Heavy Duty Utility Trailer, Changing the Way You Camp

There are many types of travel trailers and campers available to you. Some for luxury, off-roading, or going cross-country comfortably. A growing trend appearing in the camping industry is DIY campers and trailers. I have seen buses and box trucks transformed into campers that are quite nice.

Utility trailers are a popular option because they are light and like any other trailer, give you the ability to quickly drop it on the hitch and go.

Why you should consider a Heavy Duty utility trailer over standard Utility trailer.

One reason is longevity, anything heavy duty is built to last, from thicker steel to stronger axles. A Heavy Duty utility trailer is able to transport more because of additional leaf springs added to the axles. This helps absorb shock as well, so gear doesn’t go flying out the back.

Thicker steel or material means the trailer will have more weight but can handle a few dings here and there. Most utility trailers have a gate on the back that allows things to be loaded and unloaded quickly. Heavy Duty utility trailers often will have a metal lift gate compared to a wooden one.

This includes the whole platform of the trailer, some have wood boards some are all metal. While the wood can be pretty durable, the boards will have to be replaced from time to time. The wood is lighter but not as durable as metal, the wood is more simple to replace of course.

Overall what, it comes down to is what you plan on towing and weight of those objects. The platform and liftgate material is up to you, I think it’s a draw. Having leaf springs or shocks is a very nice addition, one that I believe warrants the upgrade to a Heavy duty utility trailer.

If you are looking for a more lightweight, cheaper trailer check out galvanized utility trailers. They aren’t as sturdy or carry as much as the trailer in this article but are a good option for vehicles that can’t tow much.

How to Camp With One

Camping with one is slightly different than other trailers. The most significant difference is the fact that the trailer is open. This means that whatever gear you are transporting is open to the elements. This means rain, dust, rocks, and any other terrain or objects you come across.

You can buy cargo nets and tarps to secure your belongings as well as keep them dry. I personally keep all my gear in large totes. This keeps all my equipment organized as well as dry and safe from the elements.

Most likely you will still have to camp on the ground in a tent as the heavy-duty utility trailer won’t provide any shelter. It is mainly there to haul all your gear. I enjoy being able to drop the trailer on the hitch and go if I have weekend plans get canceled.

There is a problem with this though, what if you don’t want to leave your gear on the camper all the time? Or you don’t have space to keep the trailer with your equipment in a garage or safe place? I don’t even keep my trailer at my house!

My current set up

I keep my heavy-duty utility trailer at a family member’s house. When I want to go camping, I drive there to pick it up and bring it back to my house. I load each bin by hand one at a time and then throw my cargo net over it. And go.

Future set up Idea

I will still have the trailer at a family member so I will go there and drive back with it. I want to build 2 wooden platforms with wheels to keep all my gear on. This way I can store them in my garage in a way to still allow my car to fit. This also gives the ability to quickly move them around my garage to get to them more accessible.

I’d wheel the 2 platforms out into the driveway and lock them together with a metal latch. Toss over my cargo net and secure everything. With a new winch installed on the front of the trailer, attach the rope turn it on and wheel the whole platform with my gear up onto the trailer and go.

Future plans involve adding legs under the platforms. Then, once I’m at the campsite, I can unload the bins and have 2 tables to cook or unpack on. I plan on having some heavy-duty wheels that would allow me to move over gravel easily.

Alternative Uses

Being able to use things for more than one purpose is excellent. Campers only have one use, to sleep, cook, and camp in. Sure you can use them to move some things, but larger items can’t fit through the door. Heavy-duty utility trailers are great for this use for camping one weekend, then use to help a friend move the next.

Drawbacks

Often times the deal breaker with using a heavy-duty utility trailer for camping for many is you’re still sleeping on the ground usually. This is true, after all, it’s not a travel trailer or camper. It does a great job bringing all your gear and makes transporting and packing ten times easier.

Another similar option to this is an enclosed trailer, or even an enclosed trailer with ac if you want out of the heat. This option just adds walls and a roof to a heavy-duty utility trailer. This protects your gear, and you can even sleep in it.

Overall

I personally really enjoy tent camping from time to time and enjoy being able to go at a moment’s notice. The ability to use the heavy-duty utility trailer for different applications is a big plus for me. If you are in the market for a one fits all kind of set up the Lifetime Tent Trailer may just be what you are looking for.