I really thought I wanted a trailer (let's ignore the RTT for the moment) until I started traveling with folks who have them. On the K-Trail, one of the trailers flipped over in the dark and rain because of the steep hill and rutted road. Yes, it was righted and suffered little damage (a testimony to Adventure Trailers out of Prescott), but it was a couple hours of additional delay on a very busy day (that extended into the night). On top of that, we'd left the trailers behind during part of that trip because we were uncertain about the trail and we needed to scope it out--necessitating several hours of additional time we weren't relaxing around the campfire.

At Canyon de Chelly, our Navajo guide was most insistent that the two rigs with trailers had to drop the trailers off before we headed out to Spider Rock. So, there was additional time to do that--not all of that much, in this case. But, before we got to the storage site he recommended as secure from tampering, we ended up having to winch one of the trailer rigs up the snow-covered, muddy trail.

One of the Jeeps towing a trailer on the Mojave Trail run was a two-door JK. During highway travel, we had to refuel about every 150-200 miles because of its smaller tank and the MPG hit from towing a trailer. This added additional travel delay, and certainly expense for him.

As for RTTs being so fast to set up/tear down: No disagreement here. But, I find that it takes me no longer to set up or tear down my tent than those folks with RTTs. Perhaps its familiarity with my tent, and having selected a good tent for quick use (MSR Hubba Hubba). If one chooses a cabin tent, or even a very large dome tent, I can see that taking longer.

 

I guess some states it can be a pain for a homemade trailer. I walked in...told them that I made it and walked out with the plate after paying the registration fee.

 

I've found several M416 trailers on Craigslist. Just waiting to travel back to Wyo. to pick it up. So I was wondering what the mileage hit would be on a four door.

 

I only lost 1.5 to 2 mpg on my trip to Co. That was fully loaded down with no room to spare and I drove around 70 - 75 the whole way.

 

Thanks, it's a haul to Wyo. from Seattle. Right now I get about 17mpg hwy with my setup. The trailer will be great for my family, two kids and dog. Right know we have minimized are camping supplies greatly and we are able to stay out for a max two days before run out of supplies. Ideally we would like to do three days or more.

 

Hey JBurnside, this may have been answered somewhere else but what rack is that? That seem like the size I'm looking for.

 

It's the Yakima load warrior with the extension.

 

Sweet. Thanks!!

 

I had about the same results towing my Sierra 4x4 Trailer (M416 replica) over 1,500 miles. Lost about 1.5 to 2 mpg. My average for the trip was just over 16mpg. The last time I did this trip I got 18mpg, but that was in the winter, and I didn't have the a/c running non-stop like this trip. So in reality I may have only lost 1 mpg due to the trailer. I wasn't loaded overly heavy, and I don't tow over 65mph (usually 60). Now in comparison, when I took my Jeep (current 2-dr. & previous 4-dr.) on trips with my 1,500 lb. (not counting cargo), much taller camping trailer, I got just over 13mpg (with both Jeeps). So these smaller military style trailers take much less of a bite out of your gas mileage.

 

The coolest thing I have going might just be my spartan attitude and my AWESOME fold out Pappa-San chairs that serve as a wheel cover!!!