NYT Article on Small Trailers

The New York Times has an article this week called "As Gas Prices Swell, Trailers Shrink".

Some really cool designs in there - I especially like the Airstream Basecamp and SylvanSport Go. It was fun to watch the videos of the setup of the SylvanSport interior, converting between beds and a dinette.

But: for both general and "bug out" use, my take is that my 4WD packed with a good tent, BOB and other supplies is less expensive, more flexible, would attract less attention, and ultimately is actually easier to use and maintain.

The tent can be positioned much more flexibly (and remotely) than any of the trailers, not to mention RVs, and will be far faster to set up. A lightweight but large tarp can help turn the vehicle into a kitchen or flexible extension of shelter space.

Sure, some of these designs can also take ATVs or kayaks and other bulkier stuff - but I don't find that a compelling reason to get one. (I see a more compelling argument for a very small trailer that could carry extra gear - discussed on this forum in other threads - but personally I'd skip that too.)

What do you all think?

One of these days I plan to build an off-road ready teardrop trailer. Rolled tube, sheet metal, etc... something that can actually be tipped on it's side or banged on some rocks and trees.

Other than that I agree with you.

Neat, but I'd rather have either a tent or a small trailer, not a hybrid of the two. Aside from all the obvious drawbacks, one of the benefits of a trailer would be better protection from the elements, faster setup/breakdown, and a bit better gear organization.

Teardrops rock. On my list of things to build, precisely for the reasons cited. It's sad to say that my small 14' trailer is too large and heavy to haul around.

My brother has a Little Guy teardrop trailer. He loves it and does a lot of camping with it. If you are interested in teardrops do a search for tearjerkers, it’s a group of people that love teardrop trailers.

Here is a web site that is a step by step build (with lots of pictures) of a teardrop trailer from a harbor tools $200.00 trailer to the final teardrop.

A Design and Build Journal of How I Built my Tiny Teardrop Trailer

http://www.nfdc.net/home/cbdb/Teardrop%20Trailer.htm

It kinda depends on what you want to do. I really like hard sided trailers, the A-liner near the top of the list of mini-trailers, but I can take a 2WD midsized pickup, with tent camping gear in the bed, into places that no 4WD anything could tow any trailer into...

I wouldn't be so quick to claim that OBG, have you seen any of the "expedition trailers" out in the market?

They're damned near bullet proof, have better suspension than many powered vehicles do. Most are the fold up type that condenses into a box mounted on usually very tall tires.

They are towed behind very capable 4wd trucks, Land Rovers, etc.

They are the cat's meow when it comes to trailering.

check out: www.expeditionportal.com

John E

John E

I couldn't find much about trailers in the link provided, just one little bitty guy, and something stuck on the back of a truck and labeled as a "trailer," but I am willing to concede that I may not know all that much about "off road" trailers. I do know that I have taken my former Nissan 2WD P/U into places that I doubt any trailer could follow, thanks to really tight turns...

Sorry, go to the forums on the Expedition Portal site and find the expedition trailers section. Some of these things are amazing.

John E

"...Some of these things are amazing..."

Indeed they are. I stand corrected. Thanks...

Why not just link directly to http://www.adventuretrailers.com/

Cause it was supposed to be an adventure finding the trailers...;^)

John E

Couple of thoughts here. I have been camping for most of my life
done both tent & tent trailer as well as backpacking.

I think that anything purchased would have to be for normal use as well as an emergency.

One problem that I have with tent trailers is they do take more time to set up and once you set then up you tend to not want to move them. But the comfort over sleeping on the ground in temperent conditions make it worth it.

As for getting in and out of inaccesseable areas the altimate all teraine vehical is your own two feet, you can go places nothing else can.

if you really like small living have a look at these:
http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/

and no, i don't work for them, i just like them.

peace
al

Yeah, but did you see how much the guy wants for his plans? Just go to menards and buy the small shed plan for $15.

I didn't see any wheels on them...

Just something I wonder about when I see a teardrop trailer... Wouldn't it be more aerodynamically sound to have the hitch on the other end (the smaller end)?

Just curious.

Sue

You would think so, wouldn't you. But then, maybe the tadpole look has something goin' for it. Any aerospace engineers here???

A teardrop shape, with the wide end at the front, is the most aerodynamic. Look a the shape of an airplane wing, same idea.

The Australian-built Track Tvan is a pretty tough trailer.

Unfortunately, it's not legally available in the States. And even more unfortunately, King Kamper has pulled out of the business in the US.

But as folks have mentioned, there's always Adventure Trailers.