Potential trailer upgrade!




Funny you said that, the two available hitches for the Sienna of my vintage hang down so low they scrape driveways like no tomorrow, so I installed airbags to raise it up a couple inches. It still scrapes however, we have some really steep driveways here.

The van is rated to #3500, but I wouldn’t pull more than #2000 with it being front wheel drive and very limited traction, especially on wet roads.

We’re currently talking about pressing our AWD 4Runner into service, it just can’t hold all my window cleaning equipment.

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That’s very helpful, it definitely changes things then. I may not need that 5x10 after all.

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Look up my original Toaster (Scion xB) on youtube and/or WCR. You’d be surprised at what can be done when you commit.

And the 4runner will make a much better tow rig than a minivan.

I’m personally in favor of a truck built with everything on-board. But you’ll have to compromise in terms of buying something domestic instead of a Toyota, since even Tundras don’t have the weight capacity for a full scale PW & WC rig.

Here it is! Darkhorse 5x10, extended height. Basically a unicorn around here. I even got the hardware to add trailer brakes!

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You going to put any signage on it?

Absolutely, getting with the place that did our other trailer.

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Got the brakes put on tonight, it’s a miracle I wired it correctly the first time.:laughing:

On a side note the 4runner already has a brake controller I put on from the camper days, and well…looks like I’ll be using it for towing more than the van.

Golf clap.

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Yea, but then it seems like you totally commit or waste a vehicle this way. Can’t take the truck to Home Depot or to take the kids somewhere. I love the appeal of not hauling a trailer but the truck setups seem very compact and a bit cramped and require you to dedicate a fairly expensive vehicle to just a work truck. This is just my observation and I planned early this year to do a truck build and ended up with a trailer build and so far I like it.

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Those are definitely valid reasons why many choose a trailer over a truck.

I’m 100% happy I built a truck rig, though. The trade-offs were well worth it for me.

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Got the floor put in. I was looking at the G-Floor but they were a couple weeks out so I went the vinyl flooring route again. Thanks @Redjess for the ‘bathtub’ suggestion.

As you can imagine, I now need to start thinking about transferring equipment. Right now I’m torn on stacking the reels on the floor, or side by side on a shelf across the back and having the machine under them.

I was considering stacking them across from the side door but there have been times when the house is on the driver side and running/reeling hoses would be problematic.

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My reels face the back of my enclosed trailer and i never have any problems with that setup.

Are yours stacked? How is your machine oriented?

Depends how you look at your business and at what stage your at. For a side gig it might seem lavish to splurge out on a dedicated truck, but if this is all you do for a living then a dedicated truck isnt a big ask when you look at the complete picture. I don’t know one guy that thinks a trailer is less headache than a truck in any line of work.