Offroad/Overland Trailers -- Whatcha got?

The wife and I took a nice long two week 2,600 mile journey up and through the UP in Michigan. LOTS of waterfalls, mountains, forests, rivers and a lot of great dispersed camping to be had. Lake Superior was very cool to see up close.

 

still got my 1953 m100 no longer have my tacoma but have been kicking around the idea of selling the m100 tbh still havent figured it out just yet but its been an idea

 

Finished my trailer enough to take it on its maiden voyage this past weekend, played it safe and took it to a campground with amenities so if something didn't work well we didn't freeze and have a miserable time. Towed it about 3 hours on the highway going anywhere from 50-75mph and it tracked perfectly straight behind us. Since I don't have it fully loaded it was a tad tongue light (sub 200lbs) but didn't pull weird at all. Once fully loaded I can always fill the water tank with some water to bring the tongue weight up a bit. Tent lift needs some grease on the slides, extendable tongue needs cleaned and at least primered so it doesn't rust in the tongue. Need to put a light switch in the rear door for the cabin lights. Next spring will be the finish of the interior with drawers, water system, and finished electrical. Definitely need some rock lights and reverse lights on it too.

 

used a 4x6 atv trailer as the base. replaced leaf springs and added heavier tongue with lock & roll hitch. weight is under 500lbs, before tent and gear.

 

Wife and I come from backpacking backgrounds but we decided to buy a Boreas Camper, I must say we love it. We use it as a basecamp while hiking, fishing, hunting it tows nicely and has a heater!

We have taken 10 day camping trips with this thing and probably could have stayed longer.



I have now done a overhaul to the truck including a re-gear and suspension upgrades. I have not had a chance to see how she rides with all the upgrades.

 

Awesome rig.

 

What are some recommended off road trailer companies to consider? I think ultimately my growing family is going to need a trailer. Either that or switch to a Tundra which honestly I don't want to do for a number of reasons. Getting a trailer would let me take the drawers out of my truck and use my truck as a truck again, give us more space and the ability to keep things stored and packed ready to go. Plus I can get back into a RTT after outgrowing our hardshell and move to one of the larger softshells.

Companies like Turtleback and Patriot Campers are way too expensive. I'm looking at options where starting price is around $10k. I'm seeing Ruger Trailers, To-Extreme, Taxa, Sunnyside, and Sparks Overland. We would want something more simple, so no built in sinks or water heaters or anything like that.

I know a lot guys built out an M416 but I don't have nearly enough time to do a build like that justice for the foreseeable future.

 

First trip out behind the Tacoma.

 

Curious if you’re needing the portability of a trailer or size space for storage? I MIGHT have my trailer listed if you’re interested. Custom built frame from a well known member here (blanking on name currently) with a Smittybilt RTT on top. Can go over all the details if you think it would fit your family. You’re not too far from me which is why I even mentioned it.

 

It's 100% a need for more space and to put a larger RTT on it since the big ones are too big for the Tacoma. Something like yours is definitely similar to the ones I have been look at. If you decide to sell it send me a PM.

 

Are you looking for a gear hauler or a sleeper? I built a gear hauler 2 years ago and a coworker I wheel with went the sleeper route around the same time and went with hiker trailers. He got the Mid Range XL and pulls it behind his jeep and likes it quite a bit.

https://www.hikertrailers.com/

Do you have needs defined like kitchen, gear space, capacity, onboard water or not? Start a list of things you need and want out of the trailer and you will find some weed themselves out automatically. Hikers midrange XL starts around that 10k pricetag you mentioned but they are a sleeper if you are looking for a squaredrop/teardrop style thing that can also carry a RTT on top for extra sleeping space.

 

Not looking for a sleeper. The RTT is glamorous enough for us. Our primary need is more space for all the stuff that comes with two young kids and an 80 pound dog. Even some of the more niche trailers like the Taxa Woolybear is more of a rolling kitchen, which is nice but not really what we need.

 

Thinking about selling mine.

 

Old thread but here goes

'21 Escapod (built here in Utah) Totally galvanized frame system

Fully off road ready.....twin 6V Interstate deep cells....100 watt solar panel

1000 watt inverter....free ride independent suspension...Cooper ST Maxx 265x16's on Vision wheels

Heat yes !!!! Articulating hitch coupled up to the Lexus LX 470

Hot water on demand shower with 21 gallon capacity

Great fun get away from the world trailer ! Goes where towed too.......

 

This....

Mid September @ 10K' plus......water hole 300 yds away

Bugling Elk all night.......didn't get much sleep

 

I built my first trailer, and now I'm planning my second build.

First trailer is a 5x8. My build thread is available on a different forum, but should be viewable as a guest. https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1921463

Next trailer will be a 5x10 squaredrop.
- I found that me being 5' 10", at 8ft with a galley it's just a little too short for me to be comfortable when sleeping.
- We found that the slanted back took too much space away from the galley, so I will go with a squaredrop and full height galley door.
- Instead of building the water fill and shower into the side of the trailer, I'll have a removable tank in the galley and a portable water heater and pump. Open the galley door, hook up to the tank and take a shower. Plumbing it all into the 5x8 was just a pain and too much risk for leaks.
- In an attempt to reduce the overall height and reduce drag, I'll build insulation into the trailer frame floor instead of building a wooden floor on top of the frame. This should allow me to reduce overall height by about 6 inches.

 

Anyone running a Hiker Trailer? Looking at their Extreme Offroad

 

Coworker and wheelin buddy has the midrange XL 5x9. he pulls it with his previous heep sahara hybrid and now his heep gladiator (both stock) and he said he cant even feel it behind him. He loves it but it was a pain in the ass to actually get to the point where he can use it.

He had to take Hiker Trailers to court to get the title so he could get tag/plate for it. Took about a year after he bought it to finally be able to use it and after talking with a few other people with them the whole "unable to get the title" thing was common. If you can find one second hand or lightly used I would suggest going that route. If not be prepared for the run around with Hiker.

 

Thanks for the heads up. Might have to look for a slightly used one if this is an ongoing issue.

 

When I bought my (used) AT Horizon trailer, even though it had a title, the NY DMV gave me issues because apparently they use some system to look vehicles up by VIN number, and nobody had entered that brand trailer into their system, so according to the woman at the DMV it can’t be registered. She told me that NY had not verified that it met safety standards. I was pissed because you can literally weld up a trailer yourself and get that registered. Took me a few calls to Albany and a trip to the weigh scale to finally get it registered. If I had to, I was going to claim that I built it myself and go that route.