T-1550 on a double car trailer

[mnesbgr]

Well, this is an idea that kind of came together and I wanted some input on this. First off, we have an 87 t-1550 in good shape so structurally, I think fastened down crossed strapped with some frame mounts to the trailer to trailer would suffice. My reasoning behind this is because the car trailer is for 2 fullsize trucks and I would like to use the camper by itself most of the time but we have some jeeps we take trailriding and to stay in the camper and not a tent would be fantastic. Obviously, we would take 1 jeep and we figured putting tha camper up front facing forwards but our first question is weight of a t-1550 to make car trailer properly balanced. Any input on this is greatly appreciated, we think it would make a unique
"toy hauler" to say the least!

[Tweety]

Now that would be clever. You need to post pictures if you end up doing it.

[mnesbgr]

Will do, I'm hoping to avoid a "Sanford & Son" vibe but if its functional, it's gonna be hard to compare a tent with a bathroom, ac, etc.

[mainah]

It's lighter then a midsize car so it should work fine bit more wind drag because it would be higher.

[clueless campers]

How do you plan to get the Sunline front-first on the car hauler? How steep is the ramp? Sunlines sit low and drag on inclines.

[mnesbgr]

Thanks Mainah, I figure I need to stay at least the same weight as whichever jeep if the camper and jeep share similar positions on the trailer, just to keep the tongue weight neutral to positive. I think with the either jeep I'm around 4000-4500 pounds. Am I overly concerned with tongue weight being negative and wanting to lift up the rear of the truck?

[henryj]

Hi Marty & Vickie,

My BIL dragged a pickup camper around on a car hauler for years because he got tired of the hassle of loading and unloading to drive solo. It did look a little weird, but I have since seen several others doing the same.

Now, if you ever want to upgrade to a larger trailer, you'll need plan B, which will really impress the neighbors:



Henry

[JohnB]

Marty,

I'm making an assumption this is a more traditional bumper pull and not a goose neck trailer?

May want to look into one of these. Sherline Tongue scale.
Sherline Trailer Tongue Weight Scales

I now see even Etrailer is selling them.
Sherline Trailer Tongue Weight Scale - 2,000-lb Capacity Sherline Tools 5780

You can search the web for them, they are very popular now and may get them a little cheaper. However look at the shipping cost. Sometimes Etrailer has free shipping depending on the order total.

Here is one in action on my Sunline as I was loading it. It now weighs more but you get the picture....LOL (pun intended)




Your concerns are valid on the trailer balance. With all that high center of gravity on the car trailer you want good tongue weight. At least 10% of the GVW of the trailer but 12 to 13% is even better.

And then there is the truck receiver, do you have an upgraded receiver to handle the higher tongue weights in weight carrying mode or do you use a WD hitch?

My stock F350 came with a sticker rating like this. 500# was it in weight carrying mode.


Ideally if the weights worked out right positioned on the trailer, does the jeep have a receiver on it rated high enough for the TT tongue weight? If you can get them hitched up and then position them on the car hauler to get the right balance on the tongue might make this work easier to hold the TT tongue while transporting. If you where lucky enough to have it work out that way.

With an 8 foot wide camper up a good 18" to 2 feet higher then normal on the deck of the car hauler, wind drag I'm sure will be noticed. This may add new meaning to towing a brick.... And on that thought, with that 8 foot wide brick, for sure make sure the car hauler is balanced right. Sway will be an issue if you do not have good tongue weight.

Hope this helps and good luck.

John

PS. I see flat deck trailers going down the highway often shipping small TT's or cargo trailers. 3 to 4 campers on a trailer. Most of them are a goose neck setup and a good 30 foot trailer though. Yours is just going camping with more toys on board....

[Jim-Bev-2363]

This is maybe on a smaller scale but I've seen larger, heavier duty toy hauler videos on YouTube.

Wanderer Pak Rat

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=310811

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=468987

[mainah]

Originally Posted by mnesbgr

Thanks Mainah, I figure I need to stay at least the same weight as whichever jeep if the camper and jeep share similar positions on the trailer, just to keep the tongue weight neutral to positive. I think with the either jeep I'm around 4000-4500 pounds. Am I overly concerned with tongue weight being negative and wanting to lift up the rear of the truck?

Yes if you are too light it will sway. That must be a pretty big trailer.

[mnesbgr]

30 foot trailer, I was thinking of using the trailer winch to pull it up first and walking a jack with a ball mount for the front although Honestly, I'm thinking using the jeep to pull it up onto the trailer would probably be the best/safest.
The truck has some lift and a cabhi shell so the wind will hopefully be a little easier. I was using the stock hitch. Thanks everybody for all the input, I will figure the weight to where it will be safe to tow before attempting anything, I am a firm believer of protecting others on the road as well as my family. I'll post the weights this weekend of all the pieces and see where it takes us!

[mainah]

Well if it's meant to haul cars it's most likely has a low approach angle so the winch would probably pull it just fine be a little more control. How do you propose to get it off when you get home? Tree and the winch? Actually you and a friend could probably push it off and use the winch to back it off the ramps. Have you pulled the trailer with the Jeep? Pictures would be good one of those "this I got to see".