Travel trailers...

[yossarian19]

Well, I just bought my home sweet home and towed it back to the current place last night.
Something I hadn't thought of though - does a travel trailer need to be insured in the state of Utah? Or am I clear to just tow it behind my fully insured Jeep? Whoops... kinda dropped the ball on the details of legality...
Anyone?
-Tom

[XJumpmaster]

You do not have to insure it. It just needs to be licensed. Your tow rig insurance will cover it while it is attached to the vehicle.

So what did you get? We bought a '76 Starcraft Tent trailer last year for $400. I now think we have grown out of it, but have to wait until Moab after Easter to see how much!

[yossarian19]

Hey, great news on the insurance front. Thanks!
I wound up with a 1970 "Companion" trailer, about 16 feet. Has a gas range and plug-in for power, should sleep 3 single folks real comfortably or three couples for that matter. The kitchen sink is a project in waiting, as is the bathroom (currently configured as a closet. I'm not sure that I want a toilet in my trailer, and I need the space).
Mechanically and electrically, all is in perfect working order. It took me 20 minutes to figure out how to get the hitch off the ball (never done it before) but hell, it pulled straight and the lights are all on when the oughta be. The Jeep pulls it pretty well in 3rd with 30s & 3.55s but of course, I'm looking for more power out of it...
All in all, I'm excited about this whole shtick. Hell, if I can survive living in it for two months it will have paid for itself - whats the worst that can happen?

[THE BUSS2006]

You do not have to insure it. It just needs to be licensed. Your tow rig insurance will cover it while it is attached to the vehicle.


...not necessarily. My buddy bought my old tralier about a year ago, and didn't insure it, he was under the assumption his auto insurance would cover it. Long-story-short, the trailer got away from him on his way home from camping and was totaled. He went to the insurance company, and they read the small print to him stating it was liability only...he was SOL. This might not be the way all insurance companies handle trailers, I would suggest you verify, not worth taking a chance even if the trailer was a bargain. I have a Coleman I paid about $2000 for, and have it insured up to $3000 (some companies insure trailers/RVs in value blocks IE: $1000-1500, $1500-2000, etc. At least that's how mine does it). The insurance on my Coleman's like $8 on month, well worth it IMO.

Just my .02

[DeadEyeJ]

I lost an XJ while flat towing it in Ogden. I had full coverage on my Dodge, but the insurance would not cover the damage done to the XJ. They said that I would be filing a claim against myself, or even "suing myself". They said that the Jeep would need it's own insurance to be covered, and the truck's insurance only covered damage to the truck.

Just call your insurance agent and ask. That way you know.

Jared:patriot:

[yossarian19]

Yep, I think thats what I'll do - call them, I mean.
In the event of catastrophic towing failures the trailer can kiss it goodbye for all I'd care. I want my drivetrain intact and the climbing gear inside the trailer - the rest is optional :)
Thanks for advice, folks.

[XJEEPER]

Yup, my wife has been in the insurance biz for 15 years. Call your agent and verify the fine print, not worth the risk to assume.

[MoabXJeeper]

The Kit Companion is the perfect layout for a trailer. The downside of your trailer is going to be the weight. Trailers from that era tend to be very heavy!

[yossarian19]

The layout really is quite nice. I'm set up quite comfortably and even halfway organized. The only things I'm not happy with right now are the heat, icebox and sink.
I want to update the icebox to make it a proper mini-fridge, which seems easy but I suspect might not be.
The propane heater I'd like to rip out and either use that space for storage or put a generator in there.
The sink needs an electric water heater and pump.
Anyone have experience with these types of things? MoabXjeeper, I'm looking at you here ;)

[DrMoab]

The layout really is quite nice. I'm set up quite comfortably and even halfway organized. The only things I'm not happy with right now are the heat, icebox and sink.
I want to update the icebox to make it a proper mini-fridge, which seems easy but I suspect might not be.
The propane heater I'd like to rip out and either use that space for storage or put a generator in there.
The sink needs an electric water heater and pump.
Anyone have experience with these types of things? MoabXjeeper, I'm looking at you here ;)
Whats wrong with the propane heater? What kind is it?

Trust me you want heat, and most trailers have good furnaces that are properly vented to the outside. You just can't go throw any old heater in there or you will either suffocate or die from Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

[yossarian19]

Well, nothing is wrong with the propane heater. I was thinking to put a generator in its place and run an electric space heater / simplify things a little, since I think I want a generator in there anyway.
As I'm typing though, I think I see the problem: I'm then stuck running a generator or plugging in any time the weather is cold (or wearing a lot of clothes).
Next brain fart...
I've been thinking about putting a power inverter in the Jeep for a while now. If I put one of the 700W jobbers in there and wire an AC plug to the hitch, I could run the fridge and whatever else (probably charge the laptop and cell phone) whenever I'm driving and then switch to generator / plug in when I reach the night's destination. I guess I'd need to run cable up into the trailer somehow and wire the fridge to both the main plug-in and a seperate jeep-driven power supply. This way I get away with a mini-fridge for 100 bucks instead of a 450 dollar unit that runs on propane, which I don't think I need or want.
Any voices of experience / reason here?
I appreciate all the advice you guys have, here - I'm figuring out most of this stuff without any experience to draw on... hit or miss, that way...

[dirtybird]

generators are nice to have. Onan makes a good 3500 watt gas model for about $650. get your self a nice 12 volt fridge from a big truck dealer. Volvo trucks have the biggest OEM fridge in them as long as get the one for the 770, 780 or 880. I have one in my 770 and it has worked flawlessy for years. I also run a ARB freezer for the frozen stuff this thing is amazing it will keep ice cream frozen. A good inverter will keep your laptop charged and run a tv, Microwave if it is big enough. I would recomend 1500 watts though. A battery charger hooked up to the genset will keep your jeep battery charged as well. You could buy a inverter that has one built in but they are very spendy. a battery on the trailer would be good too.

[justme]

There's a guy on ksl.com that sells used rv appliances for $50 each. He had a small propane fridge last time I looked. Propane is the way to go cuz you don't have to worry about running your battery dead. As far as a heater goes - definately check into BUDDY heaters! They sell em at Camping World and various hardware stores. They even have the small one (they come in two sizes) at Walmart. The small ones run $85 new, or sometimes you can find them on ksl.com. (I saw one go for $40 on there last week). They are THE ONLY propane heater totally safe to run indoors without ventilation. They are equipped with a low oxygen sensor and will shut off before they'll use too much air. There is a guy here in Evanston that lives in a travel trailer and has used the Buddy heater as his only heat source this winter (and it's colder up here). The Buddy heaters use the little green propane cans that camping BarBQ's or lanterns use. The Big Buddy uses two cans, the small Buddy uses one. You can also buy a hose that will hook them directly to the large white propane bottles camp trailers and home BarBQ's use. The guy here in Evanston uses his that way, and simply drilled a hose-size hole in the front of the trailer to run the hose through so he didn't have to run it through a window.
If you try to run a fridge or furnace on 12volt on a fulltime basis, you'll have nothing but consistant dead battery problems. Propane really is the way to go for both refrigeration and heating. You'll need your battery power for the lights (by the way, two 6-volt golf cart batteries last twice as long as a 12 volt battery).
I'll see if I can re-find the ad for used appliances.

[justme]

If you want a generator to recharge your trailer battery (or run a tv, etc), search for Winco Generator on ksl.com
There's a small one for $100. It's large enough for those uses.

If you're looking to run a microwave or air conditioner you'll need at least a 3,000 Watt (3KW)


I've been assuming that you'll be dry camping in one spot. That's what the advice above was all based on.

If you will be traveling each day to a different camp spot, that's a whole different situation. In that case 12 volt everything would work for you cuz you'll be charging the batteries daily while driving.

[yossarian19]

Hey -
I've been in the desert for a while and just now read your post. Wanted to say "thanks!". I've just started the remodeling project (currently in the tear-out phase) and I'll be using your information and advice. I'm going to look into the Buddy heater right now - I discovered last night that the OEM unit doesn't work. After 37 years... I suppose I'm OK with that.
Again - Thanks to all who are offering advice.

[justme]

HEY! There's another guy on ksl parting out an RV. The ad was placed on April 5th. It's listed under Recreational Vehicles/ Motor Homes and is titled "Parting Out Motor Home". Check it out for parts!