So after about 1 million hours of back and forth on buying a new trailer/toy hauler/motorhome that would better suit the needs of my family, we ended up almost right where we started... With a basic Travel Trailer 🤦‍♂️. A 2019 Grey Wolf 29TE
This trailer is significantly better than our previous trailer in a few key aspects, including:
-More bed space. It has a queen bedroom up front, and 4 bunk beds in the back.
-Larger bathroom space, especially around the toilet. Our previous bathroom was miserable for an adult male, and even worse in full racing gear and boots.
-It's 13 years newer, which brings some better looks and updated interior.
-The trailer only weighs 5,960 lbs, so it is significantly lighter than the equivalent toy hauler.
There are a few draw backs to this trailer:
-This trailer still doesn't solve the issue of being able to haul 2 dirt bikes everywhere we need to go. The truck bed is already full, and I do not want to continue to pull doubles, So the bikes must be in/on this trailer somehow.
-It's pretty looooooong. Measures 37' from hitch to tail. A full 6' longer than our last trailer. With the planned modifications, this will put my total vehicle length at 64ft, just 1ft shy of the legal limit.
Here she is:
I picked it up for what I believe to be a super awesome killer fantastic price. That being said... It came with a salvaged title and some pretty hefty damage.
The previous owners must have been some sort of stupid, because the trailer has obviously been drug down the side of a few trees. At first I thought it was all part of a single accident, which caused the salvage... but after getting more familiar with the trailer, there must be multiple incidents.
The first major damage is from what looks like a painted post. This busted the drains for the holding tanks, ripped aluminum siding off, and destroyed some of the wood framing. The drains are currently being held up by electrical tape.
The next bit appears to be all tree damage. 2 windows were busted out, the top drip edge is smashed in, and a lot of aluminum is dented. The worst of it I didn't see until I got it home because the pop out blocks the view... but the top aluminum piece is actually sliced clean through for about 6ft or so..
These issues I can attribute to a dumb owner. Based on some interior damage and filth, these folks were not gentle with their equipment. It will take some time and effort, but I believe we can solve most of the neglect and damage items.
The next issues are manufacturer related. If you follow the travel trailer world at all, you are aware that they are built as cheap and quick as possible. This leads to all kinds of issues from every manufacturer. A MAJOR issue with all of them is the cheap and flimsy frames they are built on. This frame is 6" I beams, about 1/4 in thick. It is at least still straight, but is already significantly bowed front to back. I think I lifted the rear about 4" to get it level on the jacks.
You can see here, the axle bolts have made contact with the frame and bent it. Which is really no surprise.. just the trailer and water weight nearly max the load capacity, not counting food, cloths, toys, gear, tools, etc. This happened on both sides.
So, this leads me to the plans phase.
First of all, all the damage needs to be repaired to return the trailer to a functional, water tight trailer. This will be pretty lame and basic.. but I will post photos along the way.
Second: The frame needs to be strengthened and the trailer needs to be lifted for clearance issues. In addition, I am going to extend the frame between 3-4ft off the back to have a permanent and strong double moto hauler. The lift will be a simple spring over, and I will upgrade the springs.. and should probably do heavier axles as well. This kind of makes me sad, as this is the first trailer I have owned without basic metal wheels.
For the frame work, I intend to run rectangular tubing along the outside frame rails and weld them in place. It will require notching out the little wing supports a little, but will make them even stronger with additional support and welding. This will run the entire length of the trailer, tie into the tongue, and extend out the back. There is very little in the way that will have to be moved, making it an easy solution. I will also add additional cross supports along the way.
I am thinking something like a 2x4 tube, with 1/4 in walls. But I have absolutely no idea what is actually the right answer.. I am just guessing.
I could just as easily do just a 1/2 plate down each frame rail. Or I can do a thicker tube.
What do you smarter-than-me folk think is the right answer. It will be preventing frame droop and twist off road, and will be supporting about 550-600 lbs of dirt bike off the back.
I am excited to get working on this. I was originally hoping to use it at least once this year.. but I am thinking I've got enough work to do that she'll have to wait until spring for the first debut.
This trailer is significantly better than our previous trailer in a few key aspects, including:
-More bed space. It has a queen bedroom up front, and 4 bunk beds in the back.
-Larger bathroom space, especially around the toilet. Our previous bathroom was miserable for an adult male, and even worse in full racing gear and boots.
-It's 13 years newer, which brings some better looks and updated interior.
-The trailer only weighs 5,960 lbs, so it is significantly lighter than the equivalent toy hauler.
There are a few draw backs to this trailer:
-This trailer still doesn't solve the issue of being able to haul 2 dirt bikes everywhere we need to go. The truck bed is already full, and I do not want to continue to pull doubles, So the bikes must be in/on this trailer somehow.
-It's pretty looooooong. Measures 37' from hitch to tail. A full 6' longer than our last trailer. With the planned modifications, this will put my total vehicle length at 64ft, just 1ft shy of the legal limit.
Here she is:
I picked it up for what I believe to be a super awesome killer fantastic price. That being said... It came with a salvaged title and some pretty hefty damage.
The previous owners must have been some sort of stupid, because the trailer has obviously been drug down the side of a few trees. At first I thought it was all part of a single accident, which caused the salvage... but after getting more familiar with the trailer, there must be multiple incidents.
The first major damage is from what looks like a painted post. This busted the drains for the holding tanks, ripped aluminum siding off, and destroyed some of the wood framing. The drains are currently being held up by electrical tape.
The next bit appears to be all tree damage. 2 windows were busted out, the top drip edge is smashed in, and a lot of aluminum is dented. The worst of it I didn't see until I got it home because the pop out blocks the view... but the top aluminum piece is actually sliced clean through for about 6ft or so..
These issues I can attribute to a dumb owner. Based on some interior damage and filth, these folks were not gentle with their equipment. It will take some time and effort, but I believe we can solve most of the neglect and damage items.
The next issues are manufacturer related. If you follow the travel trailer world at all, you are aware that they are built as cheap and quick as possible. This leads to all kinds of issues from every manufacturer. A MAJOR issue with all of them is the cheap and flimsy frames they are built on. This frame is 6" I beams, about 1/4 in thick. It is at least still straight, but is already significantly bowed front to back. I think I lifted the rear about 4" to get it level on the jacks.
You can see here, the axle bolts have made contact with the frame and bent it. Which is really no surprise.. just the trailer and water weight nearly max the load capacity, not counting food, cloths, toys, gear, tools, etc. This happened on both sides.
So, this leads me to the plans phase.
First of all, all the damage needs to be repaired to return the trailer to a functional, water tight trailer. This will be pretty lame and basic.. but I will post photos along the way.
Second: The frame needs to be strengthened and the trailer needs to be lifted for clearance issues. In addition, I am going to extend the frame between 3-4ft off the back to have a permanent and strong double moto hauler. The lift will be a simple spring over, and I will upgrade the springs.. and should probably do heavier axles as well. This kind of makes me sad, as this is the first trailer I have owned without basic metal wheels.
For the frame work, I intend to run rectangular tubing along the outside frame rails and weld them in place. It will require notching out the little wing supports a little, but will make them even stronger with additional support and welding. This will run the entire length of the trailer, tie into the tongue, and extend out the back. There is very little in the way that will have to be moved, making it an easy solution. I will also add additional cross supports along the way.
I am thinking something like a 2x4 tube, with 1/4 in walls. But I have absolutely no idea what is actually the right answer.. I am just guessing.
I could just as easily do just a 1/2 plate down each frame rail. Or I can do a thicker tube.
What do you smarter-than-me folk think is the right answer. It will be preventing frame droop and twist off road, and will be supporting about 550-600 lbs of dirt bike off the back.
I am excited to get working on this. I was originally hoping to use it at least once this year.. but I am thinking I've got enough work to do that she'll have to wait until spring for the first debut.
And makes it somewhat easier to keep it strong, because front.
