[split] What is the best app or site for free camping?

[John61CT]

Is it true that dual-axle trailers travel better on rough unpaved roads like that?

Enough so worth looking at even if you don't need that much load-bearing capacity?

What about axle types, swing vs fixed?

 

[highdesertranger]

dual axle trailers main positive is that they spread the weight out over a greater area. so if you drop a wheel into a hole there is another wheel to support the trailer.

but a small single axle trailer is much more nimble. but a single axle trailer shock loads the tongue much more. so there are pluses and minus's to both types.

not sure what you mean by swing or fixed? do you mean torsion or straight axle? for me I would never use a torsion axle for off road.

whatever axle you use for off road the axle needs to be weight rated way over the weight of the trailer. I like over rating in the 20-40% range.

highdesertranger

 

[John61CT]

Thanks for clarifying HDR, yes torsion.

Note I don't mean really off-road, just lousy dirt roads. And talking slow speeds, just getting to the campsite a few miles off the good road, not long-distance overlanding.

Still no to torsion axles?

 

[highdesertranger]

not for me. no torsion. the thing I really dislike about them is they are non-serviceable. when the rubber fails you have to buy a new axle. washboard roads eat up the rubber. also most of them you can't adjust the ride height without some serious work. also most of them have a very low ride height which doesn't transfer well off road. highdesertranger

 

[SoulRaven]

not for me.  no torsion.  the thing I really dislike about them is they are non-serviceable.  when the rubber fails you have to buy a new axle.  washboard roads eat up the rubber.  also most of them you can't adjust the ride height without some serious work.  also most of them have a very low ride height which doesn't transfer well off road.  highdesertranger

Maybe this should be in a separate post, you're the mod, HDR.  BUT, I'm thinking, based on these trails around here about lifting my trailer and maybe even getting larger wheels and tires.   I've already knocked one fender off back at Mittry Lake!   :blush:

My truck has 17 inch tires , and if I could , I wouldn't mind putting 17" on the trailer.  That doesn't do squat off-course for driving on washboard-roads, but might let me take some side trails that concern me with the 15" wheels I have now. 

BTW, mine is a 6x12 Haulmark Transport ( I don't know if that tells you anything) ... 

I could also just save trails like that for pulling a trailer that Jim gave me with my Jeep Cherokee.  This trailer has more ground-clearance than my Cherokee!  

There is a question in there, HDR.  What do you think about trying to put bigger wheels on?  Any idea how much that would involve?  AND, is there already a thread devoted to this topic?  If so, feel free to put this in the paper shredder.  

Thanks,

Pat

 

[highdesertranger]

you are right Pat we were derailing the other thread so I split it off.

yes taller tires help with ground clearance.
a 17 inch rim does not automatically mean a taller tire. I would go with a 16 inch rim. tires are much cheaper.
also I like running LT tires on my trailer.
some questions for you,
what's the rating of your axles?
how many lugs per wheel?
what type of axle, torsion or straight axle?
do you have brakes, on one axle or both?
highdesertranger

 

[SoulRaven]

you are right Pat we were derailing the other thread so I split it off.

yes taller tires help with ground clearance.
a 17 inch rim does not automatically mean a taller tire.  I would go with a 16 inch rim.  tires are much cheaper.
also I like running LT tires on my trailer.
some questions for you,
what's the rating of your axles?
how many lugs per wheel?
what type of axle,  torsion or straight axle?
do you have brakes,  on one axle or both?
highdesertranger

I'll have to check tomorrow about some of those things. ..it's storming out now

Got brakes on both sides,  5 lugs.  

Thanks,

Will let you know 

Pat

 

[SoulRaven]

you are right Pat we were derailing the other thread so I split it off.

some questions for you,
what's the rating of your axles?
how many lugs per wheel?
what type of axle,  torsion or straight axle?
do you have brakes,  on one axle or both?
highdesertranger

Hey, HDR, I've decided to try a completely different approach.  A lot of the campers around here are pretty minimalist.  They pull up in a car, Jeep or truck, and just throw out a tent.  

While I'm in CO trying to camp at 14er trailheads and such, I'm probably going to move in that direction.  Leave my trailer at a friend's house, and just camp and hike.   I shook the bejesus out of the contents of my trailer trying to get to one spot.  I came up on one rut and decided I did not want to take a chance getting my trailer stuck.  I ended up BACKING UP the trail, because there was nowhere to turn around!  

If you don't mind, I'd like to research the questions you asked and pose them at another time.

Thanks,

Pat