6x12 cargo trailer lifted for off road, Jeep JKU approved?

[jokerone]

2018 JKU Sport (not lifted, stock street tires, 225R7516) 6 Speed manual, 3.73 heavy rear axle for 3500 lbs with a tow gear package .

I'm wanting to

(1) Build a boondocking camper.

(2) keep the total weight at or about 3,000 lbs.

(3) No technical off roading, rock climbing, etc. Just gravel BLM, and National Forest roads.

(4) Highway driving over Hills and mountains.

(5) Would be Trailer would be 6 foot plus Tall. But not top heavy due to the weight of the solar batteries and water tank on the floor. (~ 1,000 lbs). 

(6) the Off road axle would give it just a few inches in lift. Similar to this cargo trailer. 6x12 Off road cargo trailer[/url]

Anybody see any problems, issues, with this plan? Ideas, suggestions, etc. are welcome and thanks in advance.


thanks

 

[highdesertranger]

I think a 12 footer is a little long for a Jeep. short wheel base vehicles make poor tow vehicles for all but the smallest trailer. also with a 12 footer it's going to be easy to overload the trailer, which will probably overload the jeep. highdesertranger

 

[John61CT]

Yes a longer wheelbase TV is always safer when talking highway speeds.

Might be OK with a super-lightweight build, foamie top over aluminum chassis.

But just going slower compensates for many sins.

 

[kaBLOOnie Boonster]

The original poster should be able to get what he wants, trailer-wise. I won't comment about towing with a Jeep, because I have no direct experience.

His criteria for the trailer are virtually identical to mine. Mine weighs out at 2800 pounds on the CAT scale, loaded. And that was a full conversion, including porta-pottie and shower.

I haven't ever lifted a trailer by remounting the springs to be over the axle. I did a "lift" by going with a straight axle instead of the industry-standard 4" drop axle. Excellent clearance for the roads the original poster is talking about.

 

[seak]

IIRC, the JKU is rated for towing a trailer with no more than 32 square feet of frontal area. A 6 foot tall trailer at 5 feet wide might be OK if you don't hang a lot of other gear like roof racks on the trailer and tow vehicle. But, I would be concerned about it being a slug in a head wind. You might want to rent U-Haul in a similar size and test it out before purchasing a trailer.

 

[bullfrog]

Might be good to look at Feather Lite aluminum trailers if nothing to radical as far as roads go. Start with half the weight. Also a V nose trailer may help. Definitely no roof rack if traveling above 50 MPH. Several off road campers at Tnttt.com using insulation foam easily repaired as you know you will eventually hit something in trees and bushes. A sturdy raised axle trailer with a 6' box will be much too high and too much wind resistance, much better to make an top and sides that expand upward to camp. Go rent a UHaul trailer the size you plan to buy for a day and drive 3,000 lbs on the freeway aand up a few hills. All these are only my opinions and the most important "test" drive will be the one you thank me for as it will save you a lot of money.

 

[tx2sturgis]

An off-road teardrop style would be much lighter and easier for the Jeep to pull on and off pavement, and provide a much smaller frontal surface when towing on the highway.

Or, consider a roof-top tent and maybe a very small cargo trailer for supplies.

 

[jokerone]

IIRC, the JKU is rated for towing a trailer with no more than 32 square feet of frontal area. A 6 foot tall trailer at 5 feet wide might be OK if you don't hang a lot of other gear like roof racks on the trailer and tow vehicle. But, I would be concerned about it being a slug in a head wind. You might want to rent U-Haul in a similar size and test it out before purchasing a trailer.

I think renting a UHaul is a great idea!  thanks.

so the 32 SQR FT is a wind resistance thing?

 

[jokerone]

Might be good to look at Feather Lite aluminum trailers if nothing to radical as far as roads go.  Start with half the weight.  Also a V nose trailer may help.  Definitely no roof rack if traveling above 50 MPH.  Several off road campers at Tnttt.com using insulation foam easily repaired as you know you will eventually hit something in trees and bushes.  A sturdy raised axle trailer with a 6' box will be much too high and too much wind resistance, much better to make an top and sides that expand upward to camp. Go rent a UHaul trailer the size you plan to buy for a day and drive 3,000 lbs on the freeway aand up a few hills.  All these are only my opinions and the most important "test" drive will be the one you thank me for as it will save you a lot of money.

The trailer is going to have solar panels on it.  Mounted very securely, probably on their own metal frame.  Don't know if that would act the same as a roof rack with crap on it out not?

 

[jokerone]

An off-road teardrop style would be much lighter and easier for the Jeep to pull on and off pavement, and provide a much smaller frontal surface when towing on the highway.

Or, consider a roof-top tent and maybe a very small cargo trailer for supplies.

A small tear drop won't work for what I'm wanting.

My other alternative is a Skoolie conversion which is what I'm seriously considering.

thanks.

 

[John61CT]

> gravel BLM, and National Forest roads

Have you much experience with these? Solar panels need solid protection from the usual hazards out there, and yes, same issues as with a roof-rack.

I would look for a cheapest / easiest way to gain that before making a big investment of time & energy.

A Skoolie is a **completely** different beast from off-road rough-camping.

 

[tx2sturgis]

A small tear drop won't work for what I'm wanting.

My other alternative is a Skoolie conversion which is what I'm seriously considering.

My answer was based on your statement that you want to go 'boondock camping':

I'm wanting to

(1) Build a boondocking camper.

My answer was geared toward 'camping' and not fulltiming or part-timing in a larger trailer or a skoolie.

But I hear ya...teardrops can increase flexibility but also limit your comfort. 

It's always a trade-off.

 

[highdesertranger]

a Jeep is a very capable and excellent off road vehicle. however it is very poor at towing all but the smallest trailers. I posted it once before a 6x12 is to big for a Jeep. highdesertranger

 

[seak]

so the 32 SQR FT is a wind resistance thing?

I'm not certain, but it seems likely. I've never seen a max frontal area spec before and was surprised to see it in the towing specs. I can't see why they would rate that otherwise.

 

[tx2sturgis]

a Jeep is a very capable and excellent off road vehicle.  however it is very poor at towing all but the smallest trailers.  I posted it once before a 6x12 is to big for a Jeep.   highdesertranger

The Jeep Wranglers are pretty good, but the Jeep crossover SUVs are generally average. And yep the max towing for most of the 2dr Wranglers is around 2000 pounds, the 4dr can tow up to 3500. A loaded 6x12 cargo trailer can approach or exceed that weight pretty easily.

Exactly why I suggested a teardrop.

 

[tx2sturgis]

I'm not certain, but it seems likely. I've never seen a max frontal area spec before and was surprised to see it in the towing specs. I can't see why they would rate that otherwise.

Many manufacturers limit the rating for trailer frontal area as well as weight. In the Ford official towing guide, for example, it is part of the towing specs for several of the vehicles.

 

[ByeBye]

4x4 Flatbed truck w/ slide in/on camper, but I'm biased.

 

[jokerone]

> gravel BLM, and National Forest roads

Have you much experience with these? Solar panels need solid protection from the usual hazards out there, and yes, same issues as with a roof-rack.

I would look for a cheapest / easiest way to gain that before making a big investment of time & energy.

A Skoolie is a **completely** different beast from off-road rough-camping.

My GPS has tried to kill me more than once on Forest Roads if thats what you mean?  

That was in the Jeep without a trailer. 

Again, I'm not talking about anything technical.  If you can't get a 2WD car down the road, then I probably don't want to do it with my future setup.  thanks

 

[jokerone]

a Jeep is a very capable and excellent off road vehicle.  however it is very poor at towing all but the smallest trailers.  I posted it once before a 6x12 is to big for a Jeep.   highdesertranger

The weight is well within specs, but that is only one dimension of this.  I appreciate your input.  I've seen people pulling 6x12 trailers, but I've also seen people drive with their feet, that doesn't mean its a good idea.. 

thanks!

 

[jokerone]

I saw the specs for the new Jeep Truck. It has a 7000 lbs tow capacity. Twice what the JK has.