Cape York Off-Road Trailers

[ant]

Okay, We have all seen pics and heard of some of our members trailers (such as Campdog and Tolinja to name a few) and following a post from Campdog in another thread asking why I wasn't considering a trailer to carry the 2008 Cape Yorker mags into the Cape, the answer is simple.
I have been considering a trailer but I like to take my time and look at all the pro's and con's.
Firstly, I do not want a specific 'camper trailer'. My ideas are as follows:
7X5 box trailer with a sealed top. the top can be lifted (probably on gas struts) and the inner lid of the trailer will store some of my rods (fully assembled) and sealed. The rest of the inside of the trailer will be pretty bare and used totally for storage of items. I do not really want compartments as what I will be taking at different times may not fit into the compartments. I am looking at water storage of up to about 240 litres. The top of the trailer will have a rack for my 3mtr PolyCraft.

I may (at a later stage) fit a camper top to the trailer so that I can take the missus and kid but for now, my swag or hammock (depending on time of year) will do me just fine.

At this stage, I am seriously looking at a brand called 'Pacific Aluminium Trailers' and yes, they are all Aluminium! Search Google for their site if you want to see more of them. They seem to be very durable and also a lot less weight.

Well- what are your opinions??

[Scorcher]

Okay, We have all seen pics and heard of some of our members trailers (such as Campdog and Tolinja to name a few) and following a post from Campdog in another thread asking why I wasn't considering a trailer to carry the 2008 Cape Yorker mags into the Cape, the answer is simple.
I have been considering a trailer but I like to take my time and look at all the pro's and con's.
Firstly, I do not want a specific 'camper trailer'. My ideas are as follows:
7X5 box trailer with a sealed top. the top can be lifted (probably on gas struts) and the inner lid of the trailer will store some of my rods (fully assembled) and sealed. The rest of the inside of the trailer will be pretty bare and used totally for storage of items. I do not really want compartments as what I will be taking at different times may not fit into the compartments. I am looking at water storage of up to about 240 litres. The top of the trailer will have a rack for my 3mtr PolyCraft.

I may (at a later stage) fit a camper top to the trailer so that I can take the missus and kid but for now, my swag or hammock (depending on time of year) will do me just fine.

At this stage, I am seriously looking at a brand called 'Pacific Aluminium Trailers' and yes, they are all Aluminium! Search Google for their site if you want to see more of them. They seem to be very durable and also a lot less weight.

Well- what are your opinions??

240 litres of water ?

What, are you taking your own spa bath up there Ant ??

I suppose that it depends on the time of year, and whether you plan to do trips to places other than the Cape, but fresh water is reasonably plentiful for much of the year. We normally only carry a maximum of 40 litres, but make sure we top up whenever the opportunity arises.

As for trailers - anything that has independent suspension. Leaf Springs struggle severely on the corrugated roads & off road trails.

Scorcher

[ant]

Scorcher-Sorry, forgot to mention the bit about the spa! I am planning to run it off a separate inverter. Just the thing to end those long days in the cape and to wash off the red dirt/dust.

Of course, when Campdog turns up, I won't need the inverter to run the bubbles.

[campdog]

Scorcher-Sorry, forgot to mention the bit about the spa! I am planning to run it off a separate inverter. Just the thing to end those long days in the cape and to wash off the red dirt/dust.

Of course, when Campdog turns up, I won't need the inverter to run the bubbles.
Thats because I dont need an inverter or solar panels, I have a wind generator,

[campdog]

Okay, We have all seen pics and heard of some of our members trailers (such as Campdog and Tolinja to name a few) and following a post from Campdog in another thread asking why I wasn't considering a trailer to carry the 2008 Cape Yorker mags into the Cape, the answer is simple.
I have been considering a trailer but I like to take my time and look at all the pro's and con's.
Firstly, I do not want a specific 'camper trailer'. My ideas are as follows:
7X5 box trailer with a sealed top. the top can be lifted (probably on gas struts) and the inner lid of the trailer will store some of my rods (fully assembled) and sealed. The rest of the inside of the trailer will be pretty bare and used totally for storage of items. I do not really want compartments as what I will be taking at different times may not fit into the compartments. I am looking at water storage of up to about 240 litres. The top of the trailer will have a rack for my 3mtr PolyCraft.

I may (at a later stage) fit a camper top to the trailer so that I can take the missus and kid but for now, my swag or hammock (depending on time of year) will do me just fine.

At this stage, I am seriously looking at a brand called 'Pacific Aluminium Trailers' and yes, they are all Aluminium! Search Google for their site if you want to see more of them. They seem to be very durable and also a lot less weight.

Well- what are your opinions??
Ant,with the amout of Cape Trips you do, I would be careful in what I choose. Get something as tough and reliable as tour old Toyoya. Will aluminium stand up to your lifestyle.

[batesy]

Quarter of a ton of water! ... Buy a bucket.

I reckon you're going to be near water most of the time ... thus the fishing rods. Think about how many jerry-cans 240 litres equals... 12!!

Do you really need a 240 litre capacity? That's a lot of unnecessary weight on the trailer. Especially when you add another 80kg for the polycraft. We're one third of a ton now and we haven't even got to the fridge, genny, camping gear etc.

Ali frame trailers would probably struggle in their weld strength over the corrugations over time. All right for a few trips but you're not going to be doing a few trips every five years, you're talking about hammering up here every few months.

My 2 cents. Even though I don't own a trailer... or a boat, or a fridge, genny etc.

[highlift80]

Scorcher-Sorry, forgot to mention the bit about the spa! I am planning to run it off a separate inverter. Just the thing to end those long days in the cape and to wash off the red dirt/dust.

Of course, when Campdog turns up, I won't need the inverter to run the bubbles.

I can just see Ant now, kicking back in his trailer spa after a hard days driving just him Miss CapeYork a couple icy cold margaritas.


On second thoughts what a disturbing vision....yuk

[Nedly]

Somewhere in the deep, dark shallow depths of my memory there is this notion that aluminium can get brittle at welded joints, these joints could fail due to fatigue etc.
Constant pounding from corrugations would certainly test these joints.
That and a 1/3 + tonne load on the drawbar could be interesting.

I'm definately no expert.

[Nedly]

I just had a quick look on the net, someone on the Exploreoz site reckons his Pacific Al. trailer has a galvanized steel chassis, this would certainly overcome any weld fatigue problem.

There would have to be some form of isolation between the steel chassis and aluminium body to avoid galvanic corrosion. On the above mentioned trailer this seems to be achieved by using sicaflex between the two metals.
I'm sure Pacific would be aware of this potential problem and would take appropriate measures to avoid any instances. The bolts/rivets/screw used to connect the body and chassis should also be insulated, in an ideal world.

[campdog]

Quarter of a ton of water! ... Buy a bucket.

I reckon you're going to be near water most of the time ... thus the fishing rods. Think about how many jerry-cans 240 litres equals... 12!!

Do you really need a 240 litre capacity? That's a lot of unnecessary weight on the trailer. Especially when you add another 80kg for the polycraft. We're one third of a ton now and we haven't even got to the fridge, genny, camping gear etc.

Ali frame trailers would probably struggle in their weld strength over the corrugations over time. All right for a few trips but you're not going to be doing a few trips every five years, you're talking about hammering up here every few months.

My 2 cents. Even though I don't own a trailer... or a boat, or a fridge,or a magazine, genny etc.

I agree Chris, Ive got a good strong trailer I could sell him.

[ant]

Campdog, I have seen pics of your trailer- no thanks.

I am running a very tight timeframe, but there is a very slight chance that I may be able to bring the mags up into the Cape in a Pacific Aluminium Trailer. Given the time left, I do not like my chances of having it organised but lets see what happens.

[xina]

Mail plane too expensive Ant?
xina.

[campdog]

Campdog, I have seen pics of your trailer- no thanks.

I am running a very tight timeframe, but there is a very slight chance that I may be able to bring the mags up into the Cape in a Pacific Aluminium Trailer. Given the time left, I do not like my chances of having it organised but lets see what happens.

What do you mean no thanks, I put it back together again and took it back to the Cape.I even gave it a good soak and wash in Nolans brook along with my nissan.

[campdog]

Campdog, I have seen pics of your trailer- no thanks.

I am running a very tight timeframe, but there is a very slight chance that I may be able to bring the mags up into the Cape in a Pacific Aluminium Trailer. Given the time left, I do not like my chances of having it organised but lets see what happens.
I used to be a paper boy and do deliveries on a push bike. I could do next years run for you.

[Scorcher]

Mail plane too expensive Ant?
xina.

Too far to cast lures out of the mail plane !!

[ant]

xina,
I would have too much weight for the plane and I also need to get to businesses that the plane doesn't go to. Plus, as Scorcher said, you can't cast lures from the plane.
All going well, my 3mtr Poly will be on the roof of the cruiser just in case I see something interesting.

[xina]

I was thinking of the Magazines only Ant. That way you wouldn't have had to worry too much about excess weight in the trailer. What's the population of Weipa these days?
cheers,
xina.

[highlift80]

Campdog, I have seen pics of your trailer- no thanks.

I am running a very tight timeframe, but there is a very slight chance that I may be able to bring the mags up into the Cape in a Pacific Aluminium Trailer. Given the time left, I do not like my chances of having it organised but lets see what happens.

Hey Ant have you purchased one or have you managed to wrangle one for errrr "testing purpose's"

[ant]

Hey Ant have you purchased one or have you managed to wrangle one for errrr "testing purpose's"

Looking at purchasing one. Unfortunately, due to the tight timeframe, I will not have it for this trip. I will keep you posted on the developments.

[dave]

I just got a mental picture of ant ,cruzzing along some remote dusty track on the cape, full load of yorker mags saged springs! pollycraft draging behind hehe ,
"now were is that fishing spot "? tuff life .. :rolleyes:

[ant]

Dave- there will be no sagged springs in this cruiser. I have all new suspension (after last years load) and have just had a set of PolyAir bags installed. These babies can handle a lot of a load (more than you can legally/safely carry)
PolyCraft will be on the roof rack up out of harms way.

[campdog]

Dave- there will be no sagged springs in this cruiser. I have all new suspension (after last years load) and have just had a set of PolyAir bags installed. These babies can handle a lot of a load (more than you can legally/safely carry)
PolyCraft will be on the roof rack up out of harms way.
We know the poly air bags can handle it, but what about the rest of the wagon.

[batesy]

We know the poly air bags can handle it, but what about the rest of the wagon.

He'll be alright Campdog. Ant's Tojo is speed limited to 50km/h... otherwise he has to visit the nearest mechanic.

[ant]

Nice batesy.
Let me say that picking the mags up today was a stark contrast to last year. The delivery fella thought I would have to do two trips, but I proved him wrong.
Well, here I sit at 1.30am with a lovely glass of red. All subscriptions have been mailed out and I have 1200 magazines in the back of the cruiser along with the Engel and the PolyCraft. All fishing gear has been packed -just finished! and all set for a late start tomorrow of 6am. Musgrave tomorrow night (Thursday) and then on to Weipa for Friday and Saturday, then off again to Bamaga and Thursday Island and Horn Island, then the run home. Cairns to TI and back in one week flat!!
Lets not forget the detour to Scorcher so that he can get his subscription- now THAT is service.

[dave]

poly bags" poly craft" poly want a cracker!!!!! when you meet up with a big croc in that thing thats what you will be saying,no no not the boat! here have ore,, harhar!

[campdog]

He'll be alright Campdog. Ant's Tojo is speed limited to 50km/h... otherwise he has to visit the nearest mechanic.
Is that before or after loading in the magazines.

[Nedly]

Spoke to the Pacific Alumimium Trailer guys at the Brisbane Caravan, Camping & Touring Show this weekend, some good looking gear.

Ant, saw your future rig, NICE, though wouldn't the hot water system and outside shower be a waste?
Will certainly get you noticed towing that around.
I can just imagine it covered in a multitude of stickers promoting various magazines.