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Can an off-road trailer be modified for highway travel

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Old 11-30-2014, 01:40 PM
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Default Can an off-road trailer be modified for highway travel

A family member has offered to sell me his Bosski 800 Aluminum ATV Wagon camp trailer for $600. This trailer is in near perfect condition and all things being equal I would love to buy it even if it was just to resell it to get cash for different off road trailer. They sell for $1,200 new and this one is in like new condition. My conundrum is that I am only a few days away from moving from the east coast to the west coast and would have to pull the trailer 3,000 miles if I bought it. In it's stock condition it is not suitable for highway use but what could I do to change that.

Is it as simple as putting boat trailer wheels and tires on and keeping everything else the same? Would I need a different axle? From eyballing the trailer I think that a normal sized trailer axle would be as wide as this axle plus the wheels. I have never owned a trailer but would like to get one now that I will be taking my whole family (dogs included) on any wheeling and camping trips for the foreseeable future. My dog takes up the whole back of my JKU. I used to have a Gobi rack on my 2dr JK but I sold that Jeep.

What would you fine folks do in my situation?
Old 11-30-2014, 02:41 PM
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I am sure for its designed use it is a good trailer. The modifications that you would need to make to make it road legal and/or capable would be many. I personally feel you would be better off with a trailer designed and built from the start for your intended purposes.
Old 11-30-2014, 02:44 PM
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What kind of axle are we dealing with? pictures would be helpful. if you're thinking about buying an "ATV" trailer i would think about frame pay load, needs lights but thas easy, lets see some pictures please.
Old 11-30-2014, 02:58 PM
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Originally Posted by thirstypirate
A family member has offered to sell me his Bosski 800 Aluminum ATV Wagon camp trailer for $600. This trailer is in near perfect condition and all things being equal I would love to buy it even if it was just to resell it to get cash for different off road trailer. They sell for $1,200 new and this one is in like new condition. My conundrum is that I am only a few days away from moving from the east coast to the west coast and would have to pull the trailer 3,000 miles if I bought it. In it's stock condition it is not suitable for highway use but what could I do to change that.

Is it as simple as putting boat trailer wheels and tires on and keeping everything else the same? Would I need a different axle? From eyballing the trailer I think that a normal sized trailer axle would be as wide as this axle plus the wheels. I have never owned a trailer but would like to get one now that I will be taking my whole family (dogs included) on any wheeling and camping trips for the foreseeable future. My dog takes up the whole back of my JKU. I used to have a Gobi rack on my 2dr JK but I sold that Jeep.

What would you fine folks do in my situation?
Well I know it would need new dot tires, and brake/turn signals then it would need to be taken to (here in washington) the state patrol for an inspection. If it passes they stamp a Vin number and issue a licence plate. Ohh yeah don't forget side marker lights
Old 11-30-2014, 03:10 PM
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If you buy it, you can always rent a uhaul and tow it to the west that way. Then when you've got time at your new place do the mods you want with it then.

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Old 11-30-2014, 03:13 PM
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Originally Posted by GreenJKBooger
What kind of axle are we dealing with? pictures would be helpful. if you're thinking about buying an "ATV" trailer i would think about frame pay load, needs lights but thas easy, lets see some pictures please.
I didn't take any pictures of the actual trailer when I went to check it out. There are a few pictures from the link in the original post. If I wasn't moving so soon I would just buy it at that price and resell it to get money for a Dinoot build or some other type of trailer. I have to agree with you guys that the mods needed to get this thing on the road would be too many to be worth it.
Old 11-30-2014, 05:42 PM
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I cant really tell from the video, but that axle seems weak. i could see problems when you hitch up. without a soild axle you cant get the lift you need to ride level. and you would have a huge receiver drop and would have trouble going through dips. that trailer seems to ride level about 8inches maybe 10in from the ground. my ATV hitch is that LOW too. I would see needing a soild axle with leave springs for a SOA lift. maybe.....
Old 12-01-2014, 07:26 PM
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I found another more suitable and roadworthy trailer frame today. I'm going to check it out in the morning and hopefully start my off-road trailer build on a good foot.



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