Thanks Vince. We just got back from a weeklong trip towing a 1947 Ken-Skill Teardrop. We went to visit my sis in Montana and then spent 2 nights at Yellowstone. Here's the trailer.
This was the first long trip that my wife has joined me on. So I looked at this trip as a test to see what worked at what didn't. A big issue for her is the ability to use the restroom at any time during the night. Not to get too personal but it's a health issue that became a real priority on this trip. The teardrop doesn't offer anything in that department of course so when we got back I started looking at options to make her more comfortable. The great things about the teardrop is keeping it packed at all times and ready to go for any trip, and then having a place ready to sleep in 2 minutes. At one point on our trip we'd been driving for a while and I was tired, so the dog and I just climbed in the trailer for quick power nap.
Daisy ready for a nap in the trailer.
So here's what I needed to find. Something that:
A: Has some sort of bathroom or porta-potti
B: We can sleep in
C: Allows me the option of bringing along a motorcycle (this is the toughest).
D: Room for a Engle Fridge. Looking for ice every day just sucks.
Since I have the Taco DC Shortbed, both sleeping and towing a trailer become an issue. I can't get a basic shell because the bed is too short to lay lengthwise in. And towing becames an issue, because to carry a bike in the bed of the truck the tailgate must be down. This requires a hitch extension which then halves the tongue weight capacity.
Before we left I came across this. The Fleetwood Evolution.
I know I know, it's a lame tent trailer, but it meets just about every need. It has a toilet, shower and lots of room. More importantly it has a small deck for a motorcycle in front. Also, it's the off-road version so it sits higher and is more capable then a regular tent-trailer. So this is still a consideration, but the reality is that since the wifey may only be along for the ride a percentage of the time, it's really big for just me.
The Adventure Trailer is a really close second, but I can't carry a bike in the bed of the truck and tow the trailer. Both an outfitted Adventure Trailer and the Fleetwood cost about the same, with the Adventure Trailer being much more capable of course.
Since a porta-potti is really all that's needed, the 4Wheel Camper and Flippac are now back in line. With either of these I can tow a small trailer for my bike when needed. I like the 4Wheel camper, but the price puts it up there with the trailers, and for my size truck it feels really small. One option of course would be to get just the shell and do some outfitting myself.
After seeing the Flippac in person (thanks Vince) it seems like it would be a quick setup, roomy enough inside to make some sort of privacy area for a porta-potti and still be able to carry a fridge and some gear. Plus I should be able to tow a small trailer without any problems.
I've read that the porta-potti isn't a good solution for expedition travel, but with the wifey along it wouldn't be an issue I think. We'd be staying on pavement for most trips and just easy gravel roads, so I think it'd be ok.
Damn, that's alot of typing but if anyone can think of something I've missed or should consider, please let me know. There is no perfect solution, and everything seems to be a series of comprimises. When I bought my truck last year I never would have thought I'd be towing a motorcycle, but in the last year I've been riding more dirt and lighter less-highway friendly bikes, so it's become my new reality. A regular bed truck would make both sleeping and carrying a bike much easier, but I like my shortbed for daily use, so I need to find a way around this issue. So far I think the Flippac and a small trailer address just about everything.