They're decent trailers, assembly was a bit of a PITA but doable. I built one into a kayak trailer and with regular maintenance it's held up for 4 years now
Roof Rack Pros vs Cons
- Thread starter kincaid.0678
- Start date
They're decent trailers, assembly was a bit of a PITA but doable. I built one into a kayak trailer and with regular maintenance it's held up for 4 years now
I guess I’ll turn this one into a luggage rack on wheels for the time being lol I’ll probably only have about 300-400 pounds of shit total on it but it’s all just bulky stuff so it should work out decent with a wooden base and short sides with tie down points or something similar.
What are the possibilities of borrowing or renting a small trailer? Maybe there is a forum member in your neck of the woods willing to hook you up .
My setup moving the kids last time. 4x8 folding trailer. I built the wood racks and stained it when I did the fence.
Bigger tires with bearing buddies to keep from spinning a bearing. I can't feel it back there unless there's a cross wind pushing the matresses.
I had a body armor 4x4 rack for many many years. The front tube go across the windshield gap. It doesn't whistle
That being said, the jeep is already tall putting stuff on top is not super useful. We ended up buying a trailer for camp gear and tent. This is 100% the way to go. A TJ is not an overlander in the sense that you put everything on the vehicle. Plus with a trailer you can detach and go without having to tear down camp.
Plus it rides significantly better with the cage off.
That being said, the jeep is already tall putting stuff on top is not super useful. We ended up buying a trailer for camp gear and tent. This is 100% the way to go. A TJ is not an overlander in the sense that you put everything on the vehicle. Plus with a trailer you can detach and go without having to tear down camp.
Plus it rides significantly better with the cage off.
Another con I didn't see mentioned... You have a 4cyl TJ... that added wind resistance from a top rack will dig even deeper into your power, slowing you down and guzzling more fuel. Trailer at least would have the benefit of not interfering too much with your aero (or adding to the lack thereof)
In CA we have a split towing and normal speed limit. I actually get better mpg towing than not. Mostly because below 60mph your mpg goes up.
Yeah I didn’t even think about looking into renting one. I don’t know if there are any members around my area but I’m glad to have an excuse to buy a little trailer lol the trailer is about the same price as the roof rack without a basket and way more versatile.
Yea I need all the help I can get in the power department lol we always take the secondary roads because my wife hates being on the interstate for long so top speed is usually 55-60 mph. Takes a couple hours longer but the drive is nice
Did you have to make the brackets for the uprights? The trailer I’m looking at is just a 40-1/2 x 48 frame so I’m going to have to put a deck and some sides on it.
It came with everything except the wood. I found it on craigslist for $150 but the deck was rotted. I did do some reinforcements here and there on corners. You weld so you can tack anything that moves. I bet you could weld it together faster than bolting it together.
Mine stores upright against the garage wall with the wood hanging behind it. It takes up 2ftx4ft of floor space.
Mine stores upright against the garage wall with the wood hanging behind it. It takes up 2ftx4ft of floor space.
Thanks! We like it a lot and we end up camping more often because of it
For the trailer? It's a 1945 Bantam t3c trailer with dinoot crossbar mounts. When we bought it this trailer came with shocks on the suspension which helps keep it under control with the short wheel base.
Our next step is drawers that pull out of the bed, and an easily adjustable tongue jack to help level it.
StoneCold
TJ Enthusiast
@Foxhound67
Which rack is that on your TJ? Also did the tent come with the mounting bars and such? Looks really nice.
Been thinking trailer, but I want to keep my options open. I have a smitty rack on it already. Cons I see are weight...and weight distribution.....
This guy built an off road trailer using a HF trailer.
I found some on craigslist like it here for $250. They were in bad enough shape, I would have offered less. Maybe there's something around your area.
Mine is a different design with a single bar down the middle like his modification. It runs between two angles running down the center.
Like this one off Amazon.
I found some on craigslist like it here for $250. They were in bad enough shape, I would have offered less. Maybe there's something around your area.
Mine is a different design with a single bar down the middle like his modification. It runs between two angles running down the center.
Like this one off Amazon.
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I looked on marketplace but only found large trailers and the smaller ones were ridiculously priced. The few that were reasonably priced didn’t have titles either. I’ve been searching for about a month daily checking for any new listings. At least this one will be brand new and have the necessary paperwork for titling and licensing.
Check marketplace for either a bantam t3c or m100 trailer if you like the look of them.
Dinoot racks work for it to mount rtts
https://compactcampingstore.com/products/no-weld-trailer-rack-towers
I had told them I had came from Martinsburg WV to get it since the website said they had one in stock. They said they have to sign the title paperwork in store and if I wasn’t a Maryland resident they couldn’t sell it to me. I had never heard any shit like that. I’ve purchased vehicles in Maryland and just had to transfer the title to West Virginia for the tags so I’m not sure what the issue is with selling me a trailer kit in a box. It’s not like I was pulling it off the lot or something.
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