Having trouble choosing a trailer brand/build material

[Anonymous]

Hey folks. I’m in the planning stages of a conversion and I’m stuck on what brand to get, and even struggling to decide between steel and aluminum. If it helps, this is what I’m looking to do.

A 7x14 flat nose ideally with one HD axle that sits a little higher. I plan to pull this with an older Tundra (5.7L 4x4) and will mostly be on BLM roads, remote boondocking, etc. I’m copying the layout of the trailer in this video ( https://youtu.be/lWwgzO5_Xx8?si=7sGlRfq3nCrwz_7Z ) with a few adjustments. The things I would like to come with the trailer are, AC, shower power plug, basic electrical package and I’d like a quality build construction wise. I don’t need a Cadillac of trailers but I don’t want junk as I plan to use this for many years and Into retirement. A Hail Mary of my wish list is a manufacturer that offer a Happijac bed lift system but I don’t think I’m gonna find that.

I don’t mind driving but I’m in the western midwest so I’d rather not go to CA or FL for a trailer. I did a search for brands but after 3 pages I wasn’t getting much back so figured I’d post. Thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide.

 

[foxontherun]

Good morning,
Aluminum will cost more but weigh less. Back in 2018 when I was planning/ordering my trailer this is one of the outfits that I ran across that had a good reputation and would do some custom stuff for you. The main reason I didn't go with them was they only had flat roof, even the model that had curved sides. I wanted a little bit of arch in the roof so water wouldn't just pool on the roof if there was any low spots. If I recollect correctly there was a build thread or two on this forum that used this company.
https://www.rnrtrailers.com/read-about- ... vdc-series

I ultimately went with Neo Sport Trailers: https://neotrailers.com/trailers.php. I have the NAMR model 7x16. Good quality trailer, any time I have had questions or issues (water leaking in thru tail-light fixture), they are always prompt in responding to any issues I have had and have sent parts when needed (new tail light). The ramp door spring got out of adjustment and door wouldn't go all the way down and they paid to have it fixed here where I live since there were no dealers nearby. There might be dealers nearby you could take a look at them: https://neotrailers.com/dealers.php.

Best wishes on your build; post lots of pics. Lots of good info and knowledgeable people on this forum if you have questions or need to know how to do something.
Harry
Build: viewtopic.php?f=42&t=72881

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the reply. Is the weight savings of aluminum worth the price increase? I like the weight savings but not if it's minor and costs thousands more. I plan to eventually have a local welder make me a custom roof rack for solar so I think I would prefer the flat roof but the rain pooling is a valid concern.

I had not heard of Neo trailers so I will look them up. I had no idea how many trailer manufacturers there are when you start digging into this. There must be some serious money In this industry.

Thanks again for your assistance.

Good morning,
Aluminum will cost more but weigh less. Back in 2018 when I was planning/ordering my trailer this is one of the outfits that I ran across that had a good reputation and would do some custom stuff for you. The main reason I didn't go with them was they only had flat roof, even the model that had curved sides. I wanted a little bit of arch in the roof so water wouldn't just pool on the roof if there was any low spots. If I recollect correctly there was a build thread or two on this forum that used this company.
https://www.rnrtrailers.com/read-about- ... vdc-series

I ultimately went with Neo Sport Trailers: https://neotrailers.com/trailers.php. I have the NAMR model 7x16. Good quality trailer, any time I have had questions or issues (water leaking in thru tail-light fixture), they are always prompt in responding to any issues I have had and have sent parts when needed (new tail light). The ramp door spring got out of adjustment and door wouldn't go all the way down and they paid to have it fixed here where I live since there were no dealers nearby. There might be dealers nearby you could take a look at them: https://neotrailers.com/dealers.php.

Best wishes on your build; post lots of pics. Lots of good info and knowledgeable people on this forum if you have questions or need to know how to do something.
Harry
Build: viewtopic.php?f=42&t=72881

 

[foxontherun]

Good morning,
There are pros and cons to both. I chose aluminum for weight, lower maintenance, higher resale value. Cost difference back when I bought mine was maybe 2 grand for comparable trailers. I ordered my trailer which in my opinion will cost you more as the dealer isn't getting rid of any inventory he already has; no motivation to give you a better deal unless he is just starving for sales. Here are some links that can give you some things to consider for your specific needs:
https://taxaoutdoors.com/blogs/articles ... l-trailers
https://www.fthr.com/owner-support/reso ... -trailers/
https://www.kenfeagintruckandtrailer.co ... 7CGkc.html

Since you mentioned you would mostly be on BLM roads, remote boondocking I will have to leave that to others to chime in. Even though we tend to camp in the boonies, most places we go you could pull a regular travel trailer to. I think Flboy does some off roading with his 6x12 and he has built several conversions. viewtopic.php?f=42&t=73788. I am pretty sure all of his trailers have been steel trailers.

I have a 2012 Tundra 5.7 rated to tow 10,000+ lbs; I have no desire to ever pull anywhere close to that much; gas mileage sucks as it is towing my 3K trailer, ha! My truck is only 2WD so my off roading will be a dirt road with no ruts to get stuck in, ha!
Harry

 

[Stovlar]

I went with 6 x 12 aluminum cargo trailer, I was concentrating more on pulling weight. A 6 x 12 aluminum weighs about the same as a 5 x 8 steel trailer. One thing I realized, pulling with a 2019 Tacoma V6 is the wind is tough. My conversion is very simple, I've seen a lot of people go elaborate and luxurious. I just graduated from Tent camping so cargo trailer conversion is like four star hotel jump.

 

[Grummy-TNT]

BRAND, to me does not seem to matter as much as build quality, and that changes from trailer to trailer it seems... Tends to be a lot of turnover welders in changing economic times. Also, a lot of trailers are private labeled rigs, made by just a few actual manufacturers for others.

A couple of things for sure are that a single axle rig like the youtube example will need at least a 5200lb axle under it. I didn't watch the entire video to see if he mentioned final weight, but managing weight is actually a huge challenge on a single axle 6x12 much less a 7x14. If your set on the 7x14, I'd go aluminum because of the weight challenges.... trust me, they will be very real with a single axle 7x14.

Also, a 7 wide with the wheels hanging out to the 8' mark gets pretty wide behind a Toyota, and an extra challenge to keep on narrow trails. If you have to do 7 wide, it's awesome if you can get flush inset wheels like your typical travel trailer has them, but this is only found in custom order trailers or Concession Trailers, and that tends to add a lot of cost to the project.

Flat roof trailers are usually easier to build interiors in, and pooling is not so bad if your are using the trailer because you tend to move now and then. Where pooling causes issues is when a trailer sits for 3 months with a puddle on the roof. So when stored, just make sure it is high in the front or back while it is sitting.

Lastly, a bed lift system like the HJ is awful expensive for what it is. A cheap $70 Harbor Freight winch fitted with Dyneema Rope and a few pulleys can work very well as long as your bed platform can rest on bed level brackets or cabinets when it is down.

Curious why you want a flat front... the V nosers do not tend to cost any more and give you that extra 2ish feet to work with.