As seen in Toyota Trails!
Various articles written here have been published in TLCA's Toyota Trails magazine and on their website. After roaming around our site, click on the magazines to visit TLCA.
Trailer Tech
Roof Top Tent
Toward the end of building Mini-me, I knew I wanted to try a roof top tent (RTT). And what a better place to put one than on top of the trailer. Yes, I could save the money, use a good ground tent and be done with it, but that’s no fun. I liked the idea of setting up the tent in just seconds and already have sleeping bags and pillows inside ready to go.
Modified Trailer Jacks
By Eric
I haven’t been too fond of the trailer jack I am using. It served its purpose for the initial stages, but needs to be replaced for what i need.
The problems I have with my current one is mainly the mounting. It requires a bigger surface area to mount to than just the tongue. Sure I can make a plate on the side of the tongue and then have the appropriate mounting surface, but I don’t care to do that. The other problem is it’s not easy to remove when off-roading.
Tony’s Camp Trailer
By Tony K
I guess you could say that the start of my metal fabrication was this trailer. It was made over a winter in the backyard. I didn’t have many tools at the time, only an AC/DC stick welder, drill, sawzall and a grinder. And the welder I got just so I could build this thing. I always liked the WWII style of trailer but I did find some weaknesses in the originals as well as some things I just wanted different so I made my own. It is loosely based on the Bantam trailers used in WWII.
Eric’s Mini-me
Since meeting Tony, I have never given utility trailers, or the use of them, any thought. After a run down to Tillamook, Oregon, I came to the conclusion that I wanted one. Not that a wagon is not big enough alone, but the idea of not having to load everything inside and crowding up the place was appealing. So the thinking cap went on, and it stayed there for a few months, slowing trying to plan what I would need or want.
The Ultimate Hitch
By Tony Konovaloff
Ball hitches have some serious flaws when it comes to using them off road. They just don’t have enough room to articulate more than about 7 degrees in each direction. Pintle hitches, while easy to hook up with a proven history of strength and durability have their own problems. Primarily the noise going down the road. I just hate it when a hitch rattles no matter what kind it is.