Tow question for Mountainborn

[indiana camper]

Mountainborn,

 

First off thanks for leading me to this forum. It was a post of yours on another forum that brought me here. I've been driving myself crazy debating which type/kind of trailer to purchase. I have owned 2 jeep wranglers in the past and can honestly say they were the only vehicles I have ever really enjoyed driving.

 

I had pretty much ruled out using a jeep as a tow vehicle. The only pop ups that interested my were the off-road type and they are pretty heavy. I was very excited when I saw your set up. From what I've read so far your jeep seems to tow your trailer fine. Do you have any further insight/infor on a 4-door wrangler towing the Oliver?

 

I have a 4yr, soor-to-be-wife, and a german shepard. Possible another child in the next year or so. I know I would have to pack somewhat light.

 

Also does anybody have a loaded tongue weight?

 

Thanks and sorry for the long post.

 

Rick

[mountainborn]

Rick, as you have probably figured out, we boondock quite a bit. The jeep facilitates that better than any other tow vehicle I can think of. The mileage isnt bad either. The cool part is when we drop the Oliver, we can go places most other tow vehicles won't consider.

Storage space is however a issue. We have plans to add a trail rack and a safari rack to aid with storage for extended boondocking stays.

Why don't you come pull our Oliver with your Jeep, then you will know from a first hand experience.

Call me at 479-243-5450 to visit about it if you want to.

[bugeyedriver]

Rick,

 

I had my tongue weight measured at the Bluebonnet Casita Rally and came up with 400 lbs with the tongue out on the 2nd notch. A full configuration description can be found on the Extendable Tongue Explanation topic on pg 2 of the board index.

 

If you get a chance to meet Mountainborn, I'd take it. He seems to be about the most knowledgeable character out there about using this trailer in the deep outback environment. If you're lucky, he may introduce you to the art of jug fishing!

 

Pete

[indiana camper]

Thank you both for the replys.

 

Mountainborn

Right now I am getting by with my work car and soon-to-be-wife's Equinox. I sold my truck last winter. I will probably hold off until after the wedding (June 29th) to buy another vehicle for me....saving $$ right now.

 

I would love another Wrangler. It's been a few years since I gave up my last one. Over this past year I have been driving myself crazy debating what kind of trailer and tow vehicle I want. I have looked at everything from pop-ups to toy haulers. I had not even considered an "egg" type trailer until I stumbled across a thread by Rv-Bella on another fourm that lead me here.

 

I was already falling in love with the trailer and then when I saw a picture of one hooked up to your Jeep I was totally hooked. I am just a little leary though after reading so many "weight police" threads on the other forum....seems many people think you can not pull any trailer with anything less than a 1-ton truck.

 

I just may take you up on you offer when/if I do get another Jeep. Not sure what kind of drive I would be looking at from Indianapolis but I'm sure it would be well worth it.

 

Pete

Thank you for the tongue weight. Over the past week I have probably read every thread on this forum. I remember the one about the tongue but I'm going to read it again. You said 2nd notch. Is that all the way extended? I would eventually like to carry a Honda EU2000 generator on the tongue. The 400lbs scares me because the Wrangler's tongue weight is 350.

 

Thanks again and sorry for such a long post.

 

Rick

[bugz]

We tow with a regular old 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with a straight 6. It has been a fantastic tow vehicle. The trailer sure seems to like it too because every time I turn around there he is

 

Lisa

[bugeyedriver]

Rick,

 

The 400# was with a Honda 2000, full of gas, strapped down, cabled down for security. All of this was inside a custom built aluminum box Oliver made for my trailer. The weight out on the front of the tongue was appx 75#.

 

The tongue has thres available placements, I had mine on the middle one. By pulling it out to the longest setting, the tongue weight went down 20# to 380.

 

I now have the aluminum box loaded with firewood and will carry the generator in the bed of my 4 door Tacoma. (Keeps the wood out of the truckbed) Tongue weight capacity on this Tacoma w/ towing pkg is 650#.

 

Pete

[tumbleweed]

Hi Rick!

If Mountainborn offers to take you "noodling" for catfish, PASS!!!! But jugging for catfish looks like fun!!!!!!

Chuck

[indiana camper]

Lisa

That's reasuring. I had seen your combination but totally forgot about it. Do you take many long trips? How is that at highway speeds?

 

Pete

Thanks for the further weight info. I've seen pics of that box and it looks very nice. Do you have a smaller air conditioner that can be powered by your generator?

 

Chuck

It seems like I read or watched something about "noodling" for catfish....maybe on Survivorman??? I do not like to stick my hands anywhere I can not see them....thanks for the warning.

[bugeyedriver]

Rick,

 

I asked for a downsized A/C unit to be put on my trailer for the purpose of being able to run it with the Honda EU2000i generator. Calculating the cubic feet to be cooled, and checking several air conditioner specialist web sites, I figure the 9200 BTU output of my Coleman unit will do just fine given the dual fiberglass walls, Lizard Skin insulation and double pane windows. (The standard A/C puts out 13,500 BTUs)

 

I use a thermostat to regulate the A/C. The couple of times I've used the generator with it, it did just fine. You could hear the generator go out of its eco mode and rev up the rpms. It handled the current requirement OK. I don't think I'll be running the microwave at the same time but don't forsee that as a problem since the microwave will be a rather short use item.

 

Pete