Overlanding Camping Trailers

[raqball]

I am currently researching off-road campers and trailers. The older I get, the less I want to setup my tent and other gear every time I head out. I am considering enclosed trailers and trailers with Roof Top Tents.

What I want is the ability to store all my gear inside the trailer when heading to a site, then setup base camp after arrival, and have a comfortable sleeping area.

I do not need a living area as most of my time spent will be wheeling the trails in the area for the day. Return to base camp at the end of the day, eat, chill by fire then sleep. Lather, rinse, repeat for the entire trip.

My budget is about $14K and while I can go over this, I'd prefer to stay at or under that price.

I want the trailer to be off-road capable but it won't really be heading down any serious trails. My plans would be to wheel to an area, set up base camp, wheel that area for the day then return to base camp for the night. Any serious off-roading would be done away from the base camp and the base camp would be setup in an easily accessible area.

I'd love to see and hear what others have. Photos and write up for it would be very helpful.

Here are a few options I am considering and their estimated prices.

Oregon Trailer DoDrop Alpha: $13,250 for the Base version (I would probably go over my $14K limit adding items and things it's missing)

https://oregontrailer.net/model/dodrop-alpha/

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Runaway Venturist XS: $8400 (as I have one configured) without RTT
Inspired Overland RTT: $1300
Total: $9,700

Trailer: https://www.runawaycampers.com/product/venturist-xs/5?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=false&q=false
RTT: https://inspiredoverland.com/products/io-lightweight-rooftop-tent/

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TentRax Ascend: About $14,000 (as I have one configured)

https://www.tentrax.com/ascend

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Smittybilt Scout Trailer: $8800
Inspired Overland RTT: $1300
Total: $10,100

Trailer: https://www.smittybilt.com/product-skus/smittybilt-scout-trailer-87400/
RTT: https://inspiredoverland.com/products/io-lightweight-rooftop-tent/

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Some have an Off-road Articulation Hitch and some don't. I would definitely add one to the trailers that don't have one standard.

I am leaning towards the DoDrop Alpha since it does not require a RTT but I am also seriously considering the Venturist XS or the Smittybilt Scout with an Inspired Overland RTT due to their total price.. The TentRax Ascend looks good but it's a little pricey considering it's a soft RTT style on top and I think it's a propriety tent so I'd worry about getting another if it ever needed to be replaced.

Please share you camping trailers here and if you don't mind sharing, the price paid. I will probably be purchasing something over the winter so I am ready to roll come next spring.

Thanks!

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[popo_patty]

Off-road trailers are great!

 

[raqball]

Off-road trailers are great!

Not even remotely close to what I asked but thanks for posting

 

[swamp2]

I'm also seriously considering one. I like to camp in free/remote places requiring moderate wheeling to get to (National Forrests, BLM, etc.). And then, unhook and wheel hard in the Raptor. I'm considering going "all in" on a Patriot X3 gen2. Pay once, cry once (and smile with every small interaction with the trailer).

Let us know your final decision.

 

[Eljohno]

Popo's just having a little fun, lighten up.

 

[raqball]

I'm also seriously considering one. I like to camp in free/remote places requiring moderate wheeling to get to (National Forrests, BLM, etc.). And then, unhook and wheel hard in the Raptor. I'm considering going "all in" on a Patriot X3 gen2. Pay once, cry once (and smile with every small interaction with the trailer).

Let us know your final decision.

I might stretch my budget to $15K but am planning on paying cash and don't want to empty the bank account.

I also considered a roof rack with an RTT but I roll with my hardtop off from the start of Spring until the end of Fall and that setup would require me to have the hard top on.. Not happening!

I found many other cool trailer / camper options that are super sweet but they are all over my budget..

 

[dejones64]

My DIY. Started off as a 4'x5' Carry-On trailer from Lowes.

Removed fenders and 12" wheels/tires. Upgraded fenders and 15" wheels/tires. Built 1/4"-1/2" plywood box. Added cargo basket. Channel strut frame to support the RTT. Added tongue jack and corner jacks for stability. Kind of it in a nutshell. Total cost put into the trailer including the RTT is about $3k ($1100 RTT, $800 trailer).

Took it cross country MN-WY-AZ and back, about 4k miles. Total weight with gear was about 1100 lbs. Towed great. No off-roading, pretty much national/state parks. My 2 adult kids were comfortable in the RTT. Works for me and what I'm doing. Can't afford those overland trailers.

I recently relocated the trailer spare to the back of the trailer, freeing up more cargo basket space. Took 3 trips with it this summer.

 

[swamp2]

I might stretch my budget to $15K but am planning on paying cash and don't want to empty the bank account.

I found many other cool options that are super sweet but they are all over my budget..

What was your favorite over the budget one?

 

[raqball]

My DIY. Started off as a 4'x5' Carry-On trailer from Lowes.

Removed fenders and 12" wheels/tires. Upgraded fenders and 15" wheels/tires. Built 1/4"-1'2" plywood box. Added cargo basket. Channel strut frame to support the RTT. Added tongue jack and corner jacks for stability. Kind of it in a nutshell. Total cost put into the trailer including the RTT is about $3k ($1100 RTT, $800 trailer).

Took it cross country MN-WY-AZ and back, about 4k miles. Total weight with gear was about 1100 lbs. Towed great. No off-roading, pretty much national/state parks. My 2 adult kids were comfortable in the RTT. Works for me and what I'm doing. Can't afford those overland trailers.

I recently relocated the trailer spare to the back of the trailer, freeing up more cargo basket space. Took 3 trips with it this summer.

Wow! Nicely done!!!

What was your favorite over the budget one?

I was seriously looking at Taxa TigerMoth

https://taxaoutdoors.com/products/t...iBAZSrPAlVHhG3RVFAvh0prWHFqacGd6RyDbd9EgM2QT6

After adding the off-road / overloanding kit it's pushing $23K

 

[userdude]

These look awesome, and I would much rather get one of these after I pay off my Bronco than put an RTT on my actual Bronco. Having said that, don't know I can parse the difference outside the cost. I like the TentRax as far as price.

On the popo thing, he's not a troll, just bit a little by the "off roading with a trailer" (that didn't go well for them) which is apparently different than what you're proposing. But really similar sounding...

 

[userdude]

Wow! Nicely done!!!


I was seriously looking at Taxa TigerMoth

https://taxaoutdoors.com/products/t...iBAZSrPAlVHhG3RVFAvh0prWHFqacGd6RyDbd9EgM2QT6

After adding the off-road / overloanding kit it's pushing $23K

The TigerMoth! It's so expensive, but man it's nice!

 

[raqball]

On the popo thing, he's not a troll, just bit a little by the "off roading with a trailer" (that didn't go well for them) which is apparently different than what you're proposing. But really similar sounding...

That response as the 1st post in the tread? C'mon man!

Especially since I was clear the trailer won't see any serious off-roading.

I want the trailer to be off-road capable but it won't really be heading down any serious trails. My plans would be to wheel to an area, set up base camp, wheel that area for the day then return to base camp for the night. Any serious off-roading would be done away from the base camp and the base camp would be setup in an easily accessible area.

I am all for goofing off but there is a time and a place..

 

[raqball]

The TigerMoth! It's so expensive, but man it's nice!

Yeah, sevn over on Bronco Nation has one.. I snapped some photos of it for him at their Overland Expo PNW booth and he purchased it right after that.

Super sweet trailer / camper..

 

[userdude]

That response as the 1st post in the tread? C'mon man!

Especially since I was clear the trailer won't see any serious off-roading.

I am all for goofing off but there is a time and a place..

Yeah, I get that. I got a couple too-serious replies when I made a joke about a v8 in my post the other day. Kinda gets it going in the wrong direction off the bat.

However, I think overlanding is a better term, or use base camp trailers in the title? It's less loaded than off roading. Hindsight and all, yeah dragging a trailer on a 4/10 or above would suck, as Popo found out. But I'm not sure it was that obvious if you skim the post (which I did, too ). TLDR and all. I just looked at the ones you were referencing.

And yeah, we have someone here in Denton that sells Taxa's and I've been by to look at them. They are very nice! But dang, expensive. They used to have one that was a little toy trailer with window tents (?) and a little kitchenette. I don't think they sell it anymore, though.

 

[raqball]

However, I think overlanding is a better term, or use base camp trailers in the title? It's less loaded than off roading.

Great suggestion.. I edited the title!

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