Adding a trailer to a truck camper

[Oswegatchie]

We are thinking of adding a lightweight snowmobile/utility trailer to the back of our setup and tow it. The reason why is to add storage and to lighten the load on the truck/camper. We have a very heavy Lance 1172 and a 3500 GMC dually to haul it. If we add everything to the camper/truck (food, gear, propane, ect.) we are going to be over the payload capacity. Would it be advantageous to put most of the heavier items (and canoes, bikes, and other misc. items) in or on a towing trailer since the towing capacity is so much higher than the payload capacity. Would it help take wear off the suspension, transmission, engine, ect. of the truck and also help with the handling on the road? I know it will limit where we can go to off-road, but the size and weight and center of gravity of the camper/truck combo are already going to limit us anyway. Anybody have experience/ideas here?

 

[wagoneer]

Although my camper sounds lighter than yours as I travel alone I have plenty room, towing a cargo trailer is a great Idea I have and it's a win win situation declutter the lance and lighten the load. I like the smaller 4 x 8 or 5 x 10 and can be had for under 2k on the secondary market. It will affect your MPG but a worthy tradeoff, especially if your running diesel

 

[highdesertranger]

hahahaha you sound like me. you have everything and then some. yes a trailer imo is the way to go. plus you could carry extra food, water and fuel allowing for longer stays without resupply. it would also allow you to be able to resupply at cheaper places because you can go further between resupply points. another point, adding air bags to the truck might improve the handling. highdesertranger

 

[wagoneer]

Plus the added bonus of more roof more solar get a mini system and add freezer chest in the trailer. just like at home, HDR I think that has something to do with age LOL

 

[Oswegatchie]

Although my camper sounds lighter than yours as I travel alone I have plenty room, towing a cargo trailer is a great Idea I have and it's a win win situation declutter the lance and lighten the load. I like the smaller 4 x 8 or 5 x 10 and can be had for under 2k on the secondary market. It will affect your MPG but a worthy tradeoff, especially if your running diesel

We are running diesel. I hope to look for something made of aluminum, due to the lighter weight. That's why we were thinking of a snowmobile trailer. I think they are considerably lighter than a utility trailer, but maybe I'm wrong. We would have to add a tow extension due to the overhang of the camper. I just think we will be overloading the truck with everything. I was even thinking of possible putting the 2-30lb propane tanks and possibly the batteries in their too. Since w plan on boon docking for up to the 2 week limit quite often, setting up when stopping should not be a big deal, at least I don't think so. then again, we haven't done it yet, so......... only experience will dictate.

 

[Oswegatchie]

Plus the added bonus of more roof more solar get a mini system and add freezer chest in the trailer. just like at home, HDR I think that has something to do with age LOL

Did not even consider the solar possibility. We were looking to add the portable Renogy types, but maybe we could rethink that. We have the 7cf Norcold? Fridge already. The freezer would be great to stock up on good grass-fed beef, but I think the power requirements may be too much.

 

[Oswegatchie]

hahahaha you sound like me.  you have everything and then some.  yes a trailer imo is the way to go.  plus you could carry extra food,  water and fuel allowing for longer stays without resupply.  it would also allow you to be able to resupply at cheaper places because you can go further between resupply points.  another point,  adding air bags to the truck might improve the handling.  highdesertranger

Great points that i never considered! We like to eat very healthy, and good food is sometimes hard to get in the more remote areas. That would work out well. As well as the ability to stock up when economically feasible. We have no air bags. Not sure how much we want to put into this setup as we eventually want to be able to get further into the backcountry and may decide on a 4 wheel camper type. Not sure if my other half is willing to start out with such a reduced amount of stuff that would be necessary to go that route.

 

[highdesertranger]

be careful with the tongue extension. they greatly reduce your towing weight capability. highdesertranger

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I was even thinking of possible putting the 2-30lb propane tanks and possibly the batteries in their too. Since w plan on boon docking for up to the 2 week limit quite often, setting up when stopping should not be a big deal, at least I don't think so. then again, we haven't done it yet, so......... only experience will dictate.

If you are going to keep your house batteries in the trailer, you are going to need HEAVY wires between the trailer and truck, the power wire in the 7 pin plug is NOT going to cut it. I would be looking for heavy jumper cables and replace the ends with Anderson Poles.

 

[squatting dog2]

6x12 enclosed allows you to keep your valuables secure. bonus is flat roof for solar panels   and, depending on your location, they can be had brand new for a song.

http://www.usacargotrailersales.com...e-we-have-them-ready-to-tow-1-999-detail.html

 

[Oswegatchie]

If you are going to keep your house batteries in the trailer, you are going to need HEAVY wires between the trailer and truck, the power wire in the 7 pin plug is NOT going to cut it. I would be looking for heavy jumper cables and replace the ends with Anderson Poles.

Actually, I was only thinking of storing them in there while traveling to lighten the load on the truck. I would be placing them back in the camper when boon docking. Might be too much work?

 

[Almost There]

Actually, I was only thinking of storing them in there while traveling to lighten the load on the truck. I would be placing them back in the camper when boon docking. Might be too much work?

Well, that's one way to get a good workout in.

Each of my batteries weigh in at 73 lbs....when I need them moved, I'll come find you....

 

[Oswegatchie]

Well, that's one way to get a good workout in.

Each of my batteries weigh in at 73 lbs....when I need them moved, I'll come find you....

Well, I won't have my planet fitness membership anymore, so i guess I can curl them when moving them too. If you are close, I get double the workout!

 

[ArtW]

put carry straps on batteries, do farmer's Walk with 146 lb (two 73lb batteries) awesome workout

 

[Oswegatchie]

6x12 enclosed allows you to keep your valuables secure. bonus is flat roof for solar panels   and, depending on your location, they can be had brand new for a song.

http://www.usacargotrailersales.com...e-we-have-them-ready-to-tow-1-999-detail.html

Funny, we were just talking about the security aspects last night. Especially things that can walk easily like bicycles.

 

[Oswegatchie]

put carry straps on batteries, do farmer's Walk with 146 lb (two 73lb batteries) awesome workout

I am assuming that will not look strange at all with the crowd at the RTR!

 

[wagoneer]

Brought a small trailer to the last RTR very handy when I brought it back and parked it in front of my house vandals cut the hasp and stole a bunch of stuff, I wound up selling it for what i paid, and will be towing other small enclosed cargo trailer to the upcoming RTR, unfortunately no wire to give away this time but i will be bringing a battery load tester.

 

[Almost There]

It might not look strange but there's going to be a bunch of envy from some of the guys and another bunch of 'my god look at that body will ya' from the older women....

Just sayin!!   :angel:

 

[highdesertranger]

I don't think there is anything that would look strange at RTR. highdesertranger

 

[ArtW]

I am assuming that will not look strange at all with the crowd at the RTR!

It might, who cares? when i had my S&B I used to do a lot of 'strongman event' type training, although VERY scaled down
My neighbors called me 'that weird guy' and not a single eff was given

It might not look strange but there's going to be a bunch of envy from some of the guys and another bunch of 'my god look at that body will ya' from the older women....

Just sayin!!   :angel:

Hate to burst that bubble, I tend more to 'burly / fat' than 'toned and buff'
really 143lb for a farmer's walk isn't that heavy
Maybe Oswe is built more aesthetically