Trailer - Where to Start

[treillw]

I'm contemplating getting a trailer to pull with my 2022 JLURD. I'd like to get a new vehicle for 1000 mile trips that I make for work pretty often. Trouble is a truck with a camper cap is required for my lifestyle - filling up the entire back with camping gear and hunting "trophies". I don't want to sell the Jeep, for obvious reasons, and we don't need a third vehicle when we hardly use the two we have. We both work from home, with the exception of my work trips.

I'm thinking of selling the truck and buying a trailer and fuel efficient vehicle - that might give us the best of both worlds without the expenses of three vehicles.

Any suggestions on a trailer? I started searching around the internet and there seem to be a ton of options. Some of them are $40k+ which isn't going to help me in the money savings department.

Initially, I mainly want it for transporting camping gear and elk/deer from hunting trips. Then I'm looking the ones they have with kitchen areas, showers, and rooftop tents - they are very nice but seem very expensive. Other possible future uses would be for transporting a side by side. I'd like to take it on some pretty rough Montana roads into remote areas, but I'm not going to be going up huge rocks in Moab - don't know if a normal ball type hitch will work.

Any suggestions on what to look at that isn't $25k+? Ideally $10k might be reasonable, but I'd really like it to be less than that. I appreciate the ideas.

Thanks!

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[C.Sco]

After going back and forth with myself about this as well, weighing the different options from a basic cargo trailer to something fancy that even throws in literally the kitchen sink, and at this point I think I'm leaning towards something super cheap and basic like this:

And then upgrading the wheels and tires and buying or making some sort of cargo basket for it.

 

[MEGAS]

Take a look at xventure trailers
http://www.schuttindustries.com/XVENTURE

 

[ArmyRN]

Yes - build your own off a HF trailer frame. That's what I did.

Here's a very long thread I started (with lots if input from others) regarding building a little expedition type trailer off a HF frame. The frames can be narrowed and shortened easily.

Mini Harbor Freight (type) Trailer Ultimate Build-Up Thread | Jeep Enthusiast Forums (jeepforum.com)

I would suggest you get comfortable and sit down and read through the whole thing. It is very long, but once you're done reading it, you'll be ready to build your own. It can easily be done for a couple thousand dollars at the most. Here's mine:

That's a double-sized Cabela's Tent Cot on the roof of the trailer. 3500lb axle with electric brakes, real leaf springs vs. slipper springs, etc. etc. etc. Someone else made the tub for me (it is just a box with a hinged lid - nothing fancy). If you can do a Jeep suspension lift, you can build a trailer for off-road/overlanding.

 

[GATORB8]

If you decide to go back to the toy hauler/camper style. Some to look at would be inTech's Flyer, Forest River No Bo, Rockwood Geopro.

On the utility side, check out Northern Tool's selection. They have basically the same folder as HF, but they also have some beefier stuff for not too much more. https://www.northerntool.com/categories/trailers

For the most part, the utility range won't be bad to modify suspension and hitch wise. If you get a little heavy, I'd at least grab one prewired for brakes.

 

[C.Sco]

^ @ArmyRN That trailer is epic!! Great job!

 

[Rustynail11]

After going back and forth with myself about this as well, weighing the different options from a basic cargo trailer to something fancy that even throws in literally the kitchen sink, and at this point I think I'm leaning towards something super cheap and basic like this:

And then upgrading the wheels and tires and buying or making some sort of cargo basket for it.

I bought one of these about 10 years ago when I had my first JKU and was doing a lot of camping trips with the family. I decked it and built side rails. It is a great little trailer and hauled my camping gear all over TX for several years.

 

[driventoadventure]

The Jumping Jack trailers are a good combination of utility trailer and tent trailer... https://www.jumpingjacktrailers.com/. If you're more looking for a luxe trailer though, you're going to want a tent trailer and those won't have a lot of trophy storage...

 

[treillw]

Excellent ideas. Thank you. Keep them coming.

 

[Valpo Jeep]

What to get depends on how you are gonna use it. If you plan to go to a campground and then go off-roading from there then perhaps a travel trailer or an RV. RV route you can flat tow the Jeep. Plenty of room for however you want to camp. If you go travel trailer route then you are some what limited in size to drag behind you.

If you are looking to get out there off the grid in the back country then one of those off road trailers would work. You will be a bit more limited in what you can carry back with you.

 

[Mtenna99]

The nobo trailer comes to mind for hauling gear. I rented one of these once and it was functional and the Jeep towed it easy. I’ve seen some used for 15k a couple years ago but have a feeling that might be hard today to find.
https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/no-boundaries/NB10.6/6415

 

[Beachcomber72]

Here’s a micro toy hauler that may fit your needs. Also would be perfect to pull with the JLU.

https://intech.com/rv/models/flyer/explore/

 

[The Last Cowboy]

Imagine the potential these have

https://austin.craigslist.org/tro/d/dripping-springs-for-sale-mtk99/7616481808.html

https://houston.craigslist.org/tro/d/houston-military-army-pioneer-tool/7605470437.html

 

[treillw]

Any experience with these? Seems to be very nice for the money.

https://offgriddwellings.com/product/kamakou-off-road-cargo-camper-trailer-adventure-ready-design

 

[Av8Chuck]

I still need to paint and mount the RTT and awning on the trailer. It has solar, camp kitchen with DC Fridge, running hot water, 20 gal water and gas, and a hot shower. I don't do hardcore rock climbing but getting off grid can get a little technical so you have to plan on rolling the trailer. You need to be able to winch it back on the wheels and continue on.

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