Off Road Camping Trailers

raqball

Sep 10, 2024

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) Limited storage - would need to do more research

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 your 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!

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Bronco*girl66, BuckYeah

Sort by date

Reaction Score

Sep 10, 2024

I am also trying to figure this out, so I'm going to shamelessly steal ideas.

But some others for your consideration:

Turtleback Trailers - https://turtlebacktrailers.com/

Specifically, their barebones series trailers, which they call "Shell". The more built-out trailers have a ton of features will be WELL above your (and my) budget. This is the option I'm personally leaning towards.

Bean Trailers - https://beantrailer.com/

Again, most of their trailers will be beyond the budget, but their lower cost models are worth considering in my opinion.

---

I have a few more that would have worked, but unfortunately many of them are now out of business or have had to dramatically raise prices.

My personal favorite is the Escapod, but they discontinued the original TOPO Escapod a year ago, and now only sell the much more expensive Escapod TOPO2. But if you wanted to stretch the budget a bit (and by "a bit", I mean triple it), I think Bronco Nation has (or had) a company Escapod that I'm sure @Laura, @cam.hunter, and the rest of the BN crew have battled and played numerous rounds of rock-paper-scissors for in the past.

2022 4dr Badlands, 2.3L Manual, Mid pkg
YouTube: youtube.com/@ragnarkon
Instagram: @ragnar.kon

Bronco*girl66, Laura

Sep 10, 2024

RagnarKon
My personal favorite is the Escapod, but they discontinued the original TOPO Escapod a year ago, and now only sell the much more expensive Escapod TOPO2. But if you wanted to stretch the budget a bit (and by "a bit", I mean triple it), I think Bronco Nation has (or had) a company Escapod that I'm sure @Laura, @cam.hunter, and the rest of the BN crew have battled and played numerous rounds of rock-paper-scissors for in the past.

I think I saw that one at the Bronco Nation Base Camp at Overland Expo PNW..

Sweet trailer but beyond my budget. I can spend more, I just don't want to.. I can probably stretch it up to $15K max.. Gonna pay cash and don't wanna empty the bank..

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Laura, UserError

Sep 10, 2024

I went a different route and some over your budget with the one I picked up. This is one I was looking at as well and seems decently priced.
https://www.bishs.com/product/new-2024-braxton-creek-bushwhacker-10hd-2495111-102

21 Badlands, 2 dr, four banger, slushbox, SAS. PERFECT!

Rydfree, UserError

Sep 10, 2024

Sven
I went a different route and some over your budget with the one I picked up. This is one I was looking at as well and seems decently priced.
https://www.bishs.com/product/new-2024-braxton-creek-bushwhacker-10hd-2495111-102

I'd love to buy a TigerMoth like you have but it's quite a bit over what I want to spend..

The linked one is def worth considering.. Thanks for the link!

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Bluestreak57, UserError

Sep 10, 2024

How about building your own? I know nothing about this kit but happened to see a Facebook ad for building your own overland trailer. Never really paid attention to it so I'm not even sure what brand it was. This is one that came up on a google search.
https://aeroteardrops.com/trailer-kits/

2022 Bronco Badlands, 4D, Hot Pepper Red, 2.7, Squatch, Lux, and MIC.
7/13/2020 10:04pm reservation. Blend 6/16/2022 Delivered 6/26/2022.
Dealership - Stephen's Auto Center.

UserError, Sven

Sep 10, 2024

Deano Bronc
How about building your own? I know nothing about this kit but happened to see a Facebook ad for building your own overland trailer. Never really paid attention to it so I'm not even sure what brand it was. This is one that came up on a google search.
https://aeroteardrops.com/trailer-kits/

Link does not work for me.. aeroteardrops.com works but when you click on build your own it shows this:

Screenshot 2024-09-10 at 12.39.10 PM.png

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Sep 10, 2024

raqball
Link does not work for me.. aeroteardrops.com works but when you click on build your own it shows this:

Hmmm, interesting. Did a little digging and it appears they went bankrupt several months ago.😕
Sorry, strange it came up on a google search for me.

2022 Bronco Badlands, 4D, Hot Pepper Red, 2.7, Squatch, Lux, and MIC.
7/13/2020 10:04pm reservation. Blend 6/16/2022 Delivered 6/26/2022.
Dealership - Stephen's Auto Center.

UserError, raqball

Sep 10, 2024

Here are 2 i have been looking at. Not high end but looks like possibilities. Didnt send links because various sites list them and figured u would research yourself.

Hope this helps!

🐎

2023 Wildtrak, sas, mid, soft top. Not crazy offroader…. Just a normal trail junkie

James77, UserError

Sep 10, 2024

Deano Bronc
Hmmm, interesting. Did a little digging and it appears they went bankrupt several months ago.😕
Sorry, strange it came up on a google search for me.

No worries, appreciate the effort!

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

James77, Chief Ron

Sep 11, 2024

#10

My son had the Airstream Basecamp X-something. I was a very nice trailer, lots of extras, solar, etc. It worked great for a few years and then his girls started growing and they ran out of room.

James77, raqball

Sep 11, 2024

#11

MIGeezer
My son had the Airstream Basecamp X-something. I was a very nice trailer, lots of extras, solar, etc. It worked great for a few years and then his girls started growing and they ran out of room.

Those are like $60K and loaded to the hilt with creature comforts...

I don't need a living space or any creature comforts. All I am basically looking for is storage and a sleeping area. I don't even need a cooking area as I can use the Trailgater on my Bronco for that.

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

James77, Chief Ron

Sep 11, 2024

#12

Subscribed. It’ll be a while before I get one, but looking forward to the reviews from those who are already using these hard sided tents regularly. Also looking forward to read about what options I can forego even as most these are dependent on the use case.

2023 Wildtrak 4D Lux MIC Tow Oxford White

James77, Chief Ron

Sep 11, 2024

#13

A little more on what I am looking for:

$14K - $15K max
Storage to haul the gear that I now pack into my Bronco.
- Camp chair
- Camp table
- Camp stove
- Pots, pans, dishes, cups etc
- Clothes
- Fire can
- Propane Tank
Sleeping area

That's it. Storage and sleeping. No creature comforts just a basic plain ole' trailer that has off-road ability. Preferably something smallish and light.

This would eliminate most of the bulky items that I now cram into the Bronco. Tent, poles, sleeping cot, sleeping bag etc and easily allow the rest of the gear I carry to be stored inside the trailer.

I do not need a kitchen, bathroom, shower and all the other creature comforts that the more costly trailers offer. I am single and I cook very basic food when camping.

I also do not need power as I can use the power bank in my Bronco that powers my car fridge to charge things. Maybe I'd add another small power bank and charge it off solar but I don't even think that would be needed as the only time I would be in the trailer or RTT would be to sleep.

My car fridge would stay in Bronco so I can have cold drinks and maybe lunch on the trail. I can use my Trailgater on the Bronco to place a camp stove for cooking.

A small teardrop style camper or a trailer with a RTT will allow me to roll with my top off most of the year.

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

James77, Chief Ron

Sep 11, 2024

#14

How about the Polydrops P19 off-road? I have been looking as well.
https://www.polydrops.com/product-page/new-p19-shorty-off-road

James77, Chief Ron

Sep 11, 2024

#15

TerryM
How about the Polydrops P19 off-road? I have been looking as well.
https://www.polydrops.com/product-page/new-p19-shorty-off-road

Thanks for the link..

More info and images of it here: https://www.polydrops.com/p19

I was leaning towards the DoDrop Alpha but this one is worth serious consideration..

$14K with the expedition suspension upgrade.

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

James77, Chief Ron

Sep 11, 2024

#16

I say go all-the-way on the budget and travel in style :)
Made in Oregon.

https://type2campers.com/products/t2-4-camper

UserError, James77

Sep 11, 2024

#17

adcam
I say go all-the-way on the budget and travel in style :)
Made in Oregon.

https://type2campers.com/products/t2-4-camper

That's a cool looking retro camper.. If I had a Scooby-Doo Van, I'd probably snag it! 😂

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

UserError, James77

Sep 11, 2024

#18

raqball
Thanks for the link..

More info and images of it here: https://www.polydrops.com/p19

I was leaning towards the DoDrop Alpha but this one is worth serious consideration..

$14K with the expedition suspension upgrade.

They are also extremely light weight, 640 lbs. I don‘t own one or have any experience with their quality or support. I am still researching like you.

Deano Bronc, James77

Sep 11, 2024

#19

If you're even remotely handy, you can build your own for much less than it costs to purchase a camper and you have the satisfaction of doing it yourself.

I started with a 4'x8' Carson flat/ATV hauler trailer (no sides and sturdier frame), flipped the axle and then basically built a box on top of it. I used boat hardware for everything, covered the plywood with .040 aluminum and use a small 12v rechargeable battery out of a mobility scooter for power when I'm not plugged into a generator or shore, which is when it gets recharged. The 110 electrical in the camper is basically an extension cord with a five way on the end. AC is housed in the toolbox on the tongue. All said and done, less than $6,000 invested not counting my time. It would be more now because prices have gone up a bit in the past four years. Pocket holes and wood glue holds it all together and it's just screwed to the trailer before putting LVT flooring down (leftover from a neighbors remodel).

I purchased the doors from an RV surplus place in Indiana (Ickes). I planned it out for quite some time, taking ideas from campers I liked (big fan of the Bean campers) and tackled it during COVID.

The cot can easily be replaced by anair mattress but I like having storage under the cot as well.I traveled and lived in this just about full time for two years. No regrets.

Come-a-long & an axe, jtgensler

You must log in or register to post here.