I’ve been kind of obsessed with off-road trailers lately, but rightfully so! After renting an overland trailer and boondocking for a long weekend, I couldn’t wait to repeat my experience. That’s led me to look deeper into the off-road trailer market.
Although I’m still personally narrowing my options, I wanted to share my favorite picks with you. If you’re in my shoes and searching for that perfect off-road trailer this year to take your RV expeditions further, you will not be disappointed with what’s on this list!
Black Series HQ17
Starting at $49,899, the HQ17 is my favorite model in the Black Series family. It’s a great size for bringing family and friends on your off-roading adventures, with room for five. It measures 23.8 feet long on its own, so even with a towing vehicle, you should be able to access most state and national parks.
Only pick-up trucks and SUVs for this bad boy, which weighs over 5,700 pounds. Its 12-inch clearance keeps its underbelly free of debris, dust, and dirt that can coat and damage the undercarriage.
The Good Ride M/T tires are built for just about any conditions imaginable, including sand, stone, and gravel. The chassis is coated in armor, and with dual off-road suspension, you can focus on where you want to take your off-road trailer rather than how it will handle the rigors of your travels.
Inside, this trailer is a lot more luxurious than you would expect! You’ll have privacy with a master bedroom, while bunks are perfect for the kiddos. The lounge area configures how you need it, transferring from a dining to a relaxing space and back again.
Speaking of dining, my oh my is the kitchen nice. It features a microwave oven and a double-burner stove for homestyle cooking.
I love the bathroom, which is covered in plastic for easy cleanup. After all, it’s not like you have access to many supplies when boondocking.
Off-Grid Trailers Pando 3.0
Full caveat: the Pando is a teardrop trailer, and I’m used to traveling just me and hubby, so I don’t mind its size. That said, you might take some umbrage with it, which is fine. Off-Road Trailers produces plenty of other models that might be more your speed, although none are super-huge.
Named after a Utah aspen grove that’s 80,000 years old, the Pando is built from pure metal. Sounds heavy, right? It ain’t! The frame is steel, but the body is made of lightweight aluminum.
Since it’s a smaller trailer, it’s priced reasonably, with costs starting at $36,750. The trailer has a dry weight of 2,200 pounds and a GVW of 3,500 pounds, providing more towing versatility. It’s 166 inches long, so it’s a tidy, cute little guy.
Well, I don’t want to come across as condescending. Trust me when I say the Pando is ready for overland fun. As the third edition, Off-Road Trailers has redesigned this trailer to be its best possible self.
It has storage boxes for keeping more (even in a small space), heat and shower boxes, aluminum wheels with AT tires, and a Timbren 3500 HD axle-free suspension system.
The cabin is surprisingly jam-packed with features, like a hot-cold sink for having running water while living off the grid, tinted windows (you need your privacy, after all), USB ports for charging devices when you have power, and a kitchen galley.
Yep, you read that right. Despite its size, this off-road trailer has a kitchen! Better yet, the area has a lot more features than you would think, such as a 57-liter fridge from Dometic, storage drawers, a stainless steel dual burner stove (also from Dometic), and a stainless steel countertop.
I mean, Off-Grid Trailers didn’t have to design the interior so rugged, yet they did, and I thank them for it! Heavy-duty materials like these increase the vehicle’s longevity.
Zion Off-Road Z1
You can think of the Z1 as a blank slate, as you can build your own. The base teardrop trailer starts at a reasonable $12,900, but keep in mind you will want to add more to it, so the price will be higher. How much higher is up to you.
The modular base with bolting is ultra-configurable. I mean, you can take accessories off or put them back on, doing it on a whim. Zion sells plenty of accessories, so if you find you need some to make your overland experience complete, you can always go back to your favorite manufacturer and pick up what you need.
What kinds of accessories are available? Well, you can add features like:
- Dual roof crossbars
- Front accessory system
- Electrical box
- Jacks and jack mounts
- SAS mounting plates
- Off-road tires
- Off-road fender
- Tri-fold memory foam mattress
- Front and rear steps
- Two-side accessory system
- Spare tire holder (spare tire sold separately)
- Timbren suspension system
- Cooler slide
- Trim guards
- Rock lights
- Lock-N-Roll hitch
- Lithium battery
- Electric brakes
- 270-degree awning
Are these features must-haves? Not all, no. That said, the Z1 is only moderately off-road-ready with its base version and benefits from off-road tires and an upgraded suspension system.
If you’re still on the fence, I love how Zion offers financing to make your purchase more affordable!
Boreas XT
Take the Boreas XT for a spin for an off-roading experience you won’t soon forget. This basecamp trailer for backcountry expeditions starts at $44,990 (with financing options available).
The XT comes in four configurations: C16, C20, AT camper trailer, or EOS-12 camper trailer. I prefer the C20, a 20-footer with air or coil suspension for the smoothest overland adventures you’ve ever had. This thing shifts from smooth terrain to off-road trails effortlessly.
Of course, credit is due to the Pro Comp steel wheels and BF Goodrich All Terrain Ko2 tires, the Cruisemaster CRS2 axle-free independent suspension system, and the load-bearing fenders. I love how much ground clearance this camper gets, as it’s 19 inches off the ground!
The aluminum roof rack doesn’t weigh down the XT much while providing awesome storage potential. I’m also a big fan of the LED lights that reverse, the composite fiberglass shell that’s the optimal mix of durability and weight control, and the 23Zero side awning.
Step inside, and prepare to be amazed. The XT has a 79-inch sleeping space (length-wise) with a memory foam bed, PVC cabinets, and composite paneling. Stay comfy when the power is on with a MaxxAir 6200 All-Weather Fan that runs on 10 speeds and a Propex 6,500 BTU forced-air furnace.
Palomino Pause
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of your day-to-day life in the Palomino Pause, a rugged, capable overland trailer. It boasts an air suspension system for smooth driving as you explore new nooks and composite construction.
How about solar panels for longer-term boondocking? That will keep the trailer powered so it can use its Garmin System, which will help with everything from navigation to day-to-day trailer management.
The 16.4 floor plan is an award-winning design and also happens to be my pick. Again, it’s sized perfectly for hubby and I, but if you have a bigger party, you might want to upgrade to the next biggest size.
This model weighs 5,773 pounds and measures 21 feet, 2 inches, so handling it with an SUV or pickup should be no biggie.
Inside the amply sized 16.4 is a large dinette, a fridge and microwave in the kitchen, a full bathroom with a walk-in shower and toilet, and a flip-back queen-sized bed with storage.
The dinette is convertible for extra sleeping space in case you have a friend camping out with you.
Opus OP 2
I have to talk about the OP 2, as it’s not your average overland trailer. It’s inflatable.
I know, inflatable and off-roading sound like polar opposites. It’ll never work, right? Yet it does work, and amazingly at that.
The OP 2 is terrifically lightweight, which should come as no surprise given its air tent layout. This trailer for three weighs 3,244 pounds dry, with a GVWR of 4,400 pounds.
At 18 feet, the trailer is remarkably efficient in how it uses space. That’s how it fits a kitchen with a four-burner stove and a dual-zone fridge, a lounge/dining area, and a huge queen-sized bed. Granted, the bedroom nook is just the mattress itself, but let me tell you, it’s ultra-cozy in here.
The entire vibe of the OP 2 is softness and comfort, even when off-roading far from home. I love pulling down the Tropical Roof, which is UV-resistant and waterproof. The inflatable material isn’t a cheap rubber or plastic, but rather, 420-gram Polycotton in a fine weave.
How does it inflate, you ask? The OP 2 has its own included air pump. Here’s a cool fact: the tent inflates in two minutes! You can also select from fun colors like orange, matte black, metallic gray, or blue.
You will have to pay extra for the OP 2 for off-grid features, including a solar port, dual lithium batteries, DC-DC charging, and a 140-watt panel, but they’re worthwhile additions, if you ask me.
Black Bean
Gear up for adventure in the Black Bean, a model from Bean Trailers. Utah Manufacturers Association declared Bean the 2020 Manufacturer of the Year, which is surely in part due to its innovative improvements to the Black Bean.
The trailer features a 3,500 Timbren independent suspension system, 20 inches of clearance, DO35 articulating coupling from Cruisemaster, and a steel frame with powder coating.
Still eager to learn more? Of course, you are! The Black Bean is 15 feet, 2 inches long. As a teardrop trailer, it weighs 2,500 pounds dry, so you could even tow it with some cars!
So, how is the Black Bean so lightweight considering its steel frame? It has a single-piece fiberglass shell atop the frame that keeps its weight manageable. The exterior is built for durability, between scuff-resistant finishes on the fenders and a marine-grade gel coat roof.
Your trailer doesn’t have to look like you’ve spent weeks off-roading, even though you have!
What about the cabin? I’m sure you’ve been eager to learn about that, so I saved it for last. Sink yourself onto a foam mattress that’s almost five inches so you have the space to stretch out and relax. Oh, and what’s that? Storage beneath the mattress? Don’t mind if I do!
Inside is cozy with custom wood grain laminate, including across the upper cubby and the interior cabinets with a galley pass-through. Combining style and durability? Who could ask for more?
The Black Bean is also smart in its use of storage, as it has an attic over the cabinet doors, a shelving system, drink holders and an organizer, and even a storage compartment built into the floor.
All this for a cost starting at $42,390. However, Bean mentions those prices are only for a limited time, so act fast!
If you want to know more about other Bean trailer models, check this out!
Turtleback Trailers Expedition
I’m not through yet! The Expedition Series from Turtleback Trailers is sure to grab your attention as you weigh your off-road trailer options. It’s affordable, with starting prices of $34,000, which is not bad for a trailer Turtleback calls its flagship!
How about customizing the look and feel of your trailer from the ground up? You can select the trailer’s destination (such as forests, deserts, or mountains), configuring it for off-roading. You can also add graphics and select from many fun colors.
For instance, there’s Ember Orange, O.D. Green, Moondust (gray), and Pebble Grey.
The Expedition is another overland trailer packed to the gills with storage options so you can bring more even though this trailer isn’t that large or heavy at 3,200 pounds when fully loaded.
I’d suggest the T3 package between it and the T2, as it includes everything in the former and then some.
For example, you get a UV and carbon water filtration system, reverse lights, a spare tire, a 3,500-pound suspension system, and a Dual Zamp Obsidian 100-watt solar panel.
When you want to wash away the day’s troubles, the swing-out shower mount provides an overland-appropriate option.
Wrapping Up
The world of off-road trailers is so exciting, wouldn’t you say? It’s only getting better as more brands innovate the technology and construction of overland trailers.
Customizing your trailer ensures it’s built to your needs, tastes, and specifications. It’s more expensive, but you’ll have a rugged, durable, off-road-ready trailer that’s ready to expand your horizons.