Off-road camper options for the Gladiator

[Slapping_Rabbits]

Here are the only real options IMHO.

No particular order:

Standard hardcore Offroad trailers, I think all are aluminum, know at Keats one has a galvanized frame. All long term investments, prices and option vary all the way up almost $60k.

Turltleback Trailers
Patriot Campers X2; X1; X1H
Adventure Trailers

As far as teardrop I have seen a couple. Best to look at the videos and reviews that came out of Overland Expo West 2019. I have researched it far and wide for years now. Although I was leaning towards the Turtleback style for a long time. In the last year along its the availability in the US along with support I am looking to go the Patriot Camper X1H Option.












There are some other options out there. Mainly, how are you going to use it? What type of trips, length, amount of people, length of stays, rough camp, or up to full kitchen onboard water solar, lights, tent heater hot shower etc? I myself am going to have to finance one as I am medically retired from the service. But even so still less than my current boat payment is with a decent term limit like 72-84 months. I do not plan on turning it over and should keep its value very well, their are even more basic builds out there but AT has one called the chaser and about as basic as one can get. Also think that some change yearly and even though they do there are things that cannot be upgraded. So if you like a newer feature depending on hat it is you may be stuck with what you have or sell and buy a new one.

What I look for. Type of construction? Materials use, layout and use of items, positive pressure.. Suspension? Galvanized frame? Support? Ease of maintenance, design though, build quality, customer reviews, I prefer all wiring Nd systems to be hidden, except easy accessibility to fuses and such. Options, management systems prefer the redarc manager 30 and tvms. Options like solar, lithium batteries, good kitchen layout, tent heater, water heater, water storage, , etc.. I prefer the cruisemaster do35 hitch coupling. Ease of setup, time to setup, ability to handle bad weather....

Happy to assist if air can if you just want to through ideas off of me of what you are looking for and may be able to point you in the right direction. I have seen many different trailers reviewed or in person. They all have their plus and minus. But mainly you’ll be looking at either Australian or South African trailers, and a slight few of American made.

Hey thanks for some great stuff! I like turtleback and patriot. Man they are great! Unfortunately too expensive. I sm buying a gladiator and camper so the totally price is an issue and these trailers cost as much as a freaking car. I can understand why though. Well made and great options. I'm looking at less expensive ones now like the 3feathersmfg and escapade and hikertrailer. You might want to look at them too. Getting them straight from the maker could save you some big money!

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[Lou3.6]

Hey thanks for some great stuff! I like turtleback and patriot. Man they are great! Unfortunately too expensive. I sm buying a gladiator and camper so the totally price is an issue and these trailers cost as much as a freaking car. I can understand why though. Well made and great options. I'm looking at less expensive ones now like the 3feathersmfg and escapade and hikertrailer. You might want to look at them too. Getting them straight from the maker could save you some big money!

STOP THE PRESSES . . . don't rely on someone else for THEIR take on THIS ! YOU have your own NEEDs / WANTs and Price Points . . . none of this you have eluded to, so ?
A few SIMPLE Google Searches -- the Overland West / both 2018 &2019 are Full of YouTuber's Reviews and of course once you jot down the makes & models that interest YOU . . . go to their websites and Investigate further ! Once you have it down to 1 or 2 . . . go back to the Google / YouTube and Input THAT (one at a time) and wa-la, more personal reviews etcetera !
There are some "fine" off road (able) "campers / trailers" (2 different animals - some require a tent others you sleep inside) . TAXA is a Texas manufacturer with a variety of models - non of which are "hardcore" but ARE capable for off roading ! I only mention them because I've seen and appreciate them for what they ARE -- GOOD Base Camp Lodging, from where you can unhitch and go explore in your jeep, come back to camp, unwind, cook-up that 4-star meal ! ?
TENTs -- another item you can do this same process for ! Some tents are complex, tedious and time consuming -- basically a pain in the arse ! Others a simple pop-up solution !
Once you got Your "IT" all tuned in, post lots of pictures under a new Thread ! ? Enjoy .

 

[Slapping_Rabbits]

STOP THE PRESSES . . . don't rely on someone else for THEIR take on THIS ! YOU have your own NEEDs / WANTs and Price Points . . . none of this you have eluded to, so ?
A few SIMPLE Google Searches -- the Overland West / both 2018 &2019 are Full of YouTuber's Reviews and of course once you jot down the makes & models that interest YOU . . . go to their websites and Investigate further ! Once you have it down to 1 or 2 . . . go back to the Google / YouTube and Input THAT (one at a time) and wa-la, more personal reviews etcetera !
There are some "fine" off road (able) "campers / trailers" (2 different animals - some require a tent others you sleep inside) . TAXA is a Texas manufacturer with a variety of models - non of which are "hardcore" but ARE capable for off roading ! I only mention them because I've seen and appreciate them for what they ARE -- GOOD Base Camp Lodging, from where you can unhitch and go explore in your jeep, come back to camp, unwind, cook-up that 4-star meal ! ?
TENTs -- another item you can do this same process for ! Some tents are complex, tedious and time consuming -- basically a pain in the arse ! Others a simple pop-up solution !
Once you got Your "IT" all tuned in, post lots of pictures under a new Thread ! ? Enjoy .

Oh yeah that is what I've been doing. I keep running into how no one camper or trailer meets my parameters. Usually its price that is these major issue. Taxa is a great example. The mantis is phenomenal but hell I can't afford it. Costs as much as the gladiator. However, I do appreciate people's input. I like to see what others like or saw and maybe I missed something or there's an option I didn't know about.

 

[Gladiator Overland]

Hey thanks for some great stuff! I like turtleback and patriot. Man they are great! Unfortunately too expensive. I sm buying a gladiator and camper so the totally price is an issue and these trailers cost as much as a freaking car. I can understand why though. Well made and great options. I'm looking at less expensive ones now like the 3feathersmfg and escapade and hikertrailer. You might want to look at them too. Getting them straight from the maker could save you some big money!

As said in reality I asked what your needs are. I went through why I am looking at a certain trailer. I myself am on a budget too and in doing so will have to finance the trailer if I am going to be able to make it happen. As well as build up the truck etc.

If you are looking for dirt cheap look at buying a military surplus trailer and build yourself..

 

[Slapping_Rabbits]

As said in reality I asked what your needs are. I went through why I am looking at a certain trailer. I myself am on a budget too and in doing so will have to finance the trailer if I am going to be able to make it happen. As well as build up the truck etc.

If you are looking for dirt cheap look at buying a military surplus trailer and build yourself..

Yeah I'd like to diy but that requires a lot of time. I know I need indoor space enough to stand up. A king size bed that'll fit 3. A cooking stove, a fridge and sink. I also want hot showers. I think an outdoor shower tent and hot water heater would be great. I think an awning with a mosquito net would be ideal. It needs to be offroad capable and I need to haul bicycles and my canoe. Solar is also something I want. Since im buying a gladiator I have to keep the camper under about 18k. Some of this I can do with the gladiator but I need to get a back rack or canopy. Im looking at the alpine from escapade real hard. I wish it had a roof rack.

 

[ucijeepguy]

Not sure if it fits your requirements for offroad ability, but have you looked at the Tab 320? They are pretty small, can nearly stand up inside and have decent ground clearance. I have a Little Guy mini Max which is a little larger.

 

[Slapping_Rabbits]

Not sure if it fits your requirements for offroad ability, but have you looked at the Tab 320? They are pretty small, can nearly stand up inside and have decent ground clearance. I have a Little Guy mini Max which is a little larger.

Yep. I actually did start with those tear drops. With the boondock packages they go for around 30k, which seems insane to me.

 

[ucijeepguy]

Yep. I actually did start with those tear drops. With the boondock packages they go for around 30k, which seems insane to me.

I agree. My Little Guy Mini was 23K OTD, it has the rough rider package, so its lifted with larger tires.. so I could probably get it through some fire roads or something, but no where near capability of say a patriot or turtleback trailer, but it seemed crazy to me that a 2000-4000 roof top tent don't really last that long. the Tabs and LGM are well built to last a long time. my LGM I can fully stand inside of.

You could find a used at a decent price, or If you can build one yourself, you could do a small hard shell and have a pop top so you can stand up inside.

 

[Slapping_Rabbits]

I agree. My Little Guy Mini was 23K OTD, it has the rough rider package, so its lifted with larger tires.. so I could probably get it through some fire roads or something, but no where near capability of say a patriot or turtleback trailer, but it seemed crazy to me that a 2000-4000 roof top tent don't really last that long. the Tabs and LGM are well built to last a long time. my LGM I can fully stand inside of.

You could find a used at a decent price, or If you can build one yourself, you could do a small hard shell and have a pop top so you can stand up inside.

Agreed. Finding an off road capable trailer with either a pop or or hard side is surprisingly difficult. I think the only hardside I've seen is the alpine. Have you looked at the escapade alpine? I figure i can do a shower tent with toilet and hot water heater on my own and then I'll be set.

 

[Gladiator Overland]

Yeah I'd like to diy but that requires a lot of time. I know I need indoor space enough to stand up. A king size bed that'll fit 3. A cooking stove, a fridge and sink. I also want hot showers. I think an outdoor shower tent and hot water heater would be great. I think an awning with a mosquito net would be ideal. It needs to be offroad capable and I need to haul bicycles and my canoe. Solar is also something I want. Since im buying a gladiator I have to keep the camper under about 18k. Some of this I can do with the gladiator but I need to get a back rack or canopy. Im looking at the alpine from escapade real hard. I wish it had a roof rack.

I feel then your overthinking it here. Get a base trailer that meets your basic needs. Then you can add on as you gain more experience. The issue your going to have is all the stuff you mentioned doesn’t come for free and is going to blow your budget. Things like a base Offroad trailer and rooftop tent can be had for around $6-8k. Then work from there to build up yourself, will need at least a house battery some sort of charging system, converter, some lights. Use a solar shower for now, can use a portable cassette toilet, and so many other things that are inexpensive and as you can afford it be added to the trailer for things like an on demand water heater, a fridge freezer, etc... I have done it all but with my injuries I want something done and comfortable. I will cut corners when I have to. Like if I can’t get the trailer for now. I will depend on the Canopy on the truck until I can work it out and use a solar shower for example or add a on demand water heater system...

 

[ucijeepguy]

Agreed. Finding an off road capable trailer with either a pop or or hard side is surprisingly difficult. I think the only hardside I've seen is the alpine. Have you looked at the escapade alpine? I figure i can do a shower tent with toilet and hot water heater on my own and then I'll be set.

I had looked at many of those trailers. Initially because I have a 2005 Lj I wanted a small 4x4 trailer, then looked at RTT and werent happy with the cost of those, then at hard sides, then my wife said she wouldnt camp in the winter without a warm kitchen and toilet so we ended up at the Little Guy. Of course thats a bit cumbersome for the LJ so now looking at swapping my ram for the gladiator. its a slippery slope!

I agree with Gladiator Overland dude, find something within your budget that meets your basic needs and build up from there.

 

[Slapping_Rabbits]

I had looked at many of those trailers. Initially because I have a 2005 Lj I wanted a small 4x4 trailer, then looked at RTT and werent happy with the cost of those, then at hard sides, then my wife said she wouldnt camp in the winter without a warm kitchen and toilet so we ended up at the Little Guy. Of course thats a bit cumbersome for the LJ so now looking at swapping my ram for the gladiator. its a slippery slope!

I agree with Gladiator Overland dude, find something within your budget that meets your basic needs and build up from there.

Yep, that seems to be the best process. The good thing is I've been camping a lot. The difference is that I was poor camping and also backpacking in and out. So now that i have a kid and wife and I want some luxuries, I have to figure those items out. It seems pretty easy though like you said. Toilet, hot shower, gas stove and fridge. Nothing too crazy there. I'll just need to figure out how I want to do it. I really wanted just a simple trailer with an rtt, but the wife nixed that. She wants an interior, even if it small, that she can stand up in and cook in.

 

[ucijeepguy]

Yep, that seems to be the best process. The good thing is I've been camping a lot. The difference is that I was poor camping and also backpacking in and out. So now that i have a kid and wife and I want some luxuries, I have to figure those items out. It seems pretty easy though like you said. Toilet, hot shower, gas stove and fridge. Nothing too crazy there. I'll just need to figure out how I want to do it. I really wanted just a simple trailer with an rtt, but the wife nixed that. She wants an interior, even if it small, that she can stand up in and cook in.

One of you are going to have to compromise.. likely you. That's why I settled on the trailer I did, I figured I could still use it as a base camp and go wheeling where I wouldn't be able to take my trailer and still be happy at that.

 

[Slapping_Rabbits]

I feel then your overthinking it here. Get a base trailer that meets your basic needs. Then you can add on as you gain more experience. The issue your going to have is all the stuff you mentioned doesn’t come for free and is going to blow your budget. Things like a base Offroad trailer and rooftop tent can be had for around $6-8k. Then work from there to build up yourself, will need at least a house battery some sort of charging system, converter, some lights. Use a solar shower for now, can use a portable cassette toilet, and so many other things that are inexpensive and as you can afford it be added to the trailer for things like an on demand water heater, a fridge freezer, etc... I have done it all but with my injuries I want something done and comfortable. I will cut corners when I have to. Like if I can’t get the trailer for now. I will depend on the Canopy on the truck until I can work it out and use a solar shower for example or add a on demand water heater system...

i always overthink everything. I just can't figure out the difference between thinking and overthinking.

 

[Slapping_Rabbits]

One of you are going to have to compromise.. likely you. That's why I settled on the trailer I did, I figured I could still use it as a base camp and go wheeling where I wouldn't be able to take my trailer and still be happy at that.

Yeppers, that will likely be the compromise. Even if its an offroad trailer, being tall enough to stand in means it could tip over easy. Maybe I'll put those flip out wings with wheels on them that they use for training on vehicles and bikes.

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