Trailer Ideas

[M&P+4]

I just bought a small (5x10) enclosed trailer to use for extended diving/camping trips. Has anyone seen any good ideas for setting them up inside to hold tanks and gear?

[Captain Caveman]

make a plywood rack for the tanks buy cutting 8" diamter holes in it than cut them down the middle. than use strong bungie straps to hold the tank down. I would do that some were over the wheels of the trailer so the weight of the tanks is on the trailer and not on the toung of the SUV or truck. most stock hitches are only good for 200 toung weight and only good for 2000lb trailer. I would pick up a class 3 or 5 hitch. with a 2" recever for your truck.
also make sure your truck or SUV has GOOD brakes so you can stop that 3k lb trailer.

[swimjim 144]

Trailers are a PITA. I use a 3/4 ton cargo van and I can haul a three day weekend of serious diving with it and use it for an on site, heated changing room besides. And its got tunes! Who could ask for anything more!!!

Jim

[sobfrogg]

We use a similar size trailer at the shop.
They may cost more but the heavy wire tank racks work great. They very in size and can hold from 4 to 8 tanks.
I thinl Pelican makes them. These racks will alow you to move them around when empty or even take them out of the trailer when not needed.

We used pipe to make a rack to hang BC's and you could also hang suits from it. Some shelves made out of angle iron for the up rights. The shelves could be made from the same angle iron and some plywood.

I would agree with what was said before. Make sure your suv, car, or truck can pull the trailer safly. If your breaks are not up to the job have electric breaks installed on the trailer.
Use a class 4 or higher hitch. I would think a bumper or step hitch would not be strong enough.

[reefraff]

Heavy stuff goes over the wheels. Short lengths of PVC pipe bolted together (and to the floor) can serve as tank retainers.
Use wire baskets and shelves with plenty of bungee to store things in.
Run a rod the length of the trailer to hang things on.
Be sure the trailer is well ventilated. You may need to install an air scoop and/or a fan.
Don't forget space for a big cooler.
The exterior should read, "Billy Bob's Septic Service" or something that will repel rather than attract attention.

[juls64]

The exterior should read, "Billy Bob's Septic Service" or something that will repel rather than attract attention.

Maybe a big ad for Sink The Stink!

Or my favorite, a local septic company's truck says they are "#1 in the #2 business".

[Captain Caveman]

The exterior should read, "Billy Bob's Septic Service" or something that will repel rather than attract attention.

OMFG thats funny Steve, I never thought of that. lol

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With a trailer that size 5x10 Electronic brakes are really over kill. with just putting diving gear in. if it was motorcycles or 4wheelers ( something really heavy) thats ELE brakes are fine but a SUV/Truck brakes are up to the job. Just have your dealer ship or service shop look at your brakes.

--Things to look for

-- heat cracks on rotors/drums + on shoes/ pads. -- do to over braking at high speeds
--Thin pads or uneven wear-- Do to sticking calipers
-- Or just normal wear.--
--Rust on the inside of rotors-- rust is ok but look for rust that is eating the rotor away.- thin spots exe.

I'm a mechanic and I do brakes everyday on tractor trailers ( Mack Trucks of Joilet) so I know brakes

[M&P+4]

Well, I just spent the majority of this evening installing a tranny cooler and changing the fluid for synthetic. What has been a relatively easy task on other vehicals turned out to be a long drawn out affair - no, I didn't swear a little, I swore a lot. :mad: Mini-vans are nice until you have to work under the hood.

Anyway - no trailer modifications for it's maiden voyage, time for that has come and gone. Tanks will go in the van where I can keep them secured. Brakes are good, tires are good and it has a brand new receiver hitch for good measure - I agree that a bumper hitch isn't ideal for this trailer.

Thanks for all your input.

[Captain Caveman]

your pulling that trailer with a mini-van --:eek: --- your van is going to be using that tranny cooler. do not be supprised when your van starts to brake down alot. tranny problems, front end parts (steering exe) rear end springs are going to be shot in no time and do not be supprised that you will not have power and good steering with pulling that trailer.

Not to burst your ego but pulling trailers is my job. Ive pulled lots of trailer with diffrent trucks and mini-vans are not made to pull trailers --yes small ones are fine but 5x10 is a good size trailer. perfice for a SUV or full size pickup with a good v6-v8 engine, gearing like 3.73 or better and rear springs designed to hold weight and made to stop trailers.

[M&P+4]

your pulling that trailer with a mini-van --:eek: --- your van is going to be using that tranny cooler. do not be supprised when your van starts to brake down alot. tranny problems, front end parts (steering exe) rear end springs are going to be shot in no time and do not be supprised that you will not have power and good steering with pulling that trailer.

Not to burst your ego but pulling trailers is my job. Ive pulled lots of trailer with diffrent trucks and mini-vans are not made to pull trailers --yes small ones are fine but 5x10 is a good size trailer. perfice for a SUV or full size pickup with a good v6-v8 engine, gearing like 3.73 or better and rear springs designed to hold weight and made to stop trailers.

I have pulled my share of trailers also and can’t say that I disagree with you – I would prefer to have a more substantial vehicle to pull it, BUT…. J I don’t have one so I use what I have and roll with the punches. It’s not an uncommon theme for folks with a ‘van full’.

According to the owners manual the van is capable of pulling this trailer – it will have it’s hands full though and I know I’ll have to take it easy. The alternative is to stay home – not an option J.

BTW - the trailer only weighs 900 lbs and I doubt I'll have much more than 600 lbs of 'stuff'. The kite affect will be the biggest issue for the van.

[M&P+4]

Not to burst your ego .

It's hard to have an ego AND drive a mini-van :D

[nitram]

Where is Stanley, Wi. and how far r you planning to pull this trailer? & how soon?

[M&P+4]

Where is Stanley, Wi. and how far r you planning to pull this trailer? & how soon?

Stanley is about as central WI as it gets, maybe a bit north of the true center though.

We leave tomorrow afternoon - it's about 650 miles to Mermet.

[MgicTwnger]

Stanley is about as central WI as it gets, maybe a bit north of the true center though.

We leave tomorrow afternoon - it's about 650 miles to Mermet.

Have fun and say hi to Glen for me.

[M&P+4]

Have fun and say hi to Glen for me.

Will do & Will do

[Finally Swimming]

Just returned from a 1500+ mile trip...Mermet was Great! What a friendly bunch, I would highly recommend this dive spot, especially during the weekdays. I'm sure Lyle will give a full report later.
BTW-van and trailer are all in one piece and doing fine.

[steve2281]

Just returned from a 1500+ mile trip...Mermet was Great! What a friendly bunch, I would highly recommend this dive spot, especially during the weekdays.

Were you at Mermet Friday????

[M&P+4]

Were you at Mermet Friday????

Just Monday and Tuesday - for the most part we had it to ourselves. There might have been six other people diving both days.

[M&P+4]

It's hard to have an ego AND drive a mini-van :D

Got my ego back!

[Captain Caveman]

Way to go, Thats over kill but NICE VERY NICE now you wont even know you have a trailer behing the 2500hd. ( just asking how did the min-van do pulling it? It might of had the HP but not the Torque)


Now you gota love the fiberglass cap. I sure you do. that adds a 5'x8' of extra gear hold.

[M&P+4]

Way to go, Thats over kill but NICE VERY NICE now you wont even know you have a trailer behing the 2500hd. ( just asking how did the min-van do pulling it? It might of had the HP but not the Torque)


Now you gota love the fiberglass cap. I sure you do. that adds a 5'x8' of extra gear hold.

The Van is OK for short trips in cooler weather - but truth be known it only got 13 mpg pulling the trailer. The truck will do much better. I miss my Suburban some - but I get over it when the turbo kicks in.

[Captain Caveman]

Congrats on the truck again. you have to take a pic of the inside of the trailer for us.

[M&P+4]

Congrats on the truck again. you have to take a pic of the inside of the trailer for us.

nothing to show there yet - I'm still trying to decide how I would like to lay it out....

[DJB_1965]

I have been kicking around ideas for Dive Trailers. Being a carpenter and using trailers every day has made me think of customizing Dive Trailers on the side...wonder how many others would like a dive set up???