Best Trailer Setup? Post your pics!

regis101 · Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 5:26 am Post subject:

It all works out. I used to drive the 'ol Bus at 55-60 with no problems. People seem to know the reason when there is a slow moving vehicle and in a split second they have passed. No worries, no hurries.
_________________
Peace, Regis

BillM · Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 7:23 am Post subject:

I have posted this before and I still need to get a shot of it behind the
Westy. Pulls excellent,dry inside,and I can lock it. I plan on installing
bike racks on it over the winter. My son has slept in it with a screen
covering the back held on with magnets. Just so he could get away
from sharing the upper bed with his sister.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
Bill M
87 Westy

shepherdsond · Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 8:10 am Post subject:

_________________
87 Syncro Hightop Camper
3 knobs + solid shaft
2.2 Phase II Subaru
Hi-Top build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=534517

Steelhead · Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 10:43 am Post subject:

the base of this a harbor freight trailer. Granted its been tightened up considerably by bolting and screwing all the wood together, (and adding a few bolts here-and-there to the frame), but this thing pulled beautifully at highway speeds. A no-brainer was eliminating its ability to fold.

_________________
'77 Bay Window / '89 Caratsburg (aka. the Stormtrooper)

jackbombay · Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 9:36 pm Post subject:

BillWYellowstone · Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2012 8:52 am Post subject:

Funny thing, the day I was checking all this out, my wife asked if we might get a little trailer to pull to free up the inside of the van. Great or at least like minds.

I am thinking more along the lines of the 4x4 from HF. I converted one of these some years ago to a motorcycle trailer, decked it, extended the tongue. Worked great.

This time more along the idea of a chuck wagon setup, back open up for kitchen stuff, sides for gear. I'll leave kayak or canoe up on top. Debating the bikes position, sure would be easier and less drag on the trailer.
_________________
Live Fulltime in motorhome
Have 86 Westy Camper 2.1 rebuilt
Work in Yellowstone NP year round.

regis101 · Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2012 9:05 am Post subject:

I used to tow this with the Bus a few years back. The 4 x 8 trailer was a Carry-On open floor and weighed 190#. The box was another 150# and I kept max cargo at 400#. The front 6'6" lid was hinged as shown and the back 1'6" lid was hinged to lift up also. I have plans to build something similar for the '85 but with more of a chuck wagon use. The coffin box was designed for sleeping and I had the back open up with cafe style doors with shelves as the kitchen area. But it ended up being used strictly for cargo.

The back story is that I built this at first.

I wanted to post these pic's just to show options
_________________
Peace, Regis

regis101 · Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2012 9:11 am Post subject:

I think a 4 x 8 trailer is a great common size. IIRC, the outer most dimension was a bit over 60". A nice 5 x 10 box could be built to set down over the fenders and should be handle most if not all needed equipment and supplies.
_________________
Peace, Regis

CoastieLFS · Samba Member Joined: October 14, 2011 Posts: 76

Might be time to revise this thread.

Here's my old Harbor Freight at a pit stop while on a road trip to Shasta Lake last year.

Another view: (and yes I'm missing a red flag)

Here's my white Adventure Trailer (unfortunately made by a company no longer in business). If you look closely you'll see I'm using an 18 inch extension. I've since installed a retractable tonque that allows 3 lengths depending on what I'm towing.

And another view:

I had a red Adventure Trailer, but it was sold to another EVC owner in Portland who understood the value of using a trailer.
_________________
'95 Eurovan Camper (2.5L)
'01 Weekender
Portland, OR

CoastieLFS · Samba Member Joined: October 14, 2011 Posts: 76

Here's a list of sport & expedition trailer company's I've found along with a few links to people who build their own:

http://sportsrig.com/Eco-Friendly.php

http://www.spacetrailers.com/

Dooit: http://www.activitytrailer.com/ or http://www.accessorytrailers.com/dooit.htm

http://store.sylvansport.com/

http://www.maloneautoracks.com/sport-trailers.php

http://www.sportstrailers.com/

http://www.activitytrailer.com/ or http://www.activitytrailer.com/tbars.htm (for Kayaks)

http://www.letsgoaero.com/products.asp?pcat=3

http://www.theadventurepost.com/all-posts/multi-function-sport-trailers-pop-up-tents/

http://www.magnetatrailers.com/canoekayaktrailersaccessories/canoekayaktrailers.html

http://www.pulmor.com/utility_trailer.asp

The Piggy Backer XL: http://www.piggybacker.com/Piggybacker/PiggyBacker_Cargo_Trailer.html

XVenture: http://www.schuttindustries.com/Consumer/Xventure/XV-Series/XV1-XVSeries.aspx

X-Tender(TM) Adventure Trailers: http://www.vmioffroad.com/

http://www.lifetime.com/gallery/trailers/lifetime-tent-trailer and http://www.costco.com/Lifetime%c2%ae-Camping-Tent-Trailer.product.11752397.html

Old Stuff:

Adventure Sports Trailer review: http://www.mountainzone.com/gear/suv/utility_trailer_review.html

Reese's Backpacker Trailer: http://www.rv-news.com/dec1996/new_product.htm

Build Your Own:

http://www.dinoot.com/

http://compactcampingconcepts.com/ (or have him build)

http://www.redneck-trailer.com/
_________________
'95 Eurovan Camper (2.5L)
'01 Weekender
Portland, OR

tarandusVDub · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 7:29 pm Post subject:

We like our Piggybacker motorcycle trailer.

Basically its a rooftop box on wheels, but WAY easier to get to for everyone, can leave it in your camp spot when you go out to play, can easily take off to turn around, and best of all, keeps you from taking too much stuff!

Between that and the Mountainsmith cubes, we were dialed in for this last trip.

_________________
1990 Syncro 16" DoppleKabine 2.1 DJ 112i
________________________
Sold: 1972 Bay Campmobile; 1984 Westy, base model, 2WD.

snowsyncro · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 5:14 am Post subject: Re: Vans & Trailers

Gizmoman · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 6:28 am Post subject:

I'd love to put the V-strom 1000 behind me (500 lbs). Just bought two folding bikes from Citizen Bike to have some freedom from moving the van out of the campsite, but the motorcycle would be sweet.

This thread has me seriously considering a trailer. I figure the added weight is definitely going to add load on my tired transmission, but most of the time the vacuum behind the Westy will make it moot.
_________________
82 Vanagon Westy - AAZ 1.9 TD, HE200 Holset, WAIC, 27.75 dia tires, Electric power steering, 5-speed AAP w/.078 5th
Oversize spare carrier - stock location (no longer for sale).

denwood · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 12:10 pm Post subject:

Yep..the Westy leaves quite a hole in the wind. With the kayaks up top, oil temps up, mpg drops. With the trailer only, no noticeable effect, except on climbs.

The trailer is 1/4" plywood, clad in aluminum, with a steel "exoskeleton" that carries the load with the lid down. Took a few iterations to get to this. The top rack is good for 800lbs or so...locks as pictured. It's been back and forth across the continent a few times on windsurfing trips.

_________________
Cheers,
Dennis Wood
The Grape

Gizmoman · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 5:42 pm Post subject:

^^^ Nice - what does the loaded trailer weigh?
_________________
82 Vanagon Westy - AAZ 1.9 TD, HE200 Holset, WAIC, 27.75 dia tires, Electric power steering, 5-speed AAP w/.078 5th
Oversize spare carrier - stock location (no longer for sale).

denwood · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 7:49 pm Post subject:

Loaded, depends on what we're carrying...it's about 250lbs empty. Typically we're traveling at 700 to 800lbs, so the van with approx 140hp from an i4 conversion has no issues with it.
_________________
Cheers,
Dennis Wood
The Grape

Gizmoman · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 8:59 pm Post subject:

Zebedee · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 1:18 pm Post subject:

I made this last year.

Frame is 1 1/2" angle with a 2" box section spine with the tow hitch on.
Suspension are indespension torsion units with 10" mini rims and 145/10 tyres.
_________________
If you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all.

alaskadan · Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 7:59 am Post subject:

Did someone build a single swivel wheel trailer for vw? I'll have to get a pic but I've seen on in a yard that may be about 4x6ft with a single swiveling wheel and two small tongues on front. Then it has a big vw emblem on the back.

I did a search online and found that sears (I think ) made something like it.

alaskadan · Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 8:01 am Post subject:

Did someone build a single swivel wheel trailer for vw? I'll have to get a pic but I've seen on in a yard that may be about 4x6ft with a single swiveling wheel and two small tongues on front. Then it has a big vw emblem on the back.

I did a search online and found that sears (I think ) made something like it.


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

Best Trailer Setup? Post your pics!
Page: Previous 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Next

	Forum Index -> Vanagon	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time Page: Previous 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Next
Page 3 of 6