Perfect BOV trailer??

O

oldsalt

Joined
Jan 27, 2005
Messages
42
Don't know if this has come up before, but I read a story in the Texas Fish and Game magazine that got me thinking. How about a Pop up camper trailer to pull behind your BOV? I have an old '89 Isuzu PU in my back yard that I have been fixing up as a BOV. Basically as a hobby and because I can't get enough money for it to repay what I have put into it. But that is another story. The problem I realized with it for a while now is that it is two small to carry me, my wife and my 2 dogs and all the gear I would want to have in a real bug out situation. So the obvious solution is a small trailer. At first I thought out just a small utility trailer, but having read what they are doing with pop ups these days, that seems like the perfect solution. Thinking for the evacuations from SE Texas last year, it seems towing a pop up would be the thing. According to the article they only cost a few more gallons of gas per mile as apposed to a real camper trailer or motor home. Something to consider when gas is a premium as it would be in a bug out. Some will carry as much as 650 to 700 extra pounds of gear. Most come fully set up with butane stove, 12 volt Ice box, and even AC. They can be set up practically anywhere you chose to stop and they tow easily behind a small truck or car. You can even throw your aluminum boat or canoe or bikes on top.
So what do you think. Anyone have one. Anyone gone this route already. See any pros or cons?
Old Salt.
 
the biggest problem with a trailer is the fact that you have to tow it. it uses more fuel yes, but you lose alot of mobility. i've read plenty of accounts of people in RVs or towing trailers leaving NO during katrina that basically got stuck in the traffic jams on the highways. you can't turn as well, you need bigger pathways to get through traffic, etc.

i would much prefer to be more mobile in an evac or BO event, even at the cost of not being able to carry as much. i like to be able to make u-turns aross the median, drive on the shoulder, take less used roads, etc.

another concern would be the security of the trailer and anything that's attached to it.

my pickup is an xtra cab, so i have a bit more room than usual, but with a cap on the bed, i can carry plenty of gear for my girl and i to be comfortable for a while.
 
How about those pop-up tent things that you can mount on top of the vehicles roof? I think you extend a platform or such over the front/windscreen & support it with a post level with the front of the vehicle.
Just a thought?
 
I own a 20 fully self contained travel trailer and it is kept fully stocked with food, water, propane and clothing. It is parked in my driveway so it is easily accessible. I keep it that way mainly as a second source of shelter in the winter when the power goes out or the river rises.

I would use it in a b/o situation only if I was to leave well ahead of the maddening crowd for the reasons mentioned above. Even at only 20' it would be unwieldly in a gridlock situation or if I suddenly needed to really high tail it out of Dodge.

I think a camper shell and a good sleeping bag may be mor suited and inconspicous in a b/o situation.

In that case, I would just load my car top carrier on top of my Suburban tow vehicle with extra essentials.
 
I agree that towing a trailer would somewhat limit your manuverability and there is a security factor. In a perfect world, I could aford $30k or so for diesel powered crew cab 4X4 PU or Suburban type vehicle and have it modified with extra fuel tanks and the rest of the works. Unfortunately, like most of us, I have a budget to work in and am looking for the best alternative within a reasonable price range. From what I've read the popups range from $4K to $13K for a top line model, which is more in my price range. They are light enough to be easily towed by my '89 Isuzu BOV (especially with the modifications I've made) and I believe I could tow it over just about any terraine I could drive the truck over. Agreed it is not as secure as a hardshell truck camper or motor home, but that is what my Border Collie, Dutch Shepherd, Shi-Tzu, Rem 870 .12ga and Browning Hi-power are for. Before you laugh too hard, the Shi-Tzu is the best warning dog of the 3. Nobody comes up to my house without Bandit sounding the alarm. Once alerted, Major, my 85 lb Dutchie is pretty intimidating. While he is not attack trained, I have taught him to growl and bark on hand signal and thats enough to intimidate 90% of would be looters. If real action needs to be taken, I'll take it with the 870. As for Annie, the BC, well, she will come and get me if someone she doesn't know approaches and thats the most I can ask of her.:)
My problem is that the Isuzu is a small truck. As such it has its advantages as a BOV but it also does not carry much gear. I need to carry 2 dog crates, plus camping gear and 72 hour + bags for me, my wife and the dogs and extra water and fuel. That just about fills up the bed once I add in the two mountain bikes. I have been considering a small utility trainer to carry a generator, more fuel and water, extra tarps, extra tires and vehicle recovery gear and tools and my flatbottom fishing boat and motor. When I ran across the article on popups and the fact that they can be rigged to carry up to 700 lbs or gear beyond what comes on board it just seemed like a perfect solution for a moderate price.
Thanks for the input! Keep the ideas comming. Anyone else out there who has a popup and can provide pros and cons?
OldSalt
 
If you wait until there are traffic jams to bug out you have waited waaaaaay too long.

I'm in my BOV trailer right now and it is a 35ft Forest River TT with all of the tricks,dual wheel 2 axles and will be getting an extra tag axle this summer to keep the frame from scraping.

Currently my BOV Trailer has

A diesel generator
150lbs of onboard propane
100 gallons of inboard fresh water
100 gallons of water in 50 gallon barrels
Seimens Solar panels on the roof
Optima Spiral Cell series wired power storage
Yaesu HAM radio with quick erecting 30ft ant.
6 month supply of food for my whole family
AMK Medical kit

I will be adding

NBC positive pressure air filtration filter system

Portable Welder

Frame Reinforcements

Remote connection to my piggyback diesel tank on my Chevy 3500 4x4 for the generator

Portable Workshop bench with tabletop mill/lathe/drill

Hydraulic Tool kit on BOV with extra tools in trailer


I can get this rig in and out of lot's of unlikely places by taking the Jeep in first and finding a good path for the truck and trailer and it has been a real comfort in some pretty remote camping and hunting conditions.
 
I have a Coleman Sedona pop up for recreational use. You can carry quite a bit in them but you have to be careful how you do it or you can really affect the handling. Adding too much weight to the tongue or rear bumper are definite things to avoid. If you're going to fill the water tank, you need to take that weight into consideration as well.

As far as maneuverability goes, they are kind of a hassle to back up due to the short wheel base but on the other hand, they allow for a pretty tight turn radius. If you pick the right model, you can put the springs on top of the axle and pick up quite a bit of ground clearance.

Finally there is size to consider. The entry level models with really short boxes are very light but won't allow you to carry much. The longer luxury versions will probably tax your tow vehicle. Options on any trailer will detract from the weight you can carry. I'd recommend against such things as air conditioners which add quite a bit weight in proportion to their utility unless of course you're going to use it a lot recreationally in really humid climes.

If you want more pop-up specific info check out popupexplorer.com. Lots of good stuff there.
 
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