The little/light Camper Trailer Thread...

[dwayne]

Originally Posted by longtallsally

Dwayne, you're spot on with your analysis with one exception: the water capacity. The main tank is only 20 gallons, so halve that figure you mentioned. As such, that's the last 200 lbs I'll need for gear and such.

Thank you very much for taking the time to do the run down, though, as you filled in some gaps on figures that I had.

I'm in no hurry to do any of this as my wife is probably close to a year out from riding seriously. And right now, I'm using her bike, so if there is a case of her wanting to ride, I'll just stay in camp with baby, and she can take off.

It might be that at the point where we'll be doing both of us riding at the same time, the little one will be on a bike as well, which will require a proper tow vehicle and possibly a toy hauler for bikes for mom & dad & little man.

I also assumed that you Jeep is a automatic, the factory derates the GCVWR to less that 6000 lbs for a standard (if you have a standard).. I also just noticed your winch, and that along with any other add ons need to be factored into your weight calculations. Also consider a front mounted winch will amplify the effects of not enough tongue weight.

[Hodag]

i do like it when a vintage (unique) camper has a tow vehicle that kinda fits/matches

[longtallsally]

Originally Posted by dwayne

I also assumed that you Jeep is a automatic, the factory derates the GCVWR to less that 6000 lbs for a standard (if you have a standard).. I also just noticed your winch, and that along with any other add ons need to be factored into your weight calculations. Also consider a front mounted winch will amplify the effects of not enough tongue weight.

Bottom line I ain't gonna do it with this vehicle as 1) I have a stick on principle, and 2) you are correct in that there is about 300 lbs of armor and the big nasty winch.

The thing that is very surprising is that with the stick that it is 2100 lbs less for GCVWR. Might I ask your source? I was always under the impression that a stick was invariably stronger than a slush box- especially in the case of towing.

[OaklandStrom]

Originally Posted by longtallsally

The thing that is very surprising is that with the stick that it is 2100 lbs less for GCVWR. Might I ask your source? I was always under the impression that a stick was invariably stronger than a slush box- especially in the case of towing.

I bought a used F150, and after I bought it, double checked the towing capacity. With an auto it's 8,000 pounds, but with a manual trans, v6 and the rear end ratio I have (really tall gearing), it's about 2,500. Oops.
Fortunately, I don't tow much any more, and I sold my 3/4 ton Dodge/Cummins and got an F150. It was still a bit surprising that I supposedly can't tow my 14' tandem axle box trailer *empty*.

I assume the clutch is the weak link in the towing capacity.

[GP640]

Manuals used to be stronger in trucks but in my experience, any manual in a Jeep is no better
than an auto. I've had tranny problems in a newer Jeep and I've had friends with troubles and it
didn't matter if it was manual or auto.
If I remember correctly, my 09 Rubicon unlimited 6 speed had the same trailer specs as the auto.
Towing max load or close to it with a Jeep is not what I'd call a confidence inspiring event.

[SgtDuster]

Originally Posted by longtallsally

I was always under the impression that a stick was invariably stronger than a slush box- especially in the case of towing.

An automatic trans usually have a better towing capacity due to the torque converter.

[AtlantaViking]

Originally Posted by EvilClown

This one of Mr. Cob's has always been an inspriation to me.



Bought the same carrier. May eventually move it to the front of my tow rig.

I really like the concept of a front mount carrier EXCEPT for one little thing...how do you drive at night with one? I use a versahaul behind the truck, and it has spots to mount aux lights which I connect up to the trailer harness. But these front mount rigs look like a real problem if you get caught at night, heck even during the day your turn signals are mostly blocked... Do you just drive only during the day with a rig like this?

[boardrider247]

Originally Posted by OaklandStrom

(really tall gearing)

This is why most newer vehicle with a manual trans have a lower tow capacity. Generally they also have a much higher gear ratio in the axles.

I was a pretty firm believer that a manual transmission is much stronger then a auto. However I have learned that it greatly depends on the vehicle.
My 99 cherokee has 247k on it now. And I have beat the living shit out of it, towing well beyond the rated capacity for thousands of miles. I'm still on the original transmission and it still shifts like new. By far the best vehicle I have ever owned.

Oh and my little camper trailer



IMG_7302 by boardrider247, on Flickr

[tonymorr]

Originally Posted by boardrider247

I was a pretty firm believer that a manual transmission is much stronger then a auto. However I have learned that it greatly depends on the vehicle.
My 99 cherokee has 247k on it now. And I have beat the living shit out of it, towing well beyond the rated capacity for thousands of miles. I'm still on the original transmission and it still shifts like new. By far the best vehicle I have ever owned.

That's because the 99 still has a Aisin-Warner AW-4. That thing is tough. You have one of the last good Jeeps.

[dwayne]

Originally Posted by longtallsally

Bottom line I ain't gonna do it with this vehicle as 1) I have a stick on principle, and 2) you are correct in that there is about 300 lbs of armor and the big nasty winch.

The thing that is very surprising is that with the stick that it is 2100 lbs less for GCVWR. Might I ask your source? I was always under the impression that a stick was invariably stronger than a slush box- especially in the case of towing.

I downloaded the owners manual for a 2012 from the chrysler website.

I believe it's because the drive-line is more likely to be shock loaded. Higher rated autos is a very common phenomena in newer trucks (including my '98 dodge).

[drm]

Originally Posted by tonymorr

That's because the 99 still has a Aisin-Warner AW-4. That thing is tough. You have one of the last good Jeeps.

+1
I had a 99 and flogged it as well. It had 287k when I sold it. No major service other than front wheel bearings.
I hope my outback treats me as well.

[drm]

Originally Posted by boardrider247

This is why most newer vehicle with a manual trans have a lower tow capacity. Generally they also have a much higher gear ratio in the axles.

I was a pretty firm believer that a manual transmission is much stronger then a auto. However I have learned that it greatly depends on the vehicle.
My 99 cherokee has 247k on it now. And I have beat the living shit out of it, towing well beyond the rated capacity for thousands of miles. I'm still on the original transmission and it still shifts like new. By far the best vehicle I have ever owned.

Oh and my little trailer

What kind of tent and trailer? Details please :)

[hppyfngy]

Originally Posted by boardrider247

IMG_7302 by boardrider247, on Flickr

Every time I see one of those rigs I think of how windy it is in some places I camp...

Would you feel safe in that in 30-40 mph gusts?

[PTC]

Originally Posted by drm

+1
I had a 99 and flogged it as well. It had 287k when I sold it. No major service other than front wheel bearings.
I hope my outback treats me as well.

cherokee "sports" with the 4liter have the aw unit. non sports have the a500/42/44re/h
there were no aw units behind the v8s.
and the outback is a very good trans. youll need headgaskets or pistons before a tranny! jk
off topic, sorry

[Tech51]

Originally Posted by hppyfngy

Every time I see one of those rigs I think of how windy it is in some places I camp...

Would you feel safe in that in 30-40 mph gusts?

Hell every time I see one I think crap I'd have to sleep on the ground after a hard night of camp fire drinking...