Hey all, Im new as a member to the site but have enjoyed countless threads here. I ride with a fellow ADV junkie known as ShadyRascal and on our last adventure to Death Valley we talked a bit about toy haulers. After being down there and discussing our own adventures we settled on a couple of ideas. As many well know, the toy hauler market is expensive and big for the most part. Most everything available is either A. Heavy or B. Expensive. A question to fellow riders who may like to either head south in the winter for riding or may just like to ride the good stuff and tow to get there. What would ya'll be willing to pay for a small trailer able to haul a couple 4 wheelers or 2-3 DS bikes or 3-4 dirt bikes, sleep a couple guys with a shower, sink and basic essentials? And, be able to be towed by a lightweight vehicle like a Jeep, Dakota, Colorado or any half ton pickup. Were talking max trailer weight of #3500. Thanks for any input!
Craigslist you can find something $6k-$7.5k for a used-self contained toy hauler. If you're handy you can convert a 14'- 20' box/cargo trailer. $3.2 - 5.2k. For myself the "Less is more" approach works. I did this with a little 8'x5' trailer. It holds my ATV and the bike across the tounge and perfect sleeping quarters. It's just me, so anything bigger is not really needed. I hang a shower stall-and use either a bug sprayer, or Sun shower bag to bath. <a href="http://s27.beta.photobucket.com/user/Collinsb64/media/TrailerFJ_zpsdf50f775.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.advrider.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/C/Collinsb64_TrailerFJ_zpsdf50f775.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo TrailerFJ_zpsdf50f775.jpg"/></a>
Willing to do some work yourself? I bought a 2-place snowmobile trailer ... originally just a box on wheels ... then insulated it, rewired everything, put in a battery, added a furnace... now it's a comfortable box on wheels to haul two sleds in and set up camp in the winter. Doesn't have a sink, shitter, shower, etc... but I can make do without that. I pull it with a half-ton; it gets the job done but my next truck will be a 3/4-ton. A newer half-ton may do a better job than my '99 does. White pickup with the sled next to it is mine. This thread's worth checking out, more moto-oriented: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=816355 My trailer build thread: http://backcountryrebels.com/showthread.php?t=16674
Thanks for the input guys. I should have been more clear though. I am going to build my own with a trailer I bought today. I want to build a few of them for re-sale and was just trying to get a ballpark about what someone would be willing to pay for one done and set up. I'm not trying to advertise or anything here just wanted some insight. The first one I will build is a gray 6X12 single axle interstate thats 6'5" high inside so you can walk around without busting a light off the ceiling with you head. (I'm 6'3") What I plan to include: Electric heat and AC Gas H20 heater Interior Shower Sink Minimal cabinets two twin beds (ones that someone could actually get a nights sleep on) 110 outlets cig lighter outlet small fold out table for eating I want to maximize floor space for toys so I dont want to use it all up with crap. Efficiency is key so its going to be the what two guys basic needs would be. This is assuming most guys have a small generator or go to an actual campground with AC hookup. Not sure if an inverter is worth the added cost. Also I want this to end up being able to be towed by smaller rigs without killing them. Today I towed this one home with my little 99 Chevy 1/2 ton with the 5.3. It did just fine and cruised at 70. I cant imagine an added 1500 lbs would be much different. I had a 8.5x22 car hauler that I used to haul my race car and gear. My super duty towed it just fine but my half ton just wouldnt do it with any dignity.
A local one exactly like you described minus the shower lasted a few days before selling for $3900......it was lightly used but immaculate and had several windows If you could find a cost-effective way to safely add the 3 feet on the front of some old tent trailers so a motorcycle can be hauled you could make a killing. I've been looking at used ones for years and for the same money I can just buy a 18' toyhauler
Wow, $3900 is dirt cheap for something that is functional. I am deeming a shower to be quite valuable. Riding in the dirt all day or for two days then coming back to camp then being able to wash up and feel human again is damn nice. I too have thought about the popup camper idea and extending the frame but like everything, there are pros and cons. Its nice to be able to store your bikes or whatever in the trailer out of the weather when they are not in use.
It only lasted a few days since it was well done and actually had electric brakes on it. There's been a few other done ones for $5k that have popped up from time to time but no showers in them. The used market is flooded with RVs still and you have to be at a pricepoint where its somewhat doable for someone to pay cash because a potential customer won't be able to finance it like a name brand model Its a tough niche and not trying to be discouraging. Maybe make yours and do it very nicely and document the build process very well, then advertise the service of conversion to feel out the market at first
I agree, we may need to take it on some PR trips to do some test marketing... And if we throw the bikes in for a ride, well then what the heck. We recently talked about riding parts of Utah... Anyone want to join us?
Electric heat's gonna require a -lot- of power. If you're including AC, again, needs a lot of power ... big generator, 3kW min. My little 2kW won't run a worthwhile AC. If you've got gas for a water heater, why not put in a forced-air furnace? I burned about 20lbs of propane this weekend, and I'm able to run the furnace off battery alone during the day (which is nice for day trips, if I take the dog along he can hang out in teh trailer where it's warm, and I don't have to bring a generator along and deal with it). My thing about bolting stuff (beds, tables) to the trailer is you can only use it where it's bolted up to. A $40 folding table from Sams club can be used in the trailer, outside the trailer, at the gun range, in the garage... Camp cots are the same way. 110 inside is wonderful to have. I put three duplex outlets in mine, and almost wish I had put a 4th right next to the battery stuff. Between the 12v tender, boot dryer, computer, camera charger, and radio charger... that's most of the outlets right there.
I'm with Snowmule regarding bolting stuff in the trailer. I've got a 6X12 enclosed trailer and I use cots, folding tables, and chairs. Gives me the most room and the most versatility. It takes like 2 minutes to set up a cot. Got a roof mounted RV AC/Heater. I usually stay at campsites that have electrical connections, and I also have a 3K watt genny that'll run the AC & lights no problem. I didn't bother with an inverter. Don't have a shower because I don't want to lose room and I usually stay at campsites that have showers. I do carry a solar shower for remote camping.
I have a 200W inverter in the truck if I really need AC for something. I've used it off my battery to run my soldering iron when i'm working on the truck, or for charging AA's in the truck while i'm driving. If i'm set up in the trailer and need AC, I might as well fire up the generator and get my boot dryer cranking too... charge my computer... whatever else. Inverter could do that, but why not just burn a quarter gallon of fuel and have plenty of AC power.
Thanks my thinking on this build. I am going to wire it for 110 so you can have power in the trailer from either a genny or campsite power. Ordered all the essentials yesterday; heater, water and storage tanks, water pump, lights, water heater, etc... Hell I even found a 1100 watt microwave for $39. Got the shower pan yesterday (32"x32") so I will get that installed today. Once that is in I can build my cabinets around it. I will try to post pictures of the process.
If you haven't already done so, check pvangel's toyhauler build thread: http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=816355 He's done a great job on a 6x12 and even posted his build budget.
Yes I have checked out many builds and gotten many good tips from them. Today I installed the shower pan and got the walls around it ready for covering. I also started on the sink counter and cabinet. Will work on it more tomorrow along with 110 wiring. I will soon run out of things to do until all my loot comes gets here...
Got a little progress yesterday, wiring maybe today. We will see how much my 3 year old helps... How the hell do I attach pictures?
