Howdy from WI

[Muddybike86']

Hi everybody

I've been lurking about this awsome forum long enough, and wanted to say hi and give some background info.

I have been planing my escape from the rat race I guess, and luckly I found this forum. I'm not a "tear jerker" but rather a "Toyhauler" type, though I love the Idea of a stealth backwoods tear drop someday just for camping/hunting. So basically I want to build my first house, basically a toyhauler cabin hybrid. I have a new Interstate 1 6x 14 v-nose with the Rv door/screen and 6.6Ft height added in charcoal on order and can't frickin wait to get started. The order was placed about 2 1/2 weeks ago and should hopefully be here soon. I think I picked the biggest cargo trailer that my Jeep can pull logicaly. It's a well kept 96' 4.0L cherokee sport with a HD 3" lift and runs like a scalded cat! Can't seem to leave anything alone for long. So whats a 15ft jeep and 18 foot trailer gonna be like? Thinkin gas milage and brakes are gonna be a bit iffy.

so anyhoo tell me what ya all think.

[campmaster-k]

Welcome there are many rooms in the funhouse, Enjoy.

[packerz4]

what part of Wisconsin?

[Muddybike86']

Hi and thanks for the replys. I live in southern racine county. Do autobody rep. for a living and handyman work on the side. It's a blessing to a have a job and be working, but I feel like all do is work for little true headway.

[tearhead]

Welcome! The Wisconsin group is a lot of fun! Keep your eyes open for "Cooler Near the Lake" in the spring--our first gathering of the year. Good place to come and get ideas! It draws teardroppers like us but also people who have done some really original builds and cargo trailer buildouts as well as tent campers who are thinking of building.

We're from the Whitewater area.

[Muddybike86']

That sounds like a lot of fun Pat. I could use the event as a first test of the trailer.

[gregp136]

Yes, welcome to the fun. Lots of ideas here, and lots of different people. I can't answer your questions exactly, since I built a small teardrop, but I am sure there are many conversion people here who can. Good Luck and see you on the road.

Greg(and Laurie)

[Woodbutcher]

Hi, and welcome to the forum. I pull with an 04 Wrangler LJ. While my teardrop is under what the Jeep says it can tow, it's a struggle at times. I've got a 3" lift and regeared to 4:56. My mileage pulling a 2K lb trailer is 10-11 MPG. Add in hills or a headwind and it gets worse. Your Jeep has the same engine I believe. Make sure you put brakes on your trailer if they are not included to start with. The extra stopping power is well worth it. Have fun with your build and post lots of pictures.

[Muddybike86']

Hmm very interesting info Woodbuthcer I don't have any trailer pulling experiance and don't realy know what to expect. It sounds like I should install brake's on the trailer as a basic safety concern. I have the factory gearing of 3.55 on the jeep 31" tires. I drive like a old man mostly so i hope my jeep will tolerate the 3,000 or less pound trailer.

[LWW]

Hey guys. I've got an 03 wrangler with the 4.0 liter six, 5 spd and my gears are 3:07 with 3" of lift on 31s. My build is on an old boat trailer shortened to a 5x8 with Mikes weekender on it. It has 1/2" ply sides with a layer of 6 oz glass over everything 2x2 framing. I'm not sure of the weight but my jeep has no trouble maintaining 65 to 70 until I get to a long grade. I don't plan to put brakes on it and it stops just fine. I'd give the farm away for a set of 4:56 gears but it's doable with the 3:07's as long as you take your time. Larryw

[Gary and Cheri]

If you are in the south of Racine County then you are near us in Burlington. We are into pulling a tear. There are a couple of us in Burlington and one up in Wind Lake and I see Elkhorn has already posted. Great group of camping people here in Wisconsin.

Gary

[Woodbutcher]

Muddybike86.....Jeeps don't stop well without a trailer behind them. Pay real close attention to weight when doing your build. I did not with my first trailer. I figured I was under what me Jeep was rated for so I should be OK, right. Wrong! Check out R&P Carriages on Ebay. I got my brakes and brake controller from Paul. Great people and real fair prices. You MUST figure brakes into your build.

[LWW]

Better be safe than sorry. I've driven trucks all my life and have learned to be patient. So far my weekender is still light and I believe it will serve me well. I think you should always be careful and if it turns out mine will need brakes I'll put them on. A 6 x 14 cargo trailer loaded will certainly be heavier than the little brakes a jeep has so I'd put them on that for sure. The Cherokee is a little heavier than a wrangle but still a little light for a heavier trailer. Larryw

[Muddybike86']

Thanks all for the much needed info. I will definately be adding brakes to my build.