Trailer- Good or Bad?

vwbdog · Samba Member Joined: October 11, 2006 Posts: 36

Hi,
I have a '76 Westy and my family and I are taking a trip up the west coast, all the way to BC, where we'll do some kayaking. On rare occasions, I see buses with small trailers, often one wheel trailers. I've also seen more standard trailers being towed behind as well. I want one of them... My bus runs great, but I am worried about the extra weight and pulling power of my lovely bus.

Can you please give me the Pros and the Cons. I think I know the cons, so should I consider this for my trip and later?

Cheers,
B.C Very Happy

RZAR · Samba Member Joined: September 01, 2007 Posts: 725

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=293113

UncleDannie · Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 8:34 pm Post subject:

Well, good for you on the trip up the West Coast. A lot of people tow small trailers behind their buses. The 'one wheeled' trailers, as you have seen, are popular. The secrete is the weight. There are some regular trailers that are very light that will work also. If you look at your bus specs, it will tell how much weight you can carry inside and on top, as well as how much you should be able to tow. There will be a gang of other forum members who will chime in on this subject.

The one wheeled types are the best, as far as you being able to back-up with with no trouble. A conventional two wheeled trailer are harder to back up.

Anyway, good luck. Do a search of this forum for 'Trailers' as well as a search for trailers in the Classified area. I found this tread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=293113&highlight=trailers
_________________
Uncle Dannie
'71 Westy Project Bus
Stock 1600 engine, 15" wheels, stock interior

Anyone who says something is foolproof hasn't met a determined fool

gutted · Samba Member Joined: May 02, 2005 Posts: 139

not to get off track but where in BC are you planning on going?

vdubyah73 · Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 4:07 am Post subject:

Tip for backing a trailer. Put your hand at the bottom of your steering wheel. Move your hand in the direction you want the trailer to go. Start backing with you rig as close to straight as possible and correct with small movements of the wheel. Lots of small corrections, not a few huge corrections. Back slowly and never let your trailer go to far left or right. If your wheel is cranked all the way one way or the other to chase the trailer, you are either making to large a correction or you waited to long to correct. A short trailer will come around real quick on you and crunch itself into your Bus
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73 bounty hunter, sold.
'77 transporter, junked had crotch rot.
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TheTominator · Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 6:51 am Post subject:

Or, point your trailer at it's target, then follow it, small corrections. Or, since it's such a little weenie of a trailer, unhook it and push it. This last method guarantees no damage to your bus
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71 Bus
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Randy in Maine · Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 7:34 am Post subject:

Look for a small light trailer at Home Depot, Lowes, Tractor Supply.

I use one sort of like this... http://www.snowbeartrailers.ca/page/Model_6000_Utility_Trailer_a

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

and mounted my Thule 421 racks on the trailer. I also have the thule 835 kayak racks and the whole thing works well together.

Works pretty slick to carry our two 14' Old Towns + the mountain bikes behind the bus and does not weigh much, but having some temperature gauges to monitor the engine status are are really good idea. The wind is already broken by the bus going down the road, so they don't do anything wierd back there, but you can tell it is back there with your cylinder head temp gauge.

I use that stuff to also haul the kayaks on the Outback and the Comanche also so they are not just for the bus. The problem with owning a trailer is that everyone wants to borrow it.

fender ][ · Samba Member Joined: July 15, 2006 Posts: 32

once you hit bc , youll be doing 60kmph going up the mountains with out a trailer , so the added weight is forsurely going to slow you down and cause excessive Cylinder headtemps so with that being said do you want to take that chance?
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1975 westy

deeps · Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 3:26 pm Post subject:

I love trailers. Rolling Eyes

Not enough room in my bus for me, wife and three boys so a trailer is a must. I know its practical/easier to get a modern one but you ruin that classic bus look by hauling a piece of modern iron behind. Take your time and try and get one that suits the era. I find it easier to just unhook and push rather than trying to reverse as its so light.Here's one I made earlier.

deeps · Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 3:30 pm Post subject:

Any chance of posting a pic of my bus I can't resist. Apologies Embarassed

Randy in Maine · Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 4:12 pm Post subject:

Very nice set up. A trailer is really handy to just move stuff out of the way sometimes.

NASkeet · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 6:29 am Post subject: Trailer- Good or Bad?

There are many styles and sizes of trailer, of which the following are just a few examples:

Glidalong Popular baggage trailer, with hinged hard top

The Popular, is one of four model ranges made by Glidalong Trailers; these being the Sherwood (2 sizes), Trekker (2 sizes), Viscount (2 sizes), Popular Standard & Popular Super.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=379410

Klinn Trailers, baggage trailer

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=379409

East German manufactured, galvanised steel baggage trailer

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=379408

Mule, polyethylene baggage trailer, from Flextank, in Wales

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=379407

PC Space Saver folding baggage trailer

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=379406

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=379405

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=379404

Spanish made, Daniel folding baggage trailer

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=379403

The above pictures were originally featured in the following magazine article:

David Rowlands, "Trailer Towing Special – Hold in one: A buyers' guide to luggage trailers", Practical Camper, July 1983, pp35~38.

**************************************************************************************************************************

This two-piece, folding, hinged boat cum trailer, called the Maverick, designed by David Peppiatt, of Naiad Marine was quoted as costing £800 in 1983.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=377891

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=377890

The above pictures were originally featured in a magazine article, as follows:

Barry Francis, "Trailer for sail", Drive & Trail, February 1983, p50.

**************************************************************************************************************************

British specification, 1971 VW 1600 Type 2 campervan (Registration No. CMO 147J), owned by Jan Westwood, in Streatham, London, towing a baggage van-trailer, with fold-down rear flap/ramp and opening rear hatch.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=369805

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=369804

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Nigel A. Skeet

Independent tutor (semi-retired) of mathematics, physics, technology & engineering for secondary, tertiary, further & higher education.

Much modified, RHD 1973 VW "1600" Type 2 Westfalia Continental campervan, with the World's only decent, cross-over-arm, SWF pantograph rear-window wiper

Onetime member, plus former Technical Editor & Editor of Transporter Talk magazine
Volkswagen Type 2 Owners' Club (Great Britain)

http://www.vwt2oc.net

NASkeet · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 5:53 am Post subject: Trailer- Good or Bad?

Here are three more trailers to whet your appetite:

SPORTi GRP trailer with lid

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=439550

GRP trailer with hinged lid

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=439549

Compact folding trailer for easy storage

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=439548

All of the above trailers, were featured in a British magazine article, about 8½ years ago, as follows.

John Wickersham, "Pulling Power", Motor Caravan Magazine, December 1998, pages 92~94
_________________
Regards.

Nigel A. Skeet

Independent tutor (semi-retired) of mathematics, physics, technology & engineering for secondary, tertiary, further & higher education.

Much modified, RHD 1973 VW "1600" Type 2 Westfalia Continental campervan, with the World's only decent, cross-over-arm, SWF pantograph rear-window wiper

Onetime member, plus former Technical Editor & Editor of Transporter Talk magazine
Volkswagen Type 2 Owners' Club (Great Britain)

http://www.vwt2oc.net

jaredm81 · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 1:03 pm Post subject:

I was looking for trailers earlier and came across this trailer which would be great for hauling gear and putting a Kayak on top. I am definetly thinking about buying one.

http://www.pulmor.com/products.htm
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79 2.0l engine with weber progressive

visibleink · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 2:17 pm Post subject:

More than meets the eye....
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BONANZA STEVE · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 3:22 pm Post subject:

Does anybody know what a half a bug weighs? My buddy offered a trailer to me. It a 67 ish bug that was cut in half after a front end accident. i think it has a straight axel and standard rims. They have enclosed it right behind drivers seat. I think it would look cool same color as my 69 bus. Does anybody have pics? or has seen?
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NASkeet · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 5:55 am Post subject: Trailer- Good or Bad?

SteelersBus · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 5:28 pm Post subject:

Love my harbor freight trailer. Weighs about 200 lbs empty.

As long as you aren't totally packin the Bus and the trailer, you'll be fine.

We use ours to empty the Bus out for traveling. All we have in Bus while drivin is blankets and pillows.(of course all the stuff stashed in the cabinets) All our other lil campin gear like chairs and such can stow away in trailer.
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NASkeet · Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 5:45 am Post subject: Trailer- Good or Bad?

Here's a topic thread about a Besco foldable trailer:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=275605
_________________
Regards.

Nigel A. Skeet

Independent tutor (semi-retired) of mathematics, physics, technology & engineering for secondary, tertiary, further & higher education.

Much modified, RHD 1973 VW "1600" Type 2 Westfalia Continental campervan, with the World's only decent, cross-over-arm, SWF pantograph rear-window wiper

Onetime member, plus former Technical Editor & Editor of Transporter Talk magazine
Volkswagen Type 2 Owners' Club (Great Britain)

http://www.vwt2oc.net

NASkeet · Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2021 11:02 am Post subject: Re: Trailer- Good or Bad?

Here's an interesting looking trailer that I found listed on British Ebay today, which is described as a "windsurfing trailer".

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/194197371233?hash=item2d3710b961:g:cd0AAOSw7YZgwu~V

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=2187387

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=2187388

The trailer is marked with same emblem (three degrees of rotational symmetry) as O-Shea wet suits etc

O’Shea International, The Loft West, Outer Harbour, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, LL53 5AY, Wales, United Kingdom

Tel. 01 758 – 613 111

website: www.osheasurf.com

www.osheasurf.com/contact.html

e-mail: [email protected]
_________________
Regards.

Nigel A. Skeet

Independent tutor (semi-retired) of mathematics, physics, technology & engineering for secondary, tertiary, further & higher education.

Much modified, RHD 1973 VW "1600" Type 2 Westfalia Continental campervan, with the World's only decent, cross-over-arm, SWF pantograph rear-window wiper

Onetime member, plus former Technical Editor & Editor of Transporter Talk magazine
Volkswagen Type 2 Owners' Club (Great Britain)

http://www.vwt2oc.net


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