Since I finally got a tow rig, I've set my sights on buying a trailer.

I wanted to be able to tow my Bronco & pop up on the trailer. But after lining things up, I realized it will take a 30' trailer (maybe 28') to make it happen.

I have a friend who's father sells trailers, and I can get a new 30' gooseneck for $5500. The kicker is, another friend will split the price, and be co-owner of it. He will probably use the trailer more than me. So $2750 for a new 30' trailer is a pretty good deal.

The problem is, I will probably only actually tow the Bronco & pop-up, 1 or 2 times each year. Mostly, I think, it will only be the Bronco.

It looks like 18' trailers can be had around $2000, used. The 18' haulers weigh about 1/2 (3000# vs 6000#) of a 30' gooseneck. I think the extra weight & hasell of driving a 30' trailer, when I only need 16'-18', just isn't worth it. I'm going to get a price on a new one.

How long are the trailers you are using?

Anyone drive around with a 30' gooseneck much? I've never driven anything that long, and would be kind of intimidated by the overall length.

JD, I know you double pulled your pop-up behind your trailer. How was that? I think the 1 or 2 times each year I need both, it would be ok. And better than driving a 30'er around when I don't need it.

Thanks for your opinions.

Chad

I haul a 32ft 5th wheel quite a bit and you do get used to pulling it. Just need to be cautious and aware of what you may be getting yourself into.

Your up against the "plan for exception vs plan for the majority" decision . The wife and I have these "challenges" come up alot, She likes to buy for exceptions vs the majority.

Have you thought about getting a really nice canvas wall type tent instead of the popup? That way you can haul it on the shorter flatbed or even in the bronco. I have a 13x11 kirkhams springbar tent that sleeps 4 with great comfort. It's easily put up by yourself and I use it alot when out hunting by myself. I put a table and cots in there or the blow up mattresses and your good to go. I also have a small portable tent that we can set up a portable chem toilet if needed.

http://www.kirkhams.com/springbar-tents/

Just another direction to think about and allow you to use a smaller trailer.

Brett

Thanks,

The more I think about it, I need to stick with a smaller car hauler. I can double pull the pop-up when needed. If I hate double pulling I can sell the pop-up and get an in bed camper. We use large canvas tents during hunting season, and I do like them a lot. That would be an option too.

The only reason I am even considering the long trailer, is the price is right, if I split it with my friend. But that has its own potential downfalls & complications. I thought I could sneak both Bronco & pop-up onto a 24' or 25' trailer, but that is not going to happen. Ever since I actually measured the length I need, I've been trying to justify buying the 30' trailer, but I just keep concluding its not a great choice. I'm sure I could drive it & get used to it, but hauling an extra 12' & 3000# around when I don't need it (most the time), just kills the deal.

Buy a 20' and build your own custom sleeping compartment on the front.

Ditch the pop up and go for the 42' Rampage toy hauler with a 16' garage!!! will only set you back about $60k. Honestly if I was in your shoes... I would stay away from half ownership of anything with friends (trust me on this one, I used to race desert in Vegas). I have a buddy that took a gooseneck and permanitly mounted his pop up sideways across the front (cut off the tongue & removed the axle), so he still had room to haul his Bronc... Looked cool

Storage of said trailer too. For how little you say you'll use it then why spend big bucks on it? Get a 18-20' and call it good.

I have a 18 ft trailer. It does pretty good.

Sometimes I wish I had a larger trailer - but the weight really starts adding up quick when you fill them, I would be at 12-15k with a gooseneck quickly.

Trailers are like houses, no matter how big they are you always fill them up with stuff.


J.E.

All good points.

I just really like the pop-up in Moab, such an improvement over tent camping. I'd hate to leave it home and go back to a small tent. I'll try double trailering, and go from there.

Thanks.

Chad,

Before we ditched our pop up I had come to the same conclusion.

A short car trail for the Bronco and then pull the pop up behind it.

I was nervous about the size and weight of my pop up but you should be golden.

Get a 20' flatbed. You will like the extra length for towing and the occasional run for steel. I have a 20' H&H with the tilt bed and I like it a lot better than a dovetail. Didn't hurt it was $200 cheaper either.

I'm in a similar boat, but plan to pull the popup behind the flat bed, which will occur just about never, but the option is there.

Sorry I am just seeing this Chad. My first trailer was a 7k Big Tex with permanent side rails in the 14ft flavor. It did the job, but was pretty much near the max capacity towing the bronco, then add camping gear or trail tools... And if you wanted to get a car on there, you were climbing out the window.
So I needed something better and was in the exact same predicament. After seeking advice, I chose what I did for flexibility reasons.
When I ordered my last trailer I wanted extra capacity, so I doubled what I had last time to 14k, added a bump rail up front, lost the side rails, added 2ft of length, and added a 2" receiver at the back with 7-pin wiring. I think the total was just shy of $3500 FYI.

I only towed "triple" (you count the tow rig) once all the way to Moab and back, but on less than good tires or the pressure was wrong or something. Lets just say they were unstable when the truck was empty. But we kept it slow and easy and it wasn't bad. Just make sure you have a lot of experience pulling the one trailer, before you add the second. And make sure you NEVER have to back up with triples!

There are laws and regulations, but I am pretty sure when I looked into it, there was just a total length limit in CO. Some states require the first trailer to be gooseneck or 5th wheel. Some states don't allow it unless you have a CDL of some sort.

Anyway, I think you've come to the same conclusion I did. Just don't get a 7k trailer unless it only weighs 1,000lbd. You need at least 10k IMO.

Happy shopping!

Thanks guys.

I'm probably going to go with a 20' 14k trailer with a hitch for the pop-up. I'm waiting on prices for a new one, and looking for a used one too. I'll get used to towing the single, before I add the pop-up to the back. It's going to be very rare to bring both.

I forgot to mention, get the biggest tires (load rating) you can afford.


J.E.

You know, a buddy of mine in TX put a big rig sleeper on the front of his trailer. It wasn't anything fancy, and making a door was an issue, but it was covered sleeping!

I placed an order for a new trailer.

20' bumper pull, 14k, 8 ply radial tires & spare, 5' ramps, LED lights, 7k jack, bulldog coupler, steel decking w/ D-rings in floor. The "loaded" model was only about $650 more than the basic model w/wood deck, lighter jack & coupler, shorter ramps?, regular lights, bias tires (no spare). Seemed like it was worth it. I like the lower maintenance of the LEDs & steel deck. And the better tires & spare was a no-brainer.

I got the "good guy" price. Its been ordered, and will be ready 1st of June. My friend will drive out to La Hunta and meet up with his dad from Amarillo, and bring it back to Gunnison.

Thanks for all the advice.

Here is a pic of the 18' model they had in stock, but I wanted the 20', and didn't mind waiting.

Sweet! Congrats.

Very nice! Brakes on both axles?? You might not need loading jacks on a 14k trailer, but I put them on mine and it would make changing a trailer tire a breeze! Plus just protects the axles when loading and unloading.

LED's are da bomb! You'll like them!

The only thing I didn't like about the steel deck is the lack of traction in the winter.

Get them to throw in that tire lock!!

Any idea what it weighs?

Made sure it had brakes on both axles (state law in CO).

I'm not sure of the weight, the manufacturer's website doesn't list that. PJ trailers and other brands are around 3000 lbs. That is with wood decking. I'm not sure how much more steel weighs than wood.

With the price I paid, they aren't "throwing in" anything, so I'll have to buy a spare lock. I'll have them add one, good idea. Actually I should get 2, keyed the same, one for my pop-up. Right now its locked with my townie bike lock, and I'll need it back if I want to go to the bar this summer.