Hiker Trailer Add-Ons: Side Tables & Ark Jack Modification

[@sandracoxwell6011]

So your hiker fits in your garage? Is it the 10 foot?

[@kennethboatner8611]

Well, my Hiker has a tongue weight of 260 lbs with gear and a full fridge / fridge box. My trailer is very new , picked up mid summer. I immediately realized I had made the mistake of not adding the ARK jack to the build. I called several times and begged them for a solution. I am not able to move it around at camp. I was not told of a list for the ARK jack / adapter plate but was told that I could purchase the ARK jack from ARK and install it with their clamp system. I seriously needed this , if you’re looking to order a trailer and read this the ARK jack is a must with a fridge box unless you are able to lug the tongue around at 260 lbs plus. I was told that I could fabricate my own plate . I would love to have my name on the “list” but that was not an option a month ago. I absolutely love the company and love my trailer but you need to get everything correct when you build your trailer or you can run into issues like this. I love my side table btw it came with the newer style .

[@dacrazycard7086]

I'm curious at what length camper you have that ended up giving you that much tongue weight? I noticed the placement of the axle on the different sizes and it appears that the distance from the rear to the axle doesn't seem to change much. It appears all the additional length on both the 9 & 10' is added entirely forward of the axle. 260lbs seems like a lot.

[@kennethboatner8611]

@@dacrazycard7086 5x9 midrange . The weight adds up with a full fridge, fridge box and storage on the opposite side. Bathroom scales showed anywhere between 250 and 260 lbs , according to how I pack .

[@dacrazycard7086]

@@kennethboatner8611 Oh I entirely believe you. I was just thinking if the axle would have been moved forward about 6-8" it would balance better. 260lbs is what I might expect on a 2200-2500lb camper.( I am sure it doesn't weight that). If you can arrange some of your load to the rear it will help. My guess is if you added 50lbs to the rear you would lose about 25lbs of tongue weight. Thank you for answering my question. I'm designing a camper right now and have been watching tons of KZbin videos for ideas.

[@kennethboatner8611]

@@dacrazycard7086 I’m pulling it with a Jeep CJ 7 which will not struggle with the actual pulling of a 2000-3000 lb trailer but will be very sensitive to too much weight on the tongue of the trailer . Hitch is rated for 350lbs of tongue weight max. On my first trip out my steering was not happy about the heavy tongue but I stopped and reloaded everything and it was fine. I went as far as to completely unload my trailer in my driveway and weigh everything. Turns out that we own about 500lbs worth of gear (Inc bikes) . The Jeep will not like the extra weight so I severely limit what we bring . I’ve yet to weigh Jeep and trailer but I’m guessing that we have a 2000 lbs trailer and if so it’s severely tongue heavy . With the Dodge diesel that I sometimes use for longer trips I load everything that I want and I don’t even know that a trailer is behind me. Jeep is 10x more fun to drive.

[@ii1825]

That tenderloin is one of if not the best I have ever had. Get on every time I'm within an hour of that place!

[@erikthompson1459]

Is this the standard table that is on the HK MR today? I ordered on 22Feb. Wondering what my table will look like...

[@MWDAdventures]

These are the tables they are now offering.

[@JesseStarrPhoto]

Where do you store the side tables? Can they just sit on the counter in the galley?

[@MWDAdventures]

We put ours on our bed while traveling - others put them in the galley

[@retnav92]

Looking forward to finally getting the wheeled Ark Jack, once they're available. In the video, it does look like there's a slight bit of wobble once it's attached. Looks like I need to contact them again and check on pre-ordering status. Kyle was the point of contact on our pickup day, and was very helpful in explaining everything.

[@colemanhambleton9464]

Just my opinion, but I think the wobble is going to happen on any jack that can pivot and is held in place by a pin. Using a pin is not really a 100% lock down method to hold things in place, but is a pretty reliable/cheap mechanism to start with.

[@retnav92]

@@colemanhambleton9464 Yep.

[@retnav92]

Checked with Hiker about the status/availability of the Ark jacks, and was told to check back in a month or so.

[@Justin_JTR]

Thanks for the video! We are going to Hiker Friday to look at them in person and finalize our order. Those new tables seem to be a nice upgrade. We are so excited!

[@MWDAdventures]

Congrats on getting to the point of ordering your trailer - now the fun will begin as you begin making it your own.

[@gandalfthemead3121]

Hi its the Subie + plus hiker guy again. I saw a video where your Husband is like me, he loves light. I will be trying out a bunch of Nitecore products. A couple of flashlights, head lamps. gloweey balls and a bad purchase of a nitecore lantern that I have to pair with my Anker power brick. While our HT is being built, I'm looking for a galley shade solution. Trying to find a quick release for the back galley.

[@cstout1634]

I love those new tables!!!!

[@kristinealbrecht2071]

Thank you so much for this video! My Hiker is currently under construction and I’m getting the ark jack, so your information is exactly what I needed. I’m wonder if I will automatically get the new table and if so,which one is standard? Should I contact Hiker about the table(s)? You’re wonderful to do these videos and keep me updated on what’s new!

[@kennethboatner8611]

Yes you should . I got a new style table with mine , I picked up in August

[@MWDAdventures]

Glad it was helpful! Hiker is not making the old table anymore -so you will get one of the new ones. Not sure which one though. You could call/email to find out. My guess would be the metal table.

[@TRAILHEADADVENTURES]

Is Hiker going to post them on their website? I haven’t seen any pictures of them yet? Would love to order one

[@MWDAdventures]

They are actually from Yakima. Here is a link: amzn.to/3ZVGaJO

[@TRAILHEADADVENTURES]

@@MWDAdventures those are the ones Hiker will have on their website? Thank you for the link

[@tjreber7397]

@@MWDAdventures Any idea where to get the mounting bar from? Might be purchasing one of their "stock" trailers this week!

[@MWDAdventures]

@@tjreber7397 The mounting bar comes with the table.

[@thevideostump46239]

Indianr? LOL.. Kyle's the Dude.. How'd you like your visit to BCSP? And as always guy's great job.. Hoobilly

[@MWDAdventures]

We enjoyed BCSP :-)

[@major__kong]

The Ark Jack will clamp on behind the bung. However, 1) the wall of the steel tongue seems a little thin. So I wouldn't be cranking the clamping bolts too tight. Ark even gives a spec. And then I wouldn't attempt the things that Ark advertises on their website like winching it through deep mud. I don't think the tongue on the Hiker will hold up. For repositioning on a flat, hard surface? Ok. 2) On my trailer, Hiker put the sticker for the VIN right where the Ark Jack needs to clamp on right behind the bung instead of the diagonal member running to the side of the frame as seen your video here. So if I want to install the Ark Jack and not damage the VIN sticker, I need to get a new sticker from Hiker or get the adapter plate separately. But I'm not sure about using the adapter because the bung is wobbly not rigid by design. Sigh. Buyer beware that the diamond plate is a plastic sheet with a diamond pattern molded into it not aluminum or steel that's been stamped. There is real diamond plate on the Hiker, it's just limited to the fenders (steel) and the tongue box (aluminum). Anything on the outside walls of the Hiker will be plastic diamond plate.

[@HikerTrailers]

We use enameled aluminum diamond plating for the sides and walls.

[@major__kong]

@@HikerTrailers It feels like plastic. It doesn't feel anything like the the aluminum diamond plate that the tongue box is made of. Maybe because it's really thin?

[@major__kong]

The aluminum body panels don't seem to be adhered to the plywood underneath, and the same for the diamond plate. Is that because of thermal expansion, or is that a construction problem?

[@HikerTrailers]

@@major__kong Correct. We use a thinner gauge similar to the side wall aluminum to help keep weight down.

[@HikerTrailers]

@@major__kong Also correct. We don't use glue to adhere the side walls to allow for expansion and to allow for any moisture that may penetrate to weep out and not sit against a glue layer.

[@jeffmccurdy9296]

Do you know where they get the adapter for the Yakima tables? I’ve really wanted to get one, but not sure how to mount it.

[@MWDAdventures]

The mount comes with the table.

[@jeffmccurdy9296]

@@MWDAdventures Thanks, Matt!

[@MorrisonOscar-u6l]

Gonzalez Linda Gonzalez Carol Moore Charles