FJ40 Hauler not a Toy Hauler (1 Viewer)

[Rustydog]

I thought I would just throw this out to the group and get some input on trailer upgrade. I would like to have living/sleeping always ready on the trailer with fast set up. RTT kind of easy.

I bought my 7000lb Premier knowing that it would be only temporary part of the fleet. I now have a Cummins Mega Cab and can look to adding a larger trailer to the fleet without as much of a concern for the weight differences.

I have towed a 20ft 10000lb Bri-Mar with the 40 on it and it was the amazing at how stable, secure and "unoticable" it was behind the Cummins. When I went to my local dealer, I was wandering around and began looking at all the Race Trailers and that caused the current downward spiral.

They had an enclosed trailer that was called a Vintage, but it appears to be made by Millinium trailers. Same between the wheel measurements as my current trailer and the Bri Mar with a 7 1/2 foot interior height. This design has a front kitchen, 28ft total length, fridge, cook top, microwave, heat, shower and toilet, etc. All of a sudden the thought came to mind that it would be possible to carry the 40 inside, have a kitchen and bath and then use the remaining 22 feet by 8 feet as "living" space. It would make a great movie theater on those raining nights in camp.

I have been on line and talked to Millinium trailer www.milltrailers.com and have been very pleased with the information on designing exactly what I need, length, axles, interior, flooring, lights, any bells and whistles. I just am not sure I really want an enclosed trailer. They are not really friendly if I build a buggy or something wider or taller later on. I really think building another rig is getting slimmer and slimmer as college funds for my son are going to start and face it we all get older.

The other option is going the way of flat deck trailer of the appropriate size and weight and just purchase the Fleetwood Scorpion box like they did on Xtreme 4x4 and then I have a popup with features and can always handle a wider or taller vehicle on the trailer. Unless I do a deck over from Bri Mar 20 feet long is the max. I found a company called Felling that makes a wide deck model that is a cross between a deck over and conventional equipment hauler. This is my current front runner of trailers. www.felling.com

This option could also allow the use of a Magiolina tent attached to the front of the trailer and the advantage would be it could also be mounted to the truck for times you are not wheeling.

My biggest concern with the enclosed is the possibility of damage to the trailer when getting to sites/events. I think this may not be as much of a concern in reality just a change of driving styles. It is easy to back that steel trailer into the brush and trees to turn around just because it really does not matter to the trailer.

The advantage of the enclosed is I automatically get a garage to store the 40 out of the weather and a great enclosed shelter when out at an event.

I am anxious to hear some of the groups opinons and thoughts.

Thanks for the input

 

[cpg]

Take a look at the new pace trailer that hase the shower and fride in front.

http://www.paceamerican.com/trailers/explorer/

I Like this but I do not think I can put tyhe 40 in it.
Looking at this instead of building a shed for the bikes.

 

[Josh83]

How about doing something like the scorpion box on the goosneck idea, but instead use a slide in camper. I have seen a couple of those. They are SLICK. Build storage under the camper part to make it tall enough for the part of the slide in that would go over the truck cab to set on top of the GN. Search on the tow rig forum on pirate...TONS of these ideas are overthere.

On a side note, how do you like your mega cab? I'm considering either a mega cab or a max cab tundra to replace my 100 series.

 

[Rustydog]

I saw a couple at Tellico with the slide in on a goose neck and very cool idea. What I am finding is the measurements to make it work make for a very long trailer. Most slide ins are at least 8 feet and others for a long bed are closer to 11 feet long.

When you add this to the length you need for the truck you are probably 30 feet long. I think I could do a Scorpion style at 26 feet. I travel for work about 10 days per month. Most are in single location for 4 nights or so at a time. I was almost thinking if I do this right I could use the trailer/RV and apply the expenses of the hotel toward the trailer. I cover all my own costs.

I love the Mega Cab. I keep thinking that the Dodge in her will come out and everything will start to rattle, trim fall off, and in general start to fall apart. It is a 2006 purchased in Feb. It has over 37k miles already. The only item that has required service is the power steering box went bad at 13k. There are probably a billion of these in service today on almost every truck out there so I write it off to a fluke. Warranty no $ spent.

I have only been below 14mpg once. Towing it usually is somewhere in the 15mpg range. Normal combined city and highway (I live in DC area and it is the family hauler) 17-18mpg is the norm. Empty running up and down I95 for work it is normal to be 21-21.5 with just luggage and me.

I really like the way the Cummins feels and drives. The 4 speed trans is not really that noticable but another gear to allow a lower 1st like the compitition would be nice. The Asin in the new models has fixed that. The Ford and Chevy feel much more like a powerful gas motor. The Cummins feels much more like my 80 or the old 40 on major steroids. It just pulls and pulls with the inline "big rid" feel.

It also is very quiet for a diesel. The new Fords are much better but I still think the Mega Cab is quieter. My son is now 6 1 1/2 tall and with his Lacrosse buddies in the truck regularly it is nice having the smelly boys as far away from the driver as possible. If you are under 6 feet tall it is even possible to sleep on the folder rear seats and it is easily bigger than my Cabellas cots.