Brand new guy to overlanding not camping. Welcomes (needs LOL) sound opinions on Overland Trailer

[Milkyway]

Specifics: Daily driver is a 2016 , Toyota 4Runner, 4WD, bone stock. Gets driven a lot of miles each month 4K on average for work. RTT and extra daily weight is not practical. Have plenty of well used camping gear, bikes and paddle boards I want to travel with...including wife and dogs when possible. Dogs that is, wife is not optional.

Overlanding will be done primarily in Florida with future trips planned for out west. Like most people would love to own and use a Patriot or Schutt built overland trailer. In the working man world where I live, I am thinking about something in the $5k-$7 range. I have no experience in serious or technical off roading, but am looking forward to growing and learning in the OB community. I initially thought about modifying an existing utility trailer. Spent countless hours on Youtube and reading forums. Since, you all have been there and done that as a "newbie," was hoping you could shed some light on your experience(s) and things to avoid.

 

[Sparksalot]

You might read through this thread. There are several comments that could fit into your situation.

Is an overland trailer really worth the expense?

Is it worth it? It was for me. Lowes trailer new $450, RTT new $769, jacks front and rear $70, bigger tires(takeoffs) $free. Maybe $1400 total. And now using it in Season 4. Stays loaded and ready all the time. It's a breeze to pull on road/off road. Inexpensive and works. No second kind of...

www.overlandbound.com

I personally have a teardrop trailer. Mainly because I built it in 2008. I included some off grid capability, but have since used it for several overlanding trips where I have a base camp, then explore further without it.

 

[m_lars]

I second reading that linked thread. In the overland trailers section of the forum there's a sticky with a trailer manufacturers list, if you're not overwhelmed by that already!

Overland Trailers

Adventure Trailers!

www.overlandbound.com

 

[Milkyway]

Thank you for your reply. Our ultimate goal is to use a RTT, 180 awnings, and pull out camp stove and shower as funds are available. Not really a teardrop or sleeping in the box. No judgement. Just like the "open-ness" of tent camping. Was kind of thinking about a utility trailer mod set up that I can use now and build up and enjoy the upgrading as time/funds permit. Best description would be a grab and go set up to store and secure when not in use. What size or brand trailer do you all think would be best way to enter OB for SE U.S. use?

 

[Sparksalot]

Thank you for your reply. Our ultimate goal is to use a RTT, 180 awnings, and pull out camp stove and shower as funds are available. Not really a teardrop or sleeping in the box. No judgement. Just like the "open-ness" of tent camping. Was kind of thinking about a utility trailer mod set up that I can use now and build up and enjoy the upgrading as time/funds permit. Best description would be a grab and go set up to store and secure when not in use. What size or brand trailer do you all think would be best way to enter OB for SE U.S. use?

I can’t say I blame you. I had the teardrop already. I’ve been thinking hard about buying a Morris Mule or building a Dinoot/M416 clone. Then I had a nearly 100 pound doggie come into my life. Climbing a ladder Is now way down the list. She enjoys the teardrop, however.

 

[Okieflyr]

Thank you for your reply. Our ultimate goal is to use a RTT, 180 awnings, and pull out camp stove and shower as funds are available. Not really a teardrop or sleeping in the box. No judgement. Just like the "open-ness" of tent camping. Was kind of thinking about a utility trailer mod set up that I can use now and build up and enjoy the upgrading as time/funds permit. Best description would be a grab and go set up to store and secure when not in use. What size or brand trailer do you all think would be best way to enter OB for SE U.S. use?

I have a 16 TE as well, and really not crazy about the deployment and packing of the rtt due to height and access with the canopy mounted.
The best thing I like about our light tower trailer conversion is the much easier reach and to “manage “the tent and have a home base to travel from. There are trailer concessions to be sure but we like the flexibility.

 

[USStrongman]

If you buy new and purpose built, you will have a hard time falling into that budget. Even something like the barebones Smittybilt unit is at $7,600 or the Schutt is $11,000 without a tent or other bits. Finding an auction with a utility trailer, military trailer like an M101, M101 A1, M416... may be a fun project to build out how you want.

As for drawer systems and shower, those can be made at a fraction of the cost of buying. The shower I made is simple and uber functional. I found the basis for it here:

Roof Rack Shower for Outdoor Activities

Roof Rack Shower for Outdoor Activities: Many "summer fun" and outdoor activities can be made much more enjoyable when you bring along a portable shower. If it's camping, going to the beach, running a marathon, or just taking your kids to the local park this roof mounted shower can be a va…

www.instructables.com

 

[9Mike2]

Check for company's that rent trailers, try before you buy!

 

[Boostpowered]

Or just get a homemade pickup bed trailer (they run from $200-$2000) and either put a hard cover over it or a camper top or find one with either already. The beauty of pickup truck bed trailers are you can lift them just like a truck with blocks or shackles and whatever shocks you want , the axle is gonna be alot stronger than those store bought trailers, it wont hurt as bad when you bang em up on the trail and easier to find replacement parts for it at any autoparts store. They can be matched to your rig if thats what you like ie get one made from an old tacoma and youve got a toyota trailer get one new with a new enough bed it could match your rigs body lines.

 

[Milkyway]

I have a 16 TE as well, and really not crazy about the deployment and packing of the rtt due to height and access with the canopy mounted.
The best thing I like about our light tower trailer conversion is the much easier reach and to “manage “the tent and have a home base to travel from. There are trailer concessions to be sure but we like the flexibility.

I like the pic of your trailer. I was thinking along those same lines.

 

[Milkyway]

Or just get a homemade pickup bed trailer (they run from $200-$2000) and either put a hard cover over it or a camper top or find one with either already. The beauty of pickup truck bed trailers are you can lift them just like a truck with blocks or shackles and whatever shocks you want , the axle is gonna be alot stronger than those store bought trailers, it wont hurt as bad when you bang em up on the trail and easier to find replacement parts for it at any autoparts store. They can be matched to your rig if thats what you like ie get one made from an old tacoma and youve got a toyota trailer get one new with a new enough bed it could match your rigs body lines.

Great idea!!! I hadn't thought of an old Tacoma bed. I could use my same tires and would track the same as the tow vehicle. I agree that scratching or seriously denting this would not be nearly as painful as damaging an expensive purpose built unit. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[taliv]

i may be showing my ignorance of trucks, but i thought the "bed" was typically just a sheet metal box attached to the frame of the truck. i'd think you'd have to create the suspension, axle, etc. from scratch for your truck bed. and since it's probably designed to rely on the frame for strength, you'd probably have to recreate that before putting any load on it.

i suppose you could cut the frame in half and then weld a tongue on it, to keep the factory axle and suspension and wheels.

 

[smritte]

i suppose you could cut the frame in half and then weld a tongue on it, to keep the factory axle and suspension and wheels.

People have done that. Way simpler than fabricating a new frame. I've had a modded M100 for decades. Set up and tear down of the RTT is simple and fast. I'm in the process of building a lite hard side trailer. Most of my trips tend to be windy. The RTT is fine, i'm tired of the noise while sleeping. As was suggested, see if you can rent a couple of different types. People have also built on Harbor Freight or Lowes trailer platforms. Just add in sides a tent mount and go. I started pulling a trailer with my old CJ5. Just didnt have the room for the gear if I was out for several days.

 

[Boostpowered]

i may be showing my ignorance of trucks, but i thought the "bed" was typically just a sheet metal box attached to the frame of the truck. i'd think you'd have to create the suspension, axle, etc. from scratch for your truck bed. and since it's probably designed to rely on the frame for strength, you'd probably have to recreate that before putting any load on it.

i suppose you could cut the frame in half and then weld a tongue on it, to keep the factory axle and suspension and wheels.

They generally chop the frame right about 3 or 4 ft forward of the bed cut the top and bottom channels of the frame, bend it in and weld the hitch to it.ive got an old 79 ford f100 bed and frame with a ford 9" axle

 

[Biker Eagle]

What Tahoe said...Morris Mule is a lot of trailer for the money. Starting at around $4500. Made in Alabama, so close to you in Florida. Ruger in Colorado makes a nice affordable trailer around $5K, but it's a long haul to get it.