Best offroad trailer for a large family?

[Silverhorse]

I want a ultra capable trailer that can go most anywhere. I was planning to make/purchase a trailer and add a RTT and pull it with my 80.... But if all the kids(5) and my wife go I might need to re-think my program. I would need all the 80 interior just for bodies. So everything else would need to go on the roof and in/on a trailer... I was thinking of something the size of a Turtleback but now I'm wondering if that's large enough if everyone goes...


thanks for all the expertise on this website!

 

[Fuji4]

My suggestion would be to get something rugged like an turtleback, AT Horizon, XVenture, custom whatever, then put a Baroud on the top for the master sleeping and an enclosed foxwing awning for outdoor living space. Then get an RV5 or Jet tent (sleeps 7) to sleep the other people. For that many the big challenge will be enough water and chairs, table, etc. Turtleback has 40 gallons i think, which is plenty. but the others you would have to figure that out as most are 15-20 gallons.
If money is no object, get a PATRIOT or KIMBERLEY. You could do it all in for $15k or $40k depending on your base platform.

 

[pazzo_fj]

I do not own a Turtleback, but plenty of my friend do. They are great expedition trailers, but the challenge that I see with any trailer where the sleeping quarters is only a RTT is that you will sleep max 4 people. You could sleep more if you add cots or an air mattress in the annex. Maybe a better option, for a family of your size, is a tear drop where you sleep 2 to 3 inside and then 3 or 4 in the RTT. SoCal Teardrops and Moby1 are great options from what I hear. I'm currently building a teardrop that I'm borrowing designs from multiple tear drop vendors.

 

[SameGuy]

VMI offroad makes some amazing trailers and campers. They are not cheap and last I heard there is a fairly long wait to have one built but in the end you would have an extremely tough, offroad camper that could fit your clan. This one starts at $35,900

http://www.vmioffroad.com/products/xtender-adventure-offroad-trailers/xtender-alpine.html

 

[Outside somewhere]

VMI offroad makes some amazing trailers and campers. They are not cheap and last I heard there is a fairly long wait to have one built but in the end you would have an extremely tough, offroad camper that could fit your clan. This one starts at $35,900

http://www.vmioffroad.com/products/xtender-adventure-offroad-trailers/xtender-alpine.html

Was told like 24 months. They are cool but not that cool.

 

[Silverhorse]

Thanks for the input guys! this has become a fairly difficult decision as everything is too small, not rugged enough or way out of my budget.. I see why so many people build their own set-ups ...

 

[oliverlove]

Another option that just recently came to market from Turtleback. The Getaway trailers are a OZtent tent mounted on a trailer built by Turtleback. I just had a chance to take a look at one at Expo, and they look awesome.

The family could easily fit, and it looks like setup and take down wouldn't be too hard.


http://turtlebacktrailers.com/our-trailers/getaway-trailer/

 

[Silverhorse]

thanks, cool option! ill look into it...

 

[jus passin thru]

I just got a Intech Max Flyer, it's for a 5x8 sleeping area and a pull out kitchen and a very substantial roof rack for a tent. 5x8 should be good for 3 kids. With a 12v Donetic refer ac on the roof and rack it was about 12k out the door in AZ add the tent and your ready to go for under 14k. Check their web site. Mike

 

[Silverhorse]

Hi Mike I looked at those as well. I called in fact, the sales guy was concerned with me wanting to put a XL tent up there so I moved on....

 

[jus passin thru]

The dealer I bought my trailer from had a unskined trailer on display ( there is a picture on Intechs web site) it sure looks more capeable than something made from 2x2's and plywood. But then a rooftop tent isn't in my plans and if the manafacturer is doubtful may you should be also. Mike

 

[speedtre]

If two of your kids are fairly small you could sleep 7 in this fairly easily....3 on one end, 2 on the other, and the 2 smaller ones in the dinette area converted to a bed.

http://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/172246-2008-Jayco-Baja-10y-Off-Road-Pop-UP

 

[Silverhorse]

thanks for the post. If I were practical that's exactly what I would get! BUT I'M NOT :victory:

 

[06TXTaco]

If you haven't checked out the Patriot Trailers they are worth a look. The X1 sounds like it would fit your needs (kind size bed on top, kids room added on the side, fully galley, storage in the trailer for all your gear), but its a pricey option when fitted this way.

If you found a good deal on an AT Horizon and added an OZ tend outside the RTT annex you would get a similar setup. The big benefit with either the X1 or Horizon is you still have good interior storage space for all your gear.

I got to spend some time at Overland Expo looking at the Turtleback trailers (along with a ton of other cool designs), but the deciding factor for me was the lack of storage space in most of them. I wanted something I could keep packed with all our camping gear and still have room for clothes & kids "stuff" when it was time to leave. Some of our trips are "VERY" last minute and I wanted to be able to fill the trailer with water, food and clothes and role out of town. Add off road capability to the requirements, and the list got really short.

Good luck in your quest for the perfect setup.

 

[Silverhorse]

Thanks for the great info @06TXTaco ! I have watched Many patriot videos, great camper! Just seems when you add the options their real pricey... Yes, I need as much storage space as possible! Doesn't the AT have custom suspension, would it be hard to service if custom pieces?

I haven't seen any campers in person so all the info is welcomed! I plan to go up to Ohio to visit the Conqueror dealer in 2 weeks... just to eye ball all their options..

I'll look back at the AT products...