Need help with choosing a trailer

[Gringo Loco]

Hello all, I am trying to decide whch trailer to buy for my weekender buildup. I am torn between the NTE 5x8 trailer for $299 or the red trailers 5x8 SJ-8534 for $530. I like the design of the RT because it is not angle iron but if I go for the NTE trailer I can also get wood for the build. Does any one have any thoughts, I want to do this right the first time so all input is appreciated.

Thanx

[sdtripper2]

Chris:

Will you be pulling this trailer off road?

Will you want standard tires say 15" or will you be happy with smaller tires
that many trailers have?

[Gringo Loco]

I won't be using it to go off road. I can deal with 12-13" wheels and later I could upgrade axles if needed. One thing is that my liberty is lifted, would this cause any problems?

[sdtripper2]

Chris:

Visualize a level trailer as it attaches to your Tow Vehicle (TV).

That is to have when all is said and done a trailer that appears to ride even, behind your TV.

If your TV hitch receiver is high:
So you can either lower axle on bottom of springs to put trailer frame higher,
use larger tires, or use small tires and manipulate the tow-bar to have the
ball lower to accommodate the trailer so as to make the visual flow str8.
Some may do all of the above~


If your TV hitch receiver is low:
You would look at the above receiver high list and make changes
accordingly in planning or after completion.

Some reading:
Red Trailer ride height? Above or Below the spring distances

Many decisions on trailers
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?p=140446

Trailer hitch decisions and measurements & Pictures
http://www.accessconnect.com/trailer_to ... h_ball.htm

[Gringo Loco]

Thanx Steve

[jagular7]

Have you been to the L.O.S.T. forum (http://www.lostkjs.com/forum/phpBB2/). Lots of Liberty owners with info/exp with lifted/nonlifted, pulling trailer, etc.
There you can get an idea to a hitch frame height, but that will also depend on your choice of hitch frame or the integrated rear bumper setup.

I believe the Liberty can pull up to 3000#s un-optioned. With towing options, it could possibly go up to 5000#s. Biggest concern will be the availability of gear ratios to match the tire size to the performance of the lifted Liberty, then to pull a trailer.

Anyways, check over the Liberty specific forum. For a trailer frame, I'd prefer a box outer frame, but if you look at how the older pop-up campers are designed (similar weight and overall box size to a TD), the frame is really light and the floor adds structure to the assembly.

[Gringo Loco]

Hey Mike, I am on L.O.S.T. daily and have been for the last two years . We really don't have a trailer section but I know of a couple of guys to ask about the questions I have.

Thanx

[jagular7]

To tell you, you are a little better off than me. I've got a 4cyl/auto 97 TJ, lifted, running 35's, with 4.88/lockers in the axles. Without an engine swap, I'm no faster than the diesel Rabbit of yesteryear. Then think about pulling a camper along....

There are a couple other wheeler owners on this forum. Few are even in different parts of the world.

To keep the Jeep-utility theme, I've got a Pingauer ambulance box for a conversion to a camper (http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=16422). Its similar size as a Compact II (120" long, 70" wide, 70" tall). I'm placing it on a M101 trailer mod'd to work with the longer camper.