Recommend a TT (rough roads, no campgrounds)

[zeke_b_campin]

Looking for suggestions for a new TT. A few years back, we owned a unit from Outdoors RV. It seemed well built but was too large for the places we like to camp. We camp as far in the back country that we can in CO/WY/MT. I need a trailer that can handle rough roads/forest service trails/etc.

-need something that can sleep 6 WITHOUT using the eating table for a bed.
-24ish feet box
-outdoor kitchen
-Our budget is only 30k or so.

Recommendations to look at?

[afidel]

NDFightingSioux wrote:

That's a Black Series trailer. They're an Aussie designed, US built trailer.

Hey, afidel: Where do you get your info that the Black Series is "Aussie designed, U.S. built?" Pretty sure they're all Aussie manufactured and shipped to the U.S. But, if you can prove me wrong I'm all ears!

Their own tagline on their Facebook page says "Australian Design; Made in LA", specially they're located in City of Industry, California.

[NDFightingSioux]

That's a Black Series trailer. They're an Aussie designed, US built trailer.

Hey, afidel: Where do you get your info that the Black Series is "Aussie designed, U.S. built?" Pretty sure they're all Aussie manufactured and shipped to the U.S. But, if you can prove me wrong I'm all ears!

[Blazing_Zippers]

Cocktails for 6
Dinner for 4
Sleeping for 2
The afore was on a placard aboard a vessel and we've found it to be valuable. Especially when we found 6 of us crammed into a small cabover camper due to rain.

[Kach]

We were basically in the same dilemma you are. Family of 5, preferring dry camping in semi rough locations (I usually don’t set out for it to be as rough as it ends up).

We ended up with another basic stick-and tin trailer (Open Range). Anything much better seemed to cost 2-3 times (seriously..) as much. I bought my trailer with the mindset that we’ll mod it to meet our needs.

I was going to lift it, but now that we’ve had it out I think I’m just going to increase the tire size and put airbags on my Tindra to get back those few inches of hitch area clearance.

Long story short, I’ve wedged the trailer into spots as tight as pretty much possible. Most forest service roads were built with logging trucks in mind, so it’s usually not as bad as you think. BLM type roads can vary wildly so you kind of need to know what you’re getting into. On-x maps and Google earth help a lot with the overheads.

[Grit_dog]

So why not get another Outdoors RV if you liked it? They make shorter lengths.
However, despite the “cargo trailer conversion” thread, if you’re really intending to get as far back on bad roads as possible, a heavy duty cargo trailer with a lift, or a deck over like a snowmobile trailer is a more rugged platform than most TTs.

[campigloo]

trail-explorer wrote:

zeke.b.campin wrote:
Looking for suggestions for a new TT. A few years back, we owned a unit from Outdoors RV. It seemed well built but was too large for the places we like to camp. We camp as far in the back country that we can in CO/WY/MT.

-24ish feet box

24' of box length seems really long to be dragging way up into the hills on unimproved dirt fire roads.

That’s true on some roads but I get my 36’ down a bunch of them. It’s often easier than it appears at first.

[trail-explorer]

zeke.b.campin wrote:
Looking for suggestions for a new TT. A few years back, we owned a unit from Outdoors RV. It seemed well built but was too large for the places we like to camp. We camp as far in the back country that we can in CO/WY/MT.

-24ish feet box

24' of box length seems really long to be dragging way up into the hills on unimproved dirt fire roads.

[ajriding]

I have a cargo camper. Learned a lot.
I lifted the body 10 inches by removing the 4 inch drop axle and put a straight axle on and mounting the springs on top of the axle. This gives me more clearance than the truck has and I have never dragged the trailer, came close but havent yet, and if it does no biggie to drag a little bit.

sleeping 6 is a big order, and I bet a temporary situation. Make it for 3 or 4 and have the other 2 or 3 able to fit, but not build that part in.

You could, if money no object, put a roof-top tent up there and that'll add 2-3 more sleepers.
This removes and sells as used when you no longer have 6.

I'm all for converting a cargo trailer. This is by far my favorite of the 6 motorhomes or campers or truck campers that I have owned. Simple, rugged, stealthy, useful and custom built for me.

[campigloo]

This won’t completely fill your order but airing the tires down helps a lot. Of course just be sure you can air up before you get back on the real road.

[ttavasc]

24ft box is still going to be overall around 28ft. Our ORV 23DBS is 27'9" but would cover all the items listed. ORV also has the smaller 21DBS that comes in at 25'9" overall - no outdoor kitchen though.

[Thermoguy]

This might be just over your budget, but should get you anywhere you want to go...

https://newatlas.com/automotive/unicat-md56c-6x6-motorhome/

[camperdave]

I'd focus in on a good strong steel chassis with wood framing/aluminum siding. When it gets whacked into a tree, aluminum dents instead of cracking. Our old Fleetwood Terry was 24' tip to tail and sat nice and high. Needed to convert the dinette to sleep 6 though. Not exactly rough country ready just due to sheer size, but it was surprisingly tough. I bounced it down dumb roads and never did anything worse than ripping up some plumbing. Keep in mind though, it's still a large trailer. You aren't going Jeep trailing with it, some light fire roads at best. It's just too wide and tall for anything more than that.

You could pick up a nice short dual axle wood framed trailer from the 90's for very cheap, then build it out. At least then you start with a good steel chassis and water tanks already in place, and you could build the interior to suit.

[sprintstream]

We have a No Boundaries 16.2. One of the reasons we got it is that the road into our subdivision is rougher than anything we've encountered camping. Big tires, high clearance and not too wide. The NoBos come in longer sizes too.No Boundaries Home Page

[Dick_B]

I have the answer! A hovercraft RV. Can't you just see it gliding over the rough terrain.
Availability? Don't know.
Price? Don't know.
Stupid response? Maybe not. It depends on the budget.

[pnichols]

zeke.b.campin wrote:
Looking for suggestions for a new TT. A few years back, we owned a unit from Outdoors RV. It seemed well built but was too large for the places we like to camp. We camp as far in the back country that we can in CO/WY/MT. I need a trailer that can handle rough roads/forest service trails/etc.

-need something that can sleep 6 WITHOUT using the eating table for a bed.
-24ish feet box
-outdoor kitchen
-Our budget is only 30k or so.

Recommendations to look at?

Thoroughly search this website to see what TTs these expert folks use:
https://expeditionportal.com/forum/?s=991d46d892eec8d05fe155eb9c18c7ca