Light cargo trailer behind a 1983 Toyota New Horizon

[josephusminimus]

I've been watching what's being said on the Toyota Motor Home forum about pulling trailers behind these early 1980s motor homes, and while the official position is zero trailer pulling, the actual experience of members includes pulling motorcycles on trailers without problems.<br /><br />I'm about resigned to the fact I'm going to need a light trailer to carry a large bag of cat food, extra clothing, handyman jack, some tools, maybe jackstands, and possibly two 180 ampere hour golfcart batteries.<br /><br />My question is, do any of you have any experience with this issue?&nbsp; How 'light' do you consider light?&nbsp; Would say, a gutted popup be starting out empty heavier than you'd suggest from your own experiences?<br /><img src="http://sofarfromheavendotcom.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/popup-potential.jpg?w=500&amp;h=281" alt="" /><br /><br />The idea of picking up a ratted out popup and using it as a low profile utility trailer appeals to me a lot, but I'm not certain I wouldn't be better off buying a 4x8 trailer frame from Harbor Freight, building a light cover for it, instead.&nbsp; Despite the 12" wheels.<br /><br />I'm reducing the weight on the roof by removing the AC unit, which might buy me something, I'm thinking.&nbsp; And there's a generator on the RV feels as though it weighs 150# I'm wondering whether I'll need, or want later.&nbsp; If I remove it, there's more weight gone that might be a factor.<br /><br />Thoughts, ideas, experiences appreciated.

 

[angeli]

Hi,<br /><br />I can only talk about my own experiences in a ford focus wagon towing a teardrop trailer.&nbsp; The 'official' position on that is no towing, as well.&nbsp; But the specs on the car gave 1000 lbs max towable.&nbsp; Have you looked at the specs of your Toyota?&nbsp; <br /><br />The teardrop was 550 pounds empty.&nbsp; But the weight is most important probably in light of stopping and what that does to your breaks, and weight on the tranny on hills.&nbsp; How are the breaks on your Toyota?&nbsp; I ended up with a bit of strain on mine, due to the weight of the trailer, it's contents, and the weight of the cargo IN the car.&nbsp; It all adds up.&nbsp; I had to replace the fronts, but they were old and due anyway.&nbsp; And I ended up flushing the tranny.&nbsp; But she's still in pretty good shape.<br /><br />With the MH, you have the added issue of the weight of the shell and the stuff in it.&nbsp; So I'd go to a truck stop and get a weight on your vehicle, loaded, subtract that from the max weight given in the specs, and then go from there.&nbsp; That will tell you how much wiggle room you have.&nbsp; Pop ups usually weight in excess of 1000 to 1500 pounds empty, and then you'll have several hundred pounds of storage.&nbsp; That can be a lot on a small engine already loaded with a MH shell.&nbsp; I looked into the 4 X 8 option when I started to plan homemade trailer, and unless you are building a half size trailer (4' high), it will probably come in above load.&nbsp; There ARE fiberglass cargo trailers made for motorcycles, and I'd probably look at them as an option.&nbsp; <br /><br />I'm not a mechanic, and there are tons of good and experienced people on here who I'm sure will have better info.&nbsp; But trailer towing for a vehicle not really rated for it is something I've looked into, and that's about what I can tell you.

 

[josephusminimus]

Good, helpful info Angeli.&nbsp; Lot's I didn't know, or hadn't considered.&nbsp; I've never seen the specs, for instance, on the Toyota.&nbsp; Also hadn't considered the braking issues, was unaware it was the primary concern.&nbsp; It certainly seems to toss out the idea of a popup conversion to a utility trailer.&nbsp; Might also kill the golf cart battery brainstorm.<br /><br />I'll dig around&nbsp;more thanks to your post.<br /><br />Gracias,

 

[sparky1]

Older small tent style campers had a 1.7/8" hitch &amp; with 12" tires had a Max speed of 45 miles an Hour--I have (1), they can be overloaded very easily.they DO NOT have Brakes.so the weight you&nbsp;add in them will seriously put your Tow Vehicle in stopping Jeopardy.this is why&nbsp;I Upgraded to to a 3/4 ton vehicle&nbsp;with a brake controller &amp; trailer with brakes. having a accident is NOT what i want to Happen.

 

[angeli]

If you are trailering just for storage, there are some modern fiberglass trailers that are very light, are designed to be towed by a motorcycle, and thus may be worth looking into for your smaller Toyota engine.&nbsp; Just a thought.<br /><br />PS - I used to have a Toyota dolphin RV.&nbsp; Miss the heck out of it.&nbsp; It ran wonderfully, was easy as pie to drive and the MPG!&nbsp; sigh.

 

[josephusminimus]

sparky and angeli:&nbsp; You folks have turned my mind entirely away from popups.&nbsp; I'm obliged I posted the question and you answered timely enough to keep me from a decision I'd most likely have not been overjoyed with.<br /><br />angeli, I can't afford to be buying fiberglass trailers, but I might be able to build a facsimile of one, thinks I.&nbsp; Gracias,

 

[angeli]

Hi Jack,<br /><br />When I mentioned fiberglass trailers, I wasn't talking about things like Casitas.&nbsp; I was talking about the kind of little trailer you can see at Harbor Freight or some other places:&nbsp; a motorcycle cargo trailer.&nbsp; sorry if I didn't use the correct words - that happens a lot.&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />Here's a link.&nbsp; This little trailer will carry up to600 pounds of cargo, according to the ad.&nbsp; It's pretty cheap.&nbsp; It may be too small for what you need, tho, but the trailer plus 600 pounds of cargo will probably come close to the max that your Toyota can handle.<br /><br />http://www.harborfreight.com/automo...capacity-78-inch-tag-along-trailer-66771.html

 

[ZOFCHAK]

What about a hitch hauler?&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />&nbsp;http://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Lugg...47066061&amp;sr=8-5&amp;keywords=hitch+hauler<br /><br />&nbsp; It does not sound like you need a significant amount of extra space, and a trailer comes with a very significant number of down sides.&nbsp; I've seen quite few people use these hitch haulers in combination with a lockable cargo box (Like out of a pickup truck).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

 

[josephusminimus]

Angeli:&nbsp; I'm obliged for the clarification.&nbsp; I think you've got me on a track that makes sense for me and will serve well enough to fill my minimum needs if I impose some discipline on myself.&nbsp; I'm grateful.<br /><br />FOFCHAK:&nbsp; Thanks for the suggestion.&nbsp; I'm fairly resolved on a trailer as a solution.&nbsp; I've got a hitch hauler that came with it, but didn't care for the extra weight on a long lever-arm behind the rear axle.&nbsp; When I took it off it raised the rear of the vehicle enough to impress me.<br /><br />Good idea though.&nbsp; I love those things, generally.&nbsp; When one's able to serve the needs it's a great solution in my view.<br /><br />Gracias, Jack

 

[Guest]

Hi Jack, It sounds to me like you are a man that knows his way around the tool box.<br /><br />Being a lifetime motorcyclist I have seen guys build some pretty nice trailers built on a HF frame...you can change it in many ways, width, length,&nbsp; size tires, etc. You can also use a roof top cargo pod, maybe a long one on one side and a stake type flat bed set up on the other...lots of combos....a trail bike or small scooter on one side, a pod on the other...etc.<br /><br />There is a guy from Vancouver Island, Sandy, who builds trailers regularly from Gypsy vardos to teardrops and his latest teardrop camper trailer weighs in at only 200# dry weight....it is sweet and he made it to tow behind a Geo Metro/ Suzuki 3cyl liter size engine. He will be at the RTR this winter and I expect he will bring it...it is known as "Number 8" <br /><br />iIf you are handy with a set of torches and/or a welder, you can make anything you want....<br /><br />Personally,a trailer limits my maneuverability enough that it becomes more of a liability than a help so I don't use one..not to say it is not perfect for someone else.<br />Bri

 

[angeli]

A teardrop at 200#????&nbsp; Wow!&nbsp; Mine weighted in at 550 and that was stripped to bare bones!&nbsp; <br /><br />I'd love to see a pic.&nbsp; I can't imagine that just the bare trailer would be much less than that.&nbsp; I don't suppose he has a blog, Bri?&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

 

[josephusminimus]

Thanks bk2valve:&nbsp; Intriguing post.&nbsp; Thanks for the info.&nbsp; I'd actually like to end up with something along those lines, though I'm going to have to do some heavy thinking about it.&nbsp; I'm grateful for the info.

 

[Guest]

Hi all,<br />I know Sandy from the Yahoo vandellers forum and he shows up in Quartzsite every year and attends the RTR at least a few times during it.,....he works a friends booth in Q so he comes and goes at the RTR...He plans to bring the #8 to that this coming Jan.<br /><br />Here is his FB page and you can see some photos of #8 on that. You may need to friend to see , dunno...<br />Bri

 

[angeli]

After doing some really obsessive browsing&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /> I got onto the teardrops and tiny travel trailers forum (tnttt.com) and saw a thread for 'foamies'.<br /><br />These are TTs that are made of multiple layers of foam covered by either fiberglass and epoxy or canvas and epoxy.&nbsp; Only a small amount of wood.&nbsp; Pretty interesting, they came in at REALLY light weights, like 150#, 250# etc!&nbsp; Thanks for the lead, Bri.&nbsp; You started my newest obsession!&nbsp; LOL!!<br /><br />Jack, that might be something that would be of interest for your Toyota tow.

 

[Guest]

Hi Angeli....I see that Sandys fb page didn't come through....if you are on FB his name is Sandy St Louis.&nbsp; like me he just uses his real name....<br /><br />Cool you are into the liteweight TD trailers.<br /><br />There was a guy on one of my moto forums who had invented a cool little teardrop to pull behind his motorcycle. When he stopped, he could pull a little release and pull the back of the teardrop out to extend it and lie down in it. He was having it patented and then was going to produce it,,,then he disappeared....dang it...<br />Bri