Ultimate Bug Out (towed) Vehicle?

[SeerSavant]

The solution is to have two sets of hitches, one an off road tilt and one a street/highway variant.

With the tow vehicle, the standard class 3 hitch receiver works, but it's not all that hard to create the same set up on the trailer tongue.

I'm not sure about the Pintle Hook set up, I'd prefer something along these types...








These should be good for both on and off road...

[KJ4VOV]

The solution is to have two sets of hitches, one an off road tilt and one a street/highway variant.

With the tow vehicle, the standard class 3 hitch receiver works, but it's not all that hard to create the same set up on the trailer tongue.

I'm not sure about the Pintle Hook set up, I'd prefer something along these types...








These should be good for both on and off road...

Well, for on-road use they'd need to be DOT approved, and I know nothing about any of the ones you showed so I can't say if they are or they aren't. But I'm a "why reinvent the wheel" kind of guy so I look at a military style pintle and lunette ring setup and think to myself, "the military probably spent a fortune coming up with that, and they've used the same basic setup since before WWII, so it's probably fine for my purposes".

[SeerSavant]

True, my idea is to weld a receiver type hitch to the trailer tongue so that both hitch and tongue can be swapped out from an off road hitch to a standard hitch.

[KJ4VOV]

True, my idea is to weld a receiver type hitch to the trailer tongue so that both hitch and tongue can be swapped out from an off road hitch to a standard hitch.

I will say though that I probably wouldn't trust that top one to tow anything heavier than a small garden cart, or maybe a Barbie Dream Car. It looks like it's made from a standard automotive universal joint, and if it is, those were never designed for the stress of being pulled like that. Heck, even under normal rotational load on a driveshaft the things fail pretty easy.

[sigboy40]

True, my idea is to weld a receiver type hitch to the trailer tongue so that both hitch and tongue can be swapped out from an off road hitch to a standard hitch.

I have seen this done to great effect, and plan on incorporating it into a future project myself.

[jhyatt7]

Im actually very new to the trailer business, as a matter of fact me towing the hull of the T.E.S.S. home was the first time I actually ever towed anything. I was not aware of the off road limitations of the normal ball hitch. This forum has been invaluable and the folks here are awesome. I look forward to the first meeting of ZSC30

[Norwegian]

Actually, i've seen a lot of ball setups that can rotate sideways, i thought they all did... On my fathers trailer (700kg) the tongue can rotate 360 degrees sideways, and most trailer i've seen up to about 3000kg has at least a limited amount of rotation.

Also, it's worth noting that in some parts ofthe world pintle type hooks are not road legal on sivillian light vehicles (>3500 kg here).

[KJ4VOV]

Actually, i've seen a lot of ball setups that can rotate sideways, i thought they all did... On my fathers trailer (700kg) the tongue can rotate 360 degrees sideways, and most trailer i've seen up to about 3000kg has at least a limited amount of rotation.

Also, it's worth noting that in some parts ofthe world pintle type hooks are not road legal on sivillian light vehicles (>3500 kg here).

And the ones you describe that rotate sideways may not be legal in the USA for on-road use. They need DOT (Department of Transportation) approval first.

[DarkandShiny]

SeerSavant - updates?

[PackLemming]

[SeerSavant]

SeerSavant - updates?

I suffer from a particular illness, known as being broke.

The donor trailer to begin the build is gonna have to wait until I pay down this 2500 bucks that I had to sink into a few sensors, a brain, and a pair of cats for our Yukon... That plus Christmas have delayed the build....

But delayed doesn't mean done.

It may not be ready for summer camping trips, but I do hope to have it done by fall..

When I get the donor trailer, and start cleaning it up, I'll begin documenting it and posting pics to my blog (don't use it for much else), and posting said pics here as well...

Frustration doesn't begin to cover it... But keeping free of debt is priority number one...

Sometimes I feel like if I won 5 grand on a scratch card, I'd suddenly need an operation that would cost 6 grand... I think I pissed off someone in a past life or something...

Oh well.


I get it built, hell, a delay means time to refine the design, do more research on how I want the Galley set up...

Thinking positive, but really disappointed.

[TXwaterdog]

"WONDER-TRAILER
Phil Knox, an aeromodding legend, attached an inverted and partially sawed-off boat to the top of a utility trailer and added fairings in front of and behind the wheels, as well as a smooth aluminum belly pan to reduce drag beneath the trailer. As a result, unlike normal trailers, Knox’s 430-pound creation—still awaiting a few tweaks before it’s finished—does not appear to reduce his pickup truck’s mileage.
The H2Whoa Credo: DIY can be dangerous. We review all our projects before publishing them, but ultimately your safety is your responsibility. Always wear protective gear, take proper safety precautions, and follow all laws and regulations"

http://www.popsci.com/diy/article/2010-06/you-built-what-aerocycle

[td_scott]

Just found this tread. Like the teardrops. Ordered a Harbor Freight trailer and started planning. Hope to have it ready by June perhaps not with the kitchen sink or shower.

Here are a few good links including free plans..

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/improvement/2581961 (article that started it all)
 
http://www.mikenchell.com/ (teardrop forum)
 
http://www.mikenchell.com/images/GenericBenroyPlans.pdf (free plans)
 

If you search YouTube for offroad teardrop MartinXJ has the look that I'm going for.
 

[Wrangler]

I'm also looking into a Teardrop Trailer. I move around a lot for work so I've been needing a trailer to help with that. I just don't want a trailer that is only used for moves, s having something I can use for camping/BOV would be much more useful. How well do these hold there value?

[td_scott]

I hope they hold their value well. Seem to on eBay.

Anyone been to Zombie Con? Want to know if I can take an off road Little Guy to it.

Went to the local dealer. You know to hedge my bets. Put a deposit on rental in case my build was not done in time. They had a 2011 model off road that I liked. Got all the way home before I called with a low ball offer.

Said that it would look better in my driveway rather then their lot. Going to pick it up this weekend.

[Chirpy]

Very interesting stuff here so far. Of course planning for 4 makes some of the cooler stuff out of reach.

One thought looking at some of the expensive stuff out there is starting witha Jon boat trailer might work. Easy to upgrade wheels, and good clearance already part of the package.

[Tater Raider]

Very interesting stuff here so far. Of course planning for 4 makes some of the cooler stuff out of reach.

One thought looking at some of the expensive stuff out there is starting witha Jon boat trailer might work. Easy to upgrade wheels, and good clearance already part of the package.

You might try contacting manufacturers of the "Jeep" trailers to see about purchasing a bare frame. It gives you something ready built (suspension and tire clearence-wise) and some (Sierra 4x4 I know will for certain, check with others) might modify the frame length, trailer tongue style, etc. to better suit your plans. I think anyone with an off-road vehicle (Jeep JK and XJ, Toyota FJ Cruiser or Land Rover, any other modified) should at least consider doing this if they want an off-roadable teardrop.

[rbeau30]

This thread is making me intrigued.

I decided I am going to get an Army M103 Trailer and start my build from there. Should be a fun project.

This is the one I am picking up.

[doitnstyle1]

I just found this and thought it is the bomb!

http://www.sylvansport.com/camper/pull-behind-trailer/

Lightweight, modular, versatile. I might have to build one myself

[Tater Raider]

This thread is making me intrigued.

I decided I am going to get an Army M103 Trailer and start my build from there. Should be a fun project.

This is the one I am picking up.

How much did that set you back?

[ghost792]

I just found this and thought it is the bomb!

http://www.sylvansport.com/camper/pull-behind-trailer/

Lightweight, modular, versatile. I might have to build one myself

That does look pretty nice. I wonder how hard it would be to make it a 4 season trailer.

[Wrangler]

This caught my eye in the latest 4x4 TJ Magazine special. I really would like to save up the cash for one of these gorgeous rigs.

http://www.sierra4x4trailers.com/pricing/

[SeerSavant]

Very interesting stuff here so far. Of course planning for 4 makes some of the cooler stuff out of reach.

One thought looking at some of the expensive stuff out there is starting witha Jon boat trailer might work. Easy to upgrade wheels, and good clearance already part of the package.

I've actually gotten a nice trailer for a 14 foot sirocco sailboat (it's small) that might be worth cutting down and mating with some 3000 pound axle/tires. It doesn't have any of the usual pitting and corrosion that most boat trailers tend to have around here, so it's a start.

It's bare bones, and the axle will have to be replaced, as well as the wiring, but the price was right (free) and it's pretty thick box steel... So we shall see.

[rbeau30]

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