Small (non-teardrop) Off-road travel trailer

[Flip_5]

I'm hoping someone can give me an idea if something like this exists. What I'm looking for is a small off-road travel trailer (under 3500lbs), with a single queen bed, an indoor bathroom with shower, and a slide-out outdoor kitchen. I only have found the Black series Classic-12. While this checks most of my boxes, it is a tad bit heavy for my Jeep Wrangler with a max towing capacity of 3500 lbs. I also don't need something quite as heavy duty with the suspension. I most likely won't be going on trails or serious off-roading with it, but want something with a bit more capability than the mass produced offerings like the No-Bo or Geo-Pro by Forest River and the like. Maybe something with Timbren axle-less suspension and large 33" tires. The Classic-12 would be perfect but with a dry weight of 3300 lbs, it doesn't leave much capacity for gear.

Any other options, or am I looking for a unicorn?
Thanks,
Flip

[mr_andyj]

There are lots of unmaintained "roads" that you cannot take a trailer down, but a modified high clearance trailer would make it. Lots of roads might have a two foot dip and the truck leans left while the trailer leans right into another dip. In this case you might look at an off-road hitch as the ball might not articulate enough.
There are lots of cool camp spots to get to where the OP will need what he is asking for to get there.
Keep the trailer tires the same width/stance as the truck and that will help a lot.
Dual axles will be able to clear more than single, even if the trailer is small.

[FWC]

A Casita or Scamp with the high clearance axel would be pretty close to what you want but without the outdoor kitchen. These are definitely more rugged than your average sticks, spit and kleenex built trailers. However, realize that you're really not going to be taking any trailer that is big enough to have an indoor bathroom on anything more than gravel forrest service roads.

If you actually want to go somewhere that requires 4wd with a camper, you need to consider an 'expedition' oriented truck camper (eg Four Wheel Campers, Hallmark, Alaskan), 4wd van (eg Sportsmobile) or 4wd class C (eg Tiger, EarthRoamer, EarthCruiser).

[mr_andyj]

I don't think that Intech will do it for off-road, but you could convert one of those 14 or 16 foot burrito fiberglass trailers as they are typically 6 ft wide. By convert, I mean swap axles and tires.

These unicorns do exist in abundance in the do-it-yourself world. Look up "cargo camper". People build out of the much much more robust cargo trailers, and build to their simplicity specs, just what they need in a camper.
Can you build?
Minimal build price including trailer would be over $6,000 based on experience, but I will have to double check as I built with a wealth of accessories I had already that cost nothing.
Add in Timbren and the price goes up.

I have seen a few home build teardrop-style campers like u describe, but who can guess the build quality on these? Some probably great, some might be scary.

There are custom builders who will build it if you have the deep pockets.

[Reisender]

Wolf pup has a little 16 footer. Not sure of the weight but it would be close.

On edit. It is a 16 FB. There is an off road version (Raised). Around 3000 pounds dry. 330 pound hitch weight. Front bed.

Check it out.

[propchef]

Look at these. https://www.intechrv.com/models/sol/horizon/

The Sol Horizon Rover comes in at 4k GVWR but has a dedicated bed. The Eclipse Rover comes in at 3500 GVWR and the dining area converts to the bed. Both have wet baths. Neither has outdoor kitchens.

I'm on the hunt for a Terra.

[Lwiddis]

Winnebago has TTs in that weight range that they claim are for light duty off road adventures.

[profdant139]

Sadly, you are searching for a unicorn, and so am I. Check out the little rig in my signature -- it almost fills the bill, but they don't make it anymore. We take it offroad a lot (carefully), but it is really not designed for that kind of treatment. (It's a Fun Finder X-139 -- if you can find one used, grab it.)

The other issue is your tow vehicle. Do some reading on Wranglers as tow vehicles, and you will want to cut back on your trailer weight.

Good luck!!

[theoldwizard1]

Good luck ! I think you are searching for a unicorn !!

First, very few travel trailers are TRULY built for "off road". They require extra bracing in the walls and the connection to the floor and roof.

Is it possible ? Yes, but it would be expensive.