Question for all you experienced RV guys...

That's a lot to ask from a trailer. And then you still have that nasty problem of turning it around or backing out. You have to plan ahead with a trailer, you can't go into a road without a backout plan.

 

Yeah, like I said I don’t know much about big RV’s but I have been pulling trailers and off roading a time or two. . .

 

In that case, Watching this might give you a heart attack...

https://youtu.be/KhGnN_ngOUE

 

Like pretty much everybody that has RV'd you'll rip through about five different setups and still be looking for the perfect one. There's a good reason why Craigslist has thousands of trailers listed as "Only used a few times."

 

Like I said, I’m over it. Not interested in “RV’ing”. . .

 

I've seen those Black Series before. I like the poptop, but way too pricey. Not sure if I could yank the poptop the same with a V8 4Runner or a Tacoma. Probably could give it a good run with either in 4lo. The longer one is way too heavy.

 

Offroading or bust, eh? Best of luck to you.

 

OP. Time to change the title to Overland Trailer advice needed. Which will be in lots of peoples wheel house on here, but a different group than experienced RV’ers.

If you aren’t in a HUGE rush and any of the shows actually happen this year itd be great if you can hit one of the overland Expos, there’s tons and tons of Offroad trailers at those places. Even stuff from Australia and South Africa.

Tons of choices in Offroad trailers i camp with a few guys that run them but mostly we all run roof top tents, stuff like that so pulling the trailer isn’t needed.

If you haven’t already begin googling Overlanding trailers you’ll have 100’s if not 1000’s of options.

This thread just got cooler

 

That was my main intention (off-roading) also, but my style isn't for everyone, although the method used in the pic seems luxurious in comparison to a 1 week backpacking trip in the mountains.

 

What about this little devil 16 ft Starcraft Travel Trailer Camper - rvs - by owner - vehicle... (craigslist.org)

 

Again, those things are designed for campgrounds. Not serious off road use. I guarantee that flimsy thing would fall apart like a card house the first time out.

 

@Dryfly24

I've been trying to find what you are searching for.. I think we have similar ideas..

Have you checked out this company

InTech Flyer Series - All aluminum including the frame with torsion axle. (pursue or explore)
https://www.intechrv.com/

Or for more creature comforts with a spouse that must have a bathroom

2021 Tab 320S Boondock



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImacFS-4vwA&t=90s

 

You may be right about that, sorry to insult your intelligence. I didn't consider that the unit is wood-framed. I've always avoided wood-framed and aluminum skin so shouldn't have mentioned it.

However, aluminum framing with fiberglass skin is durable offroading in the Southwest, been doing so with 19-footers on many BLM roads in AZ, CO, NM, NV, UT for ten years and four season trailering.

Trailering as I've said before is all about compromises. The terms people use like "RV'ing"
"Overlanding" are subjective. To me it's "Trailering", hooking a trailer to a small truck or SUV. Then you get into defining offroading, wanting to go just about anywhere your truck can go.

Those factors put a limit on choices for trailers. You end up having to find a balance between comfort, offroadability, durability, and cost.

Best balance I've found is the 17-19 footers. Can't go into the tiny places, but how often does that happen? Better to get into some nice BLM spots and be able to have a nice relaxing night with a furnace, inside toilet, sitting around the table with some friends and dogs, cold beer inside, cooking a hot meal inside, cleaning the dishes inside with a fresh, grey, and black tank and water heater.

High profile trailers offroading I've found exterior and interior screws working loose from vibration and flexing. Learned a dab of lowstrength Loctite cures that. Learned to crawl underneath armed with wireloom and zipties, sheath and secure brake wires and LP hoses. Look at all of the electrical connections, slap dielectric onto exposed connections.

The bottom line is you can get to a lot of nice offroad places yanking a travel trailer but you need a pair of balls, a stout trailer, reversing skills.

I found a sweet box canyon in NV that I thought I could turn around the 19', nope, had to back the trailer out about 1/2 mile until I could find a turnaround spot. I tried hard with the 4Runner in 4LO but the steep sides on the wash and the soft sand stopped me.


A shorter trailer maybe one could get it turned around in that situation. But the sacrifice is comfort. Choose as you please.

 

The Geo Pro 15TB is nice, not an off-road trailer.

 

Very cool rig. Take a look at the 2021 Jayco Jayflight 7 154BH Baja Edition. It comes with a solar panel and off road suspension. I special ordered mine with 13,500btu roof air 2,800lbs dry weight.
40 gal water tank.

 

That thing is now out too. I’ve been reading tons of negative reviews about them falling apart as well. It seems like pretty much all commercially produced campers these days are junk. I’m back to either spending nearly 40k on a custom build camping trailer or back to roughing it with a roof top tent - which is what I think I’m gonna do.

 

OP I’ll reiterate my recommendation for either the Alu-Cab Khaya (top photo my truck), or the Alu-Cab Canopy Camper (lighter but not as easily removable lower photo).



Either of these options is tougher than any Tacoma, gives you the ability to have a full camper, or build however you want. I have been BEYOND happy with my Khaya it’s been all over the country already and we have stayed in it for several weeks at a time without issue.

There are 100% off road capable trailers out there but yes they are quite pricey and generally come from other countries. FWIW Alu Cab’s are 100% made in S. Africa which I’m guessing is why they’re so tough.

 

Appreciated but for various reasons I don’t want one of those slide in campers. Pretty well settled on a good RTT for now. I just have to find a good Tent/Bed Rail system.

 

any opinion of the GFC superlight RTT?

 

Check out voodoo fabrications. I have their rail mounted crossbar setup that works with or without my diamondback cover. They make very nice quality products.

https://www.kbvoodoo.com/shop?category=2016+and+up+Tacoma