Box trailer... need opinions

I don't know what type of 4wd you have, but check your measurements. Most camper trailers are 4 ft wide to track the same as the 4wd.
from Marty.

Hi ShnogDog,
I'm in a similar situation. 4 kids, lots of camping. Have owned a number of trailers over the years. Currently 7x5 HD Gal, H bars, 14in Holden wheels (had a commodore when I bought it), slipper springs (knew no better). 5 years old no rust and as new(ish).
Pro's of this size :- can see it in the mirrors of the Cruiser, track is similar to LC can fit a 12 ft Tinnie on the H bars. Towed it into Bendethra a couple of weeks ago. Eldest daughter brought boyfriend. 6 passengers, FULLY loaded.
Cons :- Bumped the draw bar on some of the erosion control humps nothing major. Often bump the towbar anyway (Std springs etc.). Clearance under the trailer is rarely a problem.

Couple of things to consider. Have the hitch mounting plate attached to the bottom of drawer bar (better clearence for draw bar, jockey wheel is usually most vulnerable). A Highland hitch or similar would be a good idea for Off Road. And get it galvanised - a must IMO. Have lost a few trailers to cancer over the years.

I have to say I love trailers, don't know why, basic, simple functionality perhaps.
Currently I am dreaming of building my own using Unistrut. Why? I have a 17 boat, a 12 boat and a box trailer. 3 trailers! And I would like a chassis that I can build on and alter to suit. Eg boatrollers for the 12ft'er. Pull the boat off, bolt a floor on, bolt on a box, kitchen etc. You get the idea.

Good luck with your decision
Shane

Hi,

No matter which way you go, you are looking at spending more money than you want, but if you dont spend the extra know on the minimum specs, you will be really peaved later.

I ended up doing the following:

-Got a heavy duty trailer build and used for camping for 2 years
-Made sure I got an off road coupling
-Made sure that the track width was same as car
-Went for 4x4 size tyre with extra clearance
-Made sure it was galv so I could use on sand

Then earlier this year, when I could afford it, I put a tent on top. Best thing I ever did as far as family camping holiday is concerned.

My recommendation is try to figure out what you will use the trailer for in 2yrs time, and build to that spec.

I have photo's of trailer in my profile.

Hope this helps

Thanks

TonyG

SD
I reckon you either go with the cheapest option, or go to a proper off road trailer. A compromise in between will just mean wasted money, and leave you still dissatisfied with its limitations. Unless it is an offroad trailer, the overall construction won't handle rough stuff, the suspension will fall apart (literally), and people will point at you and laugh.
The full version will have the same wheels and tyres as the tow vehicle, hubs adapted from the tow vehicle, and heavy duty draw bar and tow hitch.

Agree with Tony g's list but MUST add proper eye to eye leaf springs, no slippers, which will eventually break under rough road usage.

I have recently had built, an off-road 7x4 box trailer, with two Jerry can holders one in each front corner, heavy duty leaf springs Treg coupling and fitted cover. The tracking is the same as the tow vehicle, same tyres and rims, meaning extra spares.
All other Off-road trailers did not travel in the track of the X-Trail. The trailer is always packed, including fire wood, Friday night, throw clothes, dog and fridge into the back of the X-Trail, hook up trailer and AWAY.
Keeps all the camping gear together, without having to remember what gear to pack, then trailer is used about every 3 months for garden duties.
Good Luck, I remember trying to make your decision but it was worth the money.

Add shock absorbers to your list.

Also, have a good think about things like gerrycan holders and gas bottle holders etc. Get them put on at build time so they get galvanised too. Adding accesories after the fact requires welding, which destroys the galvanising (:--~

Cheers...........

Just something for consideration.

Lets say for example , you part with say . . $2500 - $3000 for a good offroad trailer.

Are you REALLY going to want to use it as general garden duties ? Filled up with crap , with the potential for Rust ?

I have had my HD Box trailer , 7x5 , for nearly 12 years. Been used as Gokart transport, trailer for camping , and Garden Trailer. Cost me about $800. It has been through HELL , including some camping trips I wouldn't even take my CT through . . .

Other then a flat tyre , nothing.

Now, I WOULDN'T recommend that one of these would take the place of a PROPER offroad trailer , thats not my point , but rather , think about what you are going to do with your trailer. You might find its better to end up with 2.

One now that will mostly do the job , then Budget for the Biggest and Best , and relegate this one to Garden duties in a few years time.

After towing a modified Cub Campomatic/Supamatic (we swapped the smaller one for a bigger one as the family increased in size) all over Oz (everwhere except the CSR) since the early eighties till the present with NO breakages and also leading club trips with campers over tracks which included the Anne Beadell, Simpson etc I feel that of the trailers built these days are way too heavy.
We've always carried the weighty stuff (fuel, water, food etc) in the vehicle as they are ususally more capable of carrying a load in rough country. The camper is only used to carry bedding, clothes and camping gear.
Our campers have been modified with a ring coupling, shock absorbers, a central piece of 75 x 50 x 3mm RHS from the front to rear, reinforcing of the spring to chassis mounts and a 10mm piece of round bar to truss the drawbar.
No fancy suspension, 14" Holden wheels with LT 8 ply radials as fitted to Hi Ace's etc. I have never broken a spring on our trailer which has eye to eye springs but have had others in the group with slippers break the front eye out.
All up our trailer weighs less then 500kg's loaded, can be manouvered by hand.
No brakes, no water tanks, gas bottles etc, the only thing carried on the outside of the camper is aspare on the drawbar and a spare leaf spring which has never been used.
We are a family of five and with a diesel troopy would travel for at least 3 months every year plus all the weekend trips at least once a month so the campers got plenty of use.
My personal opinion is that if you have to have ahuge trailer to carry all the gear then you have the wrong vehicle for the job.