Posted: 6/6/2016 10:41:25 AM EDT
| I'm looking for suggestions for a trailer to keep loaded in the garage that I can pull with a 2012 Rav4, 6 cylinder that doesn't cost too much. I would need a hitch for the trailer as well. |
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This might help you out.
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_17/648758_B_O_T___bug_out_trailer__Build_Thread_____PICS__.html |
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Quoted:
I'm looking for suggestions for a trailer to keep loaded in the garage that I can pull with a 2012 Rav4, 6 cylinder that doesn't cost too much. I would need a hitch for the trailer as well. I picked up a 5k pound Curt hitch off craigslist for $50, not a mark on it. Guy worked at a dealership and they took them off trade-ins. |
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Lots of trailer threads in here and more than a few started off wanting to leave it all loaded up. Not using the trailer won't do the tires any good if it is in storage long term. Tires need used to live a decently long life. Yeah new tires can sit several years, but at some point they will probably take a set and not be happy due to not being used. Some stuff does not really store all that well long term, kind of depends on how you are going to do it. Water does best if rotated and food stuffs need protected from mice and bugs and what not. Various ways of putting this stuff on the trailer will help. Lots of folks use the trailer for utility trailer stuff and have totes they store in the garage on shelves. Keep water rotated on shelves. Food tends to store longer in a cool dry house but depending on what food we are talking about, I got some rice and beans stored in hot temps but it keeps so long no biggy. Anyway, easy to back trailer in garage and load in totes. With practice it goes fast and cans from inside kept in boxes or something are easy to load up fast using a 2 wheel mover's dolley. I don't know what a rav 4 can tow, would do some reading on a toyota website and see what it can manage. Might not manage much more than a tiny utility trailer or something. A hitch is kind of like a multi tool. Can put a hitch carrier in it, can put a hitch insert from warn in it to use it to pull someone out of being stuck, or my more common problem let someone pull me out of being stuck. If you have bikes you can get bike carriers. I also use it as a storage device for the hitch ball and stuff but in some states they may actually have laws saying you can't leave this in the vehicle when you are not pulling your trailer. They do damage to people who rear end you, I think it is a good thing but then again I mostly leave it there so I don't misplace it. Check amazon for a plug in wiring adapter, probably just need a 4 pin on a rav4. If they make one it is super easy to undo a plug for the rear tail lites and plug this in between that plug and it all connects up super easy. So much better than old style scotch locks or whatever they are called. Even if not rated for much, I would get a 5k lb rated hitch if they make em for your vehicle. Just added safety and I find a 2 inch receiver is more useful than the tiny 1 inch or whatever receivers come for those 2k lb or whatever rated hitches. Run search, read threads on trailers and have at it. We just had a big trailer thread from kitties with sigs and lots of info in there for anyone looking at a trailer. I think some of the better threads for people staging stuff in a garage on shelves were the people in hurricane country. Someone had pics with 2 big shelving units full of good totes with labels. By good totes I mean the ones where the lid would stay on well but I would probably still tape it to seal it for an open trailer. |
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You did not say what kind of trailer you are looking for, Camper or storage?
You did not say if money was an issue! For me it is! So I found these If your looking for one,for storage: Harbor Freight & Tools They have three on there web page! That you have to build to your specification! Also WM sell hitches, on line, for most cars!!! Let the hive know what you got. How you have it laid out. With pictures of course! PITA45 
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Of course the sky is the limit, but I'll respond from a budget and utility standpoint. Between me and other family members, we have a few harbor freight trailers, a 4x8 folder, and a 40"x 48" fixed flat base trailer. They are low cost, but work well for a general utility trailer even when you have a small car. Need to pick up a used washing machine? No problem. Camping and bringing a few small kayaks and bikes for the kids? No problem. Have it on hand for recreation or if needed to bug out.
I've towed the 4x8 with 300 pounds of canoe and camping stuff moderate distances with a 1.6 liter engine honda hatchback with no issues. If you had a bigger budget, I like the all aluminum triton 4x8 trailer. Light for a small car to pull, and will let you take the kids camping for the week even if you don't have an F150. My last use was 8 or 10 bags of mulch from the garden store. way easier putting them on the trailer than in a pickup bed or my back seat, and when I got home I manually rolled the trailer right to where I needed the mulch. Best simple upgrade I did was install a few eye hooks on each side of the frame rails to lash down everything. And a longer tube for the tongue.Do a google search for harbor freight kayak or camping trailer and you'll see all sorts of home made set ups that people have put together. eta: just one example at the link below of home made small trailers for camping and such. If you do a search you'll find tons of neat ideas. Don't just prep to bug out, live it up today! go camping, biking, kayaking, whatever. http://www.americanpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=616&t=50446&start=15 and, the mother of all camping trailer threads on jeep forum: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f27/mini-harbor-freight-type-trailer-ultimate-build-up-thread-1180456/ |