trailer handling offroad (1 Viewer)

[semlin]

so i have pulled the trigger on an m101cdn. will get it next week once i figure out if it will be sandblasted first.

one topic i have not seen discussed here is how best to set up a trailer for offroad towing in terms of suspension, tire size, tire inflation and loading. I have zero offroad towing experience and so would be very interested in comments on how best to set them up for good handling characteristics offroad whether crawling or cruising. i have some requirements of my own but I'd like to leave this topic open for people to comment on what they know.

my trailer will get used mainly in BC expedition style. we have many long gravel/dirt logging roads that are either washboarded or potholed but otherwise quite driveable and being able to run 30 or even 40 mph is not unusual in my 80 if you don't mind a few jolts although this tends to overheat my ome shocks. can i set up the trailer to tag along or are the suspension limitations going to slow me down?

my thoughts are that the spring suspension on the trailer will be stiffer than the coils on the 80 and that the stock shocks will have a shorter travel and will likely heat up faster than the omes. this will mean the trailer will be bouncing. would it thus be better to leave the trailer tires with higher psi than the truck to get maximum absorbancy from them, and let it bounce? is it worth replacing the stock military shocks with something else? Can you synch a trailer suspension to a truck for dirt road driving.

 

[gladly]

I can't saymuch about towing an M-101 with an 80, but based on varied experience with trailers in general and vehicles in general, I would suggest trial and error, bring an air pig or 12V compressor wiht you, load it with what you'd expect to carry, (or equivelent weight in cinderblocks) and take in out, beat it around, air up nad down, etc. min thing is to haul it for a bit first, because sometimes things will seem sketchy, and after 1/2 hour you are used to it
my 0.02

 

[Snook]

The best way to get to know your trailer is to take it with you everywhere included tight spots ONROAD where the trailer will become part of your limb naturally.

I have been using my M416 as a hauling dumpster and picking up new plywoods & studs where it involving backing up alot so I get more comfortable with it.

As for offroading, there are some conditions to make it safer and more pleasant trip, lower the tire PSI to 18. Be sure to have a tarp or steel cover for coverage due to lots of dusts going inside from your truck. Be sure to have good rear wheel rubber fender on your truck to minizned the number of gravel & rock denting & nicking your trailer.

Bring some 4x4 wood blocks, some traingles not only for level camping but also to keep your trailer locked on steep slope if you have to unhooked it in the worst case.

Also it would help to have a trailer hitch on the front bumper. Don't forget the spare trailer tire.

M416 have ten suspension leafs for a smooth ride when it is not loaded at all on the highway. But offroad, it did bounced alot even with low tire PSI with new stock absorbers so I am considering replacing or reducing my M416 suspension b y adding adjustable airbags similair to the AV trailer's.

Cheers,

 

[Exiled]

I've towed my M416 offroad for years, never had any issues but it does take time to get used to it. Mine's SOA and had longer than stock shackles and I think that helps with the overall ride. It's also significantly heavier than stock, too, which also helps. I've played with the air pressure in the tires and ended up with about 20 PSI as the best solution for my trailer. It does bounce sometimes, but not constantly and I can run 40, 45 MPH on dirt roads without losing control.

One thing to be careful of offroad are rocks bouncing off the trailer and back onto the rear window. This gets mitigated with a longer tongue.

 

[Rubiconcruiser]

Trailer

Welcome to thr dramatic world of trailer towing off road..If you can and are not too shy you can use the same tires as on the cruiser, easier yet and a little cheaper is to get a good quality mud and snow tire, Cooper, Capitol (Firestone) and use them until funds are available to get the matched set. Leave the leaf spring suspension alone it is the best out there, coils will get you into trouble, Load weight is dependent on what you are carrying, camping gear, tools, toys, Center the load over the axle, and if you can Modular is the way to store things. Milk crates are a start, eventually you will want to get shipping crates (Plastic) with lids, easily stored, and stackable, Hi Lift jack mounted on the outside rail, shouvle, mattock, axe, xtra fuel, water, lantern mounting post built in, the list goes on and on. I am still building mine and it changes weekly I think, any questions or info I can give you email me at Rubiconcruiser@msn.com. or call 818 355 7986. Good Luck Jim C.

 

[jonb96150]

All my off-road trailering has been on the Rubicon. It is all real slow and very tight so I can't speak to washboard roads. But I did learn to use big tires that stick out a couple inches past the fenders or else you bash the fenders in on rocks and trees. The oversize tires act as rubber bumpers and protect the fenders.

 

[Brentbba]

One thing to be careful of offroad are rocks bouncing off the trailer and back onto the rear window. This gets mitigated with a longer tongue.

Saw the result of this happening on the DV trip. Blew out the rear window of a LX the very first day. There's a thread somewhere on this with protection ideas to prevent this from happening.

If you are driving lots of washboard/gravel roads, this would be an absolute in my mind.

 

[Owyhee Jackass]

Loaded down, my trailer tracks great, rides the wasboards and over rocks great. Empty, it bounces pretty good and will slide around corners and fishtail a bit, nothing too extreme. I've notice with the added weight pushing the truck (whilst trying to brake) going into corners (rally mode) the ABS wants to activate on our 80. I need to get one of those 4-hi CDL switches to disable the ABS while I'm rallying through the desert.

 

[brownbear]

I definately think moderating tire pressure is the key to a good ride. These things already do the job on the rough stuff and seem pretty good.

Empty on the highway I found 20 PSI to be ok, it helps a bit. When I am at 30 it rattles a bit more.

I guess it seems that mudflaps should be on your cruiser before towing one of these on a gravel highway. Good to know......