The little/light Camper Trailer Thread...

[djb_rh]

Originally Posted by pvangel

I was in the exact mind set as you and just could not find a trailer to fit the bill. I went to a bunch of different mfg companies and as soon as I changed a thing the price was over 20k.

So I started to build my own and it really is coming out great.

http://advrider.com/forums/showthrea...816355&page=11

Hope to have it done for under 6k (plus my time which is worthless:) )

So somehow I missed your thread in the early stages and only saw the last page or two recently. From that alone, I did NOT surmise that you were looking for a pretty lightweight trailer like me. But now I see I'm wrong.

What's funny is I found a toyhauler on RVT.com that I thought might work and emailed the dealer (in Savannah) asking about the weight. Found out it was too heavy and was going to move along when the salesman said he had something that he could get that would work. He sent me pics and a floorplan and said he could order it and it would be $15,600, but while he'd answer my questions on it, the one thing he would NOT tell me was exactly what it was and who made it.

Turns out it was right there on the first page of your thread...the Wolf Pup by Cherokee. *sigh*

I *really* thought I wanted 8.5x18 to fit two bikes, but then today (before you posted this) I did some measuring and realized a 7' will get two bikes like I want with no problem. In fact, that's exactly what I used to take to Colorado last summer when I borrowed my Dad's, but didn't even realize it. Duh.

The problem with the Wolf Pup is the fridge makes it appear, at least that I can't really get two bikes in there. Based on some rudimentary math and screen measuring, I think it's only about 6.5 feet from the back of fridge to the ramp. That's too short for a KLR650 or my BMW G650X, which is a bit of a problem. Maybe the wheel squeaks in front of it and it's still straight?

And in searching, found one on a lot for a LOT less money than I was quoted. What a crook at the Savannah dealership:

http://www.theoutpostrv.com/DealerFi...?ListingID=231

So while I like the idea of starting with a cargo trailer and building it out, this may be close enough and worth it to me. Might still consider removing the fridge and rebuilding the galley part to nothing more than a sink tucked further forward. My other problem is I'd like to be able to get four mountain bikes in there along with two motorcycles. But I think I might be going a little crazy at that point...


--Donnie

[sloMark]

www.manleyorv.com


These look cool, not too terribly expensive......imho perfect for the Jeep owner who wants to go to the beach and has kids....

....and a very close drive for me .

[Ken]

Originally Posted by djb_rh

http://www.theoutpostrv.com/DealerFi...?ListingID=231


--Donnie

That looks very cool

[dwayne]

Originally Posted by djb_rh

So somehow I missed your thread in the early stages and only saw the last page or two recently. From that alone, I did NOT surmise that you were looking for a pretty lightweight trailer like me. But now I see I'm wrong.

What's funny is I found a toyhauler on RVT.com that I thought might work and emailed the dealer (in Savannah) asking about the weight. Found out it was too heavy and was going to move along when the salesman said he had something that he could get that would work. He sent me pics and a floorplan and said he could order it and it would be $15,600, but while he'd answer my questions on it, the one thing he would NOT tell me was exactly what it was and who made it.

Turns out it was right there on the first page of your thread...the Wolf Pup by Cherokee. *sigh*

I *really* thought I wanted 8.5x18 to fit two bikes, but then today (before you posted this) I did some measuring and realized a 7' will get two bikes like I want with no problem. In fact, that's exactly what I used to take to Colorado last summer when I borrowed my Dad's, but didn't even realize it. Duh.

The problem with the Wolf Pup is the fridge makes it appear, at least that I can't really get two bikes in there. Based on some rudimentary math and screen measuring, I think it's only about 6.5 feet from the back of fridge to the ramp. That's too short for a KLR650 or my BMW G650X, which is a bit of a problem. Maybe the wheel squeaks in front of it and it's still straight?

And in searching, found one on a lot for a LOT less money than I was quoted. What a crook at the Savannah dealership:

http://www.theoutpostrv.com/DealerFi...?ListingID=231

So while I like the idea of starting with a cargo trailer and building it out, this may be close enough and worth it to me. Might still consider removing the fridge and rebuilding the galley part to nothing more than a sink tucked further forward. My other problem is I'd like to be able to get four mountain bikes in there along with two motorcycles. But I think I might be going a little crazy at that point...


--Donnie

assuming the floor plan drawings on the Forrest River site are scaled it looks like the measurement you are most concerned with is 7 feet. What I would do is load the bikes backwards with the front wheels angled (angling the front wheel of a bike into a corner is a very stable way to load and tie down) to each rear corner of the trailer and the tails of the bikes angled together.

What would concern me is the listed dry hitch weight of the trailer (285 lbs) then putting 900 lbs of dualsports at the back of the trailer. The axle is fairly far set back to help compensate, but I would still be a bit careful about that. Maybe you could load one up into the galley?

http://www.forestriverinc.com/ToyHau...oorplanid=4853

[Speedo66]

Interesting article in the NY Times about a renovation of a vintage, but advanced, smaller travel trailer from the '30's.

The people that restored it have bought the rights to the name and design, and are putting out high tech copies.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/07/ga...ef=garden&_r=0

Company site here http://www.bowlusroadchief.com/

[humvee]

Originally Posted by Speedo66

Interesting article in the NY Times about a renovation of a vintage, but advanced, smaller travel trailer from the '30's.

The people that restored it have bought the rights to the name and design, and are putting out high tech copies.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/07/ga...ef=garden&_r=0

Company site here http://www.bowlusroadchief.com/

$100,000!!

[djb_rh]

Originally Posted by humvee

$100,000!!

It's gorgeous inside and out, but man, $100k? No way. I've seen some VERY beautiful restored early small Airstreams in the $50k range and thought they were pretty crazy, but they are comparable in every way to one of these and still only half the price. *shrug*


--Donnie

[Ko]

Originally Posted by humvee

$100,000!!

Knock-offs will be cheaper...

Awesome trailer...but damn expensive... although we need to buy a second home (honey, can we live in a trailer?)

Ko

[Hodag]

bowlus are an awesome design

[Bokrijder]

The extreme light weight coupled with what appears to be pretty hefty side surface area would concern me - I've driven in fierce gusting cross winds in the western states which would make me very nervous if towing the unit. Be a sad sight seeing $ 100 T lying on its side or over the bank.

Bokrijder

[TooFast]

Originally Posted by djb_rh

Definitely looks like a possibility. Emailed him.

Thanks!


--Donnie

Did he quote you any prices for the Vyrmeron Toyhaulers?

[SgtDuster]

The Wolf Pup looked to be the real thing but I don't like where the door is placed. I could live with it because every other features are spot on for my needs (or what I think my needs would be...).


Then I saw this: http://www.kz-rv.com/spree-escape-toy-hauler/index.html

I have no idea of the price but this thing is nice!

[JMann2380]

Originally Posted by sloMark

www.manleyorv.com


These look cool, not too terribly expensive......imho perfect for the Jeep owner who wants to go to the beach and has kids....

....and a very close drive for me .

And they look good carrying a bike!

[bobfab]

just got back from New Mexico riding, heres a not great shot of the apache and the steeds



This is turning out to be the best $1000 i have ever spent. It has extended camping season much longer!

[coop74]

Originally Posted by SgtDuster

The Wolf Pup looked to be the real thing but I don't like where the door is placed. I could live with it because every other features are spot on for my needs (or what I think my needs would be...).


Then I saw this: http://www.kz-rv.com/spree-escape-toy-hauler/index.html

I have no idea of the price but this thing is nice!

I think the dealer I bought mine from had those for sub 10k... everywhere else I looked they were mid 13k. The looked pretty good but it was still more weight and a bigger size then I wanted to pull around. Additionally I did not want water and bathroom as most of my camping friends complain the most about those two features.

PM if you want the company name.

Coop