NJStar Explore owners

[Obsessed2findARuggedHybid]

Just watched a video that was 10 months old by a Jeep guy that has a white NJstar. One thing that he mentioned is how light the tounge weight is. I believe the freshwater tank, spare tire, three storge boxs, batteries/ electronics and heater are all rear of the axel. He had to purposely add weight to tounge box to get to 200 pounds tounge weight. Hard to believe there isnt sway. He still really liked his trailer. Also noticed it doesn't have a gray water tank which is odd considering the indoor shower.

In a different video a guy in CA had a NJstar that hit something in the front corner extrusion and it chipped the paint and it appeared to have rust. Maybe it was catching light but the guy called it rust. So all the huge corner extrusions, cross members and chassis are carbon steel. It looks like the only aluminum is the wall skins and maybe storage boxes. Some will say this is a good thing as it is a strong box but i am suspect to how much this little trailer weighs. Also the walls have wood studs. Like to see a weight of a fully loaded trailer.

I will say this thing has its flaws like all trailers but it is a tank

 

[BadMonkeyOverlander]

I wanted to start a thread for owners like myself to post pics and helpful information about our trailers.

We love our rig and we have really enjoyed our trips so far. We have a big mutlti state trip planned for July through the pacific northwest so we are excited to get some long stretches in the camper.

I am hoping more buyers find this thread and join in with their experiences 😀

Hey there @Runmorun -- looking at the NJStar Commander trailer and wanted to know what your experience has been like with your NJStar trailer to date?

 

[BadMonkeyOverlander]

Hey there @Runmorun -- like the pictures of your NJStar Explorer and we just began to look at the Commander. Wanted to ask you some questions about the purchase process and importing, as we are in Canada, but already have a smaller off-road trailer from China (Manley ORV), which we purchased 4 years ago. Drop me a line when you are back on the forum.

 

[Obsessed2findARuggedHybid]

Hey there @Runmorun -- like the pictures of your NJStar Explorer and we just began to look at the Commander. Wanted to ask you some questions about the purchase process and importing, as we are in Canada, but already have a smaller off-road trailer from China (Manley ORV), which we purchased 4 years ago. Drop me a line when you are back on the forum.

Hey Bad...the following link was posted by eatSleepWoof and might give you some Canadian information:

Chinese Trailer - NJStar Explorer

Yep all of those are Chinese trailers. 3x markup is the only way it makes sense to make a profit on these. For example, for my trailer, it’s going to be $10,000+ in shipping and customs fees. That puts it closer to $30k. You would need to sell it for at least $10k profit to run a profitable...

expeditionportal.com

Hope all is okay with Run... and Oregon...

Never really saw any pics or info from them on actual off grid or off road capability. Just lots of camp ground stuff.

I watched a live stream from NJstar last night. Boy people and or bots were very rude and racist with the moderator. I asked the two questions that concern my:

1. Can the step down of the entry step be taken away? Looks like it would require a shorter door so likley not.

2. Is there a gray tank?

He never really answered

 

[Obsessed2findARuggedHybid]

So on the comander the step down ( lowest point) is 17" which is high enough. It does have gray tank. Now my only concern is the paint on all that carbon steel. See pic YT vid on the smaller model

 

[Obsessed2findARuggedHybid]

Hey there @Runmorun -- like the pictures of your NJStar Explorer and we just began to look at the Commander. Wanted to ask you some questions about the purchase process and importing, as we are in Canada, but already have a smaller off-road trailer from China (Manley ORV), which we purchased 4 years ago. Drop me a line when you are back on the forum.

Any updates. Saw a couple of commander short vids from NJstar. They look pretty slick to be honest. Goofy how they drive the rig in public with the top up. Then show one being loaded with a fork lift with the fresh tank ( i hope not gray) draining water.

 

[Christian C.]

After discovering NJStar trailers on this, forum on another page, I finally got one and LOVE IT!
Apparently, a person who was doing other types of importing decided to import TWO of them since he had to fill a container and then sell one to amortize their costs.
So, the one I got was a barely used 2023 model (in Arctic White) with the tilt roof popup. It *came* with - 2 LiPo batteries, 2 solar panel setup, an anemic 2 burner stove (that was not plumbed or hooked up), Alpicool refrigerator, along with all the other standard stuff.
I got it late October 2024 and
I've been modifying things, and adding LOTS of stuff.
So far I LOVE it. Just the right size for me and my lady.
I will post more pictures and all modifications if people are interested.

 

[Obsessed2findARuggedHybid]

After discovering NJStar trailers on this, forum on another page, I finally hot one and LOVE IT!
Apparently, a person who was doing other types of importing decided to import TWO of them since he had to fill a container and then sell one to amortize their costs.
So, the one I got was a barely used 2023 model (in Arctic White) with the tilt roof popup. It *came* with - 2 LiPo batteries, 2 solar panel setup, an anemic 2 burner stove (that was not plumbed or hooked up), Alpicool refrigerator, along with all the other standard stuff.
I got it late October 2024 and
I've been modifying things, and adding LOTS of stuff.
So far I LOVE it. Just the right size for me and my lady.
I will post more pictures and all modifications if people are interested.

Christian C nice job. Look forward to feed back as the other owners went silent. What's your tow vehicle' capacity?

 

[Christian C.]

Christian C nice job. Look forward to feed back as the other owners went silent. What's your tow vehicle' capacity?

I have a 2010 Nissan xTerra with the v8. It's tow capacity is 5000. It tows the trailer pretty damn easily. I haven't REALLY done any true off road / big bumps yet, but SO FAR, it tows and tracks REALLY well.
I just came home from a 5 day excursion to Red Rock Canyon State Park / Ricardo campground and there were PRETTY severe winds which literally folded and broke 2 of my friend's tents and, unfortunately, they had to bail back home. Me and my girl heard a few gusts and once or twice the wind *kinda* moved the trailer, but overall we slept warmly and WONDERFULLY....and because it was on a moderate slope / tongue lifted to get us level, I couldn't put the stabilizers down, but it didn't really matter. STILL very stable.

SO...Things I've modified.

By the way, I KNEW I was going to be modifying things because That Is My Way. I modify EVERYTHING.

Removed the stock pull out shade and got an Overland Vehicle Systems Awning 270 - Dark Gray / Black Travel Cover - Driverside - but mounted it on the passenger side. I did that so some of the shade would wrap around / over the front fold out. I made custom stainless steel brackets / parts to mount it securely. TRULY a great / mandatory addition. I also bought the 3 walls so there CAN be a 80% covered area. I MAINLY changed out the stock shade because it didn't cover the cooking area and...I cook a lot...

To nail all of the tie down lines down I have Ground Grabba 1/2 hex lag screws / plates and an impact driver.

I added 2 channels of BTF LED COB RF remote controlled under beam lighting to 6 of the swing out bars. They are RGB + white so I can have a full disco AND nice lighting for cooking. I can light 3 beams at a time or all 6. FULLY RGB plus silly fading / pulsing effects...

I also replaced the outside work light since it was JUST about eye level and STUPIDLY bright and at the wrong angle. I designed and 3D printed a new light with12 volt / bright diffused cob LED bar that ALSO has the power feeds to the two channels of LED lighting and has two waterproof switches for secondary control of lights and power.

It came with a single burner 7 jet Chinese stove and a two burner stove which was ALSO not attached nor plumbed. The stock position of the original cooktop put the chef RIGHT in the doorway so I flipped it to the OTHER side. I tried hooking up the included 2 burner stove, but it was REMARKABLY anemic. Once I discovered THAT, I went and bought a Dometic D21 / 2 burner stove and SHOEHORNED it into the pull out where it JUST barely fit after LOTS of steel snipping. Once I did THAT, I decided to do internal propane plumbing so I don't have to run a propane line draped outside / plugged into the side of the jockey box where the propane lived. I also got a high pressure ball valve as a secondary shutoff which I mounted in the existing hole in the jockey box and 3D printed an inside bracket for the manifold, and a round handle for open / close.

I wasn't too fond of the hole in the dining table where the Chinese induction cookplate went, so I designed and 3D printed a storage bowl and laser cut a piece of acrylic to fill the hole. SO now the Air Conditioning control and playing cards and a couple other things live there. I have another induction plate that lives in the hold for when / if we need to heat things inside.

I hated the interior ceiling light - it was JUST too flippin bright ALL THE TIME, so I took it apart and replaced the internals with BTF 12v RF controlled / dimmable cob LED White light.

I have more than a few other mods / additions which I'll share later...with pictures...probably this weekend.

Later!

 

[Obsessed2findARuggedHybid]

I have a 2010 Nissan xTerra with the v8. It's tow capacity is 5000. It tows the trailer pretty damn easily. I haven't REALLY done any true off road / big bumps yet, but SO FAR, it tows and tracks REALLY well.
I just came home from a 5 day excursion to Red Rock Canyon State Park / Ricardo campground and there were PRETTY severe winds which literally folded and broke 2 of my friend's tents and, unfortunately, they had to bail back home. Me and my girl heard a few gusts and once or twice the wind *kinda* moved the trailer, but overall we slept warmly and WONDERFULLY....and because it was on a moderate slope / tongue lifted to get us level, I couldn't put the stabilizers down, but it didn't really matter. STILL very stable.

SO...Things I've modified.

By the way, I KNEW I was going to be modifying things because That Is My Way. I modify EVERYTHING.

Removed the stock pull out shade and got an Overland Vehicle Systems Awning 270 - Dark Gray / Black Travel Cover - Driverside - but mounted it on the passenger side. I did that so some of the shade would wrap around / over the front fold out. I made custom stainless steel brackets / parts to mount it securely. TRULY a great / mandatory addition. I also bought the 3 walls so there CAN be a 80% covered area. I MAINLY changed out the stock shade because it didn't cover the cooking area and...I cook a lot...

To nail all of the tie down lines down I have Ground Grabba 1/2 hex lag screws / plates and an impact driver.

I added 2 channels of BTF LED COB RF remote controlled under beam lighting to 6 of the swing out bars. They are RGB + white so I can have a full disco AND nice lighting for cooking. I can light 3 beams at a time or all 6. FULLY RGB plus silly fading / pulsing effects...

I also replaced the outside work light since it was JUST about eye level and STUPIDLY bright and at the wrong angle. I designed and 3D printed a new light with12 volt / bright diffused cob LED bar that ALSO has the power feeds to the two channels of LED lighting and has two waterproof switches for secondary control of lights and power.

It came with a single burner 7 jet Chinese stove and a two burner stove which was ALSO not attached nor plumbed. The stock position of the original cooktop put the chef RIGHT in the doorway so I flipped it to the OTHER side. I tried hooking up the included 2 burner stove, but it was REMARKABLY anemic. Once I discovered THAT, I went and bought a Dometic D21 / 2 burner stove and SHOEHORNED it into the pull out where it JUST barely fit after LOTS of steel snipping. Once I did THAT, I decided to do internal propane plumbing so I don't have to run a propane line draped outside / plugged into the side of the jockey box where the propane lived. I also got a high pressure ball valve as a secondary shutoff which I mounted in the existing hole in the jockey box and 3D printed an inside bracket for the manifold, and a round handle for open / close.

I wasn't too fond of the hole in the dining table where the Chinese induction cookplate went, so I designed and 3D printed a storage bowl and laser cut a piece of acrylic to fill the hole. SO now the Air Conditioning control and playing cards and a couple other things live there. I have another induction plate that lives in the hold for when / if we need to heat things inside.

I hated the interior ceiling light - it was JUST too flippin bright ALL THE TIME, so I took it apart and replaced the internals with BTF 12v RF controlled / dimmable cob LED White light.

I have more than a few other mods / additions which I'll share later...with pictures...probably this weekend.

Later!

Hey how is your NJ holding up?

 

[Christian C.]

Hey how is your NJ holding up?

Fantastically!
When I show it off to people, my nickname for the rig is "My Swiss Army Bed"
Last weekend we took it to a festival / music / kind of 'Burning Man' regional event at Lake Piru here in California.
To get to the private ranch camping area we had to navigate a pretty steep at spots and exceedingly sandy / gravelly fire road to get in.
Two other standard vehicles had gotten stuck, and one other vehicle sort of ran off the road trying to make their way in.
I put my xTerra into 4wheel mode and we did the thing with zero issues. I think I slowly dragged the bottom of the tongue for about a foot once on a particularly deep dip, but other than that, I actually had fun doing the road...
Got to the camp area, leveled it out and all was good.
I think my next set of modifications are going the be to the rear levelers.
So far, due to the odd areas / non level surfaces / dippy terrain, I havent been able to deploy them unless the terrain is pretty darn even. ANY sort of angled terrain at the rear of the trailer does not allow them to be deployed.
I'm going to get some grade 8 pins and drill a series of holes so I can vary where the hard pivot for the over center lock out is.
Other than that, all is wonderful.
A few more modifications -
I bought 6 fold up shelves and mounted them at various spots around the interior.
Since it's just me and my lady, we use the front fold out as more of a storage for clothes and things. We've been leaving the long forward pad at home... I drilled a hole in the front wooden board that's over the slide out kitchen and fridge and ran a heavy duty AC cable to an outlet from the inverter. I lined the hole with a custom 3D printed grommet so it'sall neat and tidy. We can now do induction cooking / making coffee inside on that front area. While I was in there and had it all disassembled, I mounted another AC outlet just inside where the kitchen slide out deploys so we can use my Duxtop induction unit on the slide out, even if we are already using the propane cooktop. More options are ALWAYS good...
I have a few other plans in the works as well...
More to come!
All in all, I am so very happy with my trailer!

 

[Christian C.]

New awning from OVS en route. Really great customer service. Ordered a 720 but had clearance issues once we lifted it up. Returned for a 180 and a partial refund. Very excited for the install. Will update on build quality after install.

I have an OVS 270 installed on my rig. I machined some .250 stainless steel plates and spacers to get the whole shade assembly up an extra 2.5 inches without drilling any extra holes into the original roof brackets.
I bought a 'driver's side' 270 but mounted it on the passenger side.
I wanted the 90 degree part to cover at least a little bit of the foldout. Thanks to the slight lift, it all works EXACTLY as I wanted it.
I also made custom LED mounts and strips for lighting.
Let me know if you want any info on those...

 

[Obsessed2findARuggedHybid]

Off Road "Burning Man" cool! Hopefully not as many fires going 😉 Very impressed with your mods and camping style!! Thanks for sharing

 

[Christian C.]

Off Road "Burning Man" cool! Hopefully not as many fires going 😉 Very impressed with your mods and camping style!! Thanks for sharing

Thanks! It was indeed very fun...