Scout Troop Shopping for Covered Trailer

[702mule]

I am Scoutmaster of a new troop and we are shopping for a covered trailer to take our gear to camp outs with--probably within 90 minutes of home---(in Iowa) we are vacillating between a 6 by 12 ft single axle trailer and a 6 by 14 ft dual axle trailer. We have been told we will need a 3/4 ton pickup to haul the dual axle trailer with and we don't want to limit ourselves to 3/4 ton as we will undoubtedly pickup dads with 1/2 ton pickups to haul it with in future years. We could use the extra room but it isn't worth it to get the extra space if we are limiting our haulers to 3/4 ton pickups. Any advice is greatly appreciated. We figure to put in some plywood shelving and be primarily be hauling tents, sleeping bags, some pots and pans and a couple of ice chests so not a LOT of weight. Pros and cons appreciated. Hauling weight ? Thanks in Advance!

 

[CurlyDave]

My 6 x 14' enclosed trailer has been pulled by several 1/2 ton trucks, but never anything bigger.

If you limit your speed to ~ 50 mph and take it easy the 1/2 ton does just fine. The big issue is the frontal area and the wind resistance of a big enclosed trailer. 6 x 12 vs. 6 x 14 doesn't matter very much here.

The dual axle trailer has another great advantage, especially if lightly loaded. Two years ago I blew a tire on my toy hauler. It was empty, so the one bad tire didn't overload the other one very much, and I made it to the intended destination without any difficulty, which is where I noticed the tire issue.

I would much rather deal with a flat or a blow out with the trailer in camp than at the side of the road.

 

[timswi]

You'll be fine with a properly equipped 1/2 ton. I've pulled various 32 foot travel trailers with multiple versions of GM 1/2 ton 4x4's for 15 years and never had a problem. A3/4 would probably be better, but not necessary if you know what your doing and be careful.

As Dave said, a dual axle would be the preferred choice for a variety of reasons...Brakes on the trailer would be a must as well.

 

[RobertN]

I specced out the trailer for our Troop.

The first thing I did was figure out the weight for each Patrol's gear, working with the Patrol Leader. Our Patrols each have a stove, lantern, and Patrol box with all their cook gear. Each Patrol also has a couple large tents, Dutch Oven, and water container. We weighed all of that. We also looked at weight for ice chests to hold perishables.

We also looked at a few packs when the guys were ready for a campout.

Then, we got together as Committee, and forecast where the goal for number of Scouts in the Troop. With that, we had an idea of weight for gear of each Patrol, and the number of Patrols we would eventually have. This included Grump Patrol.

Then, we weighed out all our other gear. Propane tanks, flag stands, ect ect.

I was originally looking at a 12' single axle trailer. With existing gear, we were already over the GVWR of most single axle trailers.

We settled on a 14' enclosed dual axle trailer by Pace. It is the tall version. Yep, a 7000lb rated trailer. We'll never max it out, but at the same time, we were over weight for a single axle....

Usually, those of us with a 3/4 ton will tow it. But, 1/2 tons handle it. Biggest thing is, whoever tows has to have a brake controller.

We have done multiple summer camps in the 450-500 mile each way range. I have towed the trailer a lot, especially since my son was Quartermaster for a while. That trailer tows like a dream!

We got a spare tire for the trailer. We also got rear stabilizers for when the trailer is detached. Also remember a lug wrench; most 3/4 ton lugs and wrenches are too big. We got a couple interior lights, and fire extinguisher. We also built shelves for the inside.

It is not a light trailer, but it is not too bad. A couple new parents mentioned at Committee we should get a lighter trailer; I told them how I added up the numbers...

I am Scoutmaster of a new troop and we are shopping for a covered trailer to take our gear to camp outs with

 

[ace10]

I am Scoutmaster of a new troop and we are shopping for a covered trailer to take our gear to camp outs with--probably within 90 minutes of home---(in Iowa) we are vacillating between a 6 by 12 ft single axle trailer and a 6 by 14 ft dual axle trailer. We have been told we will need a 3/4 ton pickup to haul the dual axle trailer with and we don't want to limit ourselves to 3/4 ton as we will undoubtedly pickup dads with 1/2 ton pickups to haul it with in future years. We could use the extra room but it isn't worth it to get the extra space if we are limiting our haulers to 3/4 ton pickups. Any advice is greatly appreciated. We figure to put in some plywood shelving and be primarily be hauling tents, sleeping bags, some pots and pans and a couple of ice chests so not a LOT of weight. Pros and cons appreciated. Hauling weight ? Thanks in Advance!

Was it a domestic truck dealer that told you you'll be needing a 3/4 ton to pull a 6X14?

That's crazy. :confused2:

I'd go with the dual axle. Footprint isn't much bigger, but loading it will be easier and not require as much supervision as to weight distribution. You'll still need to watch where the heavy stuff is with respect to tongue weight, but you got two axles to even it out.

The dual axles are generally going to be 7000lb GVWR, which will net you 4500-5000 in payload capacity. The single axle will be 3000lb GVWR with about 2000lb net payload. They're really two different beasts. A brake controller is required for the 7Klb trailer which may limit which of your volunteers are able to tow it.

 

[bdeboer]

I am Scoutmaster of a new troop and we are shopping for a covered trailer to take our gear to camp outs with--probably within 90 minutes of home---(in Iowa) we are vacillating between a 6 by 12 ft single axle trailer and a 6 by 14 ft dual axle trailer. !

Look at the GVWR rating on the 6x14 trailer should be 7000. Most modern 1/2 Ton trucks with a V8 and a tow package are in the 7K - 10K range for max GVWR.

Get Brakes on both axles, a brake controller and a weight distribution hitch.

A 3/4 Ton (especially a newer diesel) would make the tow more comfortable but you are not out of a 1/2 Tons capabilities or weight ratings.

 

[bigtiller]

Tandem axle trailers don't bounce like single axle trailers do. For the smoothest ride look for a tandem torsion axle trailer.

 

[tractorboy5500]

I am Scoutmaster of a new troop and we are shopping for a covered trailer to take our gear to camp outs with--probably within 90 minutes of home---(in Iowa) we are vacillating between a 6 by 12 ft single axle trailer and a 6 by 14 ft dual axle trailer. We have been told we will need a 3/4 ton pickup to haul the dual axle trailer with and we don't want to limit ourselves to 3/4 ton as we will undoubtedly pickup dads with 1/2 ton pickups to haul it with in future years. We could use the extra room but it isn't worth it to get the extra space if we are limiting our haulers to 3/4 ton pickups. Any advice is greatly appreciated. We figure to put in some plywood shelving and be primarily be hauling tents, sleeping bags, some pots and pans and a couple of ice chests so not a LOT of weight. Pros and cons appreciated. Hauling weight ? Thanks in Advance!

Hey 702, I am an Eagle scout of 1495 in Cleveland tx from 1983, good luck with your troup, hope they dont give you as much trouble as we gave our Scoutmaster.

 

[Diamondpilot]

You do not need a 3/4 ton truck to pull a tandem axle trailer that size. Most modern 1/2 tons will safely pull 9,000# or more. Most enclosed trailers like you are looking for are 7,000# GVWR trailers so a 1/2 ton is plenty.

Chris

 

[TheTrailerGuy]

You do not need a 3/4 ton truck to pull a tandem axle trailer that size. Most modern 1/2 tons will safely pull 9,000# or more. Most enclosed trailers like you are looking for are 7,000# GVWR trailers so a 1/2 ton is plenty.

Chris

Agreed