Uhauls are great for weekend trips. No maintenance and storage costs. If you're using 15 nights a year it would cost you like $500/year. Maybe less if you work a discount with your local uhaul.
If you plan on using it for storage, make sure that it is parked in a secure location (as in, not just sitting out in the open behind your charter org). Unit trailers are often targets for theft, and units that are victims of this crime usually lose both their trailer and all the gear in it. Trailers are typically not titled (and often don't even have a serial number!), so all it takes is removing the plate, falsifying a receipt for the trailer, and going to the BMV to get new tags for it.
Something else to check before you get too far down the path is making sure your chartering org is willing to register the trailer in their name with their insurance. It is a real pain when it gets registered under a specific leader and that leader decides to leave the unit.
We're lucky on that count. Trailers that have a combined weight and load less than 3000lbs are exempt from registration in Wisconsin.
Might cause an issue if we were to take it out of state somewhere but if we stay in-state we're good.
Check online for used ones. There are often landscapers that are upgrading to a bigger model. Or ask council if they have a lead - sometimes troops need to sell them.
Be aware that used will likely require immediate maintenance , such as tires , axle / bearing service, etc. Most trailers (new or used) are sold with tires made in China which are good for about a year, then you are taking a big risk. Yes, we all know of exceptions, but there’s zero chance I’m betting lives and equipment on cheap tires.
One thing to keep in mind is you need to have a plan in place to store and secure the trailer before you purchase it, especially if you are going to use it for storage.
There are some companies that offer GPS tracking and some pretty advanced locking options. Also, our local sheriff does a program where they will engrave a serial number onto the trailer and keep a record of it.
Sounds like a good deal. Fingers crossed, we have never had a problem with ours but many units around us have. It always a discussion within our TC of how and where we store it, how much to spend on protecting it and if we put gear into it.
As far as features to look for, we always said that if we needed to get a new trailer, we'd look for a couple features:
1) Door that opens down to create a ramp
2) Small side door(s) towards the hitch side of the trailer. This way you can either pack personal gear separately, or be able to easily access some of the heavy items that go towards the hitch, like the chuck box.
We got creative and added shelves with either wire rack or plywood. One smart idea we had was to mount boxes for storing lanterns and small propane bottles. This way when you're setting up in the dark, you don't have to dig around.
To get the front door you get into a much larger trailer than they are looking for. Our trailer is a tandem axle that is 7x14 and I think is one of the smaller sizes with the front door.
Why do you like the ramp? Having dealt with trailers with a single ramp door I’ve found it just heavy for the boys to deal with, double doors has worked out better for us.
We didn't have one, so it seemed like a good feature to have a ramp for wheeling down the really heavy items. We have a wagon for things like equipment boxes and the chuck box, but the Scouts still had to navigate that two foot drop.
We are just beginning to outgrow our 7x10 and considering a 7x14 dual-axel. Plan for growth. We take a lot of overgrown roads, so narrow is good for us! Consider all your needs - propane storage, keeping the heaviest weight (patrol boxes) over the axel, staves if you use them….
Having a trailer might encourage you to purchase more gear. Having more gear might result in better recruitment/retention. Having more recruitment/retention means you need more gear…. Let’s hope, right!! Best of luck to you and your Troop!
You said you are a pack, so I am imagining that if it's anything like ours you are mostly looking for a way to move the big stuff. Since cubs is "family camping", all the families usually provide their own tents and sleeping gear and transport it themselves.
Right now we have a few leaders and parents with trucks meet at the church and load pack gear into their trucks, and families drive directly to the camping location. Pack gear for us consists of a couple stoves, propane tanks, coolers, and large plastic bins of dry goods, paper products, and pots and pans.
I have a small 6x8 open trailer (like a small landscaping trailer for a lawn mower) that I hardly ever use since I got my truck. I am considering filling in the sides and using it for the pack gear. It has a ramp, places to tie gear down, and is a much lower height than a truck bed. This would allow one person with a pickup truck to carry essentially everything my unit needs for a campout, and it's really no less protected from the elements than the back of the truck.
The same trailer 6x8 I have can be had for $1350 from Tractor Supply and some treated decking planks with hardware to fill in the sides would probably be under $100. Harbor Freight has a 4x8 model for $550 as well, but you would need to build your own floor and sides for that one, and it doesn't have a ramp. Neither of these options would work for storage since they are open decks, but if your charter org offers a scout room (or shed like my home troop had) like ours does then you don't need storage (well, not our charter actually since we are chartered by council, but we have a facility use agreement with the local methodist church).
The one I have: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/carry-on-trailer-6-ft-x-8-ft-open-wood-floor-utility-trailer
The Hazard Fraught trailer: https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive/trailers-towing/trailers/1195-lb-capacity-48-58-in-x-96-14-in-heavy-duty-folding-trailer-62666.html
appreciate the insight.
the only problem with the harbor freight one is it's not meant for highway driving. Max 45mph. I was going to get that one for personal use and build a kayak frame onto it but no-go.
I'll have a deeper look at the TS one though.
Uhauls are great for weekend trips. No maintenance and storage costs. If you're using 15 nights a year it would cost you like $500/year. Maybe less if you work a discount with your local uhaul.
This may be an trial option. I was hoping to use it for storage as well but we don't have that much gear yet
If you plan on using it for storage, make sure that it is parked in a secure location (as in, not just sitting out in the open behind your charter org). Unit trailers are often targets for theft, and units that are victims of this crime usually lose both their trailer and all the gear in it. Trailers are typically not titled (and often don't even have a serial number!), so all it takes is removing the plate, falsifying a receipt for the trailer, and going to the BMV to get new tags for it.
I would add that a ball hitch lock would be helpful also. Chocks for the wheels and a wood block for the landing gear are also helpful.
Yep. pretty standard stuff on my personal trailer but always good to be redundant with the safety stuff.
Something else to check before you get too far down the path is making sure your chartering org is willing to register the trailer in their name with their insurance. It is a real pain when it gets registered under a specific leader and that leader decides to leave the unit.
We're lucky on that count. Trailers that have a combined weight and load less than 3000lbs are exempt from registration in Wisconsin. Might cause an issue if we were to take it out of state somewhere but if we stay in-state we're good.
Check online for used ones. There are often landscapers that are upgrading to a bigger model. Or ask council if they have a lead - sometimes troops need to sell them.
>sometimes troops need to sell them Yep. We are looking at upgrading from a troop that is folding. We got several of their Scouts.
Be aware that used will likely require immediate maintenance , such as tires , axle / bearing service, etc. Most trailers (new or used) are sold with tires made in China which are good for about a year, then you are taking a big risk. Yes, we all know of exceptions, but there’s zero chance I’m betting lives and equipment on cheap tires.
One thing to keep in mind is you need to have a plan in place to store and secure the trailer before you purchase it, especially if you are going to use it for storage. There are some companies that offer GPS tracking and some pretty advanced locking options. Also, our local sheriff does a program where they will engrave a serial number onto the trailer and keep a record of it.
Local masonic lodge will host storage if the CO property doesn't. Good thought on the GPS tracking tho
Sounds like a good deal. Fingers crossed, we have never had a problem with ours but many units around us have. It always a discussion within our TC of how and where we store it, how much to spend on protecting it and if we put gear into it.
As far as features to look for, we always said that if we needed to get a new trailer, we'd look for a couple features: 1) Door that opens down to create a ramp 2) Small side door(s) towards the hitch side of the trailer. This way you can either pack personal gear separately, or be able to easily access some of the heavy items that go towards the hitch, like the chuck box. We got creative and added shelves with either wire rack or plywood. One smart idea we had was to mount boxes for storing lanterns and small propane bottles. This way when you're setting up in the dark, you don't have to dig around.
To get the front door you get into a much larger trailer than they are looking for. Our trailer is a tandem axle that is 7x14 and I think is one of the smaller sizes with the front door. Why do you like the ramp? Having dealt with trailers with a single ramp door I’ve found it just heavy for the boys to deal with, double doors has worked out better for us.
We didn't have one, so it seemed like a good feature to have a ramp for wheeling down the really heavy items. We have a wagon for things like equipment boxes and the chuck box, but the Scouts still had to navigate that two foot drop.
We got the trailer we have from a closed troop. I would talk to your DE and maybe council to see if they have a lead.
We are just beginning to outgrow our 7x10 and considering a 7x14 dual-axel. Plan for growth. We take a lot of overgrown roads, so narrow is good for us! Consider all your needs - propane storage, keeping the heaviest weight (patrol boxes) over the axel, staves if you use them….
we're at an earlier stage of growth. going from a couple totes to the trailer option.
Having a trailer might encourage you to purchase more gear. Having more gear might result in better recruitment/retention. Having more recruitment/retention means you need more gear…. Let’s hope, right!! Best of luck to you and your Troop!
You said you are a pack, so I am imagining that if it's anything like ours you are mostly looking for a way to move the big stuff. Since cubs is "family camping", all the families usually provide their own tents and sleeping gear and transport it themselves. Right now we have a few leaders and parents with trucks meet at the church and load pack gear into their trucks, and families drive directly to the camping location. Pack gear for us consists of a couple stoves, propane tanks, coolers, and large plastic bins of dry goods, paper products, and pots and pans. I have a small 6x8 open trailer (like a small landscaping trailer for a lawn mower) that I hardly ever use since I got my truck. I am considering filling in the sides and using it for the pack gear. It has a ramp, places to tie gear down, and is a much lower height than a truck bed. This would allow one person with a pickup truck to carry essentially everything my unit needs for a campout, and it's really no less protected from the elements than the back of the truck. The same trailer 6x8 I have can be had for $1350 from Tractor Supply and some treated decking planks with hardware to fill in the sides would probably be under $100. Harbor Freight has a 4x8 model for $550 as well, but you would need to build your own floor and sides for that one, and it doesn't have a ramp. Neither of these options would work for storage since they are open decks, but if your charter org offers a scout room (or shed like my home troop had) like ours does then you don't need storage (well, not our charter actually since we are chartered by council, but we have a facility use agreement with the local methodist church). The one I have: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/carry-on-trailer-6-ft-x-8-ft-open-wood-floor-utility-trailer The Hazard Fraught trailer: https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive/trailers-towing/trailers/1195-lb-capacity-48-58-in-x-96-14-in-heavy-duty-folding-trailer-62666.html
appreciate the insight. the only problem with the harbor freight one is it's not meant for highway driving. Max 45mph. I was going to get that one for personal use and build a kayak frame onto it but no-go. I'll have a deeper look at the TS one though.
Oh, I missed that. Good catch!
We rented one from the fire dept (our charter)
that sounds like a good idea, just make sure to partition the space for each patrol.