Offroad tow rigs - Lets see yours

[Gene C]

I don't see a lot of old School
Here is Gadget my Manx dunebuggy & Relaxo may Teardrop

[schaney]

Gene C, nice Manx setup.

Here is my latest addition, a '92 SideKick. It tows one of my Tent Topped Camping Trailers easily and is going to be outfitted with an Oasis II RTT. Also designing nice organized storage system for the back

[wlivesey]

I just got some 33s and a lift kit on my FJ. I've had the lift kit and waited over two years to replace the original BFGs that came on it. It's about time!!!

[boxcar]

Lotsa work[img]...[/img][/img]

[boxcar]

Here is my 74

[Endo]

I like the CJ-5!
My first vehicle was a 1975 CJ-5. I bought it when I was 15.
I had to rebuild just about everything on that Jeep.......a lot of fun and a great learning experience.
That vehicle got me hooked on Jeeps/4x4's.
I've had a number of them over the years.
I still drive a Jeep just a newer version now.

[boxcar]

nice Wrangler. Heres my TD in its present form with the atv mount atached....Boxcar...

[Endo]

What type/size of tubing did you use for the exo-cage? Did you bend, notch and weld it yourself?
I have considered investing in a bender. Just not sure if I want to spend the cash on one at the moment.

I would like to see a pic with the ATV loaded

[meach4x4]

nice Wrangler. Heres my TD in its present form with the atv mount atached....Boxcar...

I'm curious what your tow weight and tongue weight are when the ATV is loaded on your teardrop.

meach4x4

[boxcar]

The tubing is 1" heavy wall Tortional tubing used in comertial garage door aplications
( I own a garage door co as well as a jeep shop). Yes I bent it myself with a 12ton tubing bender. Most of the bends are bump roles . 1 or 2 deg. bend every 1 " Some of the joints are coaped (notched) some are pinch welded . Harrbor freight sells a tubing notcher that is "OK" if you are carefull and have a desent drill press. As far as the welding yes I welded the entire cage (all Mig) I have built role cages and bars for years. My wife and I own "Resurection Iron Works" We build Jeeps.........
It will be a much simpler task to do this to a standard teardrop ( not round so fewer bump roles). The reason for the build was that I hate tents. I don't care if theay are atached to a trailer or to a roof rack or on the ground I hate them. (IT RAINS IN OREGON A BUNCH). As to the toungue weight. Loaded with My Honda Foreman and some creative loading of the uper basket
. I have 60 lbs of toungue weight. If you notice , The basket extends from 10" behind the axle to the front of the pod. This allows me to shift the load on the basket to compensate for rear loading. Works the same way in reverce when the slide out is stowed (no ATV)Trailer weight is 987lbs whith standard equipment on board (stove built in icebox watter Colman hot watter heater sleeping bags etc. Fully loded it, depends on the trip duration we have had it clear to 2200lbs incl. an atv and all its suport gear. I may add a forward balasting system at a later date if it seems like I need one.I hope you all realize this trailer is a prototype at this time . I am still working the bugs out of it. I may do a production run based on this prototype. Haven't desided yet. For now it's just a bunch of fun. Go to the build journal If you are interested in the build there is a construction thread there that explains the project in much more detail. It explains how I managed to keep the weight as low as it is...Boxcar.....

[boxcar]

Here is my other tow rig 1974 Frame off wag....Boxcar

[So-Cal Teardrops]

This is Mario (from AT) and I on our way to Overland Expo... Mario has a very cool AT Flip-pac on his Comanche. The FJ80 is fairly new to me, I'm still sourcing parts to finish the build.




Here are a few of our little area of the show...




Here is Mario on his way to teach a trailer maneuvering course with one of our trailers...

[schaney]

Here is my Sidekick with the Explorer Pod in tow

[meach4x4]

Here is my Sidekick with the Explorer Pod in tow

Nice setup. Do you know what the weight of the trailer and Sidekick are? Mileage? I often think of the alternatives when the fuel is over 5/gal.

Gil

[schaney]

Gil, Thanks, my Explorer Pod weighs around 425 lbs, check out my build thread at Explorer Pod. Haven't had the Sidekick on a scale, the specs show it weighing in around 2700 lbs. Mileage has been 20-26 mpg, does fine towing on the flats, but you notice the extra weigh behind it in the mountains and with a strong headwind.