Trailer Advice for Dobs

[Alan Agrawal]

Hi,

On the point of vehicles, I am looking for some advice.  My Honda Odyssey, which has faithfully carried my 24” Starstructure, is 14 years old with about 180,000 miles, and is likely to need some expensive repairs ( will find out for sure from a second mechanic next week)   i don’t think I would spring for repairs running 2-3k or more.

So I could consider getting a new Odyssey, but an alternative for us would be to get a Hybrid SUV with a trailer.

So if one got a trailer,

Is a 2000lb tow rating enough?

Which brand and size of trailer? ( I would guess it should have a V nose with torsion axles)

And, can trailers be backed up a steep driveway? ( mine is moderately steep)

Any advice on this topic is appreciated.

Best,

Alan

Begin forwarded message:

From: Akarsh Simha <akars...@gmail.com>
Date: January 3, 2026 at 2:12:37 PM PST
To: sf-ba...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [TAC] Happy New Year!
Reply-To: sf-ba...@googlegroups.com



I like to point out that my 6’ bed pickup truck is the most expensive astronomy equipment I have bought. Granted it serves purposes other than astronomy, that’s why it’s a pickup truck and not an SUV / van. If it were purely astronomy, it should’ve been an SUV because getting a telescope to the high bed of the truck is a challenge.

Oh and in addition to the vehicle, don’t forget the gym membership, another ancillary expense.

By the way Surya who made your telescope?

On Friday, January 2, 2026 at 11:46:45 AM UTC-8 Surya Rao wrote:

Thanks Mark! 

I agree that I was not anticipating the need to buy a vehicle. But, I am sure the views through this instrument will be worth the trouble. 

Surya.

On Fri, Jan 2, 2026 at 11:37 AM Mark Wagner <itsmar...@gmail.com> wrote:

Surya,

That 24" is probably the most beautiful telescope I've seen.  Immaculate design, excellent optics, and I'm sure the performance will be superb.  Let me know when you're taking it out please!

Note to newbies - here you see one of the true costs of aperture fever.  A vehicle to fit your telescope!

On Friday, January 2, 2026 at 11:12:41 AM UTC-8 Surya Rao wrote:

My astro resolution for this year is to obtain a minivan to transport my 24 inch dob to a dark site and observe. The scope has been used only in my backyard so far as it does not fit into my SUV. 

Surya.

On Fri, Jan 2, 2026 at 8:44 AM 'Daniel Vancura' via The Astronomy Connection (TAC) <sf-ba...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Happy New Year!

Since I'm quite content with my equipment (for now, anyways ...), my new years astro resolution is not all that different to yours Mark - seeking out some nice, remote dark sites. This hobby has finally got me go camping again and stretch goal this year would be to maybe even both work and image from a dark site for a few nights during the week.

Clear skies through all of 2026!

Daniel

On Thursday, 1 January 2026 at 12:05:28 UTC-8 akars...@gmail.com wrote:

My resolution is to increase my effective resolution by having the scope track. Maybe, I’ll get it done.

On Thu, Jan 1, 2026 at 11:42 Lance Pickens <lancerobe...@gmail.com> wrote:

Happy  New Year!

My resolution is to do more visual observing and visit darker sites along central coast and in Yosemite. Last year was my first time meeting up with folks in person for observing and I hope to continue meeting more TACos in the new year. 

Happy New Year!

Lance

On Thu, Jan 1, 2026 at 10:12 'Richard Navarrete' via The Astronomy Connection (TAC) <sf-ba...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Happy New Year!

I just hope to continue to get out regularly, at least once a month, to a dark sky. This past year was the most I've been out since the Pandemic disrupted all our lives. I also hope we, TACos, can continue to meet together regularly. The December Henry Coe session was great, with almost a dozen observers in the overflow lot.

Clear skies, my friends!

Richard

On Thursday, January 1, 2026 at 09:03:04 AM PST, Mark Wagner <itsmar...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hey there TACos,

New Year's Day, like déjà vu.

Our hobby is all about resolution, right?

So what are your best 2026 astro-resolutions?

Buying/making a piece of equipment you've dreamed of?

An astro-travel vacation (southern skies)?

Getting out of your backyard to see the Milky Way?

Teaching children to enjoy the hobby and fire their (science) curiosity?

Writing (or reading) a book on astronomy?

Learning to astro-image?

Dipping your visual toes into the deeper end, beyond the Messiers?

My resolution involves seeking out darker more transparent/steady skies.

Happy 2026 to TAC!

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[James Webster]

Alan,

2000 lb rating would be sufficient. Backing up a steep driveway is not very problematic. A trailer, of course, gives you the advantage of a lower tailgate and the convenience of keeping most of your heavier, bulky astro gear pre-loaded and ready to go to a site. Wells Cargo offers a large variety of trailers and accessories. You need to add about a meter to the overall length of the trailer interior space that you need. A "V" type nose would be a little less tongue length. An 8 foot interior would have about a total length of about 12 feet. It does get tiring hauling a trailer. Chrysler mini vans are popular hauling astro gear as they offer a low tailgate, a flat floor interior, and about 140 cubic feet rear capacity.

James Webster 

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[Paul Alsing]

Hi Alan,

My trailer is a 5X8 Wells Cargo, with a "bubble" front, and it weighs about 950 lbs. and can handle about 2000 lbs. of cargo. It came with my 25" Obsession, so I didn't do any research regarding trailers; it was what it was. I do believe that this brand of trailer is highly regarded, but I am also sure that there are any number of other brands that will do the job for you. Yes, my trailer has a torsion bar suspension. It also has a ramp for a back door, which only requires the telescope to be pushed about 11" above the roadbed. My 25" is really heavy but I have no problem pushing it up that ramp.

Behind each of my various vans, over the years, I often forget that I am towing anything, it is as if it is not even there.

The biggest part of the short trailer learning curve is backing up. Big long travel trailers are easier to back up! That short wheelbase means that your steering wheel input while backing needs to be glacier slow, and even after 20 years it still takes me several attempts to back it with any kind of precision. Old dog, new tricks syndrome, I suppose!

The nicest thing about having a trailer is that I do not need to unload between trips, Everything is dry and secure in the trailer and it is rat-proof.... plus it holds a lot of accessoriy stuff that we only use when observing, like observing chairs, aluminet, spare parts, tools, and a 4x6 folding banquet table which always gets used to the max! We just hook-up and go.

Of course, I think that everyone should have a full-sized van, but that is just me!

\Paul

---

From: 'Alan Agrawal' via The Astronomy Connection (TAC) <sf-ba...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 3, 2026 3:58 PM
To: Alan Agrawal <sf-ba...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [TAC] Trailer Advice for Dobs

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sf-bay-tac/D22AC828-8021-4E99-8DE1-8407B69ABA61%40yahoo.com.

[Alan Agrawal]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the great input.

Sounds like a 5x8’ has enough room for me. Having the low deck height and a ramp would be a huge help, and you’ve pointed out some of the other advantages.

Trailer capacity is important, but I should have clarified, I was thinking about the towing capacity of the vehicle.

Hope you and Deb are well.

Best,

Begin forwarded message:

From: Paul Alsing <pnal...@gmail.com>
Date: January 3, 2026 at 4:33:21 PM PST
To: Alan Agrawal <sf-ba...@googlegroups.com>

Subject: Re: [TAC] Trailer Advice for Dobs
Reply-To: sf-ba...@googlegroups.com



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[Al Smith]

Alan, 

I agree with Paul. I have had my Wells Cargo for 15 years and it is still going strong. It was selected based on the suspension,  and the ability to special order items. The torsion suspension is much softer and a more forgiving ride than leaf springs, and much lower to the ground.  It has a ramp with flip out end to make it easy to wheel a dob up. A side door with the clamping door for security us very useful. I also had installed E tracks at two levels along both interior sides and interior front. These can secure stuff to the side with straps such as the Dob or other equipment. Movers use these. Add insulation and interior lights  that run off the battery used for electric brakes which i strongly recommend too. You can get a power mover to bring it up the driveway and with some wiring changes to use the electric brakes on a slope.

As for towing, I would leave a margin  of safety and up the towning capacity to more like 4K and also have electric brakes on the trailer. 

Gert in touch if you have questions.

Al

[Alan Agrawal]

Hi Al,

Superhelpful - thanks for chiming in!

I like the idea of electric brakes, the margin of safety with higher towing capacity, and E tracks.  I didn’t even know there was such a thing as a power mover- backing up my driveway would be a big worry if I went the trailer route- so that may take care of it.  I’ll check out the Wells Cargo website.

Wishing you and Annie the best for 2026.

Alan

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[Paul Alsing]

Yeah, in my own case, my used telescope came with the trailer, and it did not have electric brakes... but I also always had either a Ford E-250 or E-350, with towing capacities of 7500 and 10,000 lbs. respectively, so I never gave it a thought. Never had any feedback that the trailer was back there, even under hard braking! Another reason to consider a big van!

Also, when the telescope is out on the ground you can sleep in the trailer, with Aluminet thrown over the top. Gloria has been sleeping in my trailer for years, she brings her own blow-up mattress.

\Paul

---

From: 'Al Smith' via The Astronomy Connection (TAC) <sf-ba...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 4, 2026 1:22 PM
To: The Astronomy Connection (TAC) <sf-ba...@googlegroups.com>

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[Alan Agrawal]

Thanks very much James for this advice - greatly appreciated!  Lots of votes for Wells Cargo - so that would be the one if I end up going this route.  

Best,

Alan

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[Alan Agrawal]

And Bob Douglas for many years slept in his trailer for his 28" at GSSP - it's a nice option to have.

You have enough towing capacity for all of Dob Row :)

Alan.

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[Stanley Sokolow]

Alan,

Don't fail to check the capacity of your new towing vehicle for towing load and tongue weight limits, then weigh your loaded trailer and its loaded tongue weight, before you buy.

Stranley

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[Alan Agrawal]

Thanks Stanley!

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