Vehicles and trailers... hauling gear

[Kirby Ball]

I would check with a reputable transmission shop. If you have one that's great. If not I would have them install one.

Are there such things?

Thanks, we'll be checking that out!

Kirby

 

[Kirby Ball]

This is the manufacturer and I believe it is the "Heavy Duty Z Bar".

We just picked something similar (may not be as heavy duty) from the local "Harbor Freight Tools" store.

MFG: Haul-Master
Product: Adjustable Cargo Bar (48"-70")
Item Number: 43569
Sale Price: $6.99 (regular $11.99)

 

[Dan The Man]

Adam's Pictures

DJ_MN's trailer pictures:

 

[DJMN]

YAY!!!


I know I can only give one thanks but..................


THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS THANKS (I think u all get the point...)

 

[DJ JohnThe1]

The work looks good. What locomotive will you use to pull that Caboose around?

 

[DJMN]

Well so far....dads..chev!

I got a 98 Dodge Ram....So next year I will definitely be needing a "new truck!"


The unfortunate thing about the trailer is...."the paint job...real close...is runny in spots! Thank goodness most of my events will be at night!

 

[DJ JohnThe1]

Nice!
2 LS 800's and 4 NX750's would make that one bad mobile party mobile.

 

[DJMN]

Nice!
2 LS 800's and 4 NX750's would make that one bad mobile party mobile.

Well......thats why I have been asking what speakers will make that thing "rock!"

Currently I know my srm450s will work for tops....but now I need to find my bottom end!

As far as lights.....

I have decided on the setup....

One awning is 10ft.....

So

Intimidator 2.0 HTI Color changer Intimidator 2.0 Color Changer Inti 2.0



Second Awning will just be reversed....

Intimidator 2.0 Color changer Intimidator 2.0 Color Changer Itimi 2.0 HTI


I am going to put the HTIs on the ends...since the middles wont make that huge of a difference!

I already own two 2.0's....and they seem to be just as bright...if not brighter than the HTI's!


Yea...I am hoping to eventually have "one bad ass" outdoor party on wheels!

I also have 100 folding chairs, and 10 folding tables...and three outdoor tents...(like the last pic)...to enhance the Outdoor experience!!

I am going to love "rocking out in this thing"

 

[knardini]

What I've learned about trailers

I'm finally going to buy a trailer next week and have been learning as much as possible to make sure I get what I need for the long "haul". Here's what I've learned:

Nardini's Top 5 Trailer Traits

1. Suspension - With $40,000 worth of gear I needed to make sure I wasn't bouncing it down the highway every weekend. The upgrade to a torsion (independent) suspension will provide a smoother tow and ride for your gear. A spring suspension tends to bounce the whole trailer over bumps, torsion not so much.

2. Radial tires. Better than your typical trailer tires, smoother ride...more durable.

3. Interior mounted spare. For obvious reasons.

4. Length doesn't always mean tons heavier. I was set on buying a 6 X 10 trailer because the actual interior lenght was 10'4" which was long enought from my sticks of trussing just barely and wanted to keep the weight down. Found out that a 12' trailer only weighs 100 lbs more and only costs $150 more than the 10 footer.

5. Rear ramp door. I'm done picking up my gear. Everything is being put into a rolling case or strapped to a 4 wheel cart. I'm only 32, but my backs already feeling the stress of the job.

For the time being I'm towing this with a 2007 Honda Odyssey. The Honda dealer suggested adding a transmission AND power stearing cooler to make sure my van is protected. I called a big transmission place and asked them about addding a transmission cooler and he said in 20 years he's never done that and my vans stock cooling system should do the job fine? Still on the fence about that one. I may wait and fully load the trailer and see how the van responds. Most of my gigs will be 1/2 loaded.

 

[musicdoctordj]

Get the tranny cooler . . .

Your vehicle will thank you for it (and so will your wallet down the road).

That being said, I think that you might need a bigger vehicle to haul that big trailer with!

I don't believe that minivans are designed for pulling big, heavy trailers . . .

 

[jfactor1]

Definitely add the tranny cooler. They're about $100-$150 (plus installation) and available at pretty much any Car Quest, Auto Zone, Pep Boys, etc.

 

[knardini]

thanks for the advice on the coolers, I came to the same relization as I did more research. My van is actually at the dealer as we speak getting the whole tow package (transmission cooler, power stearing cooler, air duct re-router and hitch). The whole thing is costing me $1200, but it's being done at the dealer and is totally covered by all my warranty stuff. The van only has 9,000 miles on it so I have a long converage life.

I wish I had a big truck to tow with but in doing a lot of research I found that the Honda vans are rated the top van to tow with, and are rated up to 3500 towing with the complete tow package installed. I actually came across a Honda forum that talked about a large group of people towing large 4000lbs camping trailers through the mountains with no problems at all.

We live in KC but have family in Omaha NE and Northern Iowa so I'm planning to do a little marketing in both areas and get some paid visits back by working a wedding while were there. With a trailer towed by a minivan I'll be able to haul all my gear plus my wife and 4 kids no problem.

I'll post pics next week with my little van and big trailer

 

[musicdoctordj]

Tow ratings are not all they are cracked up to be.

It is not just about how much weight the vehicle can pull . . . but also the size of the trailer vs. the tow vehicle.

After my van got totalled in a rear ender and I was out shopping for a new vehicle I was thinking about getting a Dodge Durango.

While I was out test driving one I drove it home and backed it up to my camper.

As I stood there looking at the two of them I realized that, even though the Durnago was rated to tow it, it just was too small (physically) of a vehicle and I would not feel safe driving the combo.

I bought a full sized Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 instead, which I should add has the same engine and tow rating that the Durangos have.

I see people pulling camper trailers up in the mountains all the time with small vehicles (minivans, Jeep Libertys, Dodge Durangos, etc.) that shouldn't be even attempting the haul with those smaller cars . . . especially in the mountains!

And, as you can guess, I've seen many of them flipped over in the median due to either inexperience in towing a trailer, too small of a tow vehicle, or both.

I would also suggest that you consider getting a tortion bar setup . . . this will help stabilize the tow and also helps keep the trailer from swaying.

However, if your minivan has a unibody (which it most likely has), the tortion bar setup may not work.

 

[knardini]

I guess I'll have to get by with what I can realisically afford right now. I just made a substantial investment in sound and lighting and this seems like a logical fix, plus even fully loaded I will only be pulling 2000lbs (much less than a camper or boat which other Odyssey owners claim to tow without a problem) which seems like a manageable amount. I did upgrade to the pro series trailer which is supposed to help with ease of tow. In a perfect world I'd have a big ol' Ford 350 or something towing this thing around, but since I will only use the trailer for my large gigs (about once a month) I think I'll be okay....only time will tell.

 

[jfactor1]

YouTube - Small Car Try To Pull Camper

 

[jtnichol]

I will only use the trailer for my large gigs (about once a month)

3 times a month now that you've upgraded to infinity and beyond.....

 

[Kevin Nichols]

My brother in law had a Pontiac Montana that they put the tow package on and was pulling a pop up camper. They found out soon that the actual frame was cracking where the hitch was attached. Just be careful!! Check out your setup everytime you take it out.

 

[DJ SVO]

Kris,
There's another thing, with front wheel drive vehicles you need to be a little bit more cautious while towing specially when the trailer is at full capacity. The upgrades that are being done are perfect but, you need to keep an eye on your transmission fluid looking pro debris or junk. From what I've seen FWD cars are not that durable when towing heavy trailers.

The 100,000 mile tune up interval is not realistic. With a relatively high compression engine (10.0:1) even if it's an aluminum engine I would recommend using Premium fuel, specially while towing, and remember to turn the overdrive off. If you don't the transmission will RIP sooner than expected.

 

[DJ SVO]

Another disadvantage of FWD and using the wrong vehicle for the job




And even though some considered this an "urban legend" here's the story

http://www.snopes.com/photos/automobiles/lumber.asp

 

[jtnichol]

Gosh, the lady sleeping in the front seat must be really fat!