Convince me an Arkto G12 (or something I haven't thought of yet) will suit a family of 3's needs

foxintheforest

New member
We've had a variety of campers over the years - mostly modifying standard campers for offroad use. Example: We've got a Flagstaff Mac that we did a leafover on and gave it better wheels for some clearance. But the issue we keep running into is stuff breaking after a short amount of use. Our leaf spring recently broke on our current camper and before that, we had a few structural issues on an American Flyer Teardrop we owned. We aren't romping these things, but we certainly push the limits.

So we are looking to upgrade to something that's capable of regular off-road use. We mostly disperse camp down dirt in CO/UT/AZ/WY.
I get that things will still break (that's owning toys), but we are in the market for something durable with a capable suspension system that fits our needs.
We are a family of 3, no pets but that could change, and we've got a Toyota 4Runner (towing capacity is 5,000 lbs).
Living in the mountains means we don't want to push towing capacity. We've also got a smaller garage and need to store our camper in there (can't store it in our driveway).
We're looking for something that's durable and capable above all else. But it's gotta sleep 3, have room to stand up/hang out in bad weather, and being able to sleep without unhooking it is a huge plus (for those times where you're just doing a quick stopover to get somewhere else).
Toilet/shower are important since we often go on very long trips and have a young child (messy).
The Arkto G12 seems to check a LOT of those boxes. But I'm wondering if I'm missing anything else? Something like the Boreas EOS 12 is out of our price range. The Opus 12 seems like you're paying for quite a bit of seating? Plus I'm unsure what would happen if their inflation system broke?
If you've got an Arkto or similar model and you've had a pop-up or teardrop prior, I'd love to hear your biggest pluses/minuses from the switch.
For reference, our daughter is quite young, so having the space of a the pop-up has been great (and weight of course), but more moving parts, means more things break/wear out. Plus, she needs less space as she gets older. We got rid of our teardrop because you couldn't stand up or hang out inside.
 

highwest

Well-known member
The 4600lbs of that Arkto is getting mighty close to your tow capacity, but it sure looks like a nice trailer. I would also look at the TetonX and Mission Overland. We love our Summit from MO and also have a family of 3, though there may not be as much interior living as you prefer.
 

EPO

Active member
Was going to add the same info as above.

The Arkto will clear an 8' garage; see my prior photos.

My Ford Ranger pulls the Arkto nicely but I personally wouldn't want less in the mountains or even the windy flats with a headwind. I know people tow with 4Runners but that would not be my choice if doing extended trips. In fact, I'd prefer to tow with even more than the Ranger.
 

foxintheforest

New member
The 4600lbs of that Arkto is getting mighty close to your tow capacity, but it sure looks like a nice trailer. I would also look at the TetonX and Mission Overland. We love our Summit from MO and also have a family of 3, though there may not be as much interior living as you prefer.
I'll check these out, thanks!
 

eddy_c

New member
I think the Arkto would work great for a family of three. I had a chance to meet Aaron and get a tour of his personal trailer at Overland PNW. Getting the close up tour with the builder put those on the top of my list. However, like you my current tow vehicle is a 4runner which puts the Arkto out of my options currently. We had a list of the trailers we wanted to check out at Overland Expo, one of those was Antishanty. Lighter weight, modular and no tent material on the popup portion. They are made in Logan UT, close to your camping area. They can be optioned pretty expensive, but there is a nicely built one in the classifieds currently. There is also one available to rent in CO, so that might be an option to test before you buy.
https://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/2021-antishanty-pro-41-000-portland-or.245261/
 

Obsessed2findARuggedHybid

Well-known member
We will need a new door - which is a cost to factor in and something we've been considering anyway (should be easy, we've got the space and I was once an architect and my partner was a contractor)

Gotcha. Can you go to 9 or 10 feet as that may open your options. That said weight of the trailer really only leaves you with Arkto. I would suggest you pack light as well. I have a Lexus GX 460 with 6,500 tow rating and my Trailer Marker trailer is 4,000 lbs loaded. I camp in UT, CO,AZ,MT and OR and like to go off grid on steep mountain roads. Nothing crazy like drop offs or rock crawling. So my Timbrens work fine. Sure the cruismaster and other trailing arm suspension have more travel and rebound damping but the are heavy and expensive. I think if you are careful to ballance your load and stay close to 4,000 pounds loaded your 4 runner will handel the Arkto.

I am a fan of Arkto and Boreas but the Boreas is to heavy for your 4runner.
 

Obsessed2findARuggedHybid

Well-known member
I think the Arkto would work great for a family of three. I had a chance to meet Aaron and get a tour of his personal trailer at Overland PNW. Getting the close up tour with the builder put those on the top of my list. However, like you my current tow vehicle is a 4runner which puts the Arkto out of my options currently. We had a list of the trailers we wanted to check out at Overland Expo, one of those was Antishanty. Lighter weight, modular and no tent material on the popup portion. They are made in Logan UT, close to your camping area. They can be optioned pretty expensive, but there is a nicely built one in the classifieds currently. There is also one available to rent in CO, so that might be an option to test before you buy.
https://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/2021-antishanty-pro-41-000-portland-or.245261/

I will second this option if you feel like you have to much cargo that you will carry camping for your 4runner to handel. I personally would not want to pull more then 4,000 loaded with my GX460 and it's rated to 6,500 pounds.

Not sure this matters but the Arkto and the AntiShanty do not have a indoor shower or gray tank. So all shower and sink water will drain to bucket.
 

Obsessed2findARuggedHybid

Well-known member
Hey Fox.. Not sure if your in a hurry but Trail Marker is supposed to be taking orders again soon. Mine has everything you need and is 2,900 pounds dry. You would need your garage door to be 110" tall.

Let me know how long you are willing to wait and I will pm you a video

Peace out
Obsessed...
 

foxintheforest

New member
Gotcha. Can you go to 9 or 10 feet as that may open your options. That said weight of the trailer really only leaves you with Arkto. I would suggest you pack light as well. I have a Lexus GX 460 with 6,500 tow rating and my Trailer Marker trailer is 4,000 lbs loaded. I camp in UT, CO,AZ,MT and OR and like to go off grid on steep mountain roads. Nothing crazy like drop offs or rock crawling. So my Timbrens work fine. Sure the cruismaster and other trailing arm suspension have more travel and rebound damping but the are heavy and expensive. I think if you are careful to ballance your load and stay close to 4,000 pounds loaded your 4 runner will handel the Arkto.

I am a fan of Arkto and Boreas but the Boreas is to heavy for your 4runner.
Thanks for the added info. We can get a 9’ garage door.

We tend to be pretty light with our kit and I can only think of a few instances where we would feel the need to fill the water tank to full (we’ve got a 20 gal tank currently and it lasts us 3 days - more if we are conservative). We also never tow our camper over big passes loaded with water and fill near where we are staying cuz gas. 4K seems pretty reasonable for us. And FWIW we have a break controller and upgraded shocks - probably should have mentioned that but I’m not the car person of the family (just the gear/data nerd).

I’ll peep the Trail Marker as well.
 

Obsessed2findARuggedHybid

Well-known member
Thanks for the added info. We can get a 9’ garage door.

We tend to be pretty light with our kit and I can only think of a few instances where we would feel the need to fill the water tank to full (we’ve got a 20 gal tank currently and it lasts us 3 days - more if we are conservative). We also never tow our camper over big passes loaded with water and fill near where we are staying cuz gas. 4K seems pretty reasonable for us. And FWIW we have a break controller and upgraded shocks - probably should have mentioned that but I’m not the car person of the family (just the gear/data nerd).

I’ll peep the Trail Marker as well.

I believe my trailer Marker would fit in 9 foot if you do not add a rooftop tent. They offer a happy jack queen that gives you two queen beds. It is rustic and different then a typical camper. If you feel like you could handle 4k + with your runner the Arkto might be a better choice. The trailer Marker has a interior wet bath with cassette toilet and shower with gray tank. I will " message " on this forum with a link to video. Don't laugh as I come off like total dork.
 

Obsessed2findARuggedHybid

Well-known member
Thanks for the added info. We can get a 9’ garage door.

We tend to be pretty light with our kit and I can only think of a few instances where we would feel the need to fill the water tank to full (we’ve got a 20 gal tank currently and it lasts us 3 days - more if we are conservative). We also never tow our camper over big passes loaded with water and fill near where we are staying cuz gas. 4K seems pretty reasonable for us. And FWIW we have a break controller and upgraded shocks - probably should have mentioned that but I’m not the car person of the family (just the gear/data nerd).

I’ll peep the Trail Marker as well.

You might want to add a Timbren SES bumper stop to your runner.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
188,176
Messages
2,903,366
Members
229,665
Latest member
SANelson

Members online

Top