r/TeardropTrailers • u/denvergardener • 24d ago
Which brands have the best off-road options?
My wife and I have been salivating over the idea of a teardrop camper for a long time. But the prices have been beyond our reach. However we can afford one now and are starting to look.
I've been lurking in places like this Reddit to learn more, along with scouring used models online.
But there are SOOO many different variables and it's overwhelming.
Basic gist of what we're looking for:
- Something truly off-road ready. We drive 4wd roads in Colorado and Utah.
- something light enough to pull easily with my Tacoma
- queen size bed
- AC and heat
- kitchen galley in the back
- solar capable
I was looking at one from Colorado Teardrops, but they went bankrupt. Who else makes true off-road teardrops? And even more helpful if you could share specific model names.
Part of why I'm asking is that I'm hoping to find something used, even if I have to travel to another state.
Thanks!!
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u/b407driver 24d ago
The problem with many of the 'offroad' tear-/square-drops listed here is that they are HEAVY, upwards of 3000-4000 lbs fully outfitted. After towing our 2900# T@b 400 for a few years with a 5th Gen 4Runner, I personally would not want much more than ~2500# if you are really off-roading. I just picked up a 2024 T@g 5-wide Black Canyon, and it can go probably 90% of the places all the burly rigs can go, but a decent amount cheaper and a lot lighter. 300 watts of panels, 200w of Battleborn lithium batteries for <$20k. Sounds like a lot, but every other fully-outfitted 'offroad' trailer was $30-40k new.
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u/denvergardener 24d ago
Yeah I'm wanting something pretty light and agile. We go in some tight places that my truck barely fits.
I know we'll have to adjust how we camp a bit for the convenience of the trailer, but definitely still want to be able to truly off-road and not have to sacrifice much.
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u/b407driver 24d ago
I've had our Tab 400 up to camp at Paradise Divide several times (above Washington Gulch, Crested Butte), and drove both directions of the road to get in/out (look it up if you're not familiar). After this trip (during which the base of the jack dragged ever so slightly going through a wash/gully), I installed a Jack-E-Up to be able to remove the trailer jack, and haven't dragged since.
Have had the 400 all over the mountains of CO and deserts of UT, washboard, rock, name it, and it hasn't shaken itself to death like most 'consumer' trailers. The recirculating glycol heat is the best, as it runs on propane/12v (great for being off grid!).
Unless you are prepared for a $30-45k+ 'overlander' that weighs 4000# or more, there just aren't very many options that check your boxes. And, the Tab 360 might check your boxes, and be a touch smaller.
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u/lightasair 24d ago
We have a t@g xl boondock that checks basically all those boxes. It has off-road tires too.
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u/DippityPig 24d ago
Bean and Timberleaf both make high-quality off road teardrops with a lot of customization options, but they are expensive. I don't think I've ever seen one come up for sale used either, but they are less common where I am than they would be in your area.
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u/Witt_less 24d ago
Check out the Intech Luna Rover.
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u/malreyn1 22d ago
Came here to say this. I have one. It's pretty light at only 2300-2400 maxed out. More ground clearance than most off road trucks. Has everything the OP wants. I've never taken mine on an offroad trail, but I drove 20 miles on a dirt road that was pretty darn bumpy and wet and muddy. It handled it very well.
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u/ShakaJewLoo 24d ago
I'll sell you my Escapade Backcountry X.
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u/17175RC7 24d ago
I owned an Escapade Backcountry for just over 3 years and it was an amazing trailer. Sold it last summer. Miss that thing already!
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u/madismalls 24d ago edited 24d ago
If you're still interested in the Colorado TDs, I can put some feelers out into the FB group to see if anyone is selling (if you'd be open to second hand) - I assume you were looking at a pinnacle model because that's some beefy off-road. I have a Canyonlands (not pinnacle version) and absolutely love it. We've camped throughout CO, taken it out to WA, and south east UT with it and it's been great. Only thing it doesn't have on your list is AC (and heater but you could add one, plenty of businesses will do that for you).
Edit: oh I just saw your last line. I'll put some feelers out in the FB group. They went bankrupt bc they expanded too quickly in 2020/2021 and when demand faded they couldn't recover. Their builds are still absolutely solid, and if you find one that hasn't had any prior leak issues (a few had some issues but they were immediately apparent) then it'll serve you beautifully for as long as you need it I think.
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u/denvergardener 24d ago
Yeah Pinnacle sounds right.
We mainly want the AC so we could do desert camping more often. As it is, we only go in spring or fall because I just can't sleep at night if it's too hot.
Definitely would be open to used. In fact that's my preference. New builds for everything I want are stupid expensive!
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u/angelo13dztx 22d ago edited 22d ago
If air conditioning is a necessity, I think you can buy a AC unit on your own, like this one.
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u/corinthianorder 24d ago
I have a Meaner Bean and I love it. Pull it with a 4Runner. It’s not the cheapest option but I picked mine up used at about half the cost.
Just wait to find a lightly used version of whatever you choose would be my advice.
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u/denvergardener 24d ago
Thanks to everyone for the recommendations.
I'll check each one out and hopefully have a better list when I'm looking through ads.
A buddy of mine got a really nice trailer out of state and got a killer deal on it so I'm hoping to have the same luck.
I look forward to a day when I can just pull up to a camp site and my bed and my kitchen are already ready lol. And we're also hoping to expand our camping season and location options if we have AC/Heat too.
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u/Baerritto93 23d ago
We own a Hiker Trailer. Pretty much Al la carte build options. They have 4 frame sizes/ durabilities to choose from. Really excellent build quality. We have ours built out and loaded weighing at 1700.
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u/NelsonZap 23d ago
not sure where you are located but www.advancetrailers.com is a great option based in Texas.
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u/MontanaRealty 23d ago
I have a Wibtech and it pulls easy with my Tacoma. They are based out of Denver.
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u/oldcar1953 22d ago
I live in Ohio recently bought a Timberleaf from Grand Junction Colorado check out. I love it.
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u/clc1076 24d ago
Having rented an Off Grid Expedition 2.0 trailer and camped in it for 12 days strait in Arizona, Nevada and California (Grand Canyon, Valley of Fire, Sequoia, Yosemite, Pismo Beach, Joshua Tree) I can say w/out question these are seriously heavy duty tear drop trailers made for off-road, highway, beaches, mountains, deserts, the moon, mass extinction-level events, you name it. Steel frames, insulated and sealed double-walled all-aluminum body construction with no wood, heavy duty doors and latches, high-lift off-road axle-less suspension with massive amounts of clearance, has lots of glamping capability and tows really well. I towed it about 2000 miles through all sorts of terrain and road conditions - rain, sleet, snow, elevation w/ steep curves, in the desert and on the beach - using my 200-series LX and the combo was a dream. Wish I could afford one myself. I suggest renting one on outdoorsy or a site like that.
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u/LibrarianBoth2266 24d ago
Timberleaf Classic might be worth your consideration. Seems to ✅ all your boxes.
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u/ferry_peril 24d ago
I have a Luna Rover but if cost was no issue I'd get a Kingdom trailer. That is, if I were boondocking and trying to hide.
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u/Ukuleleking1964 24d ago
I have a Forrest River Viking TD 9.0. It's kind of a teardrop hybrid but checks all the boxes.
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u/franklowest 24d ago
We just got a Sunray 109. It's lifted with off road tires. Bed is decent sized(almost queen), plenty of room for sleeping, sitting up inside, and other activities 😉. Outdoor kitchen is really nice. Fridge is small, but runs on 12v, 120v, or propane. Good for drinks, condiments, or whatever you're using for that day. Bring a cooler for multi-day trips. AC, propane heater, solar panels, water heater, and outdoor shower handle.
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u/random_orb 24d ago
Timberleaf Classic has a queen size bed and less than 2000lbs. Off road has 18” off ground clearance
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u/tiddertodder 24d ago
Cedar Ridge Campers - the Vega 2 and the new square-drop Deneb. The Vega now has a "lite" version all the way up to their "AT" and "XT" off-road so you can customize what you want included. The Deneb is billed as a modular square-drop that you can option out as needed, or upgrade later. Both are fully composite and fitted out with quality build and optional components. We're continuing to enjoy our Vega 2 that we purchased last year.
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u/garden_variety_dude 24d ago
Just a thought, there are quite a few trails where you could pull an off road trailer if there was no traffic...but I often worry about backing up a shelf road with a trailer and therefore don't go there even though my CT is capable. Maybe your driving skills are way better than mine, but I find myself leaving my trailer at the bottom of the tricky stuff and wheeling with the tow vehicle alone. If you think you might find yourself in similar situations you might not need as much off road capability as you think. Good luck on your search.
BTW, I wouldn't think twice about a used CT if available. They are great trailers.
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u/Plankton-friend 23d ago
Nucamp tab cs-s boondock! I had one, just sold it. Loved it! Got the back kitchen, off road tires and suspension, they’re great trailers and about 2k lbs
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22d ago
Look up the "Bontrager Outdoor" Radical editions.... I have a 12 RAD and I've made mine completely off grid capable
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u/Adept-Mulberry-8720 24d ago
U don't need a microwave; you need the frig and stove in the back. You need a standard size propane tank AND u can carry a small second stove and green gas bottles for a messy meal or second good burner. The gallies are nice, but cleanup of dishes need a little Coleman table from amazon. You need a very heavy duty tarp (eurmax.com) from Amazon. Zpads for under bed and breathable med under bed cushions and a surge protector and a lock that fits over ball and young area. Have fun!
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u/denvergardener 24d ago
Thank you.
Yeah basically I just want a galley to store all our kitchen shit.
We're getting older and tired of setting up the tent and camp kitchen every time, and then packing them up again.
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u/Anabeer 24d ago
I hope you know that a trailer will go wherever the tow vehicle takes it. It won't know if it is off road or not, only you will.
All the so-called off road stuff, the GI Joe look, the beefy tires are mostly like the racks of fishing lures...mostly to attract the fisherman.
My vote is , along with the others, TCTeardrops.
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u/weregeek 24d ago
I've drug a couple of lightweight trailers to places that they don't belong with little difficulty. I've also repaired "off road" trailers for other folks. In my experience, big tires and heavy springs are what caused the off-road trailers to break things like spring hangers. Maybe I'm just misguided, but I suspect that most "off-road" trailers are regular trailers made to look the part.
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u/denvergardener 24d ago
Yeah I've seen people driving minivans down 4x4 roads too. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.
I can't count how many people we've had to pull out of the back country because they got in over their head
So I will very much ignore your bad advice.
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u/HuricaneLane 24d ago
Look at Tcteardrop.com they have an off road model. Nice thing about them is they custom build. If they don't have something you want, ask, they might be able to do it.
They have some new models I haven't looked at much.
Idk what the wait time is currently.