ATV trailer... need input

[AH64ID]

As we transition from our TT to our new, to us, 5th wheel we need to get an ATV trailer.

When we wanted to take the ATV's camping with the TT we used a Bully Dog ATV rack in the bed, but that won't work with a 5th wheel.

The 5th wheel already has a custom 2" receiver hitch on it and we plan to tow doubles on those few trips a year, all fairly local.

So here is my dilemma... I hate single axle trailers. The biggest reasons are they always bounce, and there is no redundancy for flats which I think is important when you can't always see the 2nd trailer.

Ideally I'd get a tandem axle trailer with the same size tire/wheel as the 5th wheel, or at the very least the same 6x5.5" bolt pattern. But those are LONG trailers for double towing. I've read you don't want too short of a trailer with tandems as there isn't any tongue weight so they aren't stable.

The trailer will be primarily towed as a double, with less frequent single trips for firewood and such.

I'm leaning towards a 5x12 or 6x12, but not sure it's going to be great for doubles in the long run. The last time I did any serious double towing it was a 10' single axle trailer behind a 24' TT and wasn't a big deal.

I have 27' feet to spare on the total length law for Idaho so I'm not limited. Just looking for the best option in terms of stability, safety, all while keeping the trailer as small as possible.

Any recommendations?

Maybe I'm just doing what I do best and over thinking it....

Yes I know the 5th wheel needs leveled. I already adjusted the pin box and will be rebuilding and lifting the suspension this spring. I need about 1" more on the springs. I don't want to lower the hitch side as I like the added clearance to the bed rails for all the back road camping we do, and it's also the proper height for my folks 5th wheel.

 

[Cummins12V98]

My Kendon MC trailer has the torflex single axle. With two HD Cruisers on board I have been told the trailer stays on the road with no bouncing around. IMHO that would be the way to go and run GY ENDURANCE tires on it.

 

[AH64ID]

My Kendon MC trailer has the torflex single axle. With two HD Cruisers on board I have been told the trailer stays on the road with no bouncing around. IMHO that would be the way to go and run GY ENDURANCE tires on it.

I won't run GY Endurance or any ST tire, and prefer to stay away from single axle... too much dirt road travel for either. I'll likely get some LRC LT tires for it.

Looks like Kendon makes a nice on road trailer, but I sure wouldn't want them for off road stuff. More money for less trailer. 13" tires and torsion axles are just begging to have the trailer dragged on it's frame. Torsion axles also like to be loaded at least 2/3 of their rating for the best ride and I wouldn't be there with my ATV's.

 

[Tuesdak]

Don't they make wireless cameras you could mount on the back of the 5er to keep an eye on the ATV trailer? A wireless TPMS for the trailer(s) could also help, but, won't show you the loose strap flying around.

 

[AH64ID]

Don't they make wireless cameras you could mount on the back of the 5er to keep an eye on the ATV trailer? A wireless TPMS for the trailer(s) could also help, but, won't show you the loose strap flying around.

I do plan to add wireless TPMS to the 5th wheel and expanding to a 2nd trailer is pretty easy.

I have also looked in wireless cameras and haven't decided if I want to go that route yet. There are some pretty nice ones powered by the running lights.

 

[mwilson]

Enclosed or open??

 

[AH64ID]

Enclosed or open??

Open.

 

[mwilson]

Gotcha...

Don’t see hardly any open dual axle trailers up here..I went with an enclosed 7’ X 14’ / 16’ pointed nose as I wanted the Can Am inside to protect the windshield and roof when under tow. Plus I use it for a bunch of other things...I do understand why you want an open one..

 

[AH64ID]

Gotcha...

Don’t see hardly any open dual axle trailers up here..I went with an enclosed 7’ X 14’ / 16’ pointed nose as I wanted the Can Am inside to protect the windshield and roof when under tow. Plus I use it for a bunch of other things...I do understand why you want an open one..

I already have a 16’ stock trailer if I need to haul enclosed, or mostly enclosed. It’s way too heavy to drag behind the 5th wheel thou.

Most the utility trailers around here are single axle too.

I generally use the stock trailer to gather firewood but sometimes dad has it. The utility trailer would get used for wood more often, which is another reason for tandem axle. Can’t haul much wood with a single 3500# axle.

 

[mwilson]

Maybe one of the smallest self dump dual axle?? Then you could use it for all kinds of other stuff...

 

[AH64ID]

Maybe one of the smallest self dump dual axle?? Then you could use it for all kinds of other stuff...

I’d love a little dump trailer... still heavier than I want for a 2nd trailer. 2nd trailers don’t have brakes so I want to stay as light as possible.


Im leaning towards a 6x12 PJ. They will swap the hubs for me to 6 x 5.5” so they match my 5er. 3500lb axles with brakes on one. It won’t even feel two ATVs, and would still haul 2-3 chords of pine.

 

[Cummins12V98]

To be clear I was not suggesting a Kendon trailer. Just that type of axle and GY tires.

You need to do some research. The ENDURANCE tire has been on the market for three full years with zero reported failures. Road hazard excluded. They have 87 mph rating.

 

[AH64ID]

To be clear I was not suggesting a Kendon trailer. Just that type of axle and GY tires.

You need to do some research. The ENDURANCE tire has been on the market for three full years with zero reported failures. Road hazard excluded. They have 87 mph rating.

As I pointed out torsion axles don’t work well for my application, so that pretty much rules them out. Aside from them needing weight on them they generally don’t offer adequate ground clearance. Our stock trailer has them and we really should lift it for some of the roads we take it on. Spring suspensions sit higher and operate better when lightly loaded.

Road hazards are the reason I don’t run ST tires. I’ve never had anything but road hazard failures with them and they are far more susceptible to road hazards than LT tires. I do a lot of miles on dirt/gravel roads where ST tires just don’t survive as long. Even the best ST tire is still a ST tire.

It has nothing to do with research when the application is wrong for your recommendation.

 

[NIsaacs]

This might be a cool option for your application.

https://pjtrailers.com/options/ready-rail/

 

[Hoefler]

Another option to consider.

 

[GAmes]

I double towed a 6 X 12 tandem axle trailer to Tucson and back a couple years ago. It was very stable. As far as no brakes go, have you considered a hydraulic system? I have yet to pull a trailer with them but will soon. On the Monday after Valentines day I am pulling a friends boat behind my 5er to a lake in south TX, about 350 miles one way. My trailer came wired with a 5 pin plug so I will be able to back it up if necessary.

 

[NIsaacs]

Another option to consider.View attachment 118416

Can you imagine the tail swing as in, look out sidewalk

 

[NIsaacs]

My trailer came wired with a 5 pin plug so I will be able to back it up if necessary.

I don't understand what that means....help me out here.

 

[GAmes]

The fifth pin on a flat connector is for reverse lights. A hydraulic coupler has a lock-out (which is sometimes manual) so that you can back the trailer up. The electric lock-outs are tied to the reverse lights.

 

[AH64ID]

Anyone heard of GR trailers? A friend just got a good deal on one for his SXS. I don't know much about them. Looks like they don't make narrower trailers thou, and I'm leaning away from 7'.

I did get an email from my PJ guy stating that they dropped the 6' wide trailer and they are not 77", which is better than 7' but still wider than I'd hoped.

Another option to consider.View attachment 118416

Those are pretty popular in states that don't allow double towing, but like @NIsaacs said I couldn't imagine the tail swing with it extending so far past the axles. Lots of tight single lane roads where we camp. Plus it's useless as a spare trailer when not hooked to the 5th wheel.

I double towed a 6 X 12 tandem axle trailer to Tucson and back a couple years ago. It was very stable. As far as no brakes go, have you considered a hydraulic system? I have yet to pull a trailer with them but will soon. On the Monday after Valentines day I am pulling a friends boat behind my 5er to a lake in south TX, about 350 miles one way. My trailer came wired with a 5 pin plug so I will be able to back it up if necessary.

Good to hear it was stable. I was wondering about the narrower track following road ruts.

I have thought about a hydraulic brake system, but I'm not sure I'll need it yet. I am going to wait and see. I don't expect to be more than 2200 lbs loaded on a 6x12.