OFFROAD OVERLAND TRAILERS - WHO HAS ONE

[Gabriel Suarez]

59229

Very interesting concept I have been reading about. Anyone here have one?

[Greg Nichols]

When I had Black Violence, I was looking into getting one that would match and was big enough to sleep in.

[apamburn]

A friend of mine built his own teardrop trailer. It was pretty impressive and had a lot of well thought-out storage.

I think they are a great way to extend the capacity of a jeep for trips and also make multi-day trips much more comfortable.

[Brent Yamamoto]

Buddy of mine has one. I got to borrow it to sleep in at Sauer's sniper class a few years back.

It's not fancy like the one pictured above. He's a contractor and ended up with two work trailers...he didn't need two so he customized it for off road. Heavy duty tires/axle, a swiveling heavy duty trailer hitch, water tanks and a small kitchen on the back doors. Nice little mattress and storage cabinets inside. It was spartan and just looked like a work trailer, but completely functional and very comfortable.

The purpose made trailers are much cooler looking, but I was pretty impressed with his DIY job. Either way, really cool concept and makes me want one.

[Gabriel Suarez]

I have a few things to do to the yet unnamed Jeep, like a tire carrier so the spare is not on the rear door itself. But a trailer like this is definitely in our future.

[chad newton]

I have a few things to do to the yet unnamed Jeep, like a tire carrier so the spare is not on the rear door itself. But a trailer like this is definitely in our future.
They are cool, I never bought one. One of the dudes I used to 4x with had one and he took it behind him rock crawling. I don’t know why other then I think he thought it was cool. Set up with a foldout tent on top could be pretty awesome for some outback camping. Biggest advantage is the space it will create. Jeeps lack room, especially when I put the extra seat in the ass end....

[chad newton]

I made a full rack for the top of mine and it worked pretty bitchen. The only problem I had with it is my top was cloth and the rack and wind made the worst noise driving down the freeway. Trailer would be way better, you can drop it off where you are going...

[chad newton]

59234

I basically copied this one, but made my own tweaks to it. I welded it out of conduit pipe, just because it was galvanized already and fairly light weight.

[trenner]

Those interested might check out this family that's been living and exploring out of their 4Runner, Turtleback overland trailer, and rooftop tent. They have summary information here: https://www.lifestyleoverland.com, a YouTube channel here: http://www.youtube.com/lifestyleoverland, and YouTube playlists organized by gear reviews, how tos, and adventures here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJSHfhZHP8-iChAVCrXWTyA/playlists. A YouTube video that features their initial Turtleback Trailer configuration/move in is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlXCjpydTW4.

-Tom

[psalms23dad]

Dont take this the wrong way...

I'd highly recomend proper drivers training for such things.

[jesselp]

I’ve wanted one of those since the day I first learned of them.

[randyho]

The trailer strikes me as the place to put the roof-mounted tent, and not at roof height.I'd much prefer it there than on the roof of the jeep that I'm driving and is hitting odd angles.

[chad newton]

Start following 4x4him and Bakersfield trailblazers on face book. Out of those two groups they put together a lot of group rides. I’m not on Facebook anymore but this dude named James on 4x4him had the Jeep trailer. I can’t remember his last name and I don’t have his number. The trailblazers always have stuff for sale, I have another buddy that is still doing all the trail rides that I can ask if someone has one for sale. Just let me know, I can also pick it up if something comes through. The Trail Blazers “leader” is Jermey, he knows who I am and he would probably even do an event out your way if you wanted to.

[CaptShack]

I have an old military trailer I am going to DIY for a roof top tent, but more on the austere end of things.59238 The Turtleback trailers and similar are very cool and very pricey.

I have been looking at some trailers for a more glamping approach. One Tent trailer I did think was pretty interesting is the Air Opus. It is very off road capable and has a low center of gravity and fairly light weight. The Max tow for a JKU is 3500 lbs. It was developed in Oz ( great Overlanding gear made there) , but is now made and sold in the US. The concept is the instead of cranking up the tent, there is an air compressor that blows the tent up. Plenty of room inside and the outdoor kitchen is pretty trick. They are also pretty pricey, but very cool. You can see a few and Tom's Camperland in Avondale.

https://www.opuscamper.us/

[Sigma05]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200214/da79ade0bb7490b7a73fac0e5cde9352.jpg

I have this M1100 that I use for emergency services that I’m going to close up for double use. I’ve looked at a lot of the “overland” trailers available and I have to say I didn’t like any of them. That’s why I’ve opted to design my own. I have the soft top that comes with this one but it’s way too high.

[DaveJames]

https://expeditionportal.com/ Gabe take some time and look through here, there are a couple of amazing models coming out of Australia, with rep's here in the states.

[7 Mary 3]

Im looking very hard at this guy....

https://www.intechrv.com/models/flyer/pursue/

It seems to be very well regarded by the trailer crowd. All Al welded construction. Its runs about $14k but the extreme trailers push way over $20k.

It looks like most if not all of the ones for sale have the upgrades that gets you a little more clearance and the kitchen.

I have no desire to go rock crawling but most travel trailers would fall apart within the first 1/2 mile of dirt road travel. This one looks to be a very solid item.

If Im going to drag a trailer along Im sleeping inside of 4 solid walls with a roof and not in a tent on top. I say this with being partial to cool/cold weather camping.

They also make a very cool toy hauler that the bunks fold out from the side but Im not an ATV guy.

7m4

[Redbug]

Do a search on Australian off road campers. They have it figured out. They still have lots of wilderness and roaming room.
Just one of many: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oinNoyRWsa0

[LawDog]

Australia definitely seems to have the best of these. They also have parts that are "illegal" in the U.S., like oversized fuel tanks to extend your range.

I have no hands-on experience with these, but I gleaned a couple of points from reading a lot about them:
(1) It is highly advantageous to match the wheel width (track) of the trailer to your vehicle. Some manufacturers will tailor the track to match your vehicle. Others will simply say that their track matches "X" vehicle.
(2) Match the wheels and tires to your own vehicle, too, so that you've got additional, built-in spares. In a pinch, you could pirate the wheels off of the trailer and run them on your truck if you ran through your on-board spare.

And a third point is that weight really matters. A friend of mine recently built his own trailer. He's a talented craftsman, but didn't sufficiently consider the weight penalty. His Tundra drops to about 3 mpg when towing the trailer. Now he's looking at having to upgrade his truck so that he can handle the weight of the trailer.

[coastalcop]

Here is a starting point for video of how trailers, tents , and friends all work together. Did a bunch of collab with the Aussies as well. Theres HOURs of video , most of it entertaining. Folks are USA based

https://www.youtube.com/user/ExpeditionOverland

[thegrinch911]

My overland beast. Full time 4WD as the transfer case shift housing broke and I leave it in 4WD for the winter.60599

[LawDog]

I leave it in 4WD for the winter.I could get away with that in Alaska. I usually put it in 4HI sometime in December and put it back in 2WD in March or April. But you don't look like you're in Alaska. That's got to be putting a lot of strain on your truck. Someone with more automotive knowledge than I possess could give a better account, but I have some concern about this approach.

[Dorkface]

Looks like manual hubs. As long as those are left unlocked until needed it will just cause lower gas mileage.

[Blacked out]

Yea if the hubs are left locked in dry conditions, turning especially at low speeds is a lot of fun. I love the full metal old school!

[BillyOblivion]

Australia definitely seems to have the best of these. They also have parts that are "illegal" in the U.S., like oversized fuel tanks to extend your range.

I didn't realize auxiliary fuel tanks are illegal here in the US.


His Tundra drops to about 3 mpg when towing the trailer. Now he's looking at having to upgrade his truck so that he can handle the weight of the trailer.

Wow. Literally doesn't pass gas stations on the highway.

[LawDog]

I didn't realize auxiliary fuel tanks are illegal here in the US.Looking at that again, I realize I made it sound worse than it is. Auxiliary tanks aren’t per se illegal in the U.S., but they have to be ‘approved.’ A lot of the best tanks aren’t U.S.-approved, so the Ozzies have better options for high-capacity fuel tanks than we do.

[7 Mary 3]

I see duelly trucks pulling those car carrier trailers all the time with aftermarket fuel tanks strapped down on the frame behind the cab. They must cross scales and deal with DOT so it must not be too complicated.

Those guys must make a little money. There are lots on independent guys doing it.

7M3

[Captain Ron]

I didn't realize auxiliary fuel tanks are illegal here in the US.



Wow. Literally doesn't pass gas stations on the highway.
I don’t get this. I have a Tundra, and have averaged about 8 mpg over 4,200 miles towing a travel trailer that weighs around 7,500lbs loaded. I don’t dawdle along at 60mph, either, and those miles include some time in the Smoky Mountains and Texas headwinds on the way to the Gulf. The 38 gallon fuel tank means we can pick and choose fuel stops, and of course I always have at least one full 5 gallon can with me.

[SoCal1]

I see duelly trucks pulling those car carrier trailers all the time with aftermarket fuel tanks strapped down on the frame behind the cab. They must cross scales and deal with DOT so it must not be too complicated.

Those guys must make a little money. There are lots on independent guys doing it.

7M3

Those tanks are likely diesel. DOT regulations allow for something like 110 gallon diesel tanks. Diesel takes high heat and/or pressure to ignite so it is safer to transport in larger quantities. A puddle of diesel on the ground won’t ignite with a spark or open flame like gasoline will.

[RonaldBeal]

119 Gallons is the limit in the U.S. for transporting diesel or gasoline before you have to deal with DOT regs, hazmat regs, MSDS sheets, placards, etc.