Chinese Trailer - NJStar Explorer

[Tex68w]

Nope, this one is quite different. The company I'm ordering from only makes the one model that's more or less a design knock off of the UEV 490 (although they are doing some one off prototypes for a truck camper as well as a camper van conversion). I believe the one I'm ordering is positioned as a more premium product within China, especially seeing as how all of their domestic customers seem to be rolling up in new Defenders, Raptors, etc to pick up the trailers. Check out the latest video one of the sales guy posted of my specific trailer (which is finally complete – shipping in next couple days):


You can tell even from the interior that they're trying to go just a little above the other Chinese trailers with insulated tent layer, teak floors, faux leather lined walls, felt lined storage, etc.

His lack of an accent and english are impressive.

Do they build larger travel trailers or willing to build custom ones?

I've been shopping for new TT, they are all disappointing, even with Airstream.

Airstream has been disappointing for as long as I can remember. The most overrated, overpriced trailers in the game.

 

[Obsessed2findARuggedHybid]

Opus, MCD, Black Series, Patriot Overland, Down Under trailers.

Most Australian manufacturers are sourcing directly from China as the closest source, that's what you can get an unbranded Conqueror uev 14 from their kit manufacturer.

Hey Run...hope you are doing well. Do you know for sure that Patriot build thier rigs in china? They have a new model think that is mfg in china?

 

[eatSleepWoof]

Oh yea, and bigfoot too, Oliver is nice but bit small for me, I like Bigfoot, but its $100k CAD + taxes, I figure if I'm going to spend that much on essentially box on utility trailer, I'd like something I want, an Airstream Tradewind 25ft is almost $185k CAD + taxes, which is insane in my book.

Ideally would like 25ft-ish box that's full width, with dinette in the back and bedroom front, no slide out, I've got 960AH of batteries already.

The perfect trailer outdoors rv 20bd layout:

With outside look like Kingdom camper or Intech Navigate.

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And run all the Truma 12v a/c and furnace tankless waterheater, we love how efficient they are

Don't need cruisemaster suspension, or run 35" tires, I think 10-12" ground clearance is more than enough to clear most places.




Do you mind DM me the contact?

I always suspected I may have an identical twin out there somewhere.

You literally went through every option I'm dreaming about, with the very specific layouts, wants/needs, and criticisms that I have myself.

Someone build this already!

 

[Runmorun]

Hey Run...hope you are doing well. Do you know for sure that Patriot build thier rigs in china? They have a new model think that is mfg in china?

All I have is hearsay information according to your posts on other threads. Call a dealer

 

[Obsessed2findARuggedHybid]

All I have is hearsay information according to your posts on other threads. Call a dealer

I said hearsay because I couldn't say definitely that all models are manufactured in China as per your wording. Sorry I even asked.

 

[Downytide]

I always suspected I may have an identical twin out there somewhere.

You literally went through every option I'm dreaming about, with the very specific layouts, wants/needs, and criticisms that I have myself.

Someone build this already!

Group buy?

 

[Obsessed2findARuggedHybid]

Haven’t had a chance to see an MDC trailer in person but judging from all the pics in videos I would say the are run of the mill quality wise.

In regards to the NJStar trailer, I can confidently say there is nothing in this price range (or any price range for this size trailer) that has this level quality of an interior. The fit and finish is next level. Every detail was considered. There is no unlined surface, the ceiling is upholstered, walls upholstered. All the tent canvas is double layers with a padded insulating layer. They felt lined the inside of every cabinet. Even the floor behind the interior refrigerator has the real teakwood floor even despite it being a surface you never see.

Attaching some detail pics that hopefully show the quality a little better

Oregontrd have not heard from you since January. Have you been using your njstar or did you sell it?

 

[Obsessed2findARuggedHybid]

I am going to reply my experience and how it differs from @oregontrd .

I am very leery about wiring money and wanted the protection of paying with credit card. In order to do this they ran the order through Alibaba. The initial payment went fine but the final payment they had to split into two separate orders because the website had a $12k max for credit card charges. Capital One rejected the order three different times and I had to go through a big hassle proving identity each time to unlock my card. I did pay an extra fee for using card but after the cashback rewards received, I figured I paid an extra 1.5%. I consider it worth the peace of mind.

Because of Nick's (OregonTRD) experience with the trailer being parked in the container backwards, I requested they pack it the other way (hitch out) but I was told that it would not be able to be secured as well and could cause damage, so I went along with it being hitch in.

I got connected with an import broker at Spadaro International which is located in New York. So far it has been good having a person walk along side to make sure things are getting done in the correct time frame and who is near the port I will be importing into (NY). The trailer was produced in about half the time originally estimated and the company was wanting to ship it out before the new year as shipping prices were going to be going up so I was scrambling to make a broker relationship and complete the ISF on time. However, now that the pre-shipment items have been complete and the ship has left port, things seem to have fallen into place and I am waiting for the Bill of Lading and Certificate of Origin to come in the mail. It looks like it might be around 7 weeks for the boat to arrive to New York port according to the container tracking ETA (mid-February). Hopefully I don't go through all those headaches Nick did but thanks to this info and hopefully by guidance with my broker it goes smoother once it arrives. Thanks, Nick, for all your help!

Also, thanks to Nick's previous post, I requested they change the rear side marker lights to red from their original amber. The rear turn signals are usually amber internationally, but they changed them to red for US. I optioned my trailer with matte black paint, 180* awning with walls, 4-season diesel water heating system to keep the tank and plumbing from freezing in winter, DO35 coupler hitch, and battery isolator, which were added cost. It is coming with the new horizontal pop-up roof. We optioned it with the white interior instead of the laminate wood and without exterior decals. I prefer the simple look without and/or might install our own decals for our YouTube channel later.

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Hey Narrow Road....do you have any updates on your njstar

 

[Obsessed2findARuggedHybid]

Okay my intentions as of late are to follow up on this NJstar trailer here to see if it is a rig that I would recommend to folks finding an off road trailer that is affordable to the common man. I have been critical, sarcastic and preachy but do feel like this is an option for some potential buyers. I have asked the three owners if they have any updates. Oregontrd has not really posted much on his rig since Jan 24. Narrow Mnt Road the same. His trailer is buried on his YouTube page with out any reviews. My bud Runmorun took his out on a 9 day trip last July but no follow ups to my knowledge. Maybe they blocked me or refuse to respond but I thought they were all supposed to be testing this rig and letting us know how it's holding up.

 

[BadMonkeyOverlander]

Finally decided sleeping in the back of the car isn’t the way to go anymore and began a search for a trailer that could fit 3-5 people. Say what you want, but prices for off-road trailers are absolutely insane. With a budget of around $30k the selection was pretty slim.

One option I strongly considered was the Opus OP4. It was great to see in person, the living space is a palace, and they can be found used for $20-25k. Unfortunately the amount of canvas would restrict the usage here in PNW with how rainy it is, and the setup time (and space required) would restrict the movement for the longer trips where I just need a place to crash on the side of the road. Digging further into the OPUS, realized that most of the models are made in China, with final assembly here in US. This sent me down a rabbit hole of how many trailers are actually built there vs in Australia or here in USA and spoiler alert: it's a lot of them. Going deeper down the rabbit hole I started trying to track down the factories to try to figure out what is the actual price of the trailers and stumbled upon, what is to me, the perfect trailer: The NJStar Explorer.

The Explorer clearly takes inspiration from the UEV 490, but with some meaningful differences that really make it perfect for us. For starters, the interior doesn't look like a prison cell, but instead uses lighter colored materials and wood accents. It also has an interior shower booth and sink which for me is quite important. It also comes standard with a 12V AC, diesel heater, diesel water heater (or propane depending on how you option it), 370W solar, insulated canvas, and the list goes on. Before shipping and options it is $19.8k, with about another $3k to get it shipped stateside. The issue is of course, getting it over here, getting it past customs, getting it properly insured and registered. Lucky for me, I'm not the smartest person when it comes to avoiding challenges like this so I decided to order it and put down our $6k deposit. The trailer is currently being built and I will be updating this thread with the progress of the build, the shipping, and all of the challenges of getting it from the port to on the road. Wish me luck!

Video of the trailer from the factory:

Hey there! We have been looking at the NJStar Commander and would like to chat with you about your experience ordering the Explorer, and the challenges you had importing and registering the trailer. We are up in Ontario, Canada and already had a small off-road trailer from China, which we purchased 4 years ago...and updated with some other modifications. Curious if this all worked out for you and feel free to shoot me an email at: samandchris@rogers.com

 

[BadMonkeyOverlander]

@oregontrd and @Narrow Road Adventures your trailers look awesome. Out of curiosity, is it possible to sleep one person comfortably upfront without deploying the pop out? It looks from the floor plan that this may be possible. Also, can you clarify where the toilet is located? Both in your pics and the manufacturer YT videos, it's mentioned but not shown.

Thanks and enjoy your new trailers!

Hey there @Obsessed2findARuggedHybid @Singler3360 @oregontrd -- would like to chat about your experience importing an NJStar off-road trailer into North America? We are in Ontario, Canada and have owned a Manley ORV off-road trailer from China for 4 years with no issues, but looking for something larger.

 

[Obsessed2findARuggedHybid]

Hey there @Obsessed2findARuggedHybid @Singler3360 @oregontrd -- would like to chat about your experience importing an NJStar off-road trailer into North America? We are in Ontario, Canada and have owned a Manley ORV off-road trailer from China for 4 years with no issues, but looking for something larger.

I think I owe you and others an apology for posting so many times on this thread as I do not own a NJstar. Just like to help folks decide on off road trailers that best fits thier needs as a hobby. So I ask allot of questions and can be critical. The word " Obsessed" is in my handel for a reason. Hopefully one of the owner's will get back to you as they have been silent as of late.