Towing a Trailer behind Your Van?

[Ballenxj]

What are the pro's &amp; con's of towing a trailer behind your van? <br>I was thinking one might be nice so I would have a lot more storage. What do you Guys n Gals think? <br>A battery bank for solar might be better kept in the trailer as well. <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="bbc_img"><br>You might loose a bit of stealth though. Any thoughts on this? <br>-Bruce

 

[sl1966]

You know you might not lose that stealth after all. Depending on what your van looks like, it might look like a work van/trailer combo. If you park in the right places most people tend to overlook them.<br><br>

 

[Van Tripper]

Hey, sl1966, I love BACON!!! too.

 

[Les H]

I know several who tow trailers. I agree that a lot of stealth depends on what your van and trailer looks like. Swankiewheels travels in a white van and a white cargo trailer. Some have suggested a trailer as a pod to carry water , batteries a shower and so on, with an umbilical cord of sorts connecting the two. I think it could be done fairly easily.

 

[MrNoodly]

Make sure your van has an adequate tow rating. That probably means your van would need to be at least a 3/4-ton. You can get by with a 1/2-ton in the short term, depending how much weight you're hauling. But towing causes stresses to the engine and drivetrain. A Shetland pony might be able to pull the wagon for a while, but a Clydesdale can do it much easier and longer.<br><br>Besides the question of stealth, a trailer would limit what sort of parking spots you could fit into. You'd be almost twice as long as just the van. Turning in tight places, like a right turn in a city, would be harder, and backing up would be no easy trick. Some people have a knack for it, some never figure it out.<br><br>Cross winds become a greater issue, too. In the wrong conditions, you could find yourself dragging the trailer on its side. Or you could get a tail-wagging-the-dog effect.<br><br>Towing also makes you subject to more regulations. And, of course, it's one more thing to maintain.

 

[MrNoodly]

Some info about towing:<br><br>http://autos.aol.com/gallery/towing-tips/<br><br><strong style="text-shadow: none;"><span style="text-shadow: none;"><a class="smarterwiki-linkify" style="text-shadow: none;" href="http://tinyurl.com/ckkjjfq" rel="nofollow"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://tinyurl.com/ckkjjfq</span><br><br><strong style="text-shadow: none;"><span style="text-shadow: none;"></span></strong></a><strong style="text-shadow: none;"><a class="smarterwiki-linkify" style="text-shadow: none;" href="http://tinyurl.com/ctor7ze" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://tinyurl.com/ctor7ze</span><br><br><strong style="text-shadow: none;"><span style="text-shadow: none;"></span></strong></a><strong style="text-shadow: none;"><a class="smarterwiki-linkify" style="text-shadow: none;" href="http://tinyurl.com/76qwjnd" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://tinyurl.com/76qwjnd</span><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/towing/towing-capacity</span></a></strong></strong></span></strong>

 

[ZOFCHAK]

<br>&nbsp;&nbsp; When I start traveling in my van this summer I will be towing a 6x12 v nosed enclosed trailer. I will be carrying along a 12' kayak, a 10ft inflatable boat, generator, outboard motor and lots of scuba gear, so my need for the trailer is absolute. That being said, I would do everything possible to avoid towing a trailer unless you have an essential need for the storage and especially if you are going to be full timing in urban areas.&nbsp; Depending on you setup you can expect to lose at least a couple MPG compared to not having one, and they definitely make driving and parking a chore in high winds, poor roads and tight urban areas. &nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp; I plan on using the trailer for secure storage and having a built in propane shower/bathroom.&nbsp; Solar panels on the roof and a closed off and vented section so that the generator can be run in the trailer to charge batteries and run the AC for the van. For me the positives outweigh the problems, but I think for most it would be the other way around.

 

[akrvbob]

I live on public land and stay in one place for long periods of time, so I actually live in&nbsp; my 6x10 cargo trailer. That works very well for me!<br><br>I would not even consider it if i lived in a city. It would be a huge pain in the butt!! What would work well is a box van, step van or box truck. That would keep all the stealth and convenience and give you a huge amount of storage. BUT, unless you have a diesel you would get bad mpg. <br>Bob

 

[Ballenxj]

MrNoodly, Thanks for your concern. The van I intend to use if I tow a trailer is a three quarter ton long wheelbase. That, and I am an old hand at towing, so no problems there either. <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" class="bbc_img"> <br>ZOFCHAK, yes, these are the types of things I'm interested in. A spare room if you will for supplies, propane tanks, generator, etc. <br>What I'm curious about is how you guys use yours, how they are set up, etc.&nbsp; <br>Also, do you folks that have them ever leave them somewhere, and do you feel safe in doing so? <br>Bob, Hindsight is always 20/20. The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of a step or box van. Problem is, I already have two vans now. Never the less, I may do something along those lines later anyway if I can see my way clear to do so. I'd probably have to sell or trade one or both of my current vans though. <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" class="bbc_img"> <br>-Bruce

 

[HWJ]

Just make sure your lights and rig are in good working order. Otherwise you might get pulled over and fined. We run into it a lot up here.

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;I go down logging /decommissioned roads and a trailer would be, at the least, a real PITA. ..Willy.

 

[Ravensoracle]

I've had an idea of using an enclosed service bed on a truck-bed trailer frame to tow as a kind of hybrid off-road trailer/ enclosed utility trailer. It would be great for stealth in town if you are blending in as some sort of company vehicle. Even the solar panels would raise less eyebrows. You just need them to keep your cordless power tools charged. It would have the clearance of the truck the frame was based on and if you're lucky may even have the same type of tires as the tow vehicle. THe enclosed space could be just storage or converted to more living space and the outer compartments could be setup to securely hold an outdoor kitchen, small genny, batteries, propane. Anything you may not want to keep in you actual living space.

 

[ZOFCHAK]

&nbsp;&nbsp; Another option is a lockable box on a receiver mounted cargo platform.&nbsp;&nbsp; They work great for carrying things that can't be in the van for safety reasons (Like propane, gas, lead acid batteries or a generator).

 

[Ballenxj]

Lockable box on a receiver mount also sounds like a good option. <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="bbc_img"> <br>-Bruce

 

[lonerglide]

Im planning on leaving this summer and heading for Co to start and ending up with changing weather down on the gulf and will be pulling a tandom axle 7x12 cargo with my 1988 chevy hitop camper van,,
I wanted to build cargo at home but wanting to get out on the rd soon im just gonna build it as I go
Im not planning on staying in campgrounds,, more like Nat forest,, blm etc where I wont bother anybody,, I've got about 690 watts of solar on top of cargo and a new honda powerd gen so will have all the power I need,,
Im a big guy so the bathroom is a tight fit so will be building shower, sink first and everything else as I go,,,
And depending on how I like van I may sell it and buy a later model 4x4 pu with a fiberglass shell for extra storage but thats a yr down the rd when/if I sell van,, its got the tall discovery top on it and has full bath, kitchen, furnace, roof ac etc!,,
Was just about to hand over cash on a 99 e150 but checked craigslist one last time with an extended search and found. Camper van,, I've put 1000.00 in parts into frontend, shock, brakes and the inside looks like it was never used as a camper as the ac was so clean,, u couldnt of cleaned it so good,, or was replaced with new one, also fridge looks as to be new,, no stains, scuff marks and od only has 88.000 miles ,, motor an tranny runs out great so looking forward the extra room with having cargo along,, room for UTV or 4wheeler,, it will hold solar system, LPG tanks, tools etc,, for now I figure I can park cargo out in sun for solar and run ext cord to van for power
I've sold most everything and will be fulltime by winter!, WooHoo!!
The only thing I dont like bout the van is u have to fold out couch to make bed where I'd rather have a rear bed that I could just leave down., But I bought it on a spur of the moment cause I just haven't seen many fully self contained hitop camper vans even close to my area an figure when/if im ready to sell it wont last long,, by then I will have worked out all the bugs and proven its rd worthyness,, anyway I'd love to hear from others that are planning to or are now pulling a cargo with a van,, thX!!

 

[Ballenxj]

Good luck with your camper van loanerglide. Keep us posted on how things are working out for you. <br>The camper van with trailer idea sounds pretty good. Keep us posted. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> <br>-Bruce

 

[lonerglide]

Will do Bruce!
Im on ssdi so things move slow so figure I might as well get on the rd soon as I can and atleast enjoy what I've been dreaming about and just build cargo a little at a time,,,, I can store materials in cargo and just hit a lowes when I need more supplys
My rent where im at now is very cheap so for time being I pay rent to make sure everything is gonna work out on the rd as I will have to return here avery three months to visit my Doctor,, my plan is to move to Co as a central part of the states and figure I can get back here from anywhere within 3 days pretty easy,, beside I live in Ok right now and dont care for the landscape at all but after a 3+ month hosp stay I ended up here without a choice so not only is it a dream to travel fulltime its going to allow me to find a new home base
I lived down on the gulf while helping with the disaster relief effort with Katrina and love it down there but the hurricanes kinda take the fun out of it for me after seening all the damage,,, but will still spend my winters there and just move inland if need be,, there are lots of free places to camp acouple or 3 days here an there from texas to the keys,, can kill a winter fairly easy with that route and then back to Co, Wy or any of the northern states and just keep moving with the weather,, ofcourse u all know the routine,, lol,, im just so excited and can talk,, or write about it for hours,,, so!, with that l'll stop this book im writing and save it for my blog,, lol,, thx for this site is nice great to have other like minded people to swap ideas and storys and looking forward to hearing from other doing the cargo trailer thing!!