Camper trailer

[Charlesmjroberts]

I'm currently trying to find a camper trailer to tow behind my 04 Rubicon. By the time I need it I will have 4.88 gears with 33in at tires. I already have upgraded breaks (disk all the way around drilled and slotted) and I'm currently working on fixing the abs. I will be living out of the camper as I'm in the coast guard and it's easier and cheaper to find a campsite then rent an apartment these days. I've been told I would need to put trailer brakes on or find one already equipped. But I can't figure out the towing capacity with the upgrades I've done. I was wondering if anyone has done anything similar and could point me in a general direction for good campers, I'm trying to stay in the 15-20ft area as they seem to be in my price range. Thank you. I've been looking at the rove lite campers cause the have a max dry weight of 2020lbs depending on the model. Is that brand good? Or should I keep looking.

 

[MikekiM]

I follow JeepScamp on YouTube. Young guy is a traveling PT assistant and lives full-time in a 13' Scamp that he tows with a TJR.

Maybe some intel you can gather from him, or message him with some questions..

 

[JMT]

I'm currently trying to find a camper trailer to tow behind my 04 Rubicon. By the time I need it I will have 4.88 gears with 33in at tires. I already have upgraded breaks (disk all the way around drilled and slotted) and I'm currently working on fixing the abs. I will be living out of the camper as I'm in the coast guard and it's easier and cheaper to find a campsite then rent an apartment these days. I've been told I would need to put trailer brakes on or find one already equipped. But I can't figure out the towing capacity with the upgrades I've done. I was wondering if anyone has done anything similar and could point me in a general direction for good campers, I'm trying to stay in the 15-20ft area as they seem to be in my price range. Thank you. I've been looking at the rove lite campers cause the have a max dry weight of 2020lbs depending on the model. Is that brand good? Or should I keep looking.

Yes on trailer brakes and possibly an anti-sway hitch and air bags in the rear coils. The tow capacity is 2,000lbs mainly due to the short wheel base.

No one is going to increase the the tow capacity because that would incur liability. However, you should be able to tow more. I’d be comfortable towing 2,250lbs.

We have a Luna Rover and it’s 1,850lbs dry. I’m not very comfortable pulling it without these mods.

 

[AndyG]

Trans temp gauge if its an auto is a good idea. And an external cooler.

 

[lBasket]

Trans temp gauge if its an auto is a good idea. And an external cooler.

Good call. If my truck didn't have a temp gauge on the way home from Moab last year I'd have been replacing the transmission.

 

[YonderNorthwest]

Under 2,000 lbs fully loaded. Wouldn't recommend if you are in the PNW or New England as the living room is outside of the trailer rather than within.

 

[OkieJoe]

I’ve got no information for towing capacity, but I do have a couple things for you in regards to the camper. I own an RV park so I’ve seen a lot when it comes to campers.

1. Before you hand over any money, check the camper out completely with the electric and water connected. I’ve seen people buy either new or used campers, and they go to hook it up only to discover problems ranging from not having power to water pouring out from under the camper.
2. You mentioned that you plan on living in a camper full time. Keep in mind the additional weight of your personal belongings when you’re looking at camper weights and towing capacity. If you could find a scamp, I know that they’re light weight, and they have a good reputation for being a quality camper.

 

[srimes]

I hate to be the wet blanket here but the TJ is a terrible vehicle for this and none of the upgrades have addressed towing capacity.

The initial limiting factor here is wheelbase. If you want more towing capacity you need to stretch the wheelbase.

How often will you need to move? If not often then find another vehicle to move the camper. If often then look for a different vehicle.

I'd rather buy a motorhome and use it to tow the TJ.

 

[AndyG]

I hate to be the wet blanket here but the TJ is a terrible vehicle for this and none of the upgrades have addressed towing capacity.

The initial limiting factor here is wheelbase. If you want more towing capacity you need to stretch the wheelbase.

How often will you need to move? If not often then find another vehicle to move the camper. If often then look for a different vehicle.

I'd rather buy a motorhome and use it to tow the TJ.

This post is worth reading.

Post number six is a safe set up-

If somebody is bound and determined to do this you need to keep it as light as humanly possible.

For whatever reason the short wheelbase makes correcting practically impossible.

I have a little military trailer that I put the hammer LJ and it actually makes it drive better.

 

[JMT]

View attachment 585800

Under 2,000 lbs fully loaded. Wouldn't recommend if you are in the PNW or New England as the living room is outside of the trailer rather than within.

I like!

 

[YonderNorthwest]

I like!

Thanks. Its a Dinoot M416 kit trailer with a GFC tent up top. The frame, suspension and axle are stout, but the side panels are fiberglass ILO steel as you'd see on an original M416 trailer. I've noticed a big difference offroad keeping the majority of my camping gear (weight) in the trailer rather than in the jeep. Also nice being able to keep it loaded and ready to go rather than loading everything the morning of departure.

While great for long trips, can't say that I would want to live out of it long term like OP is talking about. I think I would look at a lightweight teardrop if I was set on doing that with a TJ. I remember seeing a vendor at the overland expo that was showing off a micro-teardrop that they towed to the show behind a crosstrek. Probably like $10k all said and done though.

 

[It’s 5:00 Somewhere!]

I’ve been looking at small travel trailer options myself. You may want to have a look at these guys. https://www.proliterv.com/ They are based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. I believe that they have USA based dealers.
Happy to discuss them more if you want to DM me.
For the record,I have no affiliation with them
Cheers.

 

[Weasellee]

Not a TJ. Not even an Lj. But this is how the Mrs and I camp now. We have really been enjoying it. Has 10” brakes and they make a difference I don’t think I’d tow this with the Lj It’s 16’ ball to taillight but 8’ tall and wider than the Jeep It tows fine through the hills and gives us the room we need

 

[ChadH]

Thanks. Its a Dinoot M416 kit trailer with a GFC tent up top. The frame, suspension and axle are stout, but the side panels are fiberglass ILO steel as you'd see on an original M416 trailer. I've noticed a big difference offroad keeping the majority of my camping gear (weight) in the trailer rather than in the jeep. Also nice being able to keep it loaded and ready to go rather than loading everything the morning of departure.

While great for long trips, can't say that I would want to live out of it long term like OP is talking about. I think I would look at a lightweight teardrop if I was set on doing that with a TJ. I remember seeing a vendor at the overland expo that was showing off a micro-teardrop that they towed to the show behind a crosstrek. Probably like $10k all said and done though.

Dinoots are awesome. A friend just gifted me one from Scott, it's just a base trailer though so not the typical Dinoot most of us are familiar with.

To the OP, here is a consideration. Jeff ( original designer of the Dinoot) drew this up for me a long time ago, still have yet to make it happen. Not a full on trailer but it might suffice? Better than a RTT if the concern is cold weather and comfort.

Here's another idea he had that is more simple.

 

[It’s 5:00 Somewhere!]

Spent a couple of weeks towing this one around two summers ago with my 98 TJ. Upper New York,
Vermont area. Took it easy for the most part and had zero issues pulling or stopping it. It was 1350 lbs empty, so care was needed when loading supplies in order to not exceed weight limits

 

[Charlesmjroberts]

Spent a couple of weeks towing this one around two summers ago with my 98 TJ. Upper New York,
Vermont area. Took it easy for the most part and had zero issues pulling or stopping it. It was 1350 lbs empty, so care was needed when loading supplies in order to not exceed weight limits View attachment 586103

this is almost exactly what im looking for thank you

 

[YonderNorthwest]

Dinoots are awesome. A friend just gifted me one from Scott, it's just a base trailer though so not the typical Dinoot most of us are familiar with.

To the OP, here is a consideration. Jeff ( original designer of the Dinoot) drew this up for me a long time ago, still have yet to make it happen. Not a full on trailer but it might suffice? Better than a RTT if the concern is cold weather and comfort.
View attachment 586086


Here's another idea he had that is more simple.
View attachment 586087

What do you mean a base trailer? Not a J or M series?

 

[ChadH]

What do you mean a base trailer? Not a J or M series?

Its neither. I didnt know it was a thing but it's kinda just like a flatbed with provisions for a RTT so you can store stuff on the flatbed part. it's about the same dimensions of a extended series Dinoot but it's not quite the same so you can't put the fiberglass body panels on it unfortunately. Its not advertised on their site so I think its more of a over the phone discussion thing maybe?

 

[wv_kid]

a regular cab pickup with a canopy towing a small trailer would be a huge improvement and still give you all the adventure you can handle.