Tent Trailer Options

I know this probably belongs in a different section, but the towing section doesn't seem to get much attention and I'm more concerned about the max weight I can tow with one of these trailers.

I'm looking into the idea of fabricating a RTT trailer and have considered using a military trailer with a bed rack welded in to it. Obviously these are pretty heavy and might exceed the towing capacity of our trucks after they're weighted down with RTT and gear.

I've also considered finding an old truck bed trailer, but those are harder and harder to come by in good condition.

This is the lightest military trailer I've found so far.
https://www.govplanet.com/for-sale/Military-Trailers-2008-Schutt-M1102-Cargo-Trailer-California/1690575?h=5000,c|4055,sm|0,sort|d+asc,mode|2,mf|1&rr=0.25&hitprm=&pnLink=yes
Looks like 1460 lbs. for the weight if I'm reading it right.
RTT is about 200 lbs. and I'd say an average of another 150 lbs. max for gear and rack.

Any suggestions?

 

You would be under 2,000 lbs. That would tow beautifully.

Tow capacity is ~3500 without tow package. Over 6,000 with tow package. Give or take a few hundred pounds depending on options (4x4, lb ect...)

 

Mine is an M416 trailer, empty weight is around 500 pounds. Tows great, I forget it's back there.

 

If you are going to tow why not get a pop up camper. Advantage would be no fabrication involved and hard top better for snow/rain

 

Hard to find those M416's. I've been looking for a while, but every one I find is $$$$$!

 

I’d find a livin lite quicksilver 6.0. Made from aluminum so it’s light weight and they are pretty nice. We had a 8.1 which is quite a bit larger and it was under 1000 pounds unloaded.

https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2011-Livin--Lite-Jeep-5004862119



.

 

Yup I agree they are hard to find. I searched for awhile. I paid $2k for mine and it included the ARB RTT and annex which is a pretty good deal.

 

Pop up would be great for on-road ventures. Not so good for off-road travels. I'm guessing that's what the OP has in mind.

 

https://www.generalrv.com/product/used-2011-livin-lite-jeep-camper-jeep-trail-edition-620454-7

 

This is what I am working on, m416

 

This is EXACTLY what I am looking for.

Number 1: I already have the RTT and don't have any interest in a full camper set up.
Number 2: Camper Camping isn't really my style.

That seems to be my luck right now as well.

Exactly.

That is beautiful. Where did you find the trailer?

 

This is how I got it, Craigslist.

 

Military trailers are super cool, but you’re paying for that coolness at the cost of $$$ and weight.

You can get a Carry-On 4x6 utility trailer at Lowe’s for $500 with a 2k lbs axle that only weighs 300lbs. Do a free or very cheap spring over and maybe add some blocks to clear the wheel/tire combo of your choice. By then you’ll have a ready to be outfitted off-road trailer that’s should easily stay under 1500 lbs loaded and ready to go. Racks and all you would be hard pressed to go over $2500 on that thing and could probably keep it well under $1500 if you tried.

 

At this point, the Smittybilt Scout Trailer is looking better and better. I know I would pay a lot more for it, but it would be set up for a generator and on board water if I ever wanted to do that in the future. Plus, I don't posses the tools/skills to build everything myself. So just going with a pre fabbed version might be better for me.

 

I can see the appeal but those things are like $5k without any wheels or tires. I can’t weld either so I feel your pain. Local small business welders are usually very reasonably for small tasks like this. I remember reading one guys trailer build that used a harbor freight trailer and pretty much bolted everything together. I don’t think I would go HF but it can be done with little to no welding.

To me part of the cool factor of a trailer is the customization to fit your individual needs. But it really comes down to how much of a project you want, what level of customization and how much you want to spend. That Smittybilt does have a pretty sweet suspension setup though.

 

Budget isn't really set. I'm not in any hurry to get this done, but right now I'm leaning more towards the Smittybilt. I'm more or less just trying to figure out my needs and base my budget on that. I don't NEED everything the Smittybilt offers, but it gives me a base to be able to do anything I could ever want to with it.