5000+ trip pulling an enclosed trailer review

[darjacob]

I’ve used every way there is to bring our toad with us except an enclosed trailer. We started by hauling a Goldwing on the back, then a motorcycle trailer and then moved to a tow dolly and finally 4 wheels down. Our hands down favorite way is 4 wheels down. However, the cars that can be towed 4 wheels down are becoming a thing of the past except Jeeps and 4-wheel drive pickups and a few others. We have had 2 Wranglers and didn’t like either one. I think they are cheaply made (insert flame here) and way overpriced (insert flame here). So, Jeeps are not an option for us.

We have a BMW X3 which we love and wanted to bring with us this year on our 5,000+ mile trip. So, we jumped right in. I bought an 8 ½ X 20-foot enclosed trailer and customized it a bit for the Beamer. Hooked it up and off we went on a trip from Baltimore-Las Vegas-Baltimore. We stopped at 9 RV spots going out and back. ALL of them said they had pull throughs that could accommodate 70’ rigs. A little more about that in a minute. When we got to Nellis AFB, we had to put the trailer in storage for the 2 months we were there at $2/day. No big deal and we had the BMW to drive around while we were there and were happy.

Now about those pull throughs… The first one was horrible. Our rig stuck out into the driveways on both ends! The place was all mud, and they had all the exits blocked and never mentioned it to us. So, we had to back up about a block to get turned around. But hey, we’re pulling a trailer, no problem. Coming back, we headed to the 3rd campsite. Following the directions, I got concerned when I saw a sign that stated, “Dead End, No Outlet”. So, I called the campsite and verified the directions. The lady said “Yes, you are on the right road just keep going the campsite is at the end of the road”. And like an idiot, I believed her. I drove down the road to the end and it was THE END. I was looking at a cow path, no campsite. Upon calling the lady back, she laughed and said, “you must be heading in the opposite direction”. Now here’s the problem. If I were pulling the toad 4 wheels down, I would have gotten out and unhooked the car and backed the RV out. There was no place to turn around on this narrow road. So, I had to back the trailer up 2 miles. I was a truck driver for many years in my younger life and I can back a semi up with no problem. But when you have a very long wheelbase (RV) backing up a short wheelbase (trailer) it is a feat. Small movements on the steering wheel cause big movements on the trailer. There was no other option. Finally, we got to the campsite, the site they had us in wouldn’t accommodate a class “C”. It was late and dark, and I just picked out a spot that we could fit in and that’s where we camped. Like Regan, from now on I’ll trust but verify with google earth.

So, the morale of this story is we are going to pull our 4-wheel drive RAM pickup 4 wheels down for now. (Mod Edit)

[Gary.Jones]

Your experience adds real life to a couple nightmares I have had when I considered pulling a trailer, even considered pulling a "stacker" for a while in some of those dreams.

Decided against it. Hope the Honda stays in good shape. Dee isn't about to drive a Jeep under any circumstances (and we pull her Honda CR-V), so diminishing options for 4-down towing are becoming a concern. And we have lost our listing of 4-down vehicles that FMCA used to publish ( Dang !! )

Gary

[KenZ71]

Holy cow, this nearly describes me to a T!

Been looking at enclosed trailers and stackers for a few months. I've been told I am thick headed by a few people so most likely I'll be either echoing above sentiments or saying they were silly

[brobox]

Originally Posted by Gary.Jones

Your experience adds real life to a couple nightmares I have had when I considered pulling a trailer, even considered pulling a "stacker" for a while in some of those dreams.

Decided against it. Hope the Honda stays in good shape. Dee isn't about to drive a Jeep under any circumstances (and we pull her Honda CR-V), so diminishing options for 4-down towing are becoming a concern. And we have lost our listing of 4-down vehicles that FMCA used to publish ( Dang !! )

Gary

Gary, Dee will like driving a new Chevy Colorado or GMC Canyon. Rides as nice as Karen's Lincoln, no sweat on how much you buy at Sam's or Costco. Nice if she'll let you borrow it to go to Home Depot or Lowe's....no problem what you can bring home. Did I mention it even has Apple Car Play and Android Auto, something the $800,000 Cornerstones are still missing. Nice when you need to find a Sam's or Costco in your travels. If a pickup was good enough for Sam Walton, Ill follow his style.

[buddy110]

Originally Posted by darjacob

I’ve used every way there is to bring our toad with us except an enclosed trailer. We started by hauling a Goldwing on the back, then a motorcycle trailer and then moved to a tow dolly and finally 4 wheels down. Our hands down favorite way is 4 wheels down. However, the cars that can be towed 4 wheels down are becoming a thing of the past except Jeeps and 4-wheel drive pickups and a few others. We have had 2 Wranglers and didn’t like either one. I think they are cheaply made (insert flame here) and way overpriced (insert flame here). So, Jeeps are not an option for us.

We have a BMW X3 which we love and wanted to bring with us this year on our 5,000+ mile trip. So, we jumped right in. I bought an 8 ½ X 20-foot enclosed trailer and customized it a bit for the Beamer. Hooked it up and off we went on a trip from Baltimore-Las Vegas-Baltimore. We stopped at 9 RV spots going out and back. ALL of them said they had pull throughs that could accommodate 70’ rigs. A little more about that in a minute. When we got to Nellis AFB, we had to put the trailer in storage for the 2 months we were there at $2/day. No big deal and we had the BMW to drive around while we were there and were happy.

Now about those pull throughs… The first one was horrible. Our rig stuck out into the driveways on both ends! The place was all mud, and they had all the exits blocked and never mentioned it to us. So, we had to back up about a block to get turned around. But hey, we’re pulling a trailer, no problem. Coming back, we headed to the 3rd campsite. Following the directions, I got concerned when I saw a sign that stated, “Dead End, No Outlet”. So, I called the campsite and verified the directions. The lady said “Yes, you are on the right road just keep going the campsite is at the end of the road”. And like an idiot, I believed her. I drove down the road to the end and it was THE END. I was looking at a cow path, no campsite. Upon calling the lady back, she laughed and said, “you must be heading in the opposite direction”. Now here’s the problem. If I were pulling the toad 4 wheels down, I would have gotten out and unhooked the car and backed the RV out. There was no place to turn around on this narrow road. So, I had to back the trailer up 2 miles. I was a truck driver for many years in my younger life and I can back a semi up with no problem. But when you have a very long wheelbase (RV) backing up a short wheelbase (trailer) it is a feat. Small movements on the steering wheel cause big movements on the trailer. There was no other option. Finally, we got to the campsite, the site they had us in wouldn’t accommodate a class “C”. It was late and dark, and I just picked out a spot that we could fit in and that’s where we camped. Like Regan, from now on I’ll trust but verify with google earth.

So, the morale of this story is we are going to pull our 4-wheel drive RAM pickup 4 wheels down for now. (Mod Edit)

Ha! I'm awaiting delivery of my X3M. I'm a beamer guy like you. Anyway, when I was racing, I towed a 28' trailer everywhere, but never into a campground. I have seen many campgrounds that will accommodate a 75' rig, but far more that won't. I wouldn't even attempt it. Like you, I pull my ram, which is great for additional storage.

[RVFunlovers]

A real tradeoff for sure. Less campsites but you can bring you vehicle of choice.

We would love to be able to 4 wheel down tow any vehicle.
I have considered a trailer. Even a nice stacker.

For now we are towing a Ford Edge. Not perfect but ok so far.
Only the 6 cylinder ST version is towable on new Edge’s.

I might end up with a nice trailer and then make my choice of 4 wheel down toad vs trailer trip dependent.

One nice thing about the 4 wheel down tow is I can hook or unhook the vehicle in just a couple of minutes. We move around a lot so how easy it is to jump is a factor.

[T_Roy]

For us it is trip dependent. Some are with the Jeep Grand Cherokee L model 4 down. Others it is with a 14 foot enclosed trailer and our 2 Indian Chieftain motorcycles in the trailer.

[NC25T]

Originally Posted by darjacob

We have had 2 Wranglers and didn’t like either one. I think they are cheaply made (insert flame here) and way overpriced (insert flame here). So, Jeeps are not an option for us.

We have a BMW X3 which we love

I presently have a jeep wrangler and flat tow it behind my RV. Also have an enclosed trailer that we took on a 4,000 mile trip last winter, this winter over 6,000 miles with my wrangler 4 down.

Yea, it’s pretty crazy how expensive the wranglers are. I priced one not too long ago for the day it’s time to upgrade and it was over $70k. The most expensive wrangler presently is $120,000, crazy for the tech they put in them. The one good thing about them is they hold their value really well but yes, not for everyone!!! When the day comes to upgrade I will also consider the bronco, with its independent front suspension it will drive a lot better bs the wrangler on the street.

We had a X3, it wasn’t a bad vehicle but they like most BMW’s aren’t for me. I feel like the wranglers they are also way overpriced plus stupid expensive to repair.

My wife has a grand Cherokee L which replaced the x3. We will probably set that up for flat towing so depending on where we plan to go we have the proper vehicle. If there are off-road trails my wrangler will come along but if everything is paved or just gravel roads her Cherokee L will come along.

We do still discuss getting a stacker trailer, we are planning on living in the RV full time one of these days and we do not want to be limited to only what we can flat tow. I would like to keep my Lotus for a while (do track days around the country) and bring a jeep along plus other stuff. The trailers do limit the campgrounds we can fit into & fitting into Walmart parking lots is definitely more of a challenge. I would think at times two campsites might need to be rented or pay for trailer storage. It will be several years before we cross that bridge of being full time….

[Canes]

I drove 8000+ miles across country towing a BMW X2 on a steerable tow dolly. It was an easy tow, lighter than the X3, with the ability to disengage the transmission from the center stick (which can easily be found on line). No need for an enclosed trailer or flatbed.

[darjacob]

Originally Posted by Canes

I drove 8000+ miles across country towing a BMW X2 on a steerable tow dolly. It was an easy tow, lighter than the X3, with the ability to disengage the transmission from the center stick (which can easily be found on line). No need for an enclosed trailer or flatbed.

I've used tow dollys in the past and didn't like them. The X3 manual states that the X3 must me trailer towed.

[BigKahuna]

I'm a drag racer who races two cars on a National circuit for over 20 years. I tow about 20,000 miles a year and run the speed limit (75mph in Texas) or 5 above. I've bought a 2015 Anthem, 2017 Anthem and 2020 Cornerstone to pull a stacker trailer. I don't use a toad or sway bars.

The key is aluminum trailers. I use to pull a stall stacker with a Super A Columbia and the stacker with 2 cars, golf cart and plenty tools and parts weighed 22,500 pounds. I was always blowing tires. When I went to Aluminum trailer, the total weight of loaded trailer dropped to 14,100 pounds. I also went to 17.5 H load and 82 speed rated tires. Not a single blow out since I switched in 2015. My total length is 79'

Weight and tire quality is my best suggestion when towing.

[Bob and Lisa]

Before you rig your Ram pickup to tow, you might do a little homework... Unless my 2022 Ram diesel 2500 4 wheel drive crew cab is an odd duck, I wouldn't highly recommend towing one... It wanders back and forth, like the tail wagging the dog... By itself, the coach tracks straight with very little occasional wheel input needed, but towing that truck, I am almost constantly working the wheel - not far in each direction, but it won't go straight for long - can watch it's mirrors in the coach mirror and the truck mirror moves back and forth... Have had it aligned and the shop said that because of the straight axle, it has more play. Never had that before towing a GMC Denali diesel pickup or various cars, but the Ram just doesn't settle down...
I've been entertaining a trailer and you are going the other way - lol...
If you do tow your Ram and get it to go straight, you'll have to let me know your secret...
Enjoy

[Rev. Roy]

I read this to see where it was headed. I am an enclosed trailer guy because I am a classic car collector and love taking one of them on the road with us. I am not towing any of my cars 4 down, on a dolly, or a flat trailer. I Google Earth campgrounds well ahead of booking looking at site size, conditions and access. I even scan the roads to and from looking for under passes and bridges. If anything looks questionable, I pass. I use an RV GPS and carry a Rand McNally motor carriers atlas. I own a Newmar with Comfort-Drive® so, when I do need to back up, I get it straight then let go of the steering wheel. Backs straight every time. I have left the trailer in overflow and parking areas, well secured, several times. We've found State, County, and local fairgrounds a great option because they have big rigs in and out all the time. I am considering getting a stacker trailer so I can take a show car and a everyday car when doing shows.

[Berryfarmer]

I’ve towed a 28’ enclosed trailer across country four times in the last 18 months with a 45’ Anthem. I have stayed at a few campgrounds and had pull through sites most of the time. I used Google Earth to check out the sites before finalizing reservations and haven’t had any surprises. We have Wally docked several times while in transit and have never had an issue, in fact I like being able to back the trailer up to the end of a parking lot lane. I’ve also flat towed a Jeep Wrangler and like how easy it is to hook and unhook the Jeep, but sometimes we want to take a side by side with us too.