Workshop trailer, looking for input

[DreadPirateJon]

Hey everyone,
Im about to move from Michigan to Colorado in two weeks. Because the housing market is so nuts in Colorado, Im going be staying in an apartment and wont have access to a garage for a bit. But am still in the middle of a bunch of projects. So my idea is to buy an enclosed trailer to store all my tools in and turn into like a mobile workshop so I can pull it to where ever im allowed to work on the 4r for the weekend.

So im debating between a 6x12 single axle and a 7x14 double axle.
Im leaning towards the 7x14 as I already have a trailer brake controller installed. And I assume the two axles will actually help spread the weight out a bit better than a single axle. Im a bit worried about the side of the trailer turning into a sail and pulling the little 4r around.

Anyone have experience with towing these enclosed trailers? Im sure the 4r can tow around town fine, but the highway might be a bit rough.

The trailer im looking at:
Link to listing

 

[HiLife]

I don't have any experience in towing that kind of trailer. I did tow our 4runner on a car transporter with a uhaul truck, among other tows with different trailers and different tow vehicles.
I think it all boils down to this, never overload the trailer to a point where is out weighs the tow vehicle. And shift the load in the trailer to put the weight on the hitch and loading the rear tires so they are always in traction with the road.
True, the 4runner will pull almost anything hitched to it. It's when conditions get bad, the above formula matters.
And then when it really gets windy, all bets are off.
In my area, a trailer is a magnet for thieves. You should consider security when it's out in public.

 

[Brian.]

I have experience with those trailer sizes (though with a Toy T100, not the 4R). The single axle won't be an issue until you hit sustained ~40mph side winds with gusts north of 60. Drop those about 20mph on icy roads... had a 14' enclosed try to pass me once thanks to black ice (SW Wyoming).

As for the single vs double, unless you have have the need for the extra weight capacity, there's really no reason to go with 2 axles. It doesn't do anything better except handle weight. Otherwise they're more resistant and more weight to tow (high fuel costs), and slightly harder to maneuver (2 axles don't pivot nice like one). I also really don't enjoy towing a trailer that's wider than the tow rig, could just be a personal thing though (4r is only 5.5' wide).

Smarter to buy the trailer you NEED NOW than to deal with a trailer that "might" see a need "sometime". Maybe you need the weight capacity?

Good luck in Colorado. I managed 18 months before the people along the front range ran me out of state. Really wanted to like it there, but it did NOT live up to the idea.... and that's having been born and raised in Wyoming, visiting Denver (and other parts CO) for several decades.

 

[SaulG]

Your 5spd should do fine, and as Brian said buy the trailer you need. You may want to "test Drive" the trailer and see if you need a drop ball mount and possibly a set of air bags for squat .

 

[DreadPirateJon]

Went with the 7x14, mainly just for the trailer brakes. The 4r was able to cruise on the highway pretty comfortably around 65 mph. Might not be a bad idea to look into adding some of those universal trailer mirrors. And maybe adding some airbags. Looks pretty level now, but with more weight might be a nice to have.

I did notice, that sometime when stopping, especially if I had been accelerating right before, the amount of suspension movement would cause the brake controller to lock up the trailers brakes.

 

[DreadPirateJon]

I have experience with those trailer sizes (though with a Toy T100, not the 4R). The single axle won't be an issue until you hit sustained ~40mph side winds with gusts north of 60. Drop those about 20mph on icy roads... had a 14' enclosed try to pass me once thanks to black ice (SW Wyoming).

As for the single vs double, unless you have have the need for the extra weight capacity, there's really no reason to go with 2 axles. It doesn't do anything better except handle weight. Otherwise they're more resistant and more weight to tow (high fuel costs), and slightly harder to maneuver (2 axles don't pivot nice like one). I also really don't enjoy towing a trailer that's wider than the tow rig, could just be a personal thing though (4r is only 5.5' wide).

Smarter to buy the trailer you NEED NOW than to deal with a trailer that "might" see a need "sometime". Maybe you need the weight capacity?

Good luck in Colorado. I managed 18 months before the people along the front range ran me out of state. Really wanted to like it there, but it did NOT live up to the idea.... and that's having been born and raised in Wyoming, visiting Denver (and other parts CO) for several decades.

Thanks, I'm a bit nervous of the move to be honest. Giving up a lot to try out this new job for a bunch of potentials. But worst case, now doesn't seem to be a bad time to cash out on my house. And in a year if I have to come back to Michigan with my tail between my legs, I shouldn't have too hard of a time trying to find employment.

 

[DreadPirateJon]

Your 5spd should do fine, and as Brian said buy the trailer you need. You may want to "test Drive" the trailer and see if you need a drop ball mount and possibly a set of air bags for squat .

Ive got a 2 inch drop mount. Atleast unloaded the runner is barely squatting at all.

Im considering airbags, but im leaving in less than two weeks, so shipping time and installation time is a pretty big priority right now.

 

[Brian.]

Went with the 7x14

Just be watchful of the tail wagging the dog. I'm positive 99% of that is in how you load that mammoth thing (I had 7x16 used for hauling roadrace motorcycles, but was using a full sized conversion van as the tow rig, and that trailer could toss that van around pretty easy when I'd do something stupid and get the tongue weight too light). Maybe you have plenty of towing experience and this is simple stuff to you, but if you're new then please do as much self education as you can before loading up.

And Harbor Freight has good e-track stuff in most stores, help you put tie-down points where you need them most, not just where they happen to be installed now.

Good luck!

 

[spartacus]

Good choice 'dual axles handle weight and winds better and if I am not mistaken Toyota owners manual recommends dual axles over a 3000lbs weight. Air bags will definately help. Road tires with LT rating will help also. I-25 corridor around Denver and east, you will do just fine. Going up west is'a slow struggle but it's the steep down hill towing/weight momentum that kills the brakes. The key to not over heating the brakes is lowest gear possible and the trailer brakes set up to assist. The trailer brakes should lockup before the vehicle brakes. You'll be fine after a couple of times. Good luck on your new job and welcome to Colorado. See you on the trails.

 

[DreadPirateJon]

Good choice 'dual axles handle weight and winds better and if I am not mistaken Toyota owners manual recommends dual axles over a 3000lbs weight. Air bags will definately help. Road tires with LT rating will help also. I-25 corridor around Denver and east, you will do just fine. Going up west is'a slow struggle but it's the steep down hill towing/weight momentum that kills the brakes. The key to not over heating the brakes is lowest gear possible and the trailer brakes set up to assist. The trailer brakes should lockup before the vehicle brakes. You'll be fine after a couple of times. Good luck on your new job and welcome to Colorado. See you on the trails.

Just signed a lease on a place in Longmont. So shouldnt really have to hit any major slopes on the drive.

 

[DreadPirateJon]

Just be watchful of the tail wagging the dog. I'm positive 99% of that is in how you load that mammoth thing (I had 7x16 used for hauling roadrace motorcycles, but was using a full sized conversion van as the tow rig, and that trailer could toss that van around pretty easy when I'd do something stupid and get the tongue weight too light). Maybe you have plenty of towing experience and this is simple stuff to you, but if you're new then please do as much self education as you can before loading up.

And Harbor Freight has good e-track stuff in most stores, help you put tie-down points where you need them most, not just where they happen to be installed now.

Good luck!

The tongue weight im a bit worried about trying to get right. Dont want overload the hitch but def want make sure to keep loading safe and proper.

And I need do a HF run before I leave anyone to exchange all of my recalled jack stands. So good tip on the etrack.