC cord. I did not want it coming from the inside of the nose box because I could not close and lock the lid. This led me down the path of finding a quality weatherproof bulkhead fitting and the boating industry has produced some good ones. I found a nice Marinco unit that actually was meant to match the connector on the battery charger. It costs about $24. I looked at some pictures of an AT trailer and saw a similar, if not the same bulkhead fitting in use. Hmmmm. On the subject of paint I saw a "reconditioned" M101 CDN that had an a beautiful paint job except for where metal to metal overlap showed signs of rust underneath. I've seen a little of that on mine too even though the powder coated paint job is well applied. I think that issues such as this are why AT goes to the extra expense of zinc washing their steel stock and providing a long lasting rust-free cargo box.
Because of what I am seeing with my own trailer I can say the following:
Vendors such as AT have labored through the hard won process of continual improvement and innovation. Picking the optimum solution involves using the best possible materials and methods and turning a good profit. Although the price of such a trailer was more than I could pay right now I have no doubts there is a high value delivered for the price.
When I first became "serious" about finding a trailer I knew that I did not have the fab skills, space and tools to apply to a scratch built or junker platform. I looked at a lot of military trailers that had been reconditioned such that the running gear and paint were in good order and they were in the $2,000 range. The addition of a tailgate, lid, battery, and tent would be worth at least another $1500 to $2500 depending on what a fab shop might charge for work (which can be $65/hour).
I took a middle ground approach and purchased a slightly used but well equipped trailer from someone who was trying to get into the offroad trailer business. A sort of pre-production one-off but otherwise well finished trailer. It has a nose box with dual batteries and inverter, a large Camping Labs tent, 65 watt solar panel, 15 gallon stainless steel water tank, 2 Optima blue tops, electric braked Dexter axle, tailgate, lid, rear hitch receiver and more. It may not be an AT Chaser clone but is shares a similar cargo box profile and it cost me less than a base Chaser trailer.
The trailer has some areas in need of improvement or additions that I knew that I could handle but otherwise I could easily hit the trail with it right away. For instance, I wanted to add a shore powered battery maintainer and went through the thought process of how to handle the AC cord. I did not want it coming from the inside of the nose box because I could not close and lock the lid. This led me down the path of finding a quality weatherproof bulkhead fitting and the boating industry has produced some good ones. I found a nice Marinco unit that actually was meant to match the connector on the battery charger. It costs about $24. I looked at some pictures of an AT trailer and saw a similar, if not the same bulkhead fitting in use. Hmmmm. On the subject of paint I saw a "reconditioned" M101 CDN that had an a beautiful paint job except for where metal to metal overlap showed signs of rust underneath. I've seen a little of that on mine too even though the powder coated paint job is well applied. I think that issues such as this are why AT goes to the extra expense of zinc washing their steel stock and providing a long lasting rust-free cargo box.
Because of what I am seeing with my own trailer I can say the following:
Vendors such as AT have labored through the hard won process of continual improvement and innovation. Picking the optimum solution involves using the best possible materials and methods and turning a good profit. Although the price of such a trailer was more than I could pay right now I have no doubts there is a high value delivered for the price.
R_Lefebvre
Expedition Leader
Yeah, I'm still bummed I missed out on that deal. If I could go back in time, I'd have bought it in a heartbeat. Would have had much more use out of it.