Suggestions for a trailer, please

Build one.

Cheers,
Peter.
OKA196 Motorhome

Rick,

A 7x5 offroad trailer is a practical choice for extra storage needs and will allow you to go virtually anywhere.

I don't use mine as often as I used to, as our camper trailer provides adequate storage space as well as a means of transporting the tinnie on fishing/camping trip occasions.

I travelled "up the middle" to Darwin and back (and side trips along the way) towing the trailer with the tinnie upside down on top of it and had no problems at all. The extra fuel consumption would be negligible when compared to a roof rack on top, for extra storage space.

Bill.

Rick,
I suppose you could say that I'm in a similar boat as you and, as has already been suggested by Peter to you, I'm proposing to build my own campING trailer to carry all the stuff we need (and no doubt lots that we don't need).

I reckon I can build (correction, have built, as my hands are all thumbs) a 2.0m x 1.8m (excl drawbar) which when fully loaded with 220L of water, Engel and all the other "necessary" will weigh just under 1500kg and be easily towed behind my LC80.

If you're interested in my thoughts - or just want a good laugh - send me a MM with your email address and I'll send you what I have; I'd also be interested in your reaction, critique, etc.

Cheers,
Dick

Two very good trailer builders in SA are Miegel Bros at Murray Bridge & Built Tough at Willaston. Both on the net.

Gday Rick,
When our family of 4 kids were growing up, we towed a 1960 model Treg trailer. Tregs still operate out of the same factory in Underdale, and they make a nice strong 4x4 trailer. Won't come cheap though. The one I used is now being used by another family member - its almost 50 years old.

Also you could contact the people at Adventure Camper Trailers. They also make solid leaf spring trailers.

All the best with your trips - I expect you're still folllowing the routes of John McDougall Stuart!

Phil

Have mo now for some thoughts Rick.
I have had a 5x7 Tregg for about 15 years. It has given good service, but over the years I have made some significant mods to it.
1. Drawbar. Boat style (single tube) and a bit longer will allow jack-knifing in excess of 90d for getting out of tight spots. I extended the Tregg drawbar by 1M.
2. We only tow the trailer when we take a tinny. The tinny is mounted RIGHT WAY UP so it can be left rigged with motor on in camp etc. I modified the trailer to full tilt so we can launch and retrieve the tinny with a boat winch.
3. It has a 2.5T axle and HUGE wheel bearings. A majour plus. I added a bearing lube sustem (a grease nipple in the bearing cap) so that the hubs can be filled with grease regularly to keep the water out.
4. It has conventional 9 leaf short leaf springs. This is NBG. If you want the stuff in the trailer to survive you need longer travel, softer suspension AND shockers. Independent would be nice, but not essential, IMHO.
5. Spring shackle pins and bushes take a thrashing. They must be eaily replacable on the road and greasable.
6. Wheel track should be identical to the tow vehicle and it should have identical wheels and tyres.
7. Most stuff should be stored in plastic bins with lids. The lids should be as dust proof as possible and the bns should slide in to their 'home'.
8. There is opportunity to carry extra water and fuel under the floor and use transer pumps instead of jerries.
9. Fit a fully articulating hitch (eg Tregg).
10. Brakes are a pain (mine has none). Fit whatever mechanical system that stays together best (to be legal over 750kg) rather than what works best. Avoid hydraulics at all costs.

If I started again, I would definately build my own. The design would start like a boat trailer with storage under the boat, rather than a box trailer modified to carry a boat. That way there is better access to 'stuff' along the sides.



Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome