Teardrop/Off Road Camper Trailers Master Thread

[el_kab0ng]

Given RTTs and the like are discussed in GD, it made sense to include one on teardrop/off road camper trailers (unless the powers that be feel otherwise). There are several individual threads based on the searches I've done, but nothing consolidated.

After spending 4 days and 3 nights on the beaches of Texas in a ground tent, I've really come around to rethinking a teardrop/off road camper trailer. There are quite a few models out there and even more that are just now getting off the ground in the 'current reality', so I'd like to hear some opinions about campers you've used, what you like/dislike, brands to avoid, cost efficient models, etc.

Let's go!

 

[Ogre75]

I'd be interested in seeing what is out there.

 

[el_kab0ng]

To get the ball rolling, here's a few I've been researching:

The Venturist - RunawayCampers.com

Oregon Trail'R Teardrop Trailers: Learn more about our high quality campers, and parts.

Durable Off Road Camper Trailers - Off Grid Trailers

I'd be curious if anyone here owns any of the above mentioned tear drops.

 

[sn_85]

To get the ball rolling, here's a few I've been researching:

The Venturist - RunawayCampers.com

Oregon Trail'R Teardrop Trailers: Learn more about our high quality campers, and parts.

Durable Off Road Camper Trailers - Off Grid Trailers

I'd be curious if anyone here owns any of the above mentioned tear drops.

Check out Escapod, Timberleaf, So-Cal Teardrops, Boreas Campers and Colorado Teardrops as well. TBH there's so many out there with such a wide range of budgets.

 

[el_kab0ng]

I would assume camping outfitters are going nuts right now in the "new reality". Those of us who would normally vacation overseas or down south are now investing in ways to see this nation's parks and back country.

As a result, I've noticed a substantial increase in the costs of these rigs (Boreas, for example, was 27k last December and is now MSRP at $29k) to take advantage of conditions.

Does anyone monitoring this thread actually own a teardrop? If so, I'd be interested in what you own, what about it made you consider the one you have and what your investment has been.

 

[RichinRidgewood]

There are many videos and webpages about building your own teardrop trailer.

Man $29k for a travel trailer is hugely expensive imho.

How to Build Your Custom DIY Teardrop Trailer Quick & Easy!

YouTube

YouTube

 

[el_kab0ng]

There are many videos and webpages about building your own teardrop trailer.

Man $29k for a travel trailer is hugely expensive imho.

How to Build Your Custom DIY Teardrop Trailer Quick & Easy!

YouTube

YouTube

Still half the cost of a Patriot when you think about it.

When you consider what you're getting for $30k and add up all the features, it seems worth it (the Boreas XT is fully outfitted for the price, so you're not being stabbed with a bunch of extras on top of the base model). I like the fact you can rent one to try them out before purchase if you happen to be in a state with a dealership.

Sure, you could buy a 28ft travel trailer for the same amount, but then you have to have a specialized rig to tow it and then not be able to take it on trails.

 

[MikeyMTBs]

We’re pretty happy with our Intech Flyer Exolore. Check em out.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[el_kab0ng]

What'd that set you back? Looks like it might be light trail rated, but doesn't have the suspension/departure angles to do any significant off roading with.

 

[BoreasCampers]

Boreas Campers prides itself in being the best trailer manufacturer in Denver, CO. We offer a high quality, individually-crafted teardrop and pop up models that are built to get you into remote and wild natural sites. No other off road camper looks like our Boreas XT and Boreas MXT trailers and no other camper manufacturer provides our level of customer service.

 

[Deuxdiesel]

Check out tnttt.com They have every imaginable camping trailer threads. I bought a 6x8 trailer a few years ago thinking I would make a tear-drop out of it, but the fact that you have to go outside to cook, pee or even stand up and stretch makes no sense. I am now leaning towards buy a well built 6x12 v-nose aluminum covered cargo trailer ($4-6K) and outfitting it with a tiny kitchen, some folding beds and a wet bath. Lots of information on people doing this, and having a trailer that you can actually live in if it's cold and rainy on your trip seems to be a better choice for me.

 

[el_kab0ng]

Boreas Campers prides itself in being the best trailer manufacturer in Denver, CO. We offer a high quality, individually-crafted teardrop and pop up models that are built to get you into remote and wild natural sites. No other off road camper looks like our Boreas XT and Boreas MXT trailers and no other camper manufacturer provides our level of customer service.

I'm working with Adam at ITW and a dealer out of Houston in serious consideration of one of these. Apparently the AC situation (moving from shore power to a 12V system) hasn't been ironed out, but they have moved away from ClimateRight to a new vendor. (Not exactly sure who they're using or how boxy the AC looks now compared to the original, but in Texas, AC is a hard requirement, unfortunately, and ITW is only one of two vendors I've seen in this category that offer the option)

For those of you researching this set up, ITW covers down on almost everything you'd want with their Boreas XT trailers, but they're about to be harder to come by (my dealer mentioned build times are now all the way out to March of 21 at this point).

2020 Boreas XT Walkthrough - YouTube

Update: Got word back that the new AC unit is one of these: Air Conditioners | Commercial Portable Air Conditioners | Global Industrial™ Portable Air Conditioner - Spot Cooler - 6,200 BTU, 115V | 796000 - GLOBALindustrial.com

 

[ieatfish]

I've been waffling between designing my own or this one by Vorsheer: https://www.vorsheershop.com/xoc

 

[el_kab0ng]

I've been waffling between designing my own or this one by Vorsheer: VORSHEER | XOC | Extreme Overland Camper

Looks interesting.. but hopefully priced properly for the base model as pretty much everything you'd need is an add-on.

 

[ieatfish]

Looks interesting.. but hopefully priced properly for the base model as pretty much everything you'd need is an add-on.

For sure. Though I'm alright adding the accessories on myself as I need them. I contacted them in the past and they said they can accommodate custom designs too. I've been considering the basics and then adding on as I find the need, though things like running wiring and such can be a hassle after the fact.

 

[el_kab0ng]

For sure. Though I'm alright adding the accessories on myself as I need them. I contacted them in the past and they said they can accommodate custom designs too. I've been considering the basics and then adding on as I find the need, though things like running wiring and such can be a hassle after the fact.

Do you happen to know what sort of AC they have available? Is it 12V or requires shore power?

 

[ieatfish]

Do you happen to know what sort of AC they have available? Is it 12V or requires shore power?

I'm not sure, though I've usually seen regular ~5000BTU units run off the battery system via the inverter. But I'm not specifically sure about the Vorsheer trailers.

 

[Fltslr]

After researching relentlessly, and after renting a T@g boondock trailer, I put reserve money on a 2021 Boreas XT hopefully ready at the xgrid dealership in Las Vegas in May.

My wife and I were very dissatisfied with the build quality of the t@g teardrop (you get what you pay for), but having a comfortable bed with walls was a comfort in the 40 mph howling winds in Joshua Tree.. Stabilized, we barely shook. In a tent? It would have been miserable.

I plan to go off road with my boreas. I will deflate the trailer tires. And disconnect before going up any iffy roads.

Trailers are for basecamps and overlanding, not 4x4ing.

 

[Fltslr]

After searching the crap out of the topic, I put money down on a Boreas XT due in May. Not inexpensive, but I think worth it. It is a turnkey buy (well except for greater solar, battery, and gas capacity than stock and the add on room).

I like that boreas moved from custom to small scale production and sells through dealerships (2 grand refundable deposit vs. 1/2 down like most custom builders). I like there is NO WOOD. Nothing to rot. It is light and can handle rough terrain. Built in stove, sink, and 12v single zone 60L freezer or refrigerator. Built in propane shower, 20 gals. water, propane heater, a/c prep. Big storage box, spare tire, 20 inch clearance, timberline axles. Lock n roll hitch, 23zero awning, roof rack.

I like that that the site pics show a 4runner towing it.

 

[1Louder]

Glamour shot with my former vehicle. We have a 2019 Off Grid Trailers Expedition 2.0 and love it. Lots of small improvements have been made in the 2020 model. Did the RTT thing for years. We now highly prefer sleeping indoors.