Trailer Dilema

[RoJo]

I am looking at two off-road trailers, and can't decide which route to go. I am hoping some of you guys that drag trailers around the boonies can provide some insight, or suggest things to take into consideration or questions to ask.

First a little background. My truck specs are in my sig, and I also have a custom bumper in the works which should be ready any day now, that will put the hitch receiver about 30" high. I'm looking for a trailer that I can use to haul camping/expo gear down the trail, with the possibility of adding a RTT to the trailer at some point.

Now to the trailers. One is new, and one is about 3 years old with low miles. If I go with a bare bones new trailer, both trailers are about the same price. Now you may be asking yourself, new vs. used, for the same price, what's the dilema? But as we all know, not all trailers are created equal. Unfortunately, I have not seen either trailer in person. I am in central AZ, the used trailer is in San Diego, and the manufacturer of the new trailer is somewhere in Nevada.

The used trailer appears to be very well made, but also appears to have been out in the weather. It has Jeep YJ leaf springs and gas shocks that can be unpinned from the lower mounts and clipped up out of the way. The cargo box is rather small, but is over-built with lots of d-rings and tie-downs for securing stuff with. There is an ample deck up front with more d-rings.

The new trailer also appears to be well-made, but perhaps not as beefy as the used one. It has standard trailer-type leaf springs, and no shocks. The cargo box looks bigger, but appears to be made of just sheet metal. There don't appear to be many tie-downs, nor is there a tailgate. The new trailer obviously looks better, comes in a choice of colors, and options (like a tailgate) that can be added (for more money, of course). And it looks like there could be fitment issues with the fenders if I went with taller tires, but maybe not.

Here is the used trailer. I believe the first photo was taken when the trailer was new. The second photo shows how it sits now, with different tires, and no spare, hi-lift, or front stand.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v477/rk_az/Misc/M8_olive_1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v477/rk_az/Misc/M8_Olive_4.jpg

Here is the new trailer. The builder has a website if you want to see more pics and specs.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v477/rk_az/Misc/sierra_trailer.jpg

[Mr Tacomi]

Used trailer looks a little small but plenty of room in front of the 'box' to put more storage.

New trailer looks exactly like an M100 or M416 or M101CDN military trailer... I bought mine used for 600.00 (2400.00 less than the 'new' ones)

http://www.sierra4x4trailers.com/index.html


I've got some work to do to my 'used' trailer (I got one a bit older than I expected....a bantam MB-T circa 1940's--it's actually in great shape) ...but by the time I'm done...DONE I'll easily be 2500.00 less than a sierra similarly outfitted. I towed a Canadian military M101CDN (same size as sierra) through the desert, and no problems other than flipped it once on speed+bump, and the constant pintle & ring hitch. I'm gonna put a 'lock 'n roll' hitch on mine so that it will be virtually silent. The little bit of rock trail we took the trailer on, was no issue, and I never felt it back there--other than the hitch noise, and a little tug every now and again. We had a lot of extra gear stored in the trailer, and it was very nice to have along.

[OldSven]

That used on allthough kind of on the small side for storage is a really trick looking trailer! The sierra trailers are really nice from what I have seen. I saw them as I was building my M416 up and if your not careful the cost can add up fast on ya, but even with my eezi awn tent and everything I'm still right at or under the price of a new trailer.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f294/OldSven/Trailer/DSC09154.jpg

[RoJo]

Nice trailer!

[RoJo]

Ha! I accidently posted this on the wrong forum first. So now that I have the right forum...I made a decision and purchased the "used" trailer. And I am glad I did - this trailer is great! Yeah, the cargo box is a bit small, but the trailer more than makes up for it.

The tongue height is just about perfect for my new custom bumper:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v477/rk_az/Tacoma/P1050720.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v477/rk_az/Tacoma/P1050751-1.jpg

This thing is built like a brick outhouse! 3500 lb axle, YJ leafs with shocks, d-rings and tie-downs galore, nearly new BFG MT's (with spare, which I wasn't expecting), electric brakes, the list goes on.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v477/rk_az/Tacoma/P1050752.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v477/rk_az/Tacoma/P1050754.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v477/rk_az/Tacoma/P1050755.jpg

The front jack can be removed and pinned up under the rear of the trailer out of the way. The shocks can be unpinned from the lower mounts, and pinned up out of the way if so desired.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v477/rk_az/Tacoma/P1050756.jpg

Can't wait to take it out on the trails...

[d33pt]

i really like it. what did it cost ya?

[CYi5]

super sick, i'm jealous RoJo, congrats!

[TEJASYOTA]

Sweet trailer!

[RoJo]

Yeah, I have decided I'm going to put a RTT on it. Haven't decided which one yet.

Oh, and I paid $2500 for it. Seems like a real bargain to me. I think the guy said he had around $3700 just in materials in the trailer, not to mention all the labor. I believe he was selling them for $6000 new (or trying to, anyway) back in 2005.

[Air Sierra]

I am Sierra 4x4 Trailers.
This was my last trailer I built, under $4,900 with tent. (Tent's are STUPID Expensive)

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o138/airsierra/NewTrailer014.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o138/airsierra/NewTrailer004.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o138/airsierra/NewTrailer008.jpg

[wingysataday]

http://www.idahomotorpool.com/ All kinds of trailers!! Cheap too!

[RoJo]

I finally took my trailer out on the trail today for a little test run. It did great, it will definitely go anywhere my truck will!

I attempted the trail that goes through the pass in the Sawtooths. I have made it through there fine in an unladen truck. Pulling a trailer was a completely different story.

The final climb to the saddle is very steep, and very loose. My truck eventually lost traction, and after a few more attempts, I decided to turn back. But the trailer never even flinched!

I don't plan on taking the trailer through anything too extreme, but its nice to know it can take it. Here are a couple of action photos:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v477/rk_az/Tacoma/P1050906.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v477/rk_az/Tacoma/P1050907.jpg

[RoJo]

You should put a Roof Top Tent on that bad boy!

That's the plan, Willman! :)

[Bobert]

Yeah, I have decided I'm going to put a RTT on it. Haven't decided which one yet.

Oh, and I paid $2500 for it. Seems like a real bargain to me. I think the guy said he had around $3700 just in materials in the trailer, not to mention all the labor. I believe he was selling them for $6000 new (or trying to, anyway) back in 2005.

Does he happen to have anymore? I'm really liking that trailer. Not much storage, but its not like the box couldn't be expanded forward a bit...

[RoJo]

I believe this is the last one he had, he said it was one of his "show trailers". He hasn't been building them for a few years now, as far as I know. This one had apparently been in storage (i.e. sitting in a friend's yard) for 3 years.

[wingysataday]

http://boise.craigslist.org/pts/1565080337.html

What do you guys think about making a trailer out of this? I was thinking that an old utility bed from a mini truck would be the best for under $500 you could get all the storage you could want and just make a frame for it. You could also find an old broke down toyota work truck and cut it in half and make a trailer out of that?

[diablo_alex2777]

http://boise.craigslist.org/pts/1565080337.html

What do you guys think about making a trailer out of this? I was thinking that an old utility bed from a mini truck would be the best for under $500 you could get all the storage you could want and just make a frame for it. You could also find an old broke down toyota work truck and cut it in half and make a trailer out of that?

It's great.

[TacoDell]

heavy bastard...

here's another... http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/1565454727.html

[wingysataday]

That what I'm talkin aboot! I want one and lift it!

[Mr Tacomi]

heavy bastard...

here's another... http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/1565454727.html

x2 on the VERY HEAVY!!! I hope Wingy has really good traction or plans on just taking this down graded roads/trails because a full-size utility box (both links showed full-size) is WIDE as well.

[wingysataday]

I wouldn't get the full size box they do look a bit heavy. I want one from a small pickup. like a nissan or yota, s10 whatever...

[Willman]

careful the cost can add up fast on ya, but even with my eezi awn tent and everything I'm still right at or under the price of a new trailer.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f294/OldSven/Trailer/DSC09154.jpg


Sure love my trailer! Oldsven and i have very similar trailers

My trailer will go any where my truck can go.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f374/nicwillman/DSC_0222.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f374/nicwillman/DSC_0178.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f374/nicwillman/DSC04716.jpg

;)