Here we are headed straight in to the summer of 2020. Many things have changed for us since this project started – new home, new state, new cargo, new tow vehicle… but one thing remains: The trailer is still a work in progress.

We’ve camped with it for the past 5 years and hauled a four wheeler, a side by side and most recently dirt bikes. I’ve used it to move furniture, toolboxes, appliances, and even few of our motorcycles from our previous home in Salt Lake City, Utah to our current home just outside Scottsdale, Arizona. It’s been to Northern and Central Idaho, it’s been all over Utah, it has been to Vegas and now it lives in the Sonoran desert. Not a world tour per se, but it’s covered some ground.

This trailer has taught me a phenomena I’d like to call “The Towing Spiral of Shame (otherwise know as “The Wallet Tornado”). For me, it went like this:

1. Acquire new toy (four wheeler in my case), buy a trailer and go camping.
2. Acquire bigger toy (side by side), lament poor towing performance,
3. Upgrade tow vehicle (traded FJ for Ford Raptor),
4. Lament trailer capacity, contemplate upgrading trailer
5. Contemplate larger side by side, contemplate upgrading to HD Diesel, contemplate obtaining CDL, start wondering which campsites can accommodate a 53′ trailer…

As I pondered the perpetual futility of it all, my Raptor forced my hand by demonstrating a string of mechanical issues. Instead of opting for an EarthRoamer, I downsized to a Tacoma TRD Off-Road. I sold my side by side and bought a new dirt bike. Why does any of this matter? During my trailer build, it’s primary cargo and tow vehicle have changed 3 times. I learned that more space equals more weight and requires more power. I also learned that my needs are more driven towards a simple, convenient solution that I could hitch up and go. Not a setback, exactly – but certainly the planning has been fluid.

Cargo limits matter, and my Razor 900 was using roughly 1200 of the available 1500lbs of cargo capacity in my trailer. Downsizing to 500lbs worth of dirt bikes created all sorts of extra weight capacity and storage space. The trailer tows and brakes easier (no electronic assist) and the Tacoma has no problem managing the load. With the extra capacity, I can now add extra amenities that I didn’t previously consider due to size constraints.

2020 Wish List (5 years into trailer ownership):

1. A step for my wife. It’s a big step, and cocktails don’t help.
2. A backup camera. Not a must have, but this thing is a small building and it would help in tight spots.
3. Loft storage shelves.
4. Remove the Interstate branding and stickers.
5. Paint the ceiling.
6. Add Solar power.
7. An awning & exterior lighting

Nothing too crazy here. YouTube is filled with amazing videos featuring high-quality RV builds. I love watching those for inspiration and to awe at the craftsmanship, but my aspirations are fairly simple. The fun part of moving so slowly on this project is reflecting back to my initial ideas 5 years ago. While the cargo and tow vehicle have changed, the goals haven’t. The intention is to build a comfortable, powered shelter primarily for short trips and hauling toys. My goal has always excluded plumbing and built-in fixtures, because I use my trailer to move things as often as I go camping. This is a choice for my particular use case, and I bring it up because it’s an important design decision early on. I wanted my trailer to be a little bit more of a mobile garage and a little less of a mobile home.

If I wasn’t hauling motorsports toys, I’d look to CargoCamp for inspiration. Their builds look pretty amazing. With flexible design options and materials, you can customize your heart out. Colorado Trailers builds pretty much exactly what I’m after, so much so that it’s tempting to just purchase the finished product. I’d do it too, but I enjoy the process and watching it come together far too much. Also, I’m cheap.