Reese Products Introduces
Tag-Along Cargo Trailer

Reese's Backpacker

RV hitch manufacturer Reese Products has ventured into new territory with the introduction of a small cargo trailer called the Backpacker. The versatile trailer can be used for a variety of tasks around the house or across the country. What the Backpacker offers besides versatility that other cargo carriers don't is payload. A typical roof top carrier, for example, has a maximum capacity of 200 pounds, while the Backpacker can haul a gross load of 560 pounds. The Backpacker has a tongue weight rating of only 75 pounds (fully loaded) and gross weight rating of 750 pounds. With the clam top attached it has a capacity of 36 cubic feet. With the bottom only, the cargo capacity is 17 cubic feet.

According to Bob Mater, president of Reese, who showed us the Backpacker during the recent WDA Executive Conference, the top can easily be detached so the trailer becomes perfect for hauling appliances and furniture too large to fit typical vehicles.

Lee Adelman, vice president marketing and sales, told RV News, "The Backpacker was developed in Reese's engineering and design department as a result of our challenge to look at new categories of product that fit the company's marketing and distribution mode. I think the Backpacker fits that thinking perfectly and shows what kinds of innovative ideas can happen when you let your engineers use their creativity."

Another feature of the new cargo carrier is that when it is not being used, it's easily stored in a garage without taking up a lot of room. It's so light -- only 190 pounds -- that it can be set on its end and out of the way. As a matter of fact at that weight it can have a variety of uses around the house too since its weight makes it a large capacity wheelbarrow which can be pushed by hand.

The body of the Backpacker is made of rugged Polyethylene and the colors are embedded into the Polyethylene so you'll never have to worry about paint wear or chipping. The tires are 4.80/4.00 -- 8.00 with four-ply tread and two-ply sidewalls. The suspension system is single-leaf spring with a working capacity of 750 pounds.

However, the Backpacker really takes the spotlight on the road and at the campsite. Over the road it won't slow you down either. With the clam top attached it has been tested safely for speeds up to 80 miles per hour. Take the top off, however, and you'll need to slow down to about 45 miles per hour. For families that are tent campers it's great because the camping gear, tent, bedrolls, cooler and other camping supplies can be stored inside during the season so when the whim hits them to go to their favorite campsite, there's not all that loading before they go or having to unpack when they get home -- and it's lockable so the gear is secure. What we found is that you can just stand there and look at it and a multitude of uses start racing through your mind.

And that's going to be a real feature for stores that decide to carry the trailer. The customer is going to sell themselves because -- they'll not know how they ever got along without one. Add to that the familiar Reese name, and you have a sure-fire winner. So while in Louisville be sure to drop by the Reese exhibit and see if you don't agree, it's a real winner. If you missed it at the Louisville show call your distributor and make sure you have a supply on hand when the season starts in your area.

Everybody has something that needs hauling from time-to-time, and the Backpacker is going to fill the bill for most jobs.

For more information contact your distributor or Reese Products, Inc. at 800-326-1090