Vimetal Baja Overland Trailer?

[alittleoff]

Haters gonna hate.
Users gonna use it.

And one of those times on that trail, an FJ-40 was dragging a trailer with a similar load. Somehow the trailer got disconnected while the Cruiser kept going. We rolled up a minute later and got in contact with the Cruiser via CB radio, and he backed up to it but it was way too heavy for 3 men to lift. So I got my HILift under the tongue, reconnected it and off we went. No fingers or chins were harmed. The laughing about it later was a different story.

 

[bucky]

You’re in Mexico surely you can find a local shop to fabricate a trailer for a fraction of the price of that trailer. The basic frame is a piece of cake to make it’s figuring out what type of cargo box to use that is harder. I would think a bed from a mini pickup with a shell would work perfectly. A boat or a jet ski trailer would be a great start. The key is to make it as light as possible.
I have an old jet ski trailer that I plan to modify to haul my golf cart or 4 wheelers someday.

 

[TheBoogieman]

@ArmyRN has been using his trailer for many years.

Details.
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/help-me-understand-the-super-35-kit.12183/page-4#post-1050340

 

[TJMexico]

Option #3. Inexpensive, are not abused or cut up like most XJs, ride better, and can tow more.
View attachment 680663

About that ... On this same forum, I was warned against the WJs. Several said that my best bet was either an XJ ('99 being the sweet spot) or a ZJ.

So, let the flame wars begin. WJ? ZJ? Pros and cons? I have steered around WJs based on that advice. Talk to a bruthuh! (Am I lighting a fire here, or what?)

 

[TJMexico]

You’re in Mexico surely you can find a local shop to fabricate a trailer for a fraction of the price of that trailer. The basic frame is a piece of cake to make it’s figuring out what type of cargo box to use that is harder. I would think a bed from a mini pickup with a shell would work perfectly. A boat or a jet ski trailer would be a great start. The key is to make it as light as possible.
I have an old jet ski trailer that I plan to modify to haul my golf cart or 4 wheelers someday.

Having one fabricated from scratch is not something I had thought about, but probably worth chewing on. Though the idea of building one from a wrecked smaller pickup (old Dakota or Ranger) appeals to me more.

Re. the 3500# axle with brakes, if I am just using it off road, are brakes still necessary, or could I get by without that extra?

 

[TheBoogieman]

About that ... On this same forum, I was warned against the WJs. Several said that my best bet was either an XJ ('99 being the sweet spot) or a ZJ.

So, let the flame wars begin. WJ? ZJ? Pros and cons? I have steered around WJs based on that advice. Talk to a bruthuh! (Am I lighting a fire here, or what?)
View attachment 681087

I loved my XJs, but my WJs rode better (heavy and rear coil springs) and are easier to find in stock form and better condition. I just don't like the look of a ZJ. All just opinions.
p.s. I'd buy another XJ in a minute IF I could find a good one.

 

[GoldenGorilla]

The WJ was available with the 4.0L as well. One of my friends had one (4.7L) for a long time from new. It got replaced with a 2018 GC with the Hemi that he supercharged himself.
My brother in law has a '00 or '01 XJ that he bought a very long time ago and is a prized posession. I used to tow a bass boat on highways behind my father in law's XJ sport quite a bit.
Having been in and driven these quite a bit, the WJ rides quite a bit better than the XJ. It's quieter, but also has more electronics to go wrong. But it can tow 5,000lbs with the 4.0L or 6,500lbs with the 4.7L.

They're all basically 25 year old cars now and alot probably needs refreshed. They both tow the same as an LJ, but are less expensive.

For a TJ, trailer weight is paramount when any speed is involved because of the wheelbase. The lighter the trailer chassis, the better.

We had an '12 Acura MDX with the 3.7L. It could tow 5,000lbs and it felt fine towing. My wife's Volvo wagon that replaced it can tow 5300 lbs. It's not particularly high benchmark.

 

[TheBoogieman]

They're all basically 25 year old cars now and alot probably needs refreshed.

Blasphemy!

 

[bucky]

I did a quick search and found this 3500# axel kit with electric brakes and springs for under $500. I would not use hydraulic brakes for off road use.
I don’t know what’s available in Mx. Do you have friends across the border who you can ship it to? I ship things that can’t be shipped to Ca to my friend in Az and pick them up and visit. In fact I’ll be in Az next week and have a long list of prohibited for sale in Ca items.

https://share.google/MTbvWesxdMuDqsENY

 

[GoldenGorilla]

Blasphemy!
View attachment 681139
View attachment 681140

Not everyone has a time machine big enough to bring a car through.

 

[TJMexico]

So, I should'nt shun WJs in my continuing search?

Mark, I'm off-roading on some at times really nasty trails. Are they tough enough to take some abuse over bad roads? I kinda took them as being more soft-roaders than off-roaders.

 

[TJMexico]

I did a quick search and found this 3500# axel kit with electric brakes and springs for under $500. I would not use hydraulic brakes for off road use.
I don’t know what’s available in Mx. Do you have friends across the border who you can ship it to? I ship things that can’t be shipped to Ca to my friend in Az and pick them up and visit. In fact I’ll be in Az next week and have a long list of prohibited for sale in Ca items.

https://share.google/MTbvWesxdMuDqsENY

Getting something like that shipped down here would be difficult, if not impossible. If have to take the trailer up there and install it en situ, and I never drive north of the border.

If I decide to go that route, I'll have to see if I can find something like that here.

 

[RangerTJ]

So, I should'nt shun WJs in my continuing search?

Mark, I'm off-roading on some at times really nasty trails. Are they tough enough to take some abuse over bad roads? I kinda took them as being more soft-roaders than off-roaders.

The WJ unibody is quite a bit stronger than the XJ unibody.

The cream of the WJ crop is a 2003 or 2004 Overland.

When I decided to look at WJs I drove a lot of them.

They feel underpowered with the 4.0.

They feel OK with the 4.7.

They feel RIGHT with the 4.7 HO.

Mine was a 2004 Overland with the 4.7 HO.

They came standard with Quadradrive transfer case and Vari-Lok limited slips front and rear.

They are quite capable, much more so than you would think.

I swapped out the Quadradrive transfer case with a 242HD from a Durango which gave me the option of 2wd.

In 2wd it would roast the tires effortlessly.

Dang, I miss it now.

 

[alittleoff]

Having one fabricated from scratch is not something I had thought about, but probably worth chewing on. Though the idea of building one from a wrecked smaller pickup (old Dakota or Ranger) appeals to me more.

Re. the 3500# axle with brakes, if I am just using it off road, are brakes still necessary, or could I get by without that extra?

When I built mine, I took in consideration my effort to reduce my liability in court. It was an easy decision.

If in your travels you drive on mountain roads with a heavy load in the trailer and if your TJ has an automatic transmission, having electric brakes will be the friend that follows you.

And I know some will see it as a non-issue but, I will do what I can to protect others on the road.

As far as that load of rocks in that pic, I'm glad that I had brakes. Sometimes I haul pine needles to the dump and I've got to turn the gain down on the controller to reduce the tires from skidding at Stop signs.

 

[ArmyRN]

I did a quick search and found this 3500# axel kit with electric brakes and springs for under $500. I would not use hydraulic brakes for off road use.
I don’t know what’s available in Mx. Do you have friends across the border who you can ship it to? I ship things that can’t be shipped to Ca to my friend in Az and pick them up and visit. In fact I’ll be in Az next week and have a long list of prohibited for sale in Ca items.

https://share.google/MTbvWesxdMuDqsENY

That's my trailer. It has a 3500lb axle and electric brakes. I'm glad I've got the trailer brakes, especially when pulled by the flatty or TJ.

 

[RangerTJ]

@ArmyRN , could you post a link to your trailer build?

The link that was posted in another thread is dead.

 

[PCO6]

I camp with 3 Jeeps, 2 trailers and 1 wife. I think I’ve used every combination but when it’s with my wife there’s only one option – my XJ & tear drop trailer. To be honest, that’s probably my favourite too. When it comes to space, my LJ and MJ are good, but the XJ is definitely better.

As for the trailers or bed in the case of the MJ, the tear drop has a place for everything and things stay put even when it’s not in use. It has one use only. The trailer posted by the OP would be in this category. My “expedition” trailer (my trips usually last about a week so not really an expedition) is really just a utility style trailer I built with extra "stuff". It's more useful for camping than a pickup truck bed. It and the MJ both make trips to building centres and the dump, so they have other uses. When I camp with either of these, I go solo.

I also camp in all weather. I’ve taken the XJ & LJ with a tent and no trailer which is sometimes preferred. I can sleep in the XJ, and I’ve never even considered doing it in the LJ.

Every trip seems to be a bit different based on location, duration, time of year, activities (carrying kayaks, bikes, etc.) and it’s nice to have options. Also, something always seem to need work done to it or modifications so if I have to take it off the road for a while I can.

Anyway … options are a good thing!

EDIT: One thing to think about regarding a Jeep / trailer combination is how the tailgate opens. XJs, WJs, WKs, etc. swing up. I prefer this. TJs, etc. swing from the side and in some cases interfere with a trailer tongue box, jack, etc. With a bit of work modifications can be made to make things right.

 

[Bud125]

I built this from the ground up, 2k axle with electric brakes that work very well. Total loaded weight is about 1,800lbs. Tongue weight about 70lbs. Works great for my needs.

 

[TJMexico]

Nice rigs.

Really, I think that a Cherokee or a Grand Cherokee with a cargo rack on top would fill my needs, for the most part. I guess I need to start looking more seriously at that option.

Not getting the negatives here re. the WJs that I got previously. I guess I should add those to my search. I does make sense that those might not be as abused as the XJs, not just because they are newer, but maybe because original owners didn't see them as much of a off-roader "Jeep" type vehicle as the XJs.

 

[ColoJeep]

Nice rigs.

Really, I think that an Cherokee or a Grand Cherokee with a cargo rack on top would fill my needs, for the most part. I guess I need to start looking more seriously at that option.

Not getting the negatives here re. the WJs that I got previously. I guess I should add those to my search. I does make sense that those might not be as abused as the XJs, not just because they are newer, but maybe because original owners didn't see them as much of a off-roader "Jeep" type vehicle as the XJs.

Watch for big electrical issues on the WJ's . But you may find the good one out there.