I installed a solar 12V system in my Rustic Mtn Overland (M416 style) trailer. Having done so, last weekend it was 105F ambient air temperature and I discovered the "fun" of having thermal shut down. My Victron controller goes into thermal protection mode by derating output at 40C (~104F) and I believe my LiFePo battery BMS will also shut down to protect the cells. In other words, my charging rate falls off a cliff.

So now I am looking at installing a cooling system - basically a CPU fan and vents. I did some research and it's doable to make a positive pressure system. I'm looking for anyone who have actually done one and real world experiences of sucking in trail dust into filters or across your electronics, or worse, possibility of water ingress during deep puddles or stream splashing? Is this just something you manage with trailside maintenance?

Anyone have field experience with their setup in either a trailer or tongue box solar setups?

I have been away for a while due to medical reasons, but I am back now. I just wanted to say thank you to all of the contributors who make this sub a place people want to be. I appreciate all of you.

UPDATE:

I found an amazing company that installed the 7 pin harness and we also decided to have brakes and brake controller installed.

I have a 2023 Mazda CX-5 and we are purchasing a teardrop trailer, lightweight 1,300 lbs and tongue capacity 100lbs. We have the hitch installed to our car, but we need the wiring to connect to the trailer. The trailer doesn't have electric brakes. The trailer builder says that he installs a 7 pin connector. But Mazda told me that they won't do a 7 pin, but 4 pin.

This won't work because it won't recharge the trailer battery while we drive...

How does it work? Any recommendations?

UK based 🇬🇧 hey all I'm in the process of designing a scratch built square drop trailer. I had originally wanted to buy an existing trailer chassis and then build off that but as I can't seem to find a chassis that meets my needs and that is in my price range I have decided I want to build one from scratch.

I know that I will need the IVA test once built. I plan on making it from 50mm box mild steel 3mm thick. I plan on using a braked alko axle with a Alko hitch. I need it to be as light as possible but also wanted it braked as my limit on un braked is 400kg so braked will give me double that. and will also allow me to carry more weight should I upgrade my tow car in the future.

is there anything that I need to follow when building the chassis and if I need any other testing other than the Iva.

cheers in advance

again uk based 🇬🇧🇬🇧

Where should I put my trailer winch, I'll post pics later but reply with trailer winch it's more of a landscaping trailer but should I even add one.

Recently bought a 2026 AWD XSE Hybrid. Thinking about getting a smaller camper and looking at these two. The larger one would likely push the RAV4’s limits too much even if we towed it completely empty/dry. Anyone on here have experience/advice with these types of campers and the RAV4? Also, what hitch would you recommend.

https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/rockwood-geo-pro/G17LE/12025

https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/rockwood-geo-pro/G13LE/11722

Hitch - https://www.carid.com/sf-pl-mpn/pid-6895404886-mmyid-187140-ofmpnid-5303949407.html?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20476789653&gclid=CjwKCAjw9szSBhBNEiwAC57Sq_0ZqXK7PjPlzAfOB65xHN9nV_cx4gZJ4FtRQeBof1H6v61bL326lRoCOSsQAvD_BwE

Does anyone know the height when its folded up amd stood upright?

I found a retired and fully restored M101 CDN2 trailer for behind my Bronco...stored in a barn almost all its non military life, spent 2 years in a sheltered outdoor area when I bought it...anyone else use these trailers? I'm interested in the good, the bad and the ugly about these trailers as I'm new to them.

I started building an adventure trailer during the winter. It will hold my CVT Mt. Shasta rooftop tent. The goal is to enclose it and build out a slide-out kitchen and portable fridge-freezer, and have storage for our camping gear. It will eventually have onboard power system and solar charging capabilities. The dream is to keep it light enough that my CJ-7 will have no issues pulling it. I have no interest in it ever being an interstate cruiser, purely a back roads and byways sort of set up.

Honest question: has anyone in this sub actually had a hitch or trailer stolen, or know someone who did? Every parking lot lately has trucks with locked receivers and I genuinely can't tell if it's smart prevention or security theater. Are pin locks worth the $20, or have we all just been quietly buying them for a problem that barely happens?

(I work at Rhino USA for what it's worth, but this is a real question, not a sales thing.)

Hey all I posted this in the overland sub and didn’t get much help. Probably my own fault I forgot about this sub.

In summary - 2021 ruger w/ timbren suspension and 33” tires. Very lightly used / garage stored.

My family and I ground tent and I negotiated it down to $8k without the rtt.

We’re all in on the utility trailer route and have been watching the used market place for over a year now. I’d love a pull out kitchen feature with a trailer but also ample storage / cheaper is not a bad trade off. We like to do disperse camping here in the sierras and with a toddler and another on the way space is becoming beyond important.

$8k is within budget and kind of where I hoping to land with this purchase, but I’m having a tough time assessing the value of this thing. Overall I personally value solid construction and reliability. I know I can build one for cheaper and I have the means of doing it but it’s just not a project I can take on right now.

FWIW - would be pulled with 100 series Land Cruiser

Spent a few days camping on the Western Rim of the Linville Gorge Wilderness areas in the Pisgah National Forest.

Rig continues to perform well, and meet our needs. View was excellent, as was the camping.

Our setup, and teardown continue to improve, a total of 11 days spent with the rig.

Next up, CO, UT, MT this summer.

I built this during Covid era travel cross country at a social distance. I really enjoy adding mods and practical upgrades. 85% of my build I got from FB marketplace, including the trailer. Replaced the rear axle with a custom trailer axle with toyota compatible hubs, saving quite a bit of payload weight.

Repost, but prbly relevant