Which trailer do you recommend?

[OutdoorX4]

As many of us know, the trailer market has become quite congested over the past several years. I've held out for years on doing a trailer build or spending the dough on a trailer despite my need for additional gear storage etc as I have a diesel Grand Cherokee and a family of five.

If you were looking to go the route of getting a trailer versus the cost of purchasing another vehicle (I like our GC and quantifying the cost of purchasing a new truck versus enhancing the one we have doesn't make sense), what would you choose? I'm looking for a number of factors to take into consideration including quality, cost, capabilities off-road, tongue weight, storage capacity, and easability of accessorizing with camp kitchen and bike storage along with RTT.

Post up your opinions as this is something I'm seriously considering and would love to hear your feedback.

 

[Bhos]

I am a fan of teardrops and was really impressed with the Little Guy Rough Rider at an RV show. It may not be as high end as SoCal, AT, Moby, etc, but at about half their price.... Hilldweller went with Little Guy and can talk more to it.

 

[Mike]

Back when we got started into overland camping, we ended up going the trailer route to compliment our Jeep Cherokee. We wanted something light, rugged, able to fit and go any place our Cherokee could, easy to setup and pack up, carry the camp gear needed and the biggest challenge, something we did not have to use a ladder to get into. The last one really made it hard as at the time, so many trailer setups were using RTT and we had zero interest in those.

After about a year of research, we stumbled upon the Kamparoo line of trailers. The model I found I wanted was the Cub Weekender model, which was not built in North America (NA factory is in Canada). As luck would have it, the factory in Canada had a mint condition used Weekender that had been imported from Australia. With blind faith this is what we wanted, since we were unable to see any prior, we bought and had shipped to SoCal our Kamparoo. We did a few minor modifications (like Lock 'n Roll hitch) and used it for a solid 3.5 years. Never once did it hinder our travels, break down or give us any problems whatsoever. Hundreds of miles of wash board, rocky passes like Mengal Pass in Death Valley, nothing slowed us down. The combo of well build Cherokee and just "right sized" Kamparoo gave us more memories than I would have imagined starting this journey of overland travel. Never had a minutes regret for buying the Kamparoo.

Here are a few pics,

 

[The Adventure Portal]

The Adventure Portal has just become exclusive southern Californian distributor for Turtleback Trailers so I'll try to address the question without trying to sell you on anything.

As a consumer the major thing I've learnt over the years is that there isn't a perfect solution. I've dreamt of having a 4x4 van (Sportsmobile) with all the amenities right there, but then again I can't go on all the small trails I want to go on with such a large rig. I've owned a 4 Wheel Camper on my 1st gen Tundra, but I didn't like the fact that it too was too big and also the cab was isolated from the camper shell. I've owned a Sierra4x4 trailer which was light, well built and easy to tow (especially over rough terrain) but ultimately was just a large box. I now have a brand new Turtleback Trailer which is exceptionally well made, has all the gear I need built in and is coupled with a RTT. However, it's still trailing (not something I always want to do)…..and that Sportsmobile looks so cool…..and what about a Flip Pak on the Taco…….the brain loop continues and my Wife can't listen to me anymore!!!

Bottom line for me is that everything has pros and cons and is always a compromise in one way or another. IMHO most brands that market to us are well made, by passionate enthusiasts who survive in business because of their attention to build detail and their desire to fulfill their customers dreams. Whether it's a van, a teardrop, a built out or box trailer, they all work well and are just variations of a theme. I can certainly recommend the quality of Sierra4x4 (although not their delivery timelines or customer service), the attention to detail of the Turtleback is excellent and Dave is a perfectionist in his craft. I will provide honest feedback on the Turtleback in a month after a 5 day trip to the Sierra's in July.

Good luck……

Thanks, Andy

 

[Mr. Leary]

Off-road capability and storage capacity are inversely related. There will always be a compromise.

That said, I would recommend that you look for key features such as:

Side and rear access to trailer storage compartments
Nose storage weight capacity and accessibility
Ability to accommodate a wide range of aftermarket accessories
Overall trailer weight

Basically, you want something that is just big enough but still small, placing a premium on versatility.

Sounds like the trailer plans I have sitting at my house, but haven't formed the company yet to build. (Shameless plug for a product not yet in existence)

 

[kai38]

I've towed a M416 behind five different Toyotas over the years & a tear drop
I bought the tear drop for an Alaska trip but after one use decided it wasn't going to work.
I removed the mattress and replaced it with an inflatable queen size air bed, added tie down points inside to secure my gear while traveling. The mattress that came with it wouldn't allow storage of gear, it bounced around and made a mess, to sleep inside I needed to remove everything outside, not bad it it's not raining because then you have wet boxes to put back inside your bed room.
I keep going back to the M416, I have a RTT mounted on it and depending on the type of trip I either use the trailer and RTT or move it on to the Tacoma.
The M416 works great on twisty trails,has held up great for a 49 yr old trailer. I've had it close to 18 yrs, its been from Mexico to Alaska and many trips through NM/AZ/UT
I can go on a trip very comfortable with what gear fits into the Tacoma (or FJ60/80/FJ Cruiser at the time) if I bring the trailer I bring more comfort gear.

 

[Dennx]

I really like the build quality on the Manley ORV trailers. Made in Ohio.

 

[Xpedition Outfitters]

Back when we got started into overland camping, we ended up going the trailer route to compliment our Jeep Cherokee. We wanted something light, rugged, able to fit and go any place our Cherokee could, easy to setup and pack up, carry the camp gear needed and the biggest challenge, something we did not have to use a ladder to get into. The last one really made it hard as at the time, so many trailer setups were using RTT and we had zero interest in those.

After about a year of research, we stumbled upon the Kamparoo line of trailers. The model I found I wanted was the Cub Weekender model, which was not built in North America (NA factory is in Canada). As luck would have it, the factory in Canada had a mint condition used Weekender that had been imported from Australia. With blind faith this is what we wanted, since we were unable to see any prior, we bought and had shipped to SoCal our Kamparoo. We did a few minor modifications (like Lock 'n Roll hitch) and used it for a solid 3.5 years. Never once did it hinder our travels, break down or give us any problems whatsoever. Hundreds of miles of wash board, rocky passes like Mengal Pass in Death Valley, nothing slowed us down. The combo of well build Cherokee and just "right sized" Kamparoo gave us more memories than I would have imagined starting this journey of overland travel. Never had a minutes regret for buying the Kamparoo.

Here are a few pics,

i was looking around online and found this: http://cneasily.en.alibaba.com/product/1536306857-212787662/Off_Road_Folding_Camping_trailer.html

 

[Dave]

Yeah... That's no Kamparoo

 

[bob91yj]

No pictures of it, but we used to have an early '80's Coleman pop up trailer. I loved that thing, two queen size beds, a two burner stove, furnace and a small sink with manual water pump from a 10 gallon tank. There was almost nothing to go wrong with it, and it took a beating. The only "modification" was to flip the axle from spring under to spring over for more ground clearance.

I bought that thing for $500, and sold it a few years later for the same $500. Don't discount their off highway worthiness...I mean, we've had Honda Accords show up at DRV's, and they aren't exactly known for their off highway prowess. If the canvas is in good shape, you have a winner, everything else can be fixed/upgraded as needed for not much $$$.

- - - Updated - - -

Yeah... That's no Kamparoo

Like it or not Dave, I'll bet you start seeing more of the Alibaba knock off stuff than you do the real McCoy in the next few years. Americans in general are looking for 2-3 times a year recreational toys IMO, than they are 2-3 months out of the year recreational toys.

 

[Maxcustody]

I love my Manley Trailer and tent. The attention to detail Josh Manley has put into his product is outstanding, so is the customer service. I drove to Ohio on the 17th of September and picked mine up. I could not be happier. I used it last weekend and I am going to the Overland Expo this weekend!!!!! Here are some pics. Scott

 

[Matthewp]

Yeah... That's no Kamparoo

Would it be a Crap-a-roo?

 

[flguardgio]

Manley ORV with Tepui tent is what I've been using for the last 2 years amd I have nothing but admiration for the quality work of these two companies, amd their customer service is unparalelled.

 

[Phulcrum]

if you have an unlimited or NEARY unlimited budget you could always get a conqueror 440. After building and rebuilding my own trailer over the last 5 years, and scouring the interwebzs for ideas about trailers, I think they are the best designed trailer on the market. The cost is a major drawback though.

someone here said you cant have everything. and i have to agree. If I was to start my trailer build over again it would be more like those Manley trailers shown above. simple solutions.