Let’s look at the trailer finish and trailer accessories that will improve it’s use. I’m not going to cover legal requirements such as lights and mud guards, please check your state regulations and ADR’s.
Trailer coatings
Galvanized vs painted.
Galvanizing a trailer will add an excessive amount of weight to a trailer. Galvanizing is a must for boat trailers or anyone living along the coast. The galvanizing does give you a very strong protective coating. But as soon as you make any modification to the trailer (grinding or welding) the benefits start declining as zinc paint is not the same quality.
Powder coating a trailer is another good option. Just about every Hilux and Landcruiser steel tray is powder coated and you can see how well they last.
Trailer extras
Some extras to consider putting on your hunting trailer discussed below. Keep in mind that you want to keep your GTM as low as possible, so consider only adding what you need and not what you want (purpose of use).
Stone protection
A trailer behind a vehicle on a gravel road will just get sand blasted. Not only that, but projectiles bounce off the trailer and onto the rear of the vehicle. Sometimes smashing rear windows or in our case covering the dogs in large chunks of mud lol.
This is why it’s important to have a stone guard on the trailer. On our last trip we lost the plastics off a two wheeler from getting smashed by gravel and mud for 300km.
As well as a stone guard you can use 3 semi-trailer truck mudflaps or a single piece of rubber across the back of your tow vehicle. This should significantly reduce the amount of projectiles coming from the rear of the vehicle.
Spare wheel carrier
Consider putting at minimum 1 spare trailer wheel on the trailer. However, I think 2 spares is best on big trips. An easy option is on the draw bar, but you can always fit an under tray style spare wheel bracket like a Hilux one cheaply and this reduces draw-bar weight.
Fuel and water storage
when taking quad bikes etc. you can’t have to much fuel or water. Most 20L plastic fuel containers are 180mm (I personally own Pro Quip) allowing you to fit 10 in a row just in front of the head board on the draw bar. Once again be mindful of the draw bar weight when considering this.
Note: Fuel is about 75% the weight of water and diesel is about 83% (sourced from www.quora.com).
Recovery points
Is there a chance you may need to pull the trailer out backwards? Maybe a rear towbar or a pair of recovery points could be installed during the build.
Spares storage
Bearings, grease, dust caps, rags and tie downs should always be on board a good trailer. Under tray tool boxes would be a good option for storing this kind of stuff without increasing draw-bar weight.
Try not to buy one that hangs to low, especially if your using Ford Falcon trailer wheels.
Shock absorbers
This is more of an issue were you don’t want to bounce the contents of what’s on the back, such as a caravan or camper trailer. Also with load sharing roller rockers the axle movement can reduce some of this requirement. By not fitting them you are significantly reducing the overall build cost at no real gains.
Trailer plug
What’s standard for your state/region? What have your mates got? In the past Queenslanders always used a round 7, but this has been slowly changing to a flat 7. Adapters are available so it’s not a major issue, just have a look around before you choose.
Trailer sides
If your going to use the trailer for other activities this is something you may wish to install. But with the current tie-down laws it doesn’t have the benefits it used to and quads might not fit with them installed either.
If you do choose to install them make sure they are easily removable.
Jockey wheel
Fitment of a jockey wheel to a large trailer is a must for usability. The bigger the wheel the easier it is to move on rough terrain. What I wouldn’t recommend is a pneumatic tyre (inflatable) guaranteed it’s flat every time you go to use it.
Trailer accessories and finish recommendation
To keep weight down, cost and ease of repair I would get my trailer painted. After that I would get these accessories:
- Stone protection on trailer plus a full row of truck mudflaps on vehicle
- 2 spare wheels mounted under the trailer with Hilux style spare wheel mounts
- facility to hold 10 fuel/water containers across the draw-bar
- 2 recovery points on the rear of the chassis for a recovery bridle
- 2 under tray tool boxes for general storage
- large diameter regular jockey wheel
