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...

TIA

Thanks for the great advice on this website!

 

[chunko]

How capable does it have to be? Fire and access roads or rougher? Not sure how big your family is but maybe a small pop up tent trailer may suit your needs- something like the fleetwood/Coleman cobalt or element trailers. There's a few things you can do to make them more off road worthy (there's a couple builds with them on here I think) but should be able to keep up on dirt roads I'd think.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

 

[Sikocycles]

Intech adventure series with the 2 fold outs.

 

[rodrage]

Unless you're looking at an RV or sleep in, I would think of a "manageable" size unit that you can handle (pulling, storing, and fit to budget). A good, small RTT trailer can accommodate a large family for everything EXCEPT sleeping quarters. Rhino, Oz-Tent and a few other quality tent manufactures have ground units/annexes and nice merging awnings, so you could sleep the family in a semi-connected campsite, and keep a manageable trailer size (and budget). That way, you could always add it, or NOT depending on the group you have.
I too, want to keep my vehicle interior area free of gear and cargo. I wanted to build a "turn-key- load the food, but some ice" unit to hitch and go on the weekends. My trailer is ultimately larger than I wanted, but I will also use it to pull supplies upto my cabin, or carry more gear to base-camps for the Scouts, if they lack the cargo area. Good luck on your search!!
I'll try to add a pic of a good add-on tent here:

 

[SGNellett]

I'd think with 7 people, you would need a Teardrop and a RTT on both the camper and the tow vehicle to get everyone someplace to sleep...

 

[SWITAWI]

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...

TIA

Thanks for the great advice on this website!

Going strictly by your description of 'ultra-capable' trailer for a family of seven, it sounds like your needs are slightly at odds. Any trailer big enough to sleep 7 won't be the greatest choice for the Rubicon, if you'll pardon the analogy.

I would say you want a trailer with a tent made for trailers (not the average RTT), and with additional deployable rooms.

Something like the Kakadu Bushranger 200XT trailer that comes equipped with their Ridgeline Zenith trailer tent that they say offers 200sqft of living space - https://www.kakaducamping.com/products/bushranger-xt-off-road-camper-trailer

The main drawback as I understand it is the amount of time to setup and break down for the full setup. Here's the 200XT with just the main tent deployed and the optional tailgate kitchen...

Here's the full awning deployed...

And here's some images of the awning with the optional $895 walls and inside floor attached...

And if that's not enough space there's yet another add-on 'Rear Room' that connects to the other end by the trailer tongue.

It's a ton of space, but I'm sure a (relative) ton of effort to get fully set up.

Another thread by an interested party - http://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/157316-Kakadu-Bushranger-XT

Expedition Portal actually reviewed the SE model - https://expeditionportal.com/kakadu-bushranger-se/

You can also purchase just the trailer tent from them as well if you already have or want to build your own trailer. Two choices for slightly different-sized trailers.

I have toyed with this idea myself as I have an old trailer that meets the 4'x7' specs really well but it would need a LOT of refurb work.

Trailer Tents - https://www.kakaducamping.com/collections/camper-trailer-tents

Trailer Fit Guide - https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0261/8957/files/OZtrail_NA_FitGuide_2K14.pdf?3661

 

[Silverhorse]

Great info guys, thanks for posting! I'll explore these options...

 

[calicamper]

7 in a j80 with trailer capable enough to bunk 7? Plus all the stuff that seven people need? My j80 was hating 3 people plus lots of gear and an 1800lb boat. Its a goat off road but not a great super hauler on road. The v8 sequoia has been far better and tows way WAY better. But 7 butts in the sequoia with 4x6 trailer loaded full of camp gear still has the 4.7 v8 working hard on decent climbs. The old Suburban was far better moving that many people and all the crap that goes with them.

 

[Sikocycles]

http://www.intechrv.com/adventure.php

 

[dnellans]

I really like that 200 XT. I've got a jumping jack so very partial to the trailer designs with bigger pop up tents rather than putting a RTT on top of something. the JJ is a big bigger trailer platform and more off the ground sleeping but that looks like it should be lighter/easier to set up with more configuration options potentially.

 

[normal_dave]

Hmmm, it would take a little work to be "off-road capable", but most forest service type roads have been fine for my setup. I custom ordered, then finished out this cargo trailer conversion, using standard leaf spring axles for better clearance. My trailer floor height is 20", and I have run out of approach/departure angle on the hitch before the tail drags the ground... What you can't see in this picture is the Serta "click clack" sofa that supports us old folks in the front of the trailer. The cots are modular and can be removed from the vertical E-track in a hurry.

Here's the write-up: We sleep 6 comfortably, have room for bikes, boats, etc. and end up with a great base camp to explore from later. Enclosed cargos have 1" welded square tubing for walls/ceiling so the strength is there, the rest is up to you. It has become so convenient that I now use it even for day trips to secure gear, have a private changing room after a day of paddling on the river, escape from bad weather, etc.
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=48345

Same manufacturer in their Texas plant makes an off-road themed trailer that might provide a good starting point for you:

Outdoors RV makes a Black Rock line of travel trailer with extra travel suspension (Mor-Ryde) and shocks along with a bulletproof frame, and designed for complete off-grid camping. Pricey, but about the only thing in this country that gets close to meeting your needs.
http://outdoorsrvmfg.com/back-country-series/

Otherwise, Australia:
http://www.coromal.com.au/pioneer-x4/

FWIW, on our last trip to one of the state parks, a nice looking RHD diesel FJ showed up late. Roof top tent, and multiple hammocks supported the family which occupied every seat. They were fine as long as the weather was good.

Keep us posted.

 

[Silverhorse]

Great ideas guys! that Coromal is awesome! The more I think about my area NW Florida(the Southeast U.S. in general) I'm thinking AC would be a good option with the HUMIDITY!!!! Also, I don't want any wood in the construction...

These are some other options I have come across so far

Off Grid Overlander

Blue Ridge BRX1

Overland Explorer TDK

Moby 1 XTR

 

[SWITAWI]

First two trailer manufacturers off the top of my head that don't use wood... IntechRV and LivinLite.

http://www.intechrv.com/

https://www.livinlite.com/

 

[normal_dave]

Still having trouble with my math...is it 2 adults, and 5 kids or 2 adults and 3 kids?

We used to camp out of the family Chevy, then Ford van, with two tents, an outdoor kitchen and gear. Man the packing and unpacking gave me unbelievable small space management skills! A place for everything and everything in it's place. An Excel spreadsheet checklist for all items for each camper to be sure we didn't forget anything. I wouldn't trade that hassle for anything...Except a large enough trailer to haul everything and provide secure overnight shelter!

A fellow suggested years ago, that we consider a small cargo trailer for the camp gear, keep it loaded except for foodstuffs, hook up and go. Well that idea, led to the cargo conversion, since their wasn't anything in the market that would sleep 6, haul gear, fit our tow weight limit, and most of all the budget.

Ditto the Livin' Lite recommendation above- Camplite: here's an example: their 21 BHS sleeps 6, and is all aluminum construction and has the mor-ride suspension, and I think there is an "off road" upgrade available.
http://www.shadymaplerv.com/product-livin-lite/camplite-travel-trailer/cl-21bhs

Here's a non-bunkhouse on closeout closer to home:
http://www.southlandrv.com/2017-thor-industries-livin-lite-camplite-21-rbs-ultra-light-travel-trailers-for-sale-atlanta-georgia-637.html

A used bunkhouse slide Camplite in NC:
https://www.rvtrader.com/dealers/D-%26-H-RV-Center-2972996/listing/2014-Livinlite-CampLite-Camplite-Travel-Trailers-21BHS-121947779

When our kids were little we could stack them up most anywhere, well they grow fast, and bring friends, and more and bigger stuff...then they hit late teens and it's a struggle to get a trip organized.

I like the idea of the camper as a base camp, with your tow rig available for more aggressive adventures, leaving the trailer to be your refuge at night. Agree on A/C for the hot nights. A friend suggested only to run the A/C in the evenings for comfortable sleeping, otherwise you'd be constantly running the kids back outside during the day.

Good Luck on the project.

 

[Silverhorse]

Thanks a lot Dave! Its 5 kids and wife and I if we don't bring the two dogs! we have learned the hard way it's tuff to travel with large dogs... barking, cant be left alone, heat, poop etc...

Anyway, we currently pull an Airstream with my diesel van. Or for remote trips the van with 2 ground tents. As you mentioned the packing and unpacking and setting up is a pain.

My plan is to get into overlanding and have a easier set-up to deal with... hopefully I also want to be able to get to remote locations with a capable trailer with 33" tire..

The Airstream is too big for any remote camping and the ground tents for me are not much fun..

I'm thinking a small camper with sleeping quarters with a large RTT would work