Seeking experiences with renting and maybe purchasing overland trailer.

[Sleddogg]

I am new to truck ownership and purchased the TH in hopes that the Mrs. and I could eventually start to see the country together now that the kids are grown. As I look at the various trailers out there, some of them cost more than the truck. I figured starting off we might just rent them to see if the “lifestyle” suits us. I’m not seeing a lot of posts regarding trailers. Has anyone had experience in this realm or are most folks going with their gear just on the truck?

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[rchrds]

I have a Taxa Cricket. We spent years camping out of our 2004 Tacoma, and really tired of it, particularly as we got older. Even with an above the roof level camper top, it was always too hot, too cold, or too humid inside the topper. We have friends who still do it, but I'm finished with all that. We really enjoy our Cricket, but I would now warn you away from them, as the original owner/designer sold the company and customer service has gone the way of the dodo. I would still recommend a trailer of some sort if you have a lot of gear when you travel. It really takes the weight out of the back of the truck, making the suspension more happy, and give you a lot more room for...activities?

 

[Sagebrush]

Well, you could build your own.

 

[dvrgz]

Well, you could build your own.

man this is awesome

 

[Sagebrush]

man this is awesome

Thanks.

 

[Sleddogg]

Agreed, that is awesome. How much does that weigh, say, compared to an aluminum rig. I have build a few cabinets with marine grade plywood, and that stuff is heavy. Your ingenuity, planning and skill level is most impressive. Aside from welding, I have the necessary tools. Are there any DOT requirements that need to be met to take a home built rig on highways?

 

[Sagebrush]

How much does that weigh, say, compared to an aluminum rig. I have build a few cabinets with marine grade plywood, and that stuff is heavy. Your ingenuity, planning and skill level is most impressive. Aside from welding, I have the necessary tools. Are there any DOT requirements that need to be met to take a home built rig on highways?

Nothing DOT other than proper lighting.

1334 pounds.

Here are the plans:

https://www.amazon.com/Building-Tea...g-Heirloom/dp/B083XVH9XQ/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

 

[Sleddogg]

Sagebrush, you are friggin awesome. You may have just put a fork in my road. Thanks.

 

[Sagebrush]

You may have just put a fork in my road. Thanks.

Full disclosure, as you may have figured out, that's my book. I've lost track of how many teardrops have grown from its pages.

 

[FlyAngler]

I'm in a similar situation with a TH and kids getting older. One in college, 1 a junior in HS. Planning to do something similar as the wife and I slow down a bit over the next few years. We just bought an Airstream Basecamp 20x because we'll also use it as home office space. Will pick it up next weekend, so can't contribute much to this thread yet. But will subscribe! Good luck with your adventures!

 

[capttim]

this is Boreas XT. Built in Colorado . No plywood. Very high build quality. Approx 2000pounds loaded. We have had this in very rugged terrain and it will go anywhere a Tacoma 4WD can get to

 

[Bcphoto3]

XGrid in Las Vegas rents units.. There are numerous options out there, so it depends on how off grid you want to go. We are getting a TetonX this spring after it is built in UT (Atlas Outdoors) and sold by XGrid in Las Vegas and Knoxville, TN. I would suggest going to one of the Overland Expos where you will be exposed to many options and also people who Overland quite a bit. As we get our Hybrid Camper, I will be posting here on our experiences..

 

[Tacomel]

There are tons of options for overland trailers these days. You can check out the youtube channel playing with sticks for walkthroughs of many of them.

Renting is also a great option. Some the companies have a rental fleet and more are available via private rentals (RV share, outdoorsy etc). Also try and make it to an overland show. Most of the large trailer companies will be there and there will even be more people with cool setups in the camping area. Most people are more than happy to show off their rig.

We have an Escapod Topo2 (Escapod does rentals) and absolutely love it. It's been great for off-grid camping and tows extremely well. I can pretty much leave it loaded and ready to go camping, it fits in my garage and is very easy to setup.

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