Travel trailer for the KJ?

HoosierJeeper · **Joined:** Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:23 am **Posts:** 1218

dieselenthusiast wrote:

HoosierJeeper wrote:

I think the JKs are rated at 3500lbs, so I don't know if the trailer is too heavy.

I probably wont be using the JK to tow. According to the wife, I now have the green light to buy a Commander. She wants a family sized vehicle for traveling. The Commander has the Hemi and is pretty nice for towing. The 4 door Wrangler will be our commuting to work vehicle and a future trail rig. My Jeep collection is stating to spin out of control. :oops:

You know pics are mandatory!!! I drove a Commander 4x4 with the HEMI and you won't regret it!

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2009 10:22 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

The wind resistance of that will really hurt. I towed a box trailer about that size and while it didnt weigh as much as that trailer, I was in the gas the entire time to hold speed(O/D off). Ended up getting 11mpg our a 2 hour trip, half 55mph and half 70mph.

thats not that bad, really, looking back through my records of MPGs I have one that was 11.9 and a 12.9 and that was NOT towing!

dieselenthusiast wrote:

jsc7002 wrote:

dieselenthusiast wrote:

HoosierJeeper wrote:

That seems like a good load!!! If you don't already, I'd reccomend a set of rear air bags. I think the JKs are rated at 3500lbs, so I don't know if the trailer is too heavy. If I had to guess, it probably would be ok. That looks like a really nice layout in your camper, on of the nicest I've ever seen.

What type(s) of air bags are you referring to? Do you have any web links?

Air Lift air bags are well known, I have some on my KJ and I like them. I used some for a Toyota bc they were longer than the ones for a KJ since I have a lift.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetai ... toview=sku

Cool.......... Thanks for the post. Do you have any pictures of them in your springs?
In the RV circle of users, I’ve always heard that the Firestone air bags are the best, but their application is for axle or leaf mounts only, Or at least I don’t think they make them for inside the springs.

no but Jeepjeepster was the one who told me about them and he has a post on JeepKJ I think, I can get some pics but it wont be until the weekend, I really like them though the only thing thats not good about them is when your off-road flexing you need to let them out to 5psi which is the minimum you can have and a max of 35psi but they work great.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2009 11:08 pm

jsc7002 wrote:

the only thing thats not good about them is when your off-road flexing you need to let them out to 5psi which is the minimum you can have and a max of 35psi but they work great.

So they almost act like bumpstops, which might be a good thing. :wink:

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2009 11:32 pm

Weve got air bags in two of our Jeeps.. The kj and the ZJ.. Want to get them for the WK sometime but currently its not used for towing even though it has a hemi..

Just to note, if you have OME coils you must get air bags for a 4runner, not a stock kj. The OME springs are wider and taller so a stock air bag will not fit.

Dont mind that purdy shock. :lol:

ZJ:

Its still sitting on jack stands here.. Normally the air bag would be touching at the top and bottom like the kj is above:

It does replace the bumpstop so make sure you air them up before you go offroad so the tires dont rub the fenders. You can have adjustable bumpstops and we all know how important bumpstops are! :lol:

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Tue Feb 17, 2009 12:33 am

0311_DoC wrote:

dieselenthusiast wrote:

Here's the location on the RL bumper that I will mount the RV 7-way round connector. I'm looking at putting a backup light on the other side of the bumper.

So according to this picture did you just buy an aftermarket 7 way plug or use the OEM one? and how big was the hole you had to drill? was it a PITA to drill it?

Used factory plug. I want to say it was a 2.5" or 3" hole saw. I just took the plug to the lowes and we picked out the hole saw that fit around it with a little gap (the factory plug has two tabs to align it in the factory holder). As for drilling, we did it while the bumper was on the table. We arked it squared it, and then drilled. As for the screw holes, put it on the jeep, then used a level and then drilled and screwed it in place.

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Tue Feb 17, 2009 12:33 am

dieselenthusiast wrote:

Fulltimer wrote:

Tuesday I'm going to look at this camper:

Terry

Very nice.

What's the weight of that trailer? Length?

It's 18' and around 2,300 pounds without options...I think. I'll know more when I get there to see it.

Terry

KeswickDave · **Posted:** Tue Feb 17, 2009 2:09 am

Fulltimer wrote:

dieselenthusiast wrote:

Fulltimer wrote:

Tuesday I'm going to look at this camper:

Terry

Very nice.

What's the weight of that trailer? Length?

It's 18' and around 2,300 pounds without options...I think. I'll know more when I get there to see it.

Terry

Look for the "sticker weight"... on mine it is on the back of a cupboard door, under the sink - the brochure says 2500, the sticker says 2700.

I remember looking at those at the trailer show, very similar to mine as far as the front angle and rear door and interior layout.

Edit to add, definitely consider some form of weight distribution/anti-sway hitch system - made a night and day difference for me.

Dave

KeswickDave · **Posted:** Tue Feb 17, 2009 2:16 am

Jeepjeepster wrote:

The wind resistance of that will really hurt. I towed a box trailer about that size and while it didnt weigh as much as that trailer, I was in the gas the entire time to hold speed(O/D off). Ended up getting 11mpg our a 2 hour trip, half 55mph and half 70mph.

Yes, towing a similar trailer I would agree with that assessment - my trip last summer ranged from 9 - 13 mpg tank by tank, mostly depending on the terrain and perhaps wind direction. Average was around 11 over 2400 miles.

I carried a 5 gal military gas can just in case, almost had to use it once

Dave

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Tue Feb 17, 2009 8:34 pm

I got him down to $8,000 and drove across the state to take a look and bring it home with me. It has a LOT of water damage and came from an auction! Needless to say they still have it. The decals on one side were all curled up. It must have been setting with that side facing south the last couple of years.

Terry

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:58 pm

Well thats disappointing.. So this thing was supposed to be new?

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Wed Feb 18, 2009 12:06 am

Sorry to hear the bad news Terry. :cry:

The dealer should have been honest with you from the beginning. :evil:

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Wed Feb 18, 2009 6:28 am

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Well thats disappointing.. So this thing was supposed to be new?

No, it was listed as used. They said like new condition.

Terry

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Tue Feb 24, 2009 10:50 am

Fulltimer

Here's our 99 17" Casita Spirit Deluxe. You can find nice ones around $8k used. Ours has AC, full bath, furnace, 3 way refrige, awning, water heater and more. Pictures include the wife and grandkids and the ocean on our trip last July to the Outter Banks of NC.

Here's the Casita web site.
http://www.casitatraveltrailers.com/home.html

I drove 400 miles to look at and buy it in June 07. You'll need a WHD hitch because tongue weight is usally between 3 and 4 hundred pounds.
We looked at a couple of "dogs" before I found this one.
The CRD was suffering from failing FCV and ERG valves but still returned 19 mpg. The CEL was on and off quite a bit.
Joe

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:01 am

mannn i've been wanting one of those casitas but if i got one, i'd have to paint it up like a dog house

cause that's what I'd BE IN :oops:

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:12 am

JeepinJarhead03 wrote:

mannn i've been wanting one of those casitas but if i got one, i'd have to paint it up like a dog house

cause that's what I'd BE IN :oops:

Maybe not

You have to break the significant other in easy :lol:

I think if they don't put up some kind of fight they're sick :wink:

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:56 am

have to wait till i get her a new laptop, get her a nice 4k+ one and i think i'd get away with it haha

KeswickDave · **Posted:** Sun Mar 15, 2009 2:11 am

Try one of these... I had this one for a few years - 1975 Trillium 1300 - 13', 900 lbs empty

It was perfect when I was single, but a family of 3 it was just too crowded.

CRDMiller · **Posted:** Sun Mar 15, 2009 2:15 am

Not trying to advertise and i am not affiliated with these folks BUT check them out.

http://www.azdunesport.com/

They have some very lightweight toy haulers and tt's from loaded to spartan.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 15, 2009 2:18 am

that's about my speed there, i like small and simple

used to have a popup for my cheyenne, it was a friggin chore just to get inside of hte thing, but once ya were in there you could lay down, or do your business in the bucket lookin turlet.. other htan that, it didnt have any amenities

that one there is like a hilton compared to what i had, i need to get me one!

heck of a lot better than that stupid 31 foot V10 RV i drove to key west last year

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Sun Mar 15, 2009 8:27 am

Here is what I'm looking at now. It's an 18' 2009 R-Pod by Forest River. Light weight (figures later) large holding tanks etc.

Terry

This is the 15' in the picture:

EDIT:

Standard Features

Chassis / Running Gear

* Powder Coated Steel Frame
* 2" Coupler
* Electric Brakes
* LED Tail Lights
* Independent "Torsion" Suspension System
* Aluminum Split Spoke Wheels
* 14" Goodyear Radial Tires
* Spare Tire
* Super-Lube Hubs
* Rear Stabilizer Jacks
* Dual Battery Rack
* Rotocast Holding Tanks
* Rotocast Fresh Water Tank

Appliances / Equipment

* Gas / Elec. DSI Water Heater
* Water Heater By-Pass System
* 3-Way Refrigerator - 4.2 cu. ft.
* Two Burner Range Top
* 20,000 BTU Furnace
* 12V Water Pump
* Monitor Panel
* 55 AMP Converter with Charger
* Detachable Power Cord - 28'
* Air Conditioner Ready
* 3 Speed Fantastic Fan
* Adjustable Shower Head
* Thetford Toilet

Safety

* Breakaway Switch
* Fire Extinguisher
* LP Detector
* Smoke Detector
* Carbon Monoxide Detector
* Safety Chains
* Dead-Bolt Door Lock
* Ground Fault Protected Electrical Circuit

Interior

* Wet Bath with Integrated Toilet
* No-Wax Seamless Vinyl Flooring
* Solid Lumber Core Cabinet Fronts Assembled with Screws
* Raised Panel Cabinet Doors with Glazed Finish
* Hardwood Drawer Fronts with Metal Guides
* Decorative Window Treatments
* Decorative Shower Curtain with Tieback
* Mini Blinds Where Applicable
* Bedroom Pocket Organizer
* Bathroom Pocket Organizers

Exterior

* Custom Tinted Safety Glass Windows
* 20 lb. LP Tank with Cover
* Aluminum Wheel Fenders
* Patio Light with Amber Lens
* Exterior 120 Volt Recept
* License Plate Holder w/ Light
* Welded Aluminum Sidewalls and Floor
* Laminated Sidewalls, Floor and Roof
* Seamless Roof
* Lamilux 1000 Gel Coated Fiberglass
* Radius Entry and Baggage Doors
* Folding Assist Grab Handle
* Entry Door Step

Options

* r-dome Awning with Screen Room - 20 lbs.
* Convection Microwave - 51 lbs.
* 11K BTU Low Profile Air Conditioner - 95 lbs.
* White Sand Interior Wood Package - 0 lbs.
* Axle Riser - 20 lbs.
* Dolby Digital AM/FM/CD/DVD/ TV Combo - 7 lbs.
* TV Antenna - 6 lbs.
* Two Chairs IPO Sofa - Model RP-173 Only - 0 lbs.

MODEL RP-175
Unloaded Vehicle Weight 2336
Hitch Weight 235
Load Capacity 1399
Exterior Length w/o Spare Tire 18’2”
Exterior Pod Width 6’5”
Exterior Overall Width 8’0”
Exterior Height 8’9”
Exterior Height with A/C 9’3”
LP Capacity (lbs.) 20
Fresh Water (gal.) 36
Grey Water (gal.) 30
Black Water (gal.) 30
Tire Size: 205/75/R14

Travel trailer for the KJ?

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