I've rented both of them. The SoCal from Off The Grid Rentals in LA and the TDK from Twisted Jeeps in Moab.
Last I heard, Overland Explorer was tentatively going to do a production run if they had enough interest (10). I decided not to jump into it based on my experience. Not sure they're even available going forward.
The short answer is, I prefer the layout of the TDK, but I didn't like the quality of the (admittedly prototype) unit that I rented. SoCal seems like a much more mature product and one that's had time to think through all the design issues. And if there was a problem, it would be much easier for me to get it fixed - not real comfortable with the location of Overland Explorer given the issues I saw in the rental.
SoCal Good Stuff
- better clearance for off-road maneuvering - doesn't have the (admittedly handy) huge rear bumper extension
- seems lighter, or at least more aerodynamic - easier to pull at 80 mph at least
- easier to use the single rear hatch lock
- I liked the awning (pole-less)
- more convenient to level and less dragging issues with the removable crank up rear jacks
- "reserve" water supply - basically two separate tanks with a connecting valve - lets you know that you're halfway to empty
SoCal Bad Stuff
- the design and placement of the sink blows - not only is it inconvenient to setup, but the bottom of the sink is almost flat so not leveling the trailer exactly (accounting for the fact that the mount sags a bit) means that the water never drains completely
- water tank valves aren't very well protected
TDK Good Stuff
- love the enclosed front compartment - extremely handy
- having a sink slide out of the back (above the stove) is way, way, way better that the crazy sink on the side of the SoCal
- there's a nice shelf above the head of the bed where you can stick flashlights, phones, car keys, etc. - very convenient
- the doors are a bit bigger than the SoCal - or at least more square - probably doesn't matter to most people, but we put mountain bikes inside to lock them up and it was way easier to get them in and out of the TDK
- I initially had some concern about the low height of the hinge end of the back hatch, but as it turns out, you don't stand right next to the back when you're using the counter, so as long as you aren't on a slope, you shouldn't hit your head (I'm 6' tall)
- not having a sloping rear hatch gives you a ton more (usable) room in the cabinets above the rear counter
TDK Bad Stuff
- the back corner jacks had fixed locking positions and you couldn't screw them up and down to level the trailer
- because of the way the corners are constructed, there's a ridge (1/4" maybe) around the entire roof - water pools in that "tub" and seems likely to leak - no drain slots or anything
- water tank skid plate doesn't protect the drain valve
- the fenders extend forward under the door too far - the way we get in an out is to swing our legs out the door while laying on our back and with that extension there, your legs will get wet if it rains or dews
- the side doors have a lever that lets you lock them from the inside - unfortunately, that means that all someone has to do os break the side window and reach in an unlock the door - can't have both the lever and the windows
- the Dometic side window are very, very plasticy - especially the slide up / down window shade - can't imagine they would last more than a month
- the running lights on the rear bumper are vulnerable to damage backing into a rock or tree
- not sure how you would repair it if it were damaged - breaking the adhesive bond that holds everything together seems fraught with peril
TDK Bad Stuff on the Prototype, but maybe better now
- the roof vent leaked - it was glued screwed into an aluminum place that wasw then glued onto the composite and it wasn't sealed at all well - dripped into the cabin - completely unacceptable
- the rental had a Dometic fridge with a swinging door that lost all the cold every time you opened it
- one of the Dometic windows on the side had a completely cracked frame - they're supposed to be "high-end", but they seemed like crap to me
- the water tank drain valve leaked - probably because it wasn't drained during a freezing night in Moab
- 12v power from the trailer connector didn't charge the battery
- water heater was disconnected "because it almost exploded or almost started a fire or something like that?"
Both bad Stuff
- the water pressure system goes through water way too fast - they both use shower heads, so when you're using them to rinse dishes, you end up wasting a tone of water - they need a separate lower-flow faucet for the galley - skip the shower head
- probably difficult to add electrical circuits after they leave the factory - you can never have too many breakers
awesome trailers... thank you!!
