Overlanding Camping Trailers

[TxCatalystMan]

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/

-----------------

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/

----------------

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

https://www.tentrax.com/ascend

-------------------

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/

-------------------

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!

You might want to check our Zion Off-Road trailers, they're in Utah so not too far away and they will build it to your specs. Zion Off-Road - The Only Fully Modular Off-Road/Adventure Trailer (zionoffroad.com)

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[Tdub0527]

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/

-----------------

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/

----------------

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

https://www.tentrax.com/ascend

-------------------

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/

-------------------

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!

I am also interested in a trailer but I am more specifically interested in a teardrop trailer. From reading your post I think you have two options for your budget. If you want new stuff go for a trailer designed to hold your gear and a RTT.

If you'd prefer a small trailer like a teardrop that has more comfortable accommodations I don't think you'll find one worth buying new with your budget. However, coming out of the covid RV boom there are a lot of lightly used rigs people are selling on craigslist and FB marketplace for good prices. Buying at this time of the year is even better if you are in a winter state.

I'd recommend checking out this youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/PlayingwithSticks

Drew does indepth reviews on small trailers and leaves his bias behind (he does use bean as his gold standard). He even has a video on the small tear drop you have linked above.

I'm actually renting a teardrop off Outdoorsy to try it out and see if I'd even like it....or determine if it is more of a dream/fantasy than something I'd actually use and like.

Good luck, let us know what you decide.

-Ted

 

[Jdc]

I'd recommend taking a look at used campers. Prices have come down drastically since the height of the pandemic and I've seen some pretty good deals on Facebook marketplace.
This is the teardrop I picked up last year. It came with a 4inch memory foam mattress but I added a 4inch memory foam topper. The comfort is second only to sleeping in your bed at home

 

[raqball]

I am also interested in a trailer but I am more specifically interested in a teardrop trailer. From reading your post I think you have two options for your budget. If you want new stuff go for a trailer designed to hold your gear and a RTT.

If you'd prefer a small trailer like a teardrop that has more comfortable accommodations I don't think you'll find one worth buying new with your budget. However, coming out of the covid RV boom there are a lot of lightly used rigs people are selling on craigslist and FB marketplace for good prices. Buying at this time of the year is even better if you are in a winter state.

I'd recommend checking out this youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/PlayingwithSticks

Drew does indepth reviews on small trailers and leaves his bias behind (he does use bean as his gold standard). He even has a video on the small tear drop you have linked above.

I'm actually renting a teardrop off Outdoorsy to try it out and see if I'd even like it....or determine if it is more of a dream/fantasy than something I'd actually use and like.

Good luck, let us know what you decide.

-Ted

I am leaning towards a trailer and an RTT however, the DoDrop Alpha has great reviews and is within my budget if I go with a new teardrop..

I also found this. It's off-road ready and pretty well built as priced. It's Jeep branded but I assume that could be debadged. I have an email into them asking if it can be ordered without the Jeep branding.

https://www.addaxoverland.com/jeep-overland-trailer

Add an Inspired Overland RTT and I am sitting just under $15K..

 

[Tdub0527]

I am leaning towards a trailer and an RTT however, the DoDrop Alpha has great reviews and is within my budget if I go with a new teardrop..

I also found this. It's off-road ready and pretty well built as priced. It's Jeep branded but I assume that could be debadged. I have an email into them asking if it can be ordered without the Jeep branding.

https://www.addaxoverland.com/jeep-overland-trailer

Add an Inspired Overland RTT and I am sitting just under $15K..

Keep your eyes on the used market. Like I said a lot of people unloading Covid purchases that aren’t relevant for them anymore.

 

[raqball]

Keep your eyes on the used market. Like I said a lot of people unloading Covid purchases that aren’t relevant for them anymore.

I'd prefer to purchase new..

 

[dejones64]

Nice setup love the black diamond kinda looks just like mine when I got it love the steelies fixing to do my second set of tires and I’m going to rotate wheels every time I get tires

Thank you. I remember back when it was all shiny and new. Lucky if I wash it once a month now. I was all over the place in deciding which model. Ordered the Badlands in 2021, then reordered the Black Diamond for 2022. More budget friendly for my needs. I was always into the aluminum wheels, but the steelies grew on me, utilitarian. Lucky my trailer wheels kind of match. When these tires wear out I'll move up to 35's with a lift.

 

[raqball]

I ended up purchasing this. A new 2023 Taxa TigerMoth - Overland edition.

It was over budget at $17,900 but the deal was to good to pass on.

It comes with the Thule Tepui 3 person RTT that I won't need or use so I will sell it on the cheap to get a little cash back.

 

[raqball]

Picked this up yesterday..

 

[350vudu]

Only off-road trailers I would consider would be Patriot but def outside your budget. That’s what I looked at when I considered going that route. Ultimately just got a roof rack and RTT. I take my roof rack and RTT off after every camping trip so I can go topless when needed. I’m not the one to keep the rack and RTT on permanently.

 

[Fastmc25]

This was the last one i built. Sadly it was sold with the bus.
Gotta build one for my Bronco now

A tent mounts on the rack when needed. Always work get on the trails.

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