Buy a trailer (instead of a pickup truck)

[freebeard]

Do/will the wheels match the tow vehicle? Vinyl wrap to preserve the original finish?

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

So now I can load it with other gear and still take a whole crew camping but now can separate the couple teenage girls into their own space. Or my wife and I can do more getaways alone too.

That sounds totally worth it.

[Hersbird]

Originally Posted by dtbaker61

nice! what does it weigh?

I think it's 1320 pounds dry can hold 24 gallons of freshwater or a combination of 680 pounds of cargo with a 2200 pound torsion axle. It does have electric brakes too.

It's solar ready so I'll probably add a 100 watt flexible panel to the roof or hatch. Plan on a 270 degree awning on the side and probably convert the normal battery to a 200 ah lifepo4.

I haven't picked it up yet, it's 3 hours away in Coeur d'Alene, ID but will go the Saturday after tomorrow and maybe even make a maden campout with it that night somewhere over there.

[Hersbird]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Do/will the wheels match the tow vehicle? Vinyl wrap to preserve the original finish?

The bolt pattern is different and the size although big for trailer tires is smaller then what I plan on running on my Jeep. I could get a wheel adapter and probably modify it in some way to fit the bigger tire but think I'll just stick with stock for now. The first tow will be behind the Touareg anyway.
I will probably lose the ulgy factory graphics but didn't plan on a total wrap. Maybe some alternative graphics.

[Fat Charlie]

Love that style of outdoor kitchen.

[Hersbird]

Here it is. I have to do the actual precise math on the economy, but cruise set at 65 mph and 2 mountain passes on a rainy day looks like a bit over 21 mpg. We were making good time going over to pick it up running 80 mph and were getting about 26-27 mpg. Normally it will get about 30 mpg at 65 mph without a trailer. This is all on diesel #2 which doesn't do as good as summer diesel. I also ordered 2 highway tread radial tires to replace the bias ply mud tires on the trailer now (same size though). I hope to pick up .25 mpg with those, and they were $330 for the pair mounted on new aluminum wheels. That will never pay out, but at least I'll have 2 sets, one to make for smoother highway trips, and another to put on when going on the rocky trails where a puncture is more likely. I also shouldn't have to replace any tires again for a long time too and I can carry 2 spares.


Here is a picture of the 180 awning I put on it, and the extra large rear hatch tent too.

[Piotrsko]

Any chance you can move the hitch point in or out to see what effect it has on mileage? I have a 24" class 5 hitch which moves my trailer back 18" and gives me better aero than a close hitch. Harbor fright has hitch tube extensions, cheap.

Irv Culver has a thing about 1 1/2 times the height (width) of the disturbing mass is an efficiency sweet spot where drag tends to cancel itself.

[Hersbird]

I won't move the hitch point but I did plan of filling more of that space with a large steel box. Basically behind the propane tank, shaped like the V frame but wider and going up to about where the black "diamond plate" protection on the front currently is. The battery or batteries will go in there along with other stuff, maybe much small Yamaha 2000 watt generator if it can fit.

It isn't super long as is, I could probably find a receiver hitch that pulls it back a few more inches too.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

A few days ago I saw a brand-new Toyota Corolla Cross. It had no plates yet, but was already fitted with a receiver hitch.

[Ecky]

Took 900lbs of rubble and and around 25 gallons of paint and other old chemicals to the transfer station today. 41mpg on the way there, 46mpg on the way back with an empty trailer and the rear gate removed.