Several months ago we started looking for a new enclosed race trailer, for Team Off-Road.com. We figured that we had suffered
long enough with an open trailer and had pushed our luck far enough without getting any equipment stolen while traveling all
over the west coast and into Baja. Best not to push it.
After having owned several open and enclosed trailers through the years, and looking at many more, we knew we had many requirements
that must be met. We wanted a nice looking trailer that would represent Off-Road.com and the race team in an appropriate manner.
We wanted a trailer that would last a long time. We wanted a trailer that was easy to clean. It had to accommodate at least
four ATV's and possibly a buggy in the future. If we could fit our Project Toyota pickup, that would be a bonus.
It needed to have built-in storage and tool box. We wanted an awning on the outside so we didn't have to worry about an EZ-Up.
We were also hoping to get some kind of aerodynamic front end. I am not really sure how much it will help but it had to be
better than just a flat box type front hanging back there in the wind. And lastly we did not want it to weigh any more than
it had to. We will be stuffing enough "stuff" in it to bring the weight up.
The new Off-Road.com TPD Vortech Race Trailer
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After looking at many different trailer options for many months, I landed on the TPD Vortech. There are a number of reasons
but the top one is that I really liked the unique all-composite construction. TPD uses seamless FRP panels in their trailer
construction. These panels arrive at the TPD shop as huge 48' x 16' panels, which allows them to build even the walls of their
stacker trailers with one solid panel.
Center section of our new trailer being welded in the TPD shop.
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The FRP composite, i.e. fiberglass reinforced plastic, is a composite made from fiberglass reinforcement in a plastic (polymer)
matrix. The FRP composite is designed to achieve the correct characteristics versus traditional materials like wood, steel,
or aluminum. An incredible range of strength and physical properties can be achieved. The FRP panels are extremely durable
as the resin provides chemical, moisture and temperature resistance while the fiberglass reinforcement increases the strength
of the panel. And unlike a typical RV fiberglass wall, the TPD composite panel will not de-laminate with extreme heat.
These composite panels are engineered as part of a unibody design. Rather than just starting with a standard flatbed chassis,
the complete trailer is engineered such that the wall frame, roof frame, and main rails are a single structure. The composite
panels are stress-bearing components, producing a true unitized design.
This is the one piece roof being installed. You can see the huge FRP panels running down the side of the shop.
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Considering how the trailer is constructed you would think that the TPD trailer would be extremely heavy. But when you actually
compare the weight to other trailers, the TPD is actually lighter than most aluminum trailers. This is because of the unibody
design.
The white gelcoat finish on the panels and the one piece seamless floor make the TPD trailer extremely easy to clean out.
Just grab the pressure washer and spray it out. You can be assured we will be testing this feature out as we start putting
the Off-Road.com trailer to use.
And speaking of seamless, the roof is also a one-piece seamless panel and is WALK ON. This feature will be very handy at some
of the events and races where we want to get a better look around. Another feature that is barely noticeable is that the roof
of the TPD trailer is actually curved. Many of the trailers on the market have a flat roof but the TPD trailer roof has a
slight curve to it so that water will run off rather than just puddle up on top.
This is the one piece roof being installed. You can see the huge FRP panels running down the side of the shop.
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Vortech Standard Features
Before we talk about options and our choices, take a look at the list of standard features:
- 1 1/2" Box Tubing Wall and Ceiling Structure on 24" O. C. All Composite Body with a White Gel Coat Interior Finish
- One Piece Seamless Composite Floor
- Composite Ramp Door with Non-Skid Surface
- Aero-Dynamic Nose
- Complete Walk-On Roof
- Roof Vent(s)
- Side-Entry Door with Full Length Piano Hinge
- RV Battery and Box
- Interior 12 Volt Lights with Master Switch
- 102" Wide Rubber Torsion Axles with "EZ Lube" Spindles
- All-Wheel Electric Brakes with Safety Breakaway System
- Upgraded Running and Tail Lights
- Heavy Duty Rear Skid Casters
- Truck Grade Aluminum Molding
- High Quality Fasteners
- Finished off with Dupont Imron Paint
- RTV High Grade Silicone and Poly Urethane Sealers
- 4' Tongue, 2 5/16" Coupler, HD Safety Chains and Top-Wind Jack
- 15" Steel Belted Radial Tires with White Modular Wheels
Options
While the standard Vortech trailer is already very well set up, there were a few options that we had to have for the trailer
to meet our specific requirements. First was that we added the 5 foot tongue. The short tongue is okay for towing with a pickup,
but if there is any chance you might be towing it with a motor home, you will want a longer tongue. Next was an awning. Our
last EZ-Up blew away in the wind and rather than have a new one taking up space in the trailer, we had an awning added on
the side of the trailer. Next was ATP on front of the trailer and on the tailgate.
On the front this will help catch the majority of the rocks and add the fact that it looks good. On the tailgate it will help
protect the tailgate since we will be parked in non-ideal environments. And last was the ladder so that we can easily access
the walk-on roof.
Ladder, trim, and ATP being installed .
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Moving inside, first option on the list was a work bench, cabinet and toolbox in the front of the trailer. This fits nicely
in the V-shaped nose and gives us a work space for working on parts and much-needed storage for tools and more parts. Next
was additional storage. We had an 8' overhead cabinet added along the wall. You can never have enough storage. After that
we had a tire rack added for holding some of the spare ATV tires that we always have along. We are still arguing about the
placement of the tire rack by the rear door, and will let you know how that works out in future reports.
It has proven to be a head-whacker, but we aren't willing to do without the rack yet so we are looking at padding options.
Next was a fuel can rack. We added a fuel rack just inside the side door so that it is easy to get to when stopping at a fuel
station. Last on the option list was a fold-down dinette table with seats that can also act as a cot. The dinette will give
us a place to sit in the trailer and relax, eat or work on the computer. The cot will give us a place to sleep whether at
the race track or out testing where there isn't a nearby hotel.
Ladder, trim, and ATP being installed .
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The interior of our new Off-Road.com trailer is complete and ready for testing.
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Summary
Next up we will be hitting the road with our TPD trailer so we can test it out and see just how well it holds up and how all
of our options work out. We are planning to bring you an update in about 3 months after we have put about 6,000 miles on the
trailer.
For more information, go to:
http://www.tpdtrailers.com
The Off-Road.com TPD trailer just waiting to be hooked on the back of our Duramax, and hit the road! Look for us at events
all over the West in 2006, step in to check out the trailer, and hit us up for a sticker.
Hard to tell it's us? Watch for cool custom graphics that will leave NO DOUBT where Team ORC is!
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