Wil-Ro Adventure Trailer

[custmfxwg]

Hi. Great forum that I found after spending a weekend out in the Arizona desert with an old Army friend and looking through a copy of Overland Journal. We had a blast and I'm super interested in starting with some basic wheeling and camping. First order of business is finding a decent basic trailer to use as a base for future trips.

Has anyone heard of, used, or have a review of Wil-Ro Inc.'s Freedom Trailer? Here's a link: https://wil-ro.com/products/trailer-series/

Looks like they revealed this trailer at Expo East last year, but I haven't been able to find any information about it except on their website and facebook page. They also make an "Independence" version that is a little larger and more optioned. The company has traditionally built bed bodies and has been around since the early 1970s.

Base price is right at $5K. Trying to decide between this trailer and the Morris Mule.

Thanks for any info.

 

[Hoghead]

Can’t speak to this trailer, but I have a friend with a Morris Mule and it appears to be a pretty good bargain. Comes with a rack for RTT also.

 

[dytrdr5]

Seems like a good option for the price, but it’s hard to tell since they basically have zero information on their webpage ?‍♂️

Just got an email from one of their sales people, the plusses in my opinion is good design, made in the USA and a very reasonable price point. Drawbacks might be the fact that it’s vynil wrapped and that might not do well against trail brushes.

Waiting for them to get back with me for more information

Update #2

They are very quick with information and Mike was super nice over the phone.

 

[custmfxwg]

Thanks for the input. I spoke with Mike today as well. He was very nice and patient with my questions and able to provide about all I needed. This is what I found out:

- They've been building primarily horse trailers since they opened in the '70s
- They don't have a rack option for the smaller Freedom trailer, but will put heavier struts on the lid to hold a RTT
- Hitch height is 21"
- Trailer has brakes and a 7-pin connector
- Wheel bolt pattern can be customer's choice, tire size is 32". I assume they'd work with the tire size if requested
- Trailer comes with a standard 2' coupler, but they'll but a 2" receiver sleeve in place of it so you can us an articulating coupler like the max coupler
- Trailer is primed and painted underneath the wrap. Customer can choose one of two wraps or paint only.
- They provide a VIN, bill of sale, and something that sounded like an MSO, but he explained it as certification that they are a manufacturer and can assign VINs
- Warranty on manufacturing defects and workmanship is lifetime of the trailer. Paint and other stuff is pretty much not covered unless the timeframe is short, like paint starts to bubble after 6 months
- They do not offer a veteran's discount
- They will ship, but I didn't ask about pricing for that

From their spec sheet:
- TOTAL TRAILER DIMENSION - 10' L X 7' W
- INSIDE BOX DIMENSION - 60" L X 45" W X 20" H - D-RING TIE DOWNS INSIDE OF BOX
- TOP OPENING SHOCK ASSIST LID
- REAR OPENING SWING DOOR - LOCKABLE
- FRONT OPEN AIR STORAGE CAGE
- BREAKAWAY TRAILER BRAKES
- OFF ROAD TIRES WITH HD RIMS
- TRAILER WRAPPED IN WIL-RO WRAP
- 3500 LB CAPACITY TORFLEX AXLE
- EMPTY WEIGHT OF TRAILER 850 LBS

They're currently running a $500 discount if ordered by tomorrow. So that's $4560, which I think is a pretty decent deal. I'm thinking seriously about pulling the trigger tomorrow. Lead time is about 4 weeks.

My concern with the Morris Mule is reaching over the open lids for access to the bed, but I do like the idea of using them as standing tables.

 

[dytrdr5]

Thanks for the input. I spoke with Mike today as well. He was very nice and patient with my questions and able to provide about all I needed. This is what I found out:

- They've been building primarily horse trailers since they opened in the '70s
- They don't have a rack option for the smaller Freedom trailer, but will put heavier struts on the lid to hold a RTT
- Hitch height is 21"
- Trailer has brakes and a 7-pin connector
- Wheel bolt pattern can be customer's choice, tire size is 32". I assume they'd work with the tire size if requested
- Trailer comes with a standard 2' coupler, but they'll but a 2" receiver sleeve in place of it so you can us an articulating coupler like the max coupler
- Trailer is primed and painted underneath the wrap. Customer can choose one of two wraps or paint only.
- They provide a VIN, bill of sale, and something that sounded like an MSO, but he explained it as certification that they are a manufacturer and can assign VINs
- Warranty on manufacturing defects and workmanship is lifetime of the trailer. Paint and other stuff is pretty much not covered unless the timeframe is short, like paint starts to bubble after 6 months
- They do not offer a veteran's discount
- They will ship, but I didn't ask about pricing for that

From their spec sheet:
- TOTAL TRAILER DIMENSION - 10' L X 7' W
- INSIDE BOX DIMENSION - 60" L X 45" W X 20" H - D-RING TIE DOWNS INSIDE OF BOX
- TOP OPENING SHOCK ASSIST LID
- REAR OPENING SWING DOOR - LOCKABLE
- FRONT OPEN AIR STORAGE CAGE
- BREAKAWAY TRAILER BRAKES
- OFF ROAD TIRES WITH HD RIMS
- TRAILER WRAPPED IN WIL-RO WRAP
- 3500 LB CAPACITY TORFLEX AXLE
- EMPTY WEIGHT OF TRAILER 850 LBS

They're currently running a $500 discount if ordered by tomorrow. So that's $4560, which I think is a pretty decent deal. I'm thinking seriously about pulling the trigger tomorrow. Lead time is about 4 weeks.

My concern with the Morris Mule is reaching over the open lids for access to the bed, but I do like the idea of using them as standing tables.

I’m on the same boat, I think it’s a great trailer to start a build from and the company and people that work there seem really nice and attentive, also for me it’s nice that they aren’t in Oregon like most trailer builders. It’s only an 800 mile each way trip for me to pick one up.

 

[custmfxwg]

Yeah exactly. The only other place I've found is Morris Mule out of Alabama. Wil-Ro is 700 miles one way for me and Morris Mule is a bit further. I pulled the trigger on the Wil-Ro. I had them add the 2" receiver hitch and two trailer jack bungs to the rear frame. Mike offered to design and build a custom rack for a RTT on the lid, but I hope to learn to weld soon and try that myself - in a year or so. With Christmas coming up it'll take a week or so longer than normal to build. Looking at probably 2nd week of January.

 

[dytrdr5]

I’m also working with Mike on getting a trailer from them, I would also like to go with the Freedom trailer and roof top tent mount too. At some point I would add an awning mount and perhaps design a sliding drawer system like the one I did on my Jeep. Congratulations on the trailer.

 

[custmfxwg]

Thanks. So how do you use your sliding drawer? Is it designed to hold items and then you can pull them out - like a freezer/fridge or cargo box? A buddy of mine has a sliding drawer system for a fridge on top and a propane stove underneath. Has it mounted in the rear of his Jeep on the left side and then has a large cargo compartment on the right side.

 

[dytrdr5]

I use it for my cooler, that way I can slide it out and grab a drink or food, on top of it I’ve made a custom aluminum rack where I put 2 bins containing cooking supplies and food. That way I don’t have to move 3 things out of the way to get to 1

Thanks. So how do you use your sliding drawer? Is it designed to hold items and then you can pull them out - like a freezer/fridge or cargo box? A buddy of mine has a sliding drawer system for a fridge on top and a propane stove underneath. Has it mounted in the rear of his Jeep on the left side and then has a large cargo compartment on the right side.

 

[custmfxwg]

So she's in production. My work schedule will delay the pickup by about 45 days, but I'm pretty excited that she's coming together. Was painted last week and will sit and cure for a couple of weeks before the wrap is put on.

 

[dytrdr5]

Looks good, I decided to go another route with my trailer and will be building my own. Keep the post update, I’m pretty curious to see the final product. Thanks

 

[custmfxwg]

Good deal. I really wanted to go that route, but my welding skills are non existent at this point. I also need something a little sooner than my learning timeline would allow!

Good luck on the build! When you begin, start a thread so we can follow along with your progress.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[vintageracer]

Wil-Ro is known around Tennessee for building very well built flat bed truck bodies for cab/chassis trucks and other commercial applications. I looked a their new trailer offerings at Expo East. Very basic in design and appeared to be well constructed just like their truck bodies. Being that Wil-Ro is new to the Overland market I am sure they would love to hear your input and work closely with you to design/build your ultimate trailer.

 

[dytrdr5]

Wil-Ro is known around Tennessee for building very well built flat bed truck bodies for cab/chassis trucks and other commercial applications. I looked a their new trailer offerings at Expo East. Very basic in design and appeared to be well constructed just like their truck bodies. Being that Wil-Ro is new to the Overland market I am sure they would love to hear yout input and work closely with you to design/build your ultimate trailer.

That was my ultimate goal, unfortunately we couldn’t see eye to eye on what that would require, I was going to get a discounted trailer to help them improve the design and help in the marketing section. Unfortunately I didn’t like the terms. I do wish them well and hope that they can prosper in this competitive market

 

[custmfxwg]

Wil-Ro is known around Tennessee for building very well built flat bed truck bodies for cab/chassis trucks and other commercial applications. I looked a their new trailer offerings at Expo East. Very basic in design and appeared to be well constructed just like their truck bodies. Being that Wil-Ro is new to the Overland market I am sure they would love to hear your input and work closely with you to design/build your ultimate trailer.

I reviewed their history, read about their truck bodies, and spoke with Mike on the phone as well as in email a good bit before I decided to go with them. I also reviewed a lot of trailers and read what people on this, and other sites, had to say about different trailers. For the occasional adventure, using as a utility trailer, and taking the grandkids camping and fishing I think it will work well for us. It was a tough choice between Will-Ro and Morris Mule. I think what eventually got me was the dual lid setup and price of the Mule. The table aspect would have been nice, but reaching over the lid would have been difficult over time. Plus, I'm a veteran and I like the idea of the wrap paying tribute and raising awareness as I pull it. Later on, I feel it will provide a solid base for anything more adventurous we plan to tackle.