I primarily camp off pavement, and I am beating the snot out of my current Keystone ultralight trailer. I'm shopping for a trailer that is set up better to boondock. That is leading me towards toy haulers.As far as toys go, I have a 9' kayak, a bicycle, and 2 big dogs. My current tow vehicle is a 2011 F150 with air bags and a max tow package. The truck is paid for and I like it, but I can move up to a bigger truck if it's necessary.I want to stay in the 25' length area so it's easy to get in and out of the places I like to camp. I'm out in 3 seasons, the trailer is stowed away in the winter. I do road trip as well as camp, but even those road trips end up in boondock camping sites. (I come from a backpacking background)It is just me and the dogs. Sometimes a friend comes along and needs a place to sleep, but that's rare.Help steer me. I won't be buying this year, so I have time to shop around. So far, I'm really liking the Desert Fox 21SW. Pros? Cons? Other trailers to look at?Thanks!

Desert Fox line is a solid trailer, not light weight but stout. You need to pay close attention to the weight limits of your truck and the weight of the trailer. I have several friend with DF trailers that swear by them. They are built in Eastern OR so if you need a factory repair they are close by.

I think the Desert Fox is going to be my next camper as well.

I'm learning the expensive way that light weight trailers, full tanks, and long dirt roads are a bad combination.

I think you should definitely stay under 25' to reduce how much hangs on either side of the axle. If you travel where it is heavily treed, width and height are also an issue. I really think the quality toy haulers are too much for 1/2t truck payloads because of their tongue weight. A 3/4t or 1t truck will not be that much bigger (although may be taller). It will give a harsher unloaded ride, but provide better trailering.A Desert Fox would also be one of my recommendations, but I would also look into smaller enclosed trailers with living quarters and flipped axles. Stay away from low slung long race trailers since they have clearance issues even on driveways.Just an alternate idea: Have you considered a bigger truck with one of the pod style off road trailers. By having a larger truck, you could stow the toys on or in the truck and still have plenty of payload for additional supplies or a supplemental water tank?

The pod trailers are really cool. 10 years ago I would have been all over one of those. Now, I want a comfy warm place to hang out when it snows in August, or when 60 mph winds start up when I'm on a dry lake bed. I find a nice campsite, and then just take the truck in further, or start hiking. The kayak currently rides on a ladder rack when I'm towing.Are you talking about the car trailers? I'll give those a look. In fact, my brother-in-law has one he uses when he heads out to Trona.So far, I haven't run into major clearance issues with my current travel trailer. It's 8' wide and 11' tall. Sure, there's a lot of Get Out And Look when I'm getting into a spot, but I'm used to that.So, should I go ahead and bump all the way up to a 1 ton truck? I don't think a 3/4 ton is that much better of a ride.

Looking for a boondocking rig | Good Sam Community

Dirtclods
Explorer II
Apr 21, 2017
Glad your found your rig.
BizmarksMom
Explorer
Apr 19, 2017
I thought I would update this.

After crawling through just about every 25' trailer and toyhauler in the Boise area, I settled on a Nash 22H. It ticks all of the boxes for me, and my current truck will handle it. The Desert Fox 21sw just felt odd inside, and didn't have the storage the Nash does.

Thanks again for the pointers and giving me a lot to think about!
BizmarksMom
Explorer
Mar 10, 2017
Looks like I'm going to have to take a trip to La Grande.
TexasChaps
Explorer
Mar 09, 2017
Take a look at outdoors rv.. our 24rks is holding up very nicely
to off road abuse.. !
eDUBz
Explorer
Mar 08, 2017
Googled desert fox - its looks great!
BizmarksMom
Explorer
Mar 08, 2017
Yep, more and more I'm leaning toward DF. My local dealer has some ordered. When they come in I'll climb around inside a few and finalize my decision.
nvreloader
Explorer
Mar 07, 2017
Another long time Desert Fox user,
my 28KS as been all over NV, OR and Idaho.

After you have looked at the rest of them,
take the Desert Fox tour, at La Grande, OR,
(when they are building them) call for the build time,
and you'll get the DF TH.

Be aware they are a heavy built TH, but worth it,
look at the 24/27' models, have the front bed room.

Tia,
Don
ksss
Explorer
Feb 23, 2017
The Desert Fox trailers do hold up very well. They are popular in Idaho for that reason. Like you, many boondock and the goat trails leading back to everyone's favorite spots are never smooth. Also because they are built close, the freight is less for dealers, so that can save you some money if you buy new. As far as the pickup goes, I am a "more is better kind of guy" like many are here. I only own 3500 series trucks (in fairness that is partially driven by business needs, but I doubt it would change my buying habits). However your situation is a bit different. The needs and specification you have laid out will keep you in a smaller trailer. A well speced half ton will pull the size trailer your interested in. If you go HD, in your situation I would buy whatever you happened to get the best deal on (2500 Vs 3500). Both are more truck than you need, but overkill is just about right.
Bedlam
Moderator
Feb 20, 2017
Sometimes it just takes someone looking at the same thing from a different angle to but a twist on your perspective. I always felt there is more than one way to do something, but some ways will work better for you even if I chose differently.
BizmarksMom
Explorer
Feb 20, 2017
You've given me a lot to look at and think about. I really appreciate it!