What are you guys towing?

[Rigwright]

Just about all boat trailers have surge brakes. They are a little different but reliable and work well.

I rented the dual axle U-HAUL trailer and filled it to the roof. Pulled it across the State of Ohio in the worst snowstorm we had last Winter. Cruise control on, 4wd, no problems... and the surge control breaks on the U-HAUL worked perfectly.

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[Texasota]

Definitely worked well for the intended purpose. Much better than no brakes. Makes a lot of sense for a company like UHaul, takes tow vehicle capabilities somewhat out of the question beyond weights which are easy enough to find.

Not sure if the brakes on the rental needed some work or not. The clunking was disconcerting, but I figured that was the actuator moving. First time I hopped out and looked, thought I might have had a problem.

Now I know what to expect if I ever get a boat.

The clunking is common. As the trailer "surges" forward against the hitch the actuator slides and compresses a piston which causes the brakes to apply. As you pull away from that stop sign the actuator decompresses and a clunk sound is common. My boat trailer does it. I am able to minimize the clunking by accelerating gently/slowly until the actuator is decompressed.

 

[D Fresh]

The clunking is common. As the trailer "surges" forward against the hitch the actuator slides and compresses a piston which causes the brakes to apply. As you pull away from that stop sign the actuator decompresses and a clunk sound is common. My boat trailer does it. I am able to minimize the clunking by accelerating gently/slowly until the actuator is decompressed.

I had read about it. But didn't expect it to be so hard. Hence the check of things on the side of the road.

I started to figure out the technique you describe about 34 seconds before I dropped the trailer off at UHaul.

 

[en13]

Spent some time during the pandemic converting a 6x12 cargo trailer to a camper. Probably around 2k when we load it up, pulls easily enough but it's a sail for sure. I also have a small utility trailer we pull kayaks / paddle boards on.. it's so light I forget it's there.

 

[en13]

I've heard a handful of people do this (converting a cargo trailer to a camper). Just curious why you went this route and what the benefits are for you?

A lot of reasons really. I've had a few different campers over the years, and there's always something about the layouts that I didn't like, or things were not built with durability in mind. I like pop ups as they are easy to tow, but they are not a great idea in Texas with heat/storms. To me, RVs in general try to be houses now more than simple campers. Given that and the huge demand in the southern US due to hurricanes and then a pandemic, it's really hard to find a nice camper at a decent price.

I like practicality over aesthetics or luxury (same reasons I don't have a Lariat, lol). I was able to buy a new cargo trailer and build it to suit for 1/3rd the price of a camper. If I get something dirty or drop fish guts on the floor I'm not going to sweat it so much like I would with a 20k camper The steel frame will also outlast most campers, and I can reconfigure or change things at will for minimal cost. I also needed a project ..

It's very light too, I can easily pull it down the beach behind my SUV (no 4x4 on my Ranger) and it's fully self contained with room for 4. You can't play football inside it, but it's comfortable in a downpour.

 

[en13]

Hit me up if you go that route, happy to share what I learned in the process.

 

[Arly]

I've heard a handful of people do this (converting a cargo trailer to a camper). Just curious why you went this route and what the benefits are for you?

Do they look like this?

Spent some time during the pandemic converting a 6x12 cargo trailer to a camper. Probably around 2k when we load it up, pulls easily enough but it's a sail for sure. I also have a small utility trailer we pull kayaks / paddle boards on.. it's so light I forget it's there.

Here is another cargo trailer conversion.

 

[CB750F]

I'd like to see the inside of these. I like the idea.

 

[DT444T]

Do they look like this?

Here is another cargo trailer conversion.

Is there a forum or somewhere to get ideas on this? I have a 6x12 that I put a lofted bed into for a Toy Hauler and I'd like to expand on it to make it more space efficient. I can currently fit two sport bikes in it with the bed taking up the space above them.

 

[Arly]

How about we start a new thread somewhere here about camper setups? This thread is suppose to be "what you are towing". I'd add photos of our conversion. If one is started, where should it be???

 

[DT444T]

Towing?

 

[en13]

Is there a forum or somewhere to get ideas on this? I have a 6x12 that I put a lofted bed into for a Toy Hauler and I'd like to expand on it to make it more space efficient. I can currently fit two sport bikes in it with the bed taking up the space above them.

I've found a lot of good info in RV forums; have yet to find a really good cargo conversion forum. Youtube is full of ideas.

 

[Bready702]

22ft springdale mini
We love the trailer and truck.
They're a match made in heaven

 

[jzinckgra]

I'm getting a new Ranger today and heard that you must have ~1000mi on tranny/engine before towing. I snowmobile and will need to tow next weekend, but at that point I expect only ~300mi on truck. Sled and trailer weigh ~2,000lbs. Would this be ok or am I putting the truck at risk?

 

[Leftcoast]

I'm getting a new Ranger today and heard that you must have ~1000mi on tranny/engine before towing. I snowmobile and will need to tow next weekend, but at that point I expect only ~300mi on truck. Sled and trailer weigh ~2,000lbs. Would this be ok or am I putting the truck at risk?

What does the owner's manual say?

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