Looking for some quick input on a trailer for the 80

[norville]

Folks, I have a limited availability to pick up a trailer for my "stock fj40" sized vehicle. I doubt I'll be doing much hauling of it but it would be nice to have .

My main purpose for this trailer would be to haul mulch / rock ect... The trailer is 10' x 6' (+2 dovetail/ramp) It's a single axle design has electric brakes has a GVWR of #6900 and the trailer itself weights #1500 . It's a bobcat trailer equipment trailer. it has a tilt bed and pintle hook setup.

Is this to big/heavy for a trailer and to small for a toy hauler?? I'd like to tow my mulch with the 1994 fjz80 and I have a 1965 for f250 for hauling the toys.

Please post up your input, I don't have a lot of time to think on this. I don't want to kill my 80 hauling the trailer empty . I have a class 3 hitch. I'm thinking this is over kill for a stone hauler. I can get it for $1000.

thanks,

bob

[PDoyle]

I have an 8x12 flatbed trailer, a 26ft boat trailer, a 2 place jetski trailer, and an enclosed snowmobile trailer. They all seem to fit behind the 80 and tow well. Just not going to brake any land speed records with it.

[PHAEDRUS]

Your within the tow rating of 3500, Go for it.
I know a lot of guys will run in excess of 3500 but realize this is what the vehicle was designed for.
Dave.

[ed97fzj80]

I towed a few hundred pounds of stuff to the dump in a 600 lb utility trailer and hardly knew it was back there. No worries.

[97 FZJ80]

FZJ 80 was rated to tow 5k lbs. You should be fine.

[norville]

here's a pic. I'm thinking I'll remove the dovetail for better driveway approach. my main hesitation is the trailer alone is #1500 is that heavy for a trailer? My other thought is for $1K I better use the darn thing. I just wonder if it's overkill? Although what a great excuse to have a toy hauler.

This next question may be a trailer tech question. I'm thinking bobcats are evenly weighted. Will a short trailer cause me to die?? because of weight distribution issues??

thanks all

bob

[Checkbook]

I have a single axle 5x10 trailer with a gross weight of #3600. I' use it to carry a lawn tracter or dirt and mulch. I once had about 3000# of limestone loaded it. It is the perfect replacement for an 8 foot bed and it cost about 800.00 new. I think its a steel at 1000.00 provided the title and paper work are in order.

Now that I see it try 300.00. Not having sides is a bummer. For 1000.00 you can almost get a new one with simailer features and sides.

[norville]

I think he's asking more cause it's rated for #6900 it has a title and all and was bought new in 2005.

bob

[RavenTai]

will your "FJ-40" (Jeep?) fit on a 10x6 trailer? sounds tight, If you want a toy hauler would be nice to be able to haul other vehicles also.

I have a 8x20 enclosed trailer, a small boat and a small utility trailer, The FZJ80 is not a great tow rig especially compared to a 3/4 ton truck but with a few mods and keeping its limitations on weight and speed in mind it can be pressed into service. as the weight goes up good working trailer brakes become a necessity, makes a huge difference.

The stock rear coils do not take much tongue weight before sagging, the frame and axle are up to the task but the springs are not, I have gotten a set of cheap air bags for under to help level it out.

As for longevity keep up on the cooling system, goes for any 80 but especially if you are towing. try not to get into situations where the trans is hunting gears. if it cannot keep a gaer on a hill slow down to and stay in the lower gear. I would also try to stay either above or below 50MPH and not cross back and forth over 50 where the torque converter locks/unlocks.

You will want an true engine temp indication, either modify the stock one per the FAQ or add a aux gauge, stock gauge is numb for the beginnings of an overheat.

[norville]

nissan patrol

I think the problem comes in at me using this for hauling 2x4's and mulch.

bob

[smileyboy]

Don't know if these photos help. I was using my buddies landscaping trailer. its a 6x10 and he had about 800lb of dirt and rock in it. (I had to clean it out if I was going to use it )
Here are a few night time photos.




With 800lb of dirt and rock all loaded on the tongue of the trailer the track was almost sagging on the ground (I have stock suspension) After I moved the dirt out and put some cement toward the back of the trailer. The truck rode great and I had no idea it was back there.

Guess, I'm trying to say it just matters how you distribute the weight.

[norville]

Thanks all,

I ended up passing on the trailer. I feel I was compromising on the whole thing. Too big/heavy utility trailer and small heavy toy hauler. It was a really good deal, but I'm in no hurry. I've towed 3500# with the 80 in the past and it did well a little slow on the steep hills but I don;t like to push it.

I have a small homemade trailer here that I think I'll fix up it's a 4x6 and I've had close to #1500 in it. I stopped using it. The suspension bushings are shot/ the tires don't match and it's made from a leaf spring-ed front axle that has gotten loose. The it po-go sicks behind me. And then I'll look for a tube style toy hauler..

thanks again,

bob

[sseaman]

I think $1k was a bit high in price, and the axle looked very close to center. It sounds like you are looking for 2 different trailers in one, good luck.