Anyone ever tow a small Camper Trailer?
#21
01-19-2015, 04:29 PM
Glad to know that people have towed bigger trailers than what I plan to tow! I have the GK with a tad bit more horses and max weight with trailer weight I'm anticipating is around 1600 pounds, if that. Trailer itself weights 960 pounds. its a 5x8 utility trailer with 3500 pound upgraded axle and 10" electric brakes.
Here is a 5x10 trailer I test towed a few weeks ago, it weighs 1200 pounds empty. No issues towing, and other than being a bit acceleration challenged I got up to highway speeds no problem. Plan is to install air struts to adjust ride height on a loaded trailer.
Here is a 5x10 trailer I test towed a few weeks ago, it weighs 1200 pounds empty. No issues towing, and other than being a bit acceleration challenged I got up to highway speeds no problem. Plan is to install air struts to adjust ride height on a loaded trailer.
#22
01-19-2015, 04:40 PM
Here are some of my recent towing adventures:
That's 2 cubic yards of mulch, so I would guess that the trailer and mulch together was probably around 1,000lbs. The trip to the dump was a king size matress, box springs, some 3/4" plywood (the old trailer sides that buckled because I didn't use pressure treated wood), and some cardboard. I would say that load was probably only 600-700lbs, but a lot of wind drag. The little Fit handled all of this no problem. The trip to the dump got me 28 MPG on the interstate with the cruise set at 65mph in 4th gear (auto sport mode).
-Dustin
That's 2 cubic yards of mulch, so I would guess that the trailer and mulch together was probably around 1,000lbs. The trip to the dump was a king size matress, box springs, some 3/4" plywood (the old trailer sides that buckled because I didn't use pressure treated wood), and some cardboard. I would say that load was probably only 600-700lbs, but a lot of wind drag. The little Fit handled all of this no problem. The trip to the dump got me 28 MPG on the interstate with the cruise set at 65mph in 4th gear (auto sport mode).
-Dustin
#23
01-20-2015, 08:21 AM
Since it's custom built, it's light. The framing is all 1x2s and 1x4s, and the interior and exterior sheathing is 5mm luaun plywood. It has about 50lbs tongue weight and weighs maybe 1000lbs at most. I refurbished the metal frame, built the base and walls separate, then lifted each wall into place by myself (each wall weighs just over 100lbs). After that, I connected the walls to each other and to the base, then filled in sheathing on the outside and inside. 
If I could do it over again, I would have probably used some sort of metal sheathing on the exterior in addition to paint, but that's ridiculously expensive. I'm under $2000 in on the project and learned a LOT building it.
If I could do it over again, I would have probably used some sort of metal sheathing on the exterior in addition to paint, but that's ridiculously expensive. I'm under $2000 in on the project and learned a LOT building it.-Dustin
#24
01-20-2015, 12:08 PM
Most people use fiberglass on the seams. I'm way too cheap for that. I used titebond wood glue (titebond iii or ii watered down 50/50) and bedsheets (used, got for free). It's still waterproof years later, and was more than 10 times cheaper! 
The finish isn't as nice, but whatever, it's a camper trailer. If I cared about style, I wouldn't be using a friggin camper anyways!
Edit: here's a video I made years ago on how to do it:
The finish isn't as nice, but whatever, it's a camper trailer. If I cared about style, I wouldn't be using a friggin camper anyways! Edit: here's a video I made years ago on how to do it:
Last edited by maddiedog; 01-20-2015 at 12:14 PM.
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