Suggestions for a team trailer?

[Chief Hedgehog]

Not to derail the thread, but do you have potential sponsors in the area that are not able/cannot give a cash donation? Believe me, it seems unlikely but after some time being content with loading our gear into random trucks and borrowing trailers from parents/sponsors, we were ready to purchase our own trailer.

And then we were able to find a new sponsor that could not commit hard cash but were more than happy to provide a trailer. We were after this sponsor for a couple of years, and once they learned that we were in the market for a trailer, they saw a niche that they could fill and they stepped up BIG time.

Here is the imgur link of the trailer. The weird dots and white marks are stars, galaxies, and other space oddities - this company went all out on our design! That is one of our department leads shaking the hand of the president of said company.

It seems highly unlikely to most teams, but there are many potential sponsors that are in this type of situation. For one reason or another, cash sponsorships are not available, but they are able to help in this manner. Believe me, the company was more happy to help us this time than we were to receive it (and we are still hard over heels with our new hardware!). He even made certain to upgrade to aluminum wheels (in his words: "because they are sweet") and threw 4 cases of pop (soda or coke to you heathens) so that we can stay awake during our long build sessions.

Cast a wide net - you never know!

[cbale2000]

We've towed our teams trailer with a variety of vehicles over the years (including mini-vans) without any issues (other than driver skill). Unless you have a LOT of stuff, you don't need to go crazy on trailer size either.

Our trailer is a ~6'x12' single-axle without any sort of trailer breaks, and it has more than enough room to fit all of our pit equipment plus space for up to 3 robots, and, on top of that, the rear door doubles as a loading ramp (swings down instead of out). In the 12+ years we've had it, we've never had any issues driving cross-country (and into Canada) in all kinds of weather with all kinds of vehicles pulling it.

[mypie4050]

We've always been lucky enough to borrow a trailer for our travels, and we've dealt with a variety of sizes. It all depends on how much you actually want to take to comp. Your trailer doesn't need to be very big unless you want to take alot of stuff, and you can usually find a decent sized one for $1-2K.

[hrench]

If you do end up towing with the minivan, my guess is that you won't be able to load it seven-seats full. Be sure to check the owners manual, because it will tell you if you get a decreased GVW when towing.

Also, with most front-drive vehicles (most minivans), you can count on a requirement for lighter tongue weight so you'll need to load the trailer accordingly and actually try to measure this if you can, even if just by lifting it. Important for stability.

I've towed our one-axle 14ft team trailer with my minivan a short distance, not at full weight and it was fine, but not fun. I actually don't recommend it. I just took four seats full. Also, my minivan has an add-on transmission cooler. I recommend.

Good luck.

[Tom Line]

Originally Posted by cbale2000

We've towed our teams trailer with a variety of vehicles over the years (including mini-vans) without any issues (other than driver skill). Unless you have a LOT of stuff, you don't need to go crazy on trailer size either.

Our trailer is a ~6'x12' single-axle without any sort of trailer breaks, and it has more than enough room to fit all of our pit equipment plus space for up to 3 robots, and, on top of that, the rear door doubles as a loading ramp (swings down instead of out). In the 12+ years we've had it, we've never had any issues driving cross-country (and into Canada) in all kinds of weather with all kinds of vehicles pulling it.

I know you haven't had an issue without trailer brakes, but the one time you need them you will really, really need them. I can give you several for-instances that have happened to me - I've towed large weights long distances my entire life - the benefits of spending my childhood on a farm I suppose.

Within the last 3 months, I had a trailer detach from the ball. The latch inside the hitch failed. The S-hooks did not stop the trailer (one snapped a link and one bent the S straight) and it came fully loose from the vehicle. If not for the trailer brakes that have an automatic engage feature when the trailer detaches the trailer would have gone into a house.

While towing a boat (7,000+ lbs) through Ohio early in the morning, we went under an overpass. The shadow from the overpass had prevented the salt from melting ice on the road. Instead of following nicely behind, the trailer swung to one side and before I could react I was sliding at 45 degrees to the road. Gently holding the brakes yanked the trailer back behind me and allowed me to pull over and clean out my underwear.

That one time you need trailer brakes will be the only time you ever need them. Especially on snow and ice where the trailer can push the truck very easily. I can't emphasize it enough.

[amesmich]

Good advice from all above.

4638 uses a 6x12 enclosed single axle trailer with a drop down door. We love it. We fit everything in there but its does get full. We tow with a 2011 - 1500 suburban or a 1500 Silverado. Both pull it fully loaded without a problem.

Keep in mind the weight a vehicle is rated for often times cant be used.

For example every vehicle has a GVWR (Gross vehicle weight rating) Basically the vehicle cant not weight more than this number when its fully loaded and full of fuel. GCVWR (Gross combined vehicle weight rating) is the vehicle and the trailer its towing.

The payload is how much weight the vehicle can carry.

When towing ~ 10-15% of the trailers weight needs to be on the hitch. So if you have a 1500 pound trailer with 2000 pounds of cargo then you have a total trailer weight of 3500 pounds. That means 350 pounds min needs to be on the hitch. I just looked up the honda oddysey payload and tow rating and it was 1349 pounds of payload and 3500 max tow.

So take 1349 and subtract the 350 and your are left with 999 pounds or @ 1000 pounds. Then subtract a full tank of fuel which @ 20 gallons ~ 166 pounds so now you have 834 pounds of payload left for people and any other cargo put in the van.

So in this case 4 - 200 pound people would absolutely have this van MAXED and the numbers used here were fairly optimistic. Add a heavier trailer or more stuff in trailer and your over capacity quickly. Like others said it can be done, but you need to watch weight, travel in good weather and have a fairly flat route. No ike-gauntlet (rockies) type towing.