Which size cargo trailer is best?

[Optimistic Paranoid]

The only thing I can add at this point is that cargo trailers tend to hold their value quite well.  If you go the cargo trailer route and then decide it's really not working for you, I imagine you could get most of your money back without too much trouble.

Right now, you seem to be caught in "analysis paralysis".

Sometimes it's better to learn by doing.

 

[SoulRaven]

The only thing I can add at this point is that cargo trailers tend to hold their value quite well.  If you go the cargo trailer route and then decide it's really not working for you, I imagine you could get most of your money back without too much trouble.

Right now, you seem to be caught in "analysis paralysis".

Sometimes it's better to learn by doing.

Yes I am caught up in that. I have no doubt, that I could put this thing together with installing all of the amenities with the simple things that I want to do to it and get it ready for the road. And I know once I put a deposit on it I will be committed to continue on. But I think it's making that commitment and going through with is like you said, I'm kind of paralyzed with. My main thing now is wondering if I will be happy traveling with it. I'm pretty sure the comfort level of it will be much better than camping in the car by itself or comparing it to the Runaway would be better. But like you said the only way I'm going to know is if I just do it. Get it, set it up, hook it up, and hit the road for a couple weeks and see how I like it. Thank you for your Insight no matter which way I go.

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

I'll throw one more thing at you as food for thought. How many miles have would you estimate you've spent towing? As with anything in life there is a learning curve. Towing is one of them. At first it's nerve wracking, then it starts getting a little easier, then you'll go through a short period where it's very uncomfortable again. After that 2nd hump you'll only get better and more comfortable the more you do it.

If you end up buying one, just spend some time towing it around town, backing it up in different areas and so forth. Do that everyday for a few weeks and you'll slowly begin to get more comfortable. Tow it long enough and you'll almost forget it's there.

Tow it on multiple trips over a year or so and I think you'll find you'll like it more and more.

I can feel your frustrations though as i'm a huge over thinker with all my decisions. Once I think, rethink, then think again, I start to lose sight of my initial idea. Don't have any advice for that, if you ever figure out any tricks to avoid doing it, im all ears!

 

[GotSmart]

Mo only regret was missing Day~On~The~Green in 1975.   

All the old timers I talk with are in two camps.  Steady and build physical treasure. or go ahead, try something new.  The ones forced to stay home for whatever reason are envious of those on the road.  I have left my children a treasury of stories and laughter filled memories.  One was the time we drove from California to Missouri in an old Dodge Ram 250  16 passenger van with a friends 25 LB longhair Maine Coon, Throw in an apartment full of "necessary" things not shipped, and a Dodge Colt on a tow dolly.  That 360 had no chance of surviving.  Point is you seriously regret the path not chosen, if it is the quiet one. 

I could had a much wealthier life back in The Napa Valley, but a much more stressful one.   The adventure of the trip, sleeping in empty parking lots and roadside rest stops. Never knowing what the next curve of the road would bring. What new the life was, that had to be conquered!

When I left Missouri, in 2014, all my obligations were behind me.  Last divorce gone.  The youngest had a college degree, and her sister was going to be living with her.  I had a good running van. my cat, and a hug pile of STUFF I would need  :huh:  Every thing became an adventure.  I stopped where I wanted, or when I had time to kill No gas money for several weeks, Find a spot and park it. I helped out some people on the way. If I did not have serious medical problems, I would still be out there. (I have less than 25% of the original stuff.) 

Choosing a trailer is only part of the adventure.  

Post pictures please. 

 

[Vagabound]

I got stuck on the very same issue you're having.  I wanted a trailer I could stand up in and wanted it the same height as a cargo van.  But, it wasn't possible.  

...

Or is getting a taller tow vehicle an option?  A combo of two vehicles? Maybe a box truck as others have done.....that's sort of having a trailer and vehicle all in one.  It's very hard deciding exactly which route to go, so I can certainly empathize with your situation.

I'm stuck on the same issue as your same issue as the other guy's same issue ... is stuck on.  Or something. ;-)  But seriously, I am.

At the moment, I'm torn between a theoretical cargo van + cargo trailer combo, and a theoretical box truck (old UHaul, etc).  That's a pros and cons discussion I'd like to see!

 

[masterplumber]

Steve, I think most of us go through this, and I also think there is no one perfect vehicle for the rest of our days. I love my cargo trailer, and the ability to still travel when my truck is filled to the top with tools. But I also sometimes wish I still had my old truck with a pop up camper as I could go anywhere I wanted with that rig and still sleep comfortably when I got there. I would also love to have a van for the ability to move from the drivers seat to bed without getting outside in a storm. Probably the best thing you can do at this point is make the best most informed decision you can at this time given your own needs, not anyone else's, and then go for it and hope for the best.
When I started my trailer I really didn't know if it would work out. I took the first week long trip in it than the insulation and paneling done, and slept on cots. I loved it and can't imagine ever selling it, even if I do get another rig.

 

[ArtW]

double

 

[ArtW]

I would really really rather have a van, but finding one in my area I can get into is proving a real challenge, whereas a trailer I can get very easily
Why? I can buy a new one for less than $4k, the bank loves 'new'
a $4k van will be an old high mileage one, the bank doesn't like that so well
depending on if the Runaway is titled as an RV (called and asked,. no response yet) it's even easier

 

[Tussah]

I'm totally on board with the idea of pushing myself outside of my current comfort zone.    When I moved to a small city in China at age 39 with my 3 year old daughter, I made a personal pledge to challenge myself and be open to new ideas and cultural standards.   Yes, the transition was difficult, but I did learn new ways to live a comfortable life, and broadened myself considerably.   I'm not nearly as hung up on first world plumbing as I was when I first moved there, and I learned how to dress for cold weather. 

However, I recognize that each of us does have limits.  For myself, I realized that I hit a limit 7 months in, when my 3 year old daughter greeted me one morning by saying, "Oh, my back is killing me!"    No, her back was fine, but apparently, that was the first thing I said each morning, and she thought that this was the way one person greeted another in the morning.    At that point, I decided that there is a limit to cultural acclimatization, and went out and purchased a foam pad for my rock hard bed.

We all have to find that balance for ourselves, but I do agree that it's worth trying out various levels of discomfort to give ourselves a chance to decide if we can adjust to it.  

Top priority for my van will be a comfy mattress.  I can compromise on nearly all else!

 

[Vagabound]

... At that point, I decided that there is a limit to cultural acclimatization, and went out and purchased a foam pad for my rock hard bed.

...

Top priority for my van will be a comfy mattress. 

Good story.  There are absolutely limits, even ones you wouldn't expect, even after years.  Been there and done that on the acclimation front ... and on the foam pad.  Ergonomics has not reached all corners of the globe.  

Amen on the top priority.

Vagabound