Outdoor Adventure USA

Trailer Gadgets
Convenience, safety, security.

Ultimate Trailer Jack

The original non-removable jack would hit my driveway as I backed up over the gutter to store the trailer.

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Jack/U ... DJ-2K.html

Can be removed entirely then installed and quickly adjusted

Andersen Leveler
https://www.etrailer.com/Wheel-Chocks/A ... M3604.html

Just pull trailer forward until level. Quicker to use than trailer's built-in crank-operated levelers.

Leveling a trailer
Put a circular level on the trailer tongue. Figure out which side of the trailer need to be raised. Put Andersen leveler under that side. Drive forward until level (left to right). Chock both wheels. Use trailer tongue jack to level front to back.

Lunette Ring Lock


Trailer Wheel Lock (Trimax)
Trailer Hitch Spare Tire Carrier

Tractor Supply Tool Box for trailer tongue
CO2 Meter

My Trailer: Little Guy Rough Rider

Features

• Queen Size 6’ Wide Sleeping Area (up to 3 people in a pinch)
• Heavy Duty Suspension
• Roof Rack
• Water Storage (5 gallons)
• Galley Area with Sink (powered faucet) and Stove
• Spare Tire

Little Blair Valley - Anza Borrego Desert Start Park
Galley with sink, stove, and light
I covered the light and directed downward so it wasn't blinding at night.
Near Rexburg Idaho for 2017 Solar Eclipse
It seems that many trailer users also bring an additional tent or "screen room".
Last Available "Camping" Spot Near Grand Tetons

• Moved heavy spare tire from tongue to trailer's hitch (PITA)
• Added plug to water overflow drain
• Added large locking storage to front of trailer
• Added platform on tongue for propane tanks
• Added antenna and pass-through antenna connectors
• Purchased CO2 detector / alarm to monitor air quality at night
• Covered kitchen light, directed downward
• Added dimmer for inside LED lights
• Added extra 12V outlets and USB outputs for device charging
• Added RAM mounts for tablet / phone storage / use
• Added ducts for heater (http://zodi.com/tent-heaters/x-40-hot-vent-tent-heater)
• Added Reflectix layer under inside mattress

Backing Up

Possibly the most frustrating aspect of using a trailer

How to Back Up a Trailer - 5 Helpful Tips (Link)

How to Back a Trailer (Video)
Mojave Gate (2:30 AM)

ADVENTURE TRAILER - HOME BREW

The 4WD drive bug bit DTK back in the 80s, and was followed soon by the trailer bug. Back then there were not nearly as many great trailer manufacturers as there are now, and anyway, we figured that we could make something that was far better than anything we could buy "off the shelf." The search began and, as we should have known, there was nothing that we could find that was even close to what we wanted. This was our wish list of capabilities, which we eventually accomplished:

• It had to be small enough to manage all of the trails we expected to travel

• It had to be capable enough to follow the 4WD anywhere it went

• It had to be big enough to carry all the gear that our group of campers would need

• It had to be built as bullet proof as we could make it (ruggedized, I think they call it.)

• It had to have a stove, 5 gallon propane tank, 15 gallon water tank with exterior faucet, solar power hookups, 4 corner lighting for our large camps, complete kitchen gear, fire pans for cooking, 20 gallons of gasoline, 20 gallons of spare water, lighted work stations, cooking grille, a battery to allow power outlets(12V), and enough room inside to carry our camping gear.

This was a big list to be sure, and it quickly became apparent that we had our work cut out for us. Ultimately, we located an old utility trailer, beat to hell, and with the exception of the chassis, it was trash. Razed to the ground, we started a year long project of building and rebuilding, ultimately making it what it is today.

To be sure, the end product was not pretty, but with several rattle cans of camo colored paint, it seemed to blend into it's surroundings, making it a little easier on the eyes. What it lacked in beauty was balanced out with it's utility, strength and function. As this one-of-a-kind "chuck wagon" (as it was soon known) became more and more popular, we realized that we had accomplished our goals. As you can see, we used this trailer in remote locations, including the Parashant, to comfortably serve large groups.

MOJAVE CAMP


NOTICE THE SOLAR PANEL


PARASHANT


HITCH PROBLEMS

The path to a reliable trailer was not entirely smooth. As we put more trips under our belt, it was inevitable that we would hit rough and uneven trails, and it was at that point when we discovered the limitation of the traditional ball trailer hitch. Translation - soon after we hit dirt, we tweaked the hitch right off the ball. We were able to limp home with the assistance of a BFH, and that is when the search began for an articulating hitch that would stay put regardless of the trail. Back then, the internet was not as plump with information as it is today, and my multiple searches yielded almost nothing. Persistence eventually paid off as I discovered that the Aussies had solved this problem long ago. What I found was an Australian trailer hitch, under the name of Treg Poly Block Coupling, (https://www.tregtrailers.com.au/poly-block-couplings/) that was made specifically for their "outback" where traditional trailer hitches would quickly fail. At the time, and still (I think) today, this hitch is only available in Australia. The story on the net, but here is what it looked like all cleaned up, followed by the same unit now welded to our trailer. (second picture.)


Problem solved

Please check in
WD6USA, Jeff, Highland, CA

(Oops....looks like I was a bit early on the check in )


Test - Link to Poll viewtopic.php?f=70&t=4327

Types of Adventure Trailers

There are so many types of trailers and so many vendors that they're difficult to categorize, but the major difference is what sleeping capability is provided:

• Sleep inside
• Sleep on (e.g., pop-up or roof-top tent)
• No sleeping area

Following are example trailers showing the wide range of possibilities (and costs!).

To Extreme Rugged 'N Ready
Little Guy My Pod
Typical Storage Trailer
Tentrax Ascend
Manley MORV Explore
Rent Off The Grid Rebel (Teardrop)
TAXA Outdoors Tiger Moth
Oregon Trail 'R TerraDrop
Opus OP2
Opus OP15 Hybrid Caravan
Black Series HQ19

Axle-Less Trailer Suspension


https://timbren.com/axle-less/

Trailer Features

I naturally try to classify objects based on features to understand their differences.

• Sleeping Quarters (if any)
  • Number of people
  • Location
    • Inside
    • Top
      • Ladder required?
  • Mattress
  • Illumination
  • Windows / curtains
  • Personal effects storage
  • Comfort (height, width)
  • Weather Protection
  • Environmental
    • Ventilation (powered fan)
    • Heating (possibly attachements to external unit)
    • Air Conditioning (possibly attachements to external unit)
    • Insulation
  • Safety
    • CO Alarm
    • Propane Alarm
    • CO2 Alarm
• Ground Clearance
  • How much?
  • Axle-less?
• Suspension
• Tires
  • Spare Tire / Storage?
• Brakes
  • Electric
  • Break-Away Safety Brake
• Galley / Kitchen
  • Stove
  • Sink
  • Refrigerator
  • Food Preparation Surface
  • Lighting
• Power
  • External hook-up (power, water)
  • Battery
  • Outlets (12V, USB)
  • Inverter (120V)
  • Solar Panel Hook-up
• Propane Storage
• Storage Capacity
  • Internal
  • External
  • Racks
  • Locking
• Security
  • Hard Shell
  • Locks
• Awning (shade)
• Toilet
• Shower
• Jacuzzi

Conclusions


'COVID camper' sales surge before summer amid pandemic: report Fox News May 27, 2020

After months of heeding quarantine and lockdown orders, people are itching to get outside as the country carefully reopens; the flexibility of visiting drivable destinations is more appealing than ever, while commercial air travel is seriously restricted.
What’s more, 43 percent of those polled said the pandemic has given them a new appreciation for spending time in the great outdoors. Of those participants who said they plan to take kids camping for the first time when restrictions lift, 67 percent said they have come to realize it’s critical for children to spend time outdoors.

Trailer Advantages

• Increased storage capacity
• Increased sleeping comfort (“real” mattress)
• Increased personal and equipment security with hardshell trailers
• Reduced need for primary vehicle modifications
• Less time packing
• Good basecamp (just unhitch the trailer)
• Weather resistance

Trailer Disadvantages

• Trailer speed limits
• Towing different from driving
• Maneuvering (especially backing up) requires practice
• Increased overall vehicle length (more difficult passing and turning)
• Increased overall vehicle weight (more difficult accelerating)
• Difficult to find parking in urban areas
• Possibly more expensive parking (i.e., RV rates)
• Potentially cramped sleeping quarters
• Must be stored between uses
• Outdoor food preparation

https://expeditionportal.com/off-road-t ... ns-to-run/
https://www.drivingline.com/articles/wh ... -the-rage/
https://girlcamper.com/the-pros-and-con ... -trailers/

Please check inn
K9ATK BRIAN
K9FOG TRISH
KD0EXI CHEYENNE
KD0RHA TYLER
KD0GPE AUSTIN
THANKS. Great topic