what is the ideal frame size and axle type for an off-road trailer?

[jeep-N-montero]

I have had too many ideas going through my head about trailers and am curious what you guys have had good experience with? Frame/box size? Tongue length? Torsion vs leaf spring? Axle width? Anything I'm forgetting?

 

[Dominic]

http://rme4x4.com/showthread.php?t=72960

 

[STAG]

I would say ideally independent suspension would be best, for ground clearance, and just big enough to sleep in

 

[mesha]

when you come over on saturday check out mine(not the one I am selling my other one) It is about the perfect size for my family. It has good clearance and can really extend the amount of stuff I can take. It is basic, but will get better. You can even hook it up and haul it around a bit if you would like.

 

[Brian P]

I would say ideally independent suspension would be best, for ground clearance, and just big enough to sleep in

Many of us that have built ours use leaf and straight axle with matching wheels, That way as long as the tow vehicle can pass over a rock or something in the road, the trailer should be able to as well, Because it should have at least the same ground clearance if not a little more.
Another reason is cost, When I built mine the axle, leafs, hubs and all the mounting parts was just over $100, A Torsion axle was more than twice that and the Indi airbag set up can be very expensive.

I wont argue the sleeping part, But mine has a RTT on it

About the only thing at the moment I may change on mine is to add brakes, My axle had the mounts for it, I would only need new hubs and to install the electronics

As to the OP's question, I would keep the total width the same as your vehicle, 3500# axle seems to work well for many.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Many of us that have built ours use leaf and straight axle with matching wheels, That way as long as the tow vehicle can pass over a rock or something in the road, the trailer should be able to as well, Because it should have at least the same ground clearance if not a little more.
Another reason is cost, When I built mine the axle, leafs, hubs and all the mounting parts was just over $100, A Torsion axle was more than twice that and the Indi airbag set up can be very expensive.

I wont argue the sleeping part, But mine has a RTT on it

About the only thing at the moment I may change on mine is to add brakes, My axle had the mounts for it, I would only need new hubs and to install the electronics

As to the OP's question, I would keep the total width the same as your vehicle, 3500# axle seems to work well for many.

Wouldn't a 3500lb axle be a bit heavy for an 800lb trailer? Looking at these 2k axles here http://abctrailerparts.com/2kaxles.html

 

[Skylinerider]

I have one of those 2k axles complete with leafs sitting in my storage unit. 5 on 4.5 (Jeep) and 60" wide. I ordered it from ABC. I'll sell you for $100. Only catch is it is in Ephraim.
Was gonna build a trailer and went a different direction.

 

[Cody]

I think the answer is "whatever would work well for your intended purposes"

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I have one of those 2k axles complete with leafs sitting in my storage unit. 5 on 4.5 (Jeep) and 60" wide. I ordered it from ABC. I'll sell you for $100. Only catch is it is in Ephraim.
Was gonna build a trailer and went a different direction.

Any plans to head up here soon?

 

[Skylinerider]

I was just up that way last week, but I don't know when I'll be back up to the SLC.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I was just up that way last week, but I don't know when I'll be back up to the SLC.

Know of any friends coming up soon?

 

[JL Rockies]

May sure that ZJ can pull whatever you build.... just sayin'

 

[sixstringsteve]

I would say ideally independent suspension would be best, for ground clearance, and just big enough to sleep in

I would love to see an independent sprung trailer

 

[Skylinerider]

I would love to see an independent sprung trailer

Check out Adventure Trailers
http://www.adventuretrailers.com/

 

[sixstringsteve]

ah, i never realized those were independently sprung

 

[jeep-N-montero]

ah, i never realized those were independently sprung

Torsion axle with shocks, looks easy enough to duplicate.

 

[Cody]

I think long leaf springs work well too. Little short guys....not so much. too much bounce.

My m416 that I had was a decent size. My only complaint was that it was just barely too narrow to be seen out of my sideview mirrors. But being narrow was nice for tracking around tight corners.

I didn't really ever notice it, even when it was full of stuff. I remember cruising around a corner at like 60+ mph in Buckhorn wash, and catching a glimpse of it in my side mirror as I rounded the corner and I thought someone was rear ending me ha ha. I had forgotten it was there amidst my driving joy and gangster rap.

 

[Brian P]

Wouldn't a 3500lb axle be a bit heavy for an 800lb trailer? Looking at these 2k axles here http://abctrailerparts.com/2kaxles.html

Nope, Considering when its full of camping equipment, Gas, Wood and whatever else I can think of, I would like it to still be somewhat durable in an off road situation.
But that's just the Toyota guy in me talking.
Best of luck

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Torsion axle with shocks, looks easy enough to duplicate.

AT does not use torsion axles, in fact I think they expirimented with them in the beginning and found them less than desirable. A torsion axle does not have easily adjustable spring rate nor is the rubber often up to the rigors of off-road use. That said some off-road trailer manufactures do use torsion axles.

AT uses a trailing arm in combination with an air bag system.