Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hello all,
I'm KJ and I live out here in WY. I've been reading this forum for a couple months now and I'm at a place where I'm about to buy a trailer to convert.

My needs are:
Able to hold 3 ATVs (two full-size, one youth), and sleep 5 (two adults, one 8 y/o, one 16 m/o, one 1 m/o.
Basic necessities of a shower, toilet, sink, stove top, A/C and Heat. Nothing crazy fancy.

I feel like I would need a 8.5x24. Not worried about the weight as I have a 2015 Cummins to pull it.

The issue is, who makes a quality trailer? Last week in Denver, I looked at haulmark, pace and cargo mate. All 3 already had surface rust on them (all brand new). I just can't seem to drop $9k on something that is already rusting. I told the salesman that.

I already searched but couldn't find a definitive answer. So I could use any help I can get. All I know is that I would like to stick with steel due to the price.

Thanks fellas.

Sorry I don't have an answer for you, but welcome from a fellow Wyomingite!

Thank you for the warm welcome, sir. I grew up in Casper and now I'm down here in Laramie working at UW. I hate to ask stupid questions on here. But, I really need help with what company deserves to get my money.

Welcome! I hope others here will be able to help.

I did have a concern with weight that's why I bought a NEO all aluminum CT - 7x16' v-nose weighed 1870 lbs empty. After 2 years, no rust. If you do ever consider aluminum, I'd highly recommend NEO.

Hope this helps (a bit).

I have definitely considered aluminum, sir. But I can't find any that cost less than 25% more than steel. Some are twice as much as the size I need. I would like to have around a $8k budget for the trailer alone.

Coventrykid, wow. Just checked them out and they are well under my budget. Thanks for the tip

All ready answered but all aluminum .
Mines a American Hauler, but NEO is good.

I have a single axle 7x12 NAVF by NEO and love it.

Welcome to the forum. I recently bought a new trailer to convert and the same thing... surface rust. The bottom line is that I think they all just don't put enough good paint on and the steel probably already had some surface rust starting when they begin welding. They should neutralize it with a good rustoleaum when they are done.. but anything to save a buck.


In any case, I had to take all the wood off to insulate, so while in there, I painted with a rust stopper paint. I'll be doing the same on the frame as I have the floor out to set the holding tanks.

I agree we shouldn't have to do that, but even if you find one on the lot without it starting, it will in a year anyhow. It has cost me about $50 in Rustoleum and some time, but I had it apart anyhow, and now I know it.

Best of luck with your build.

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Thanks flboy. I have been following your current build and saw that you used the rustoleum. Are you able to removed the floor boards easily enough in order to coat the frame as well? If that is possible, I may go that route and go with steel to save some change.

1567cummins wrote:Thanks flboy. I have been following your current build and saw that you used the rustoleum. Are you able to removed the floor boards easily enough in order to coat the frame as well? If that is possible, I may go that route and go with steel to save some change.

I am getting ready to remove the floorboards in the next two days to set my holding tanks. I bought brush on Rust Oleum Rust Stop paint.

With the plywood off the sides, the floor will come right up after you remove the screws. It is a good time to do it when you remove the plywood to insulate.

I'll take some pics.

Awesome. Thanks for the tip.

Give you an idea on size, this is a 6x14 with a Polaris 570 and bruin 350 inside.


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I've been thinking about this steel and rust question, and I don't recall any rust in my Cargo Craft of Georgia brand trailer. They have a plant in Texas as well, and at least one distributor in Colorado. (Might as well post the link), they had one of Cargo Craft's custom off-road trailers that I really liked:
http://www.coloradotrailersinc.com/2016-cargo-craft-elite-v-5x10-off-road-cargo-trailer-new-cargo-trailer-co-i1821272

In their older literature and webpage, they bragged about the frames being completely painted before assembly, and my main (bottom) trailer frame was coated in some thick black rough texture stuff that is still in place. They also use 1" square tubing in the walls and ceiling as opposed to z channel etc. and I'm pretty sure I remember everything was painted.

They also had a water test rig, and every trailer went through to ensure no leaks. I was a little disappointed to find most of the old name brand trailers I was familiar with had closed their doors, and were now just a brand owned by a large conglomerate, so I took my chances with a less known, smaller company. Had a few minor issues, mostly with communication between dealer and factory on some custom requests by me. They sent a factory crew to my house to make the corrections. Mine is basically their Expedition rig, but I chose straight axles/leaf springs for more ground clearance.
http://www.cargocraftinc.com/texas/expedition.php

Interior of mine:


Build thread:
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=48345

I'm sure there are much better trailers out there, but in terms of value, strength and quality for the dollar, I'd buy another one from them if I ever had to. Hey, I just made a commercial! (where's my check?!?)

Welcome, and good luck, whatever direction you go.

@ NO David!,
Those do look like nice rigs. I'm digging the "Lone Star" edition. You know that would piss 'em off north of the Mason Dixon.

McDave

PS. @ 1567Cummins,
Welcome from Big Sky country.
I bought a Pace used many years ago, 6 x 12 1500.00 and the guy brought it over from Rapid. I used it for working so I got my money out of it, but quality and precision were not at the top of the list for Pace. If I could I'd probably go with all aluminum. A friend has a 7.5 x 18 Haulmark aluminum and it is much better quality and attention to detail.
Good Luck

McDave