Parts trailer

[MrK5]

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I've been thinking some about building a trailer that I would pull behind the General. The trailer would haul spare parts including a spare tire. My thought was to unhook it at the trailhead and leave it there.

Then I would just care the bare essentials in the General.

I'm just tired of caring a lot of junk in the back of the truck. Especially a fullsize spare. My original plan once I had beadlocks was to just carry a tube to throw in if I lost a tire. But after installing 40 bolts on a beadlock, I've decided that's not very practical.

I have two concerns about the trailer thing.

1. Securing the trailer from theft of items or the entire trailer.
2. Having to get all the way back down the trail to the spare parts. And then potentially back up again to the stranded vehicle.

[cbbr]

Look at an M101. Military surplus. You can bring it on the trail with you.

[MrK5]

I've heard those trailers are really heavy.

I don't think I want to try dragging a trailer down the trail. Definitely not some of the harder ones.

[cbbr]

The M105's are heavy. The M101 is the "3/4 ton" version and is much lighter and easier to haul on a trail. I have a M105 that I am trying to sell right now because I have decided that it is just too big for me.

[filo]

Right, the M105 was considered a 1 1/2 ton trailer and was designed to pull behind a 2 1/2 ton (6x6) truck. The M101 is considered a 3/4 ton trailer and designed to pull behind a HMMWV or a CUCV. (Keep in mind the the payload rating was/is severely underrated.)
I assume you would put large/similar sized (to your truck)wheels and tires on the trailer so it could go places no normal trailer can go. I've been thinking that same thing as well, and I think it's the best compromise. Imagine what you can do with all that storage space?!!
Going down the trail to get parts shouldn't be too much of a problem since you'll never wheel alone, and with the potential amount of parts you can carry, I don't think your wheeling buddy would complain too much...assuming he has or might need similar parts and/or tools.

[38377k5]

Yeah, there is no way you would even consider bringing any kind of trailer on the trails here in CO.

Leaving it at the trailhead is a good idea though

[3 on the tree]

I have a trailer made from a Chevy pickup frame and 8' box. 12 bolt rearend underneath. Stock rear springs. I have put 3000+ pounds of rock in the back of it,and the bump stops still don't touch the springs. Its light enough that I can push it around by hand.

If you are running 1 ton axles, thenput a 1 ton rearend under it. Now you have a complete spare rearend at the trailhead! Build a steel, locking cover for the bed. To immobolize it, just run chain from wheel to wheel, with a GOOD padlock.

[MrK5]

Yeah, that's what I've thought about, it could have a complete spare axle under it. Although my father-in-law swears that keeping the ring & pinion in those trailer axles makes them harder to pull. An old utility box would be cool too, but they would probably make for a heavy trailer.

I would definitely try to run fullsize tires on it. I actually have 2 extra XLs with a little tread left. I would plan to pull the trailer when I do one of my "dream" trails and run the full lenght of the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands Nat'l Park. I would run a pintel hitch to keep true to the theme and for obvious advantages on the trail.

I figure most guys that trailer their rigs to the trail leave a lot of their spares on the trailer or tow rig, especially the big 42" spare tires. So I wouldn't be doing anything that much different by leaving my little spare parts trailer at the trailhead.

[darryl]

yes those trailers with the gearset in still tow terrible but if your 14bolt is a full floater why not pop the axles out and put cover plates on ?