My favorite type of camping is in the middle of nowhere, away from everyone else. This often means travel over hundreds of miles off road. I'm not talking a dirt road you could take a prius on, but a road that requires some clearance. Think rocks the size of footballs.Our Australian friends have some fantastic offerings. They're extremely well built (supposedly), have aluminum frames, and have independent coil suspension with shocks. We don't have anything like that here in the US, but I'd like to chat about the closest things we have.Ideally, I'd like to find something capable of handling thousands of miles off pavement on a bumpy road without falling apart. Something similar to a Kedron or even the Jayco Outback models. This thread is to list all the options of what we have in the US that even comes close to what they have.

Here's what I've found so far...Adak Trailers - Seem to be the closest thing we have. They appear to have independent suspension and some great armor. They look tough. I'd love to see one in person. They seem suited best for weekend hunting trips or short camping trips. I doubt it'd work well for full-time living.Moby 1 XTR - Off road teardrop. These are built with independent coil suspension. Best for short weekend trips. No toilet or shower.VMI Off Road - Now we're talking. This is getting closer to the trailers in OZ, but still no bathroom or shower.

themoreweexplore wrote:Ideally, I'd like to find something capable of handling thousands of miles off pavement on a bumpy road without falling apart.I'd be happy with one that didn't fall apart on perfect roads.Northwoods products appear to have a real frame, others not so much.

The Nash 17K is really appealing to me.

You need to be real careful or you might end up leaving your trailer where you stick it. Most are relatively heavy and not well suited for off road. If you want to be that far out consider instead a light pickup camper.

If you are willing to drive under ten miles an hour, you can upgrade an ordinary trailer and take it on rocky roads -- that is what I have done -- see my link below. Heavy leaf springs, shocks, axle flip, careful maintenance, etc. But the longest road of that type I have ever taken it on was about 25 miles -- more than two hours of careful driving.And if you want to go on really tricky roads with big ledges and so forth, a truck camper is the only way to go.It does seem odd that the Australian market, which is so much smaller than the US, has so many more firms building truly off road capable trailers.

Offroad Travel Trailers in the US? | Good Sam Community

59 Replies

themoreweexplor
Explorer
Jan 22, 2016
I've read a few TC threads that agree. They're great, but I've already decided on a Travel Trailer since I'll be living in it full-time. Plus I already bought a 4x4 van for towing duties, so I'm only interested in Travel Trailers at this point.

I have lots of experience with backcountry travel, I've been doing it all my life. I've just never lived in a trailer full-time while doing it.
bobndot
Explorer III
Jan 22, 2016
In case you have not looked into the TC option, here is a link to compare pros/cons.
If you fly fish, you can get the monster camper in the link. :E

TC vs trailer for off road.
RoyB
Explorer II
Jan 22, 2016
I certainly enjoy my 2008 Starcraft R/T14 OFF-ROAD POPUP trailer... Got many road miles on it and a whole bunch of Natl Forest service roads...

Trailer has all of the modern things in it and will go anywhere my 4X4 truck will pull it...

Roy Ken
Dennis_Smith
Explorer
Jan 22, 2016
$80k for Adk above not in my life time
profdant139
Explorer II
Jan 22, 2016
If you are willing to drive under ten miles an hour, you can upgrade an ordinary trailer and take it on rocky roads -- that is what I have done -- see my link below. Heavy leaf springs, shocks, axle flip, careful maintenance, etc. But the longest road of that type I have ever taken it on was about 25 miles -- more than two hours of careful driving.

And if you want to go on really tricky roads with big ledges and so forth, a truck camper is the only way to go.

It does seem odd that the Australian market, which is so much smaller than the US, has so many more firms building truly off road capable trailers.
donn0128
Explorer II
Jan 22, 2016
You need to be real careful or you might end up leaving your trailer where you stick it. Most are relatively heavy and not well suited for off road. If you want to be that far out consider instead a light pickup camper.
themoreweexplor
Explorer
Jan 22, 2016
The Nash 17K is really appealing to me.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Jan 22, 2016
themoreweexplore wrote:

Ideally, I'd like to find something capable of handling thousands of miles off pavement on a bumpy road without falling apart.

I'd be happy with one that didn't fall apart on perfect roads.

Northwoods products appear to have a real frame, others not so much.
themoreweexplor
Explorer
Jan 22, 2016
Here's what I've found so far...

Adak Trailers - Seem to be the closest thing we have. They appear to have independent suspension and some great armor. They look tough. I'd love to see one in person. They seem suited best for weekend hunting trips or short camping trips. I doubt it'd work well for full-time living.

Moby 1 XTR - Off road teardrop. These are built with independent coil suspension. Best for short weekend trips. No toilet or shower.

VMI Off Road - Now we're talking. This is getting closer to the trailers in OZ, but still no bathroom or shower.

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Offroad Travel Trailers in the US?

59 Replies

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