Why should I buy and build an expedition trailer? (1 Viewer)

[FJ60-Hokie]

I have been reading this section for a while and dreaming about a trailer of my own, but have recently had a change of heart due to the price tags of the bare bones trailer.

I am planning a long road trip across the country and am trying to figure out if this is something I want or something I "need". I really need to be sold on the benefits of these things.

Can you guys sell me on the benefits?

 

[D'Animal]

You want us to convince you that you want something?

 

[dingdong]

If I was doing a long ROAD trip across the country in a FJ-60 (assuming) the last thing I would want to deal with is a trailer.

If I was doing a week long expedition off road with 3 or 4 people in a FJ-60 I would definately want some type of expedition trailer/tent set up.

Or you could be like me and get a military trailer and keep it in the driveway just for show, so it looks like you are ready to go on an expedition at any moment.

 

[FJ60-Hokie]

You want us to convince you that you want something?

Ok, I can rephrase if that helps D'Animal.

"Please let me know some of the positives and/or negatives to a expedition trailer on a cross country trip"

 

[Exiled]

I'll take a stab at it:

CONS:

* well-setup expedition trailers are expensive
* the added weight of the trailer will take a toll on your brakes/handling/fuel economy
* introducing another axle is an added level of complexity
* Towing a trailer will be difficult on tough trails
* Trailers can be expensive on toll roads
* Towing a trailer means lower speed limits in a lot of states (notably CA)

PROS:

* well-setup expedition trailers function as a mini portable campsite
* Increased cargo capacity
* trailers eliminate the need for a COG-impacting and fuel consumption-hiking roof rack
* a well-designed and executed trailer provides secure storage for gear during the trip (as opposed to in the back of the Cruiser)
* carrying your gear in the trailer keeps the Cruiser uncluttered for passengers
* expedition trailers are cool!


To me, this is a moot argument, if we're going to go by sheer logic, many of us should be daily-driving a Camry!

 

[lx450landcruiser]

i was in the same boat as you for awhile and just picked mine up because.
I cant drive my cruiser in the garage this means i have a hard time taking off my roof top tent so i drive around with it all the time. this hurts my gas milage. i also have a stove built into my storage box in the rear also more weight. i think i prolly carry around 300 lbs of gear every day when i drive around. i bought the trailer to put all my gear in once place. when i want to go camping i just hook up and go no need to put every thing back on or back into the cruiser. just hook and go.

 

[spressomon]

I'll take a stab at it:

CONS:

* well-setup expedition trailers are expensive
* the added weight of the trailer will take a toll on your brakes/handling/fuel economy
* introducing another axle is an added level of complexity
* Towing a trailer will be difficult on tough trails
* Trailers can be expensive on toll roads
* Towing a trailer means lower speed limits in a lot of states (notably CA)

PROS:

* well-setup expedition trailers function as a mini portable campsite
* Increased cargo capacity
* trailers eliminate the need for a COG-impacting and fuel consumption-hiking roof rack
* a well-designed and executed trailer provides secure storage for gear during the trip (as opposed to in the back of the Cruiser)
* carrying your gear in the trailer keeps the Cruiser uncluttered for passengers
* expedition trailers are cool!


To me, this is a moot argument, if we're going to go by sheer logic, many of us should be daily-driving a Camry!

I would add:

CONS:
* Need a place to store the trailer.

PROS:
* Opens up another level of comfort, convenience and ease of exploring.
* We leave our AT Horizon packed and ready to go (just add water and food)...so it is much faster for us to get going on a weekend trip for instance and less unpacking when we get back home.

 

[FJ60-Hokie]

Thanks for all the replys guys.

I really like the notion that I wouldn't have to pack and unpack. I am bad at just leaving the stuff in my rig. I also like the idea that all that camping stuff isn't clamoring around while wheeling if the trailer is at the camp site.

I don't like that the fuel economy is decreased further, but the primary alternative is the roof rack that will also consume more gas while also making my rig top heavy. I am also worried about the expense of setting it up.

Because I don't think I will be able to suffer the expense of the trailer and the tent, I am leaning towards a roof rack with added storage and a sleeping platform in the back of the rig.

Thanks again for your comments!

 

[spressomon]

Thanks for all the replys guys.

I really like the notion that I wouldn't have to pack and unpack. I am bad at just leaving the stuff in my rig. I also like the idea that all that camping stuff isn't clamoring around while wheeling if the trailer is at the camp site.

I don't like that the fuel economy is decreased further, but the primary alternative is the roof rack that will also consume more gas while also making my rig top heavy. I am also worried about the expense of setting it up.

Because I don't think I will be able to suffer the expense of the trailer and the tent, I am leaning towards a roof rack with added storage and a sleeping platform in the back of the rig.

Thanks again for your comments!

I think the Adventure Trailer Chaser in its basic form is around $4K...you can always add to it later as needed/wants/budget allow.

 

[FJ60-Hokie]

There is a canadian trailer for sale locally for 1300, but I would think that they need a lot of mods to be brought up to snuff.

 

[D'Animal]

If we're going to go by sheer logic, many of us should be daily-driving a Camry!

X.2

 

[rusty_tlc]

My experience is limited to traditional RV typ travel trailer, but some of the same principles apply.

Just to Me-too some of the things already mentioned;

-Having everything loaded and ready to go is one of the biggest advantages. We even kept spare cloths, jackets and shoes in our trailers. And we still have all the kitchen equipment in storage.
-Storage is a down side, it was costing us $45/ month to store our TT. CC&R's didn't allow driveway storage, or RV's that showed above the fence.

One positive point that hasen't been mentioned is how fast you can get camp set up. Once I had the routine down for a new trailer I could pull into camp and be sipping a cold beer faster than you can say "Honey how long til dinner?"

A down side not mentioned is insurance. Probably not to much for the type of trailers we are talking about here but it should be considered. It is a common belief that anything being towed is covered by the tow vehicle insurance, this is not always the case and definatly not the case if the trailer is stolen from your house or a camp site. Or gets burn in a wild fire or vandelized. You should get a rider on the vehicle insurance for the trailer.

 

[spressomon]

My experience is limited to traditional RV typ travel trailer, but some of the same principles apply.

Just to Me-too some of the things already mentioned;

-Having everything loaded and ready to go is one of the biggest advantages. We even kept spare cloths, jackets and shoes in our trailers. And we still have all the kitchen equipment in storage.
-Storage is a down side, it was costing us $45/ month to store our TT. CC&R's didn't allow driveway storage, or RV's that showed above the fence.

One positive point that hasen't been mentioned is how fast you can get camp set up. Once I had the routine down for a new trailer I could pull into camp and be sipping a cold beer faster than you can say "Honey how long til dinner?"

A down side not mentioned is insurance. Probably not to much for the type of trailers we are talking about here but it should be considered. It is a common belief that anything being towed is covered by the tow vehicle insurance, this is not always the case and definatly not the case if the trailer is stolen from your house or a camp site. Or gets burn in a wild fire or vandelized. You should get a rider on the vehicle insurance for the trailer.

FYI: It runs me $100 per year for extended coverage (off of my LC policy) for my Horizon...