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Thinking of towing a trailer with my 4x4 Thinking of towing a trailer with my 4x4
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 31 Jan 2009
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Thinking of towing a trailer with my 4x4
Hello, I am thinking of towing a trailer with my 4x4.
Trip from UK down to Cape Town, route not yet decided.
I am not sure I want to load up a heavy roof rack, or pull a trailer,
so I am asking for opinions.

I have in mind to pull a trailer, sized about 5 foot long, 4 foot wide, 18 inches deep, with a flat lid, so I can, if I wanted, fit a foof rack.

So, then I think to myself, whats makes a good 'long distance expedition trailer'

I would probably carry no more than say, 300kg in it, or shal I say, PLAN to carry no more than say 300kg.

Now,
Questions, should I look for a 2 wheel trailer or a 4 wheel trailer.
Should I look for leaf spring, coil spring, or indespension units?

I would say, that I am only looking for a trailer that has the 'A' frame draw bar, rather than the weak looking single draw bar.

Tyres, I think 10 inch would be quite unsuitable, should I have to cross any sand, so, perhaps the minumum should be 14 inch van tyres, that have the extra ply's in the side walls.

I would like opinions on all ideas please.

'vette
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  #2  
Old 31 Jan 2009
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A poster here called "Graham Smith" did it, his web site is here -
Smith Family Odyssey

Maybe see what he has to say as well as others.
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  #3  
Old 31 Jan 2009
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Hi Vette,
One thought that springs to mind, if you can run the same wheels/tyres as on the 4x4 you'll be far less likely to end up in a mess with flats on the trailer (or have to carry an extra spare) I've only seen pictures myself, but i've heard people on the 4x4 section talking about the Sankey millitary trailers being well up to the job. Would be worth searching around the 4x4 sections, i'm sure there are some threads about trailer options there somewhere.

Sam
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  #4  
Old 4 Feb 2009
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I'd try to manage without a trailer if at all possible. How many of you are travelling - if there's only two of you then the 120 series is plenty big enough. Pack carefully and don't take anything you don't really need.

Trailers seem like a great idea but it's more strain on the towing vehicle and another (albeit small) vehicle to look after. We've travelled for years throughout North Africa, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia in our 120 and have lots of spare space. We carry 6 jerrycans of fuel, 2 of water, 2 gas bottles, fridge, cooker, 6 wolf boxes, spare wheel & tyre on back door, another underneath, toolbox, recovery gear. Nothing in the rear of the car is above chest height.

Happy trails

Jojo
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  #5  
Old 4 Feb 2009
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I definitely agree, if you can do without it I would. Spent a brief period trying to tow a trailer in the Kalahari and it was a complete pain in the proverbial. Deep sand killed the rig to a standstill where solo vehicles breezed through.
The other point (this counts towing on good tar roads as well) is any puncture on the trailer normally means a completely destroyed tyre as unlike a puncture on the tow car you don't notice untill it's too late.
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  #6  
Old 4 Feb 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JoJo1 View Post
I'd try to manage without a trailer if at all possible. How many of you are travelling - if there's only two of you then the 120 series is plenty big enough. Pack carefully and don't take anything you don't really need.

Trailers seem like a great idea but it's more strain on the towing vehicle and another (albeit small) vehicle to look after. We've travelled for years throughout North Africa, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia in our 120 and have lots of spare space. We carry 6 jerrycans of fuel, 2 of water, 2 gas bottles, fridge, cooker, 6 wolf boxes, spare wheel & tyre on back door, another underneath, toolbox, recovery gear. Nothing in the rear of the car is above chest height.

Happy trails

Jojo
.
.
Hi Jo,
that a great post for morale.
How did you manage to organise your packing?
You must have had a great packing routine.
Did you remove the 3rd row of seats, or the middle row also?

'vette
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  #7  
Old 4 Feb 2009
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120 series all up
Hi 'vette,

Out of the UK at the moment, but will post pix of car when I get back. Then it's up for sale. 12 months tax, 12 months test, 10 months Toyota warranty, all kit including Maggiolina carbonfibre roof tent. Serviced on the nail by Toyota GB.

Got a new project - 78 series Troopie for round the world trip!

Jojo
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Tours to Morocco, Iceland, Arctic Circle, Portugal, Alps, Pyrenees, Eastern Europe, Corsica, and UK weekend tours.
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  #8  
Old 5 Feb 2009
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Hi JoJo,

That sounds great !

Where are you planning your first leg of your trip to?
Then where and where and where, have you loose plans yet?

is it your 80 series your selling?

'vette
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  #9  
Old 6 Feb 2009
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Hi 'vette,

I'm selling my 120 series. She's been a fantastic truck, but I've been wanting a Troopie for a while. I'll miss the comfort & speed.

No definite plans for big trip yet. Got too many shorter trips to do first, then ticking off the wish list. Silk Route, Gibb River road in Oz, back to Nordkapp/Finland/Russia.

Jojo
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Tours to Morocco, Iceland, Arctic Circle, Portugal, Alps, Pyrenees, Eastern Europe, Corsica, and UK weekend tours.
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  #10  
Old 7 Feb 2009
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No trailer or roofrack
For security and diesel consumption, we travelled to mali and back from UK without either in a Landcruiser. Took out all back seats except 1 to allow us to carry a guide if we wished. 2 spares, one on floor inside, 1 on back ( didn't need either) 2 spare petrol carriers ( didn't need ) 1 big water carrier ( didn't need) camping gear, stove, masses of books to read, a few clothes, spare parts(didn't need).If we did it again ( or rather, when) we will fit a roofrack for diesel, spare tyre, to make more room in back and also probably a roof tent. But it all worked fine and saved us money on roofrack.
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  #11  
Old 7 Feb 2009
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I'll be putting the car on the market in the next few weeks. Here's the spec

Toyota Land Cruiser 120 series LWB LC3.
2005 model
90k miles
12 months tax
12 months MOT
10 months Toyota warranty
Full Toyota service history

BFG all-terrain tyres inc extra spare
Cargo bay with blanked windows
ARB Sahara winch bumper
Warn 9.5XP winch
ASFIR underbody protection
ARB locking rear diff
Old Man Emu suspension
Mobile Storage Systems cooker & box
Whale pumped water supply
6 Wolff boxes and lashing points
Tyre repair kit

Maxon VHF radio & antenna
Car PC SatNav inc all mapping software & maps for Africa & Europe
Autohome Columbus carbon fibre rooftent
Engel MT45 fridge inc base & jacket
6 20lt jerry cans
2 20lt water cans

Looking for £15000

Jojo

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