Rental Truck v.s. Utility Box Trailer For Tavel

[Ah Pook]

This is more of a mental exercise at this point.

Bouncing around a travel vehicle on the cheap and useful. Some criteria:

Live/cook/storage/motorcycle/mt bike/etc.
Multi deep cycle battery with alt and solar charging.
Frig/lights/stove(?)/microwave/water pump/heat/sound system/etc.
Security.

Whatcha got?

TIA

[Irving]

If you can sleep in the travel vehicle, I like the idea of a trailer, but I'm also on a trailer kick right now. I can think of pros and cons of each and making a list may be the way to go.

Oh yeah, what kind of travel? Just over the road? I can't see a Uhaul making it up many off road trails.

[def90]

Trailer allows you to set up camp and still drive in to town with the tow vehicle.

[Ah Pook]

Not looking for an off road vehicle, hence the motorcycle. 16'-20' truck would be more useful. A 27' would only be flat land. I like the idea of a trailer that can be disconnected and stored easier.

[Irving]

A box truck has plenty of real estate to mount panels on the roof, BUT you might already be worried about clearance with that style truck, and you'd want to build a rack system of some sort so you're not punching holes in the roof.

[Great-Kazoo]

Is the traveling a semi year round deal, or one time thing? if it's a 1 time thing, rent a sprinter style van with tow capabilities, or a B / C camper. This way if it craps out, the rental place is out of pocket. If it's going to be any time you feel like a trip, buy a small pull behind with toy hauler.

The big factor is what's the price range you want to stay in. As in How Cheap is Cheap? Want to keep it under a few thousand, buy a unigo trailer for the MC and stay in motels with a kitchenette .

[buffalobo]

A 16' or 20' truck box is not going to be conducive to loading/unloading/securing bike. Typically 4' to bed floor. Riding up/down narrow 12'+ long ramp with any frequency is PIA. I can't think of any advantages of box truck over utility trailer for travel.

Toy hauler or trailer bike and motels. Way too much time packing/unpacking to use utility truck or trailer. Get something designed for travel.

Nothing wrong with customizing box truck or utility trailer for travel but tends to blow budget or require substantial sweat equity.

[ray1970]

Who’s Tavel?

[hobowh]

The height issue can be over come with an electric hoist etc, though there are some other issues with box trucks in this area. If you live somewhere with an HOA you may not be able to park it at home. If you live in an area with regular hail, the fiberglass boxes are easily damaged, and they are not setup for any kind of heat/cooling retention/dissipation so a false floor, and walls are in your future. If smaller is ok you could do the same thing with a delivery van think ups/fedex sized but would have to roll the bike/s out for sleeping. Could also do a 16-28ft enclosed trailer to convert pull down the inner plywood, insulate then put back up, could add a window if wanted. Would already have a ramp, and side door. Hang some Kitchen cabinets etc, and build a bunk or 2 that folds up against the wall. There is a new toilet that vacuum seals waste in mylar type pouches for later disposal so no plumbing needed for that. Water tank could be smaller and in a lower cab if its only for drink/clean, and could have a secondary catch tank in a dif spot so no outside plumbing. Pretty basic but usable lots of folks do this to make portable workshops. Make sure you vent your battery storage to the outside if stored inside, or do a toolbox on the tongue for them.

[Great-Kazoo]

Who’s Tavel?

Fieval's orthodox cousin.