Buy a trailer (instead of a pickup truck)

[EcoboosterQ]

Not going to be able to pull 2 motorbikes and a quad along with 3 people and luggage on gravel/ logging roads with a small car though. I compromised with my pickup and still increased my city MPG by 6-8 mpg and highway by 12-16mpg.

AND... the guy who bought the Pathfinder is converting it to Hydrogen ! so double win

[freebeard]

I went to the NW Bug-Run

It was nice to hang out with normal people for a while

Here are some trailer related items:

They are producing 4/month in fiberglass. I hear that if you get impaled with shards of fiberglass it will poison you. Make mine carbon fiber?


Military theme is popular.

I haven't mentioned my little trailer (the big one is a 35' R-license park-model) because it is half-restored, in pieces. The frame is powder coated the correct beige, and the owner-applied varnish has been striped back to the original red stained plywood. This one is similar, and I was able to get a lead (if Internet can remember it for me) on replacements for the elastomeric snubbers it uses for spring/shock action.

It needs that and refinishing the trailing arms. Then I'm going to get the hitch I have straightened and pickled. I need to make a bumper bracket to suspend it from.

[freebeard]

Youtube is endlessly entertaining.

Here's an interesting, versatile trailer from SylvanSport GO | Lightweight, Small Pop Up Campers - Camping Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6R_LUE5SgoU

[HHOTDI]

I saw a similar one at Cabela's the other day! Looks very simple and a guy could easily make his own with a pickup bed type tent on a little light weight trailer...just a thought.
Lifetime Deluxe Tent-Trailer Kit : Cabela's

[freebeard]

Comparing the video to the single picture, it looks like the Cabela product can't be configured as an open-sided toy hauler. The SylvanSport GO has an rounded icebox on the tongue for an air splitter.

You could definitely roll your own, just don't sell them (new). The Westphalia has a side-hinged lid. I could build a spring-loaded jack-in-the-box and scare the poo out of people.

[sully06]

I've always put vehicles in drive or tow mode when towing which decreases the mpg and what is everyone's opinion

[P-hack]

depends on the load and the tractor, but my prius only has one gear and has no problem with the 4x8 harbor freight/menards trailer and sane loading. Just brought home a 600lb bike over 80 miles with it yesterday, trying desperately to remember if I repacked the wheel bearings during assembly the whole way though

[P-hack]

Also, I could easily have about the same weight in passengers too(bike+trailer), but it was just me. averaged 41mpg

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by freebeard

This single-wheel trailer looks quite odd, but cool.

[ron]

that is a very desirable original WV trailer! wish I had one