Best trailer to tow behind my TJ?

[TJ Jim]

Thanks for the guidance, everyone. This one on FB marketplace looks promising and is nearby. Seller says title in hand. It has the mesh wire floor, meaning it’s relatively light. Looks like it doesn’t need too much TLC. I’m not familiar with trailer axle manufacturers, so I’m not sure what to look for there. The price is competitive based on all the other listings I’m seeing. I may have to go check this one out!

View attachment 557750

Not a bad price compared to new at Lowe’s. Like above check bearings and tire conditions. New tires at least $100 each. I carry a spare just in case. $100. Bearings definitely repack immediately on purchase.

 

[Mud Mixer]

I have a 5x8 with a loading ramp that folds flat. Wood floor that I can screw blocks into to keep odd size stuff from shifting.
A mower with a 52" deck fits, an ATV and an occasional dead Harley can be pushed up the ramp by 2 guys. Mine is 10 years old but they are still $999 New

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...-x-8-ft-wood-floor-utility-trailer-5x8gw2k-pc

 

[JP_in_STL]

TJ or LJ it is still a marginal tow rig. Not enough weight and wheelbase, then factor in most of us are lifted. I've got a 5x10 I tow behind the LJ and is the biggest I'd go. You can def tell its back there. The 5x10 I bought is not tilt and has about 70% of the length in front of the axle. It also does not have brakes yet.

Little short trailer will kill you faster than a long one. By that I mean look at the design of the trailer you are about to buy. A 5x8 tilt bed is great for hauling the riding mower, but does not have enough length in front of the axle or tongue length/weight. The tail will wag the dog. Next thing you know your changing lanes, sideways across 2, white knuckle and the only way out is to (counterintuitively) accelerate OR TAP THE TRAILER BRAKES!! But most little trailers dont have electric brakes.

Above is me in a Jeep Comanche LWB pulling a 5x8 Tilt trying to self move. Survived and bought a 6.5x12 Tandem Axle and was much happier. Now has 3/4 Ton and a 24ft Goose.

 

[Danarch]

We have a 5x8 and it works well and is easy to tow behind the LJR. Haven’t had any issues with towing it. Mostly short stuff to the hardware store, wife takes it regularly to get feed for the animals.

Very true, one reason I wanted to say it’s LJ since they are different. I should have been more clear on that.

 

[Zorba]

TJ or LJ it is still a marginal tow rig. Not enough weight and wheelbase, then factor in most of us are lifted. I've got a 5x10 I tow behind the LJ and is the biggest I'd go. You can def tell its back there. The 5x10 I bought is not tilt and has about 70% of the length in front of the axle. It also does not have brakes yet.

Little short trailer will kill you faster than a long one. By that I mean look at the design of the trailer you are about to buy. A 5x8 tilt bed is great for hauling the riding mower, but does not have enough length in front of the axle or tongue length/weight. The tail will wag the dog. Next thing you know your changing lanes, sideways across 2, white knuckle and the only way out is to (counterintuitively) accelerate OR TAP THE TRAILER BRAKES!! But most little trailers dont have electric brakes.

Above is me in a Jeep Comanche LWB pulling a 5x8 Tilt trying to self move. Survived and bought a 6.5x12 Tandem Axle and was much happier. Now has 3/4 Ton and a 24ft Goose.

Yep. That's why I said go as small and light as you possibly can, and load it correctly when you do. In my opinion, most of these trailers also do NOT have the axle far enough back, it should be at least at the 2/3rds point, not half way like it is on mine and most others. Almost all of them are also too low to the ground for virtually ANY tow vehicle, I had to move the axle to the bottom of the springs - by welding on new spring perches, do NOT do a "flip"...

This picture shows how NOT to load a trailer. I had picked up the lightweight rain barrels at one location, then stopped off at Homeless Despot on the way home and put 5 large bags of potting soil behind the axle. I actually had negative tongue weight (Pintle/Lunette). I let it go as I was right at 1 mile from home via 25 MPH back streets.

 

[Tob]

In my opinion, most of these trailers also do NOT have the axle far enough back, it should be at least at the 2/3rds point, not half way like it is on mine and most others.

I can definitely picture how that would be more stable.

I had to move the axle to the bottom of the springs - by welding on new spring perches, do NOT do a "flip"...

Why not?

 

[Zorba]

Why not?

Because THIS is what happens:

Trailer axles have purposeful bends in the middle of them. Flipping it reverses the bend, with the results you see here. This particular tire/wheel came off a trailer that had had an axle flip - I got it because I wanted the wheel. The tire was disposed of...