by working on it » Sat Aug 30, 2014 6:57 pm
It's all about towing. Trailers must be towed! My initial goal was to build a small trailer to be towed into limited off-highway camping sites, using a small vehicle > my wife's Cobalt (or my HHR Panel).For three years+, I've been struggling to find a compromise, balancing four important factors in planning, building, and usage of my trailer: 1)TV towing capacity vs trailer weight, 2)best configuration of gear carried in TV vs loaded in trailer, 3)towing with trailer brakes vs without them, and 4)TV mpg while towing vs TV mpg. Premise 1: using a small TV- the HHR max tow capacity of HHR =1000 lbs, i.e. trailer weight must be </= 1000 lbs. Premise 2:stowing"necessary" gear small size of HHR limits larger gear, i.e. generator, fuel, large cooler must then go to trailer (fuel later moved). Premise 3: limited braking of HHR trailer <1k lbs = no brakes,>1k lbs = brakes. Premise 4: can I achieve decent mileage? HHR = 30mpg, (alternative TV) Chevy 2500HD = <14 mpg. After 3 years of planning and building, and only one trip with the original (brakeless) axle, and one more after switching to an axle with brakes, here is my conclusion. Though I quickly suspected that my HHR would be quite inadequate for the task, I blindly kept going ahead with my max strength superstructure (though the undercarriage was spindly; now corrected), and adding heavy features to it. I ended up at 1775 lbs, which made me use the truck for towing. If I had not been so focused in the completion of the build, as quickly and cheaply as I could (at that time), I would've stepped back and gone ahead with adding the bigger/stronger axle with brakes, before it was actually used (the axle broke loose from the frame on first trip), and come up with a scheme to re-distribute equipment between the TV and trailer in better proportions. I had planned for a mid-sized SUV or pickup to eventually tow the trailer, but never started to research it, but after using my larger truck TV on those two trips, I see that it is overkill for the job (I used it to tow 7-10k lb loads), and that the planned mid-size would be better. So, if a trailer is anywhere near the TV's rated capacity (I think 2/3 would be the best percentage), then trailer brakes would be required. I don't think anyone has the ideal balance of power/braking/mpg in their combination, unless they have built and towed with a wide sampling of trailers and TV's; short of a NASA simulation, just try using whatever you can piece together for your needs, and listen to the more experienced voices here...I am still trying to learn from them.
2013 HHRv "squareback/squaredrop", rugged, 4x8 TTT, 2225 lbs- *3500 lb Dexter EZ-Lube braked axle, 3000 lb.springs, active-progressive bumpstop suspension
- *27 x 8.5-14LT AT tires (x 3) *Weight Distribution system for single-beam tongue
- *100% LED's & GFCI outlets, 3x fans, AM/FM/CD/Aux. *A/C & heat, Optima AGM, inverter & charger(s)
- *extended-run, on-board, 2500w generator *Coleman dual-fuel stove & lantern, Ikea grill, vintage skillet
- *zinc/stainless front & side racks *98"L x 6" diameter rod & reel carrier tube on roof