Are These Trailers Able to Overland?
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- Опубліковано 4 жов 2024
- The current market of trailers has something to meet anybody's definition of "Overlanding." We're working with a loose definition of "vehicular-based travel of some distance that focuses on self-reliance and the use of smaller or more rugged pathways and routes." With that in mind, here's a quick video on trailers we currently have at Princess Craft that might help you get way out there. We'll see trailers with torsion axle suspensions, leaf-spring suspensions, Axle-less suspensions, and true-independent long-trailing arm suspensions. All of these styles of suspension can be used for Overlanding trailers, so let's take a look!
Trailer Brands Featured in this Video:
ModBug (Modern Buggy)
nüCamp T@G
ROG by Encore RV
TAXA Mantis and Tiger Moth
Flyer Explore by InTech RV
Escape by KZ
MDC-USA
Princess Craft RV website: princesscraft.com
Video Details:
Presenter/Host: Clint Sandberg
Videography and Production: Caitlyn Smalley
Editing: Clint Sandberg
A fine survey of suspension systems ! From my experience, Trailers taken off road should have at a minimum:
1) be well built so it won't shake apart on wash-board or rough roads
2) Have positive locking cabinets that will not spill their content on rough trails
3) Good ground clearance, break over angles and departure angles
4) A fully articulating hitch/coupler like the lock & roll assembly - bent frames are expensive
These things are why the MDC is so expensive - but money well spent !
Nice video, very educative!
Thanks for bringing this up
Great breakdown of suspension systems!
Thank you! 👍
No they’re not. Torsional axle or not the coupler is limited in articulation and the cheap quality of all these trailers regarding cabinetry made of particleboard will shed itself to pieces. You’re probably OK for a slow leisurely pace down the semi maintained dirt roads to a campsite, but definitely not for “overland“ which includes trails that the tow vehicle will need low range and four-wheel-drive.
The MDC is the exception. They are an Australian company that has a US subsidiary now and they were designed specifically for overlanding. They have an articulating hitch and heavy-duty suspension designed for climbing rocks - an no particle board. Now, just don't expect to pay the same price as those with the torsion bars and particle board. There are videos on UA-cam of them crawling over some pretty knarly rocks and inclines.
Guessing you haven't really looked at the cabinets in an Encore ROG? The cabinets are 1/8" plate aluminum, CNC routed, formed and powdercoated. Every attachment point is keyed into the cabinet by laser, there is no guessing where the team member is screwing into the cabinet because it's predetermined. Additionally, every attachment point is going directly into the aluminum frame tubing...the cabinets actually become a structural component of the trailer and further enhance the trailers overall strength and integrity. So, there are no particleboard cabinets in any of the Encore ROG trailers...as matter of fact, there's not a splinter of wood in the trailer anywhere. Washboard roads...real off-road conditions, these aren't a problem for the ROG...naturally, in those conditions you're better suited to option the Timbren Axleless Suspension, but you're not going to find your cabinets off the wall or in pieces. Backed by a 2-year Bumper-to-Hitch Warranty and a 5-Year Structural Warranty you can adventure with confidence.
I wanted a ModBug but after looking at three “exact same” ones on a lot I was disappointed with the build quality. Like wiring crossing over the suspension arm and it just looked like they raided the clearance aisle at the big box store for hardware which was different on each one.
I ended up with a ROG 12RK for $5k more than the ModBug and haven’t regretted my decision.
Mod bug will go off road but not overlanding. You want a Patriot Camper.
Heck no. Nothing made here should do more than smooth gravel at a slow speed. You can get some stuff in Australia that is actually off-road capable.
The MDC is from Australia and made specifically for overlanding.