Venturing into the wilderness with an off-road trailer offers a unique opportunity to enhance the outdoor adventure experience, blending mobility, affordability, and ease of use in ways traditional vehicle camping and larger SUVs cannot match. Off-road trailers not only allow adventurers to traverse rugged terrains and less accessible paths but also integrate seamlessly with daily driving needs. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how an off-road trailer can transform your adventures, emphasising the importance of specific driving skills, equipment use, and logistical considerations that ensure both safety and enjoyment. From maintaining proper weight distribution to utilising specialised equipment like winch systems and wheel adaptors, we will explore the essential practices that maximise the utility of off-road trailers, making each journey as thrilling as it is secure.
Deciding to Purchase and Drive an Off-Road Trailer
For those passionate about overlanding and exploring the great outdoors, an off-road trailer can be a significant investment. Such a trailer offers enhanced utility for adventurers by addressing several logistical and comfort-related challenges often encountered.
Streamlined Storage Solutions
Off-road trailers typically feature ample space to accommodate camping gear, food supplies, and other essential items. This centralised storage capability allows for an organised setup where everything has its place, reducing the need to pack additional bags or containers that consume valuable space in the towing vehicle.
Durability and Versatility
Built to withstand harsh environments, off-road trailers are typically constructed with robust materials that offer protection against various elements. Their design often includes features like elevated chassis to handle uneven terrain, reinforced axles, and off-road tires. This rugged construction ensures that the trailer can follow the towing vehicle into more remote and less accessible camping locations, expanding the scope of possible adventures.
Investment and Cost Considerations
For regular adventurers, the cost per trip can decrease over time, as the trailer eliminates the need for repeated rentals or purchases of lesser-quality gear.
The Advantages of Camping with an Off-Road Trailer vs Camping Directly from your Vehicle
Weight Distribution
Utilising an off-road trailer improves weight distribution during travel. The weight of camping gear and supplies is shifted from the vehicle to the trailer. This distribution enhances the towing vehicle’s handling and performance, especially on uneven terrains where balance and stability are crucial. Proper weight distribution also reduces strain on the vehicle’s engine and suspension, potentially leading to longer vehicle life and reduced maintenance costs.
Keeping a Trailer Loaded Between Trips
An off-road trailer can remain loaded with camping essentials and equipment between trips. This arrangement allows for more spontaneous trips as the bulk of packing is already completed. It also eliminates the need to repeatedly load and unload gear before and after each trip, saving time and effort. This convenience ensures that all necessary items are ready and organised, reducing the likelihood of forgetting essential gear.
Practical Use of Your Vehicle When Not Overlanding
When not engaged in overlanding, the primary vehicle remains free of heavy equipment and can be used for everyday purposes without the need to unload camping gear. This separation of roles allows the vehicle to maintain better fuel efficiency and less wear during regular use. Additionally, it provides the flexibility to use the vehicle in a variety of other daily activities without the option of permanent storage modifications or loaded gear.
Advantages of Traveling with an Off-Road Trailer vs a Larger, Self-Contained RV-Type 4WD Vehicles
Cost Efficiency
Off-road trailers are generally less expensive than larger RV-type 4WD vehicles. The initial purchase price, ongoing maintenance, and repair costs are typically lower for off-road trailers. This cost difference makes off-road trailers a more accessible option for many adventurers who seek to explore without a significant financial burden.
Dual-Purpose Use of Towing Vehicle
The towing vehicle used with an off-road trailer can serve as a daily driver when not engaged in overlanding. This versatility is a significant advantage, as it allows for the use of the vehicle in everyday life without the additional operational costs associated with larger SUV-type vehicles. This dual use can be particularly beneficial for those who require a vehicle for regular commuting or family use.
Trail Accessibility
An off-road trailer can travel on nearly any trail that the towing vehicle can navigate. This compatibility allows adventurers to explore a wide range of rugged terrains without the limitations often faced by larger vehicles. The manoeuvrability and smaller footprint of an off-road trailer make it ideal for accessing narrow, off-camber, or extremely challenging trails that may be inaccessible to larger vehicles.
Basic Features of a Solid Off-Road Trailer
An off-road trailer should be built specifically for off-road use, focusing on robust construction and ample clearance to handle rough terrains. It should have the same size tires and wheel bolt pattern as the tow vehicle’s wheels. This uniformity ensures that spare tires are interchangeable, simplifying logistics and reducing the number of spare parts needed on trips.
Click here to view the Trek Horizon off-road trailer specifications.
An off-road trailer should provide utility beyond mere overlanding to maximise the investment. This can include the ability to carry various types of cargo, serve as a mobile base camp for different activities such as biking, hunting, or fishing, and offer easy customisation for different needs.
Recovery points on the rear of an off-road trailer are essential for safe and effective recovery operations in the field. Ideally, an off-road trailer should feature a 2-inch receiver on the rear of the frame or bumper, which allows for the attachment of recovery gear or accessories like bike racks or storage solutions.
Driving With an Off-Road Trailer
Wheel Path Differences
When towing an off-road trailer, each wheel follows a distinct path, especially noticeable during turns. This difference in wheel paths necessitates heightened awareness and adjustment in steering techniques compared to driving just the vehicle.
Handling Hairpin Turns
Manoeuvring through tight switchbacks, or hairpin turns, presents significant challenges when an off-road trailer is attached. These turns require precise control and often necessitate multiple attempts to align both the vehicle and the trailer correctly without causing damage or becoming stuck.
Driving Over Rocky Trails
Rocky trails demand careful navigation to prevent the trailer from tipping or getting caught on obstacles. The driver must pay close attention to both the vehicle’s and the trailer’s ground clearance and wheel placement.
Learning Through Practice
The skills necessary to tow an off-road trailer effectively cannot be fully conveyed through verbal or written instructions. Practical, hands-on experience is essential. Drivers must practice in actual conditions to develop a feel for the trailer’s behaviour, such as its turning radius and how it handles various obstacles.
Safety Considerations
Safety is paramount when towing an off-road trailer. It involves not only mastering the physical handling of the trailer but also being vigilant about environmental conditions, potential hazards, and the mechanical readiness of both the vehicle and the trailer.
Trailer Weight and Balance
To maintain optimal balance, it is advisable to keep the load in the trailer light and evenly distributed. Heavier items should be positioned over the trailer’s axle. In cases where the trailer features a “nose” box at the front, effort should be made to keep the weight in this box minimal. If a battery is stored in this box, its weight should be factored into the overall balance of the trailer’s load. Generally, it is recommended to position the trailer’s centre of gravity from front to rear just forward of the trailer’s axle line. It is important to ensure that the trailer’s load is balanced from left to right to maintain stability.
Tow Vehicle Weight and Balance
An off-road trailer should enable travel with reduced weight inside and on top of the tow vehicle. When loading the tow vehicle, it is advisable to place heavier items in the middle of the vehicle. This positioning helps offset the tongue weight of the trailer and prevents overloading the rear axle.
Lower Tire Pressures for Off-Road
Off-road, it is beneficial to lower the pressure in the tires of an off-road trailer, similar to adjustments made to the towing vehicle’s tires. Reducing tire pressure can provide the trailer with a smoother ride, which is particularly advantageous when navigating rocky trails and washboard gravel roads. This act of “mechanical compassion” helps minimise the impact of rough terrain on the trailer’s structure and components. A lower tire pressure allows the trailer to more easily traverse terrain already traveled by the tow vehicle. While some recommend setting the trailer’s tire pressure lower than that of the tow vehicle, others choose to match the trailer’s tire pressure to their vehicle’s settings.
Trailer Drag
Crossing rocky or uneven terrain with a trailer can cause drag on the tow vehicle. Drivers navigating such terrain with a trailer need to develop the skill of driving with both feet, allowing them to modulate the brake and throttle pedals simultaneously as required. It is generally easier to drive with an automatic transmission when towing a trailer over challenging terrain, as it simplifies the handling of the vehicle under such conditions.
Downhill Driving
When descending slick and slippery hills, it is advisable to engage 4WD-low gearing. If the vehicle is equipped with hill descent control, activating this feature can enhance control during the descent. Applying the electric brakes of the trailer, if available, can help slow the descent. Solo application of the trailer’s brakes can also help straighten the trailer and towing vehicle if they begin to swing sideways or jack-knife. Most trailer brake controllers enable manual application of just the trailer’s brakes via a lever accessible from the driver’s seat.
Use Your Winch Over Challenging Terrain
When towing a trailer off-road, it is recommended to equip the front bumper of the tow vehicle with a winch and utilise it frequently. Using a winch to pull the entire rig gently up and over challenging terrain can prevent undue stress on the driveline of the tow vehicle, thereby enhancing the longevity and performance of the vehicle while navigating difficult landscapes.
Rims and Tires
It is advisable to use the same rims and tire size on an off-road trailer as those on the tow vehicle. Doing so allows the user to carry only one spare tire for both the trailer and the vehicle. Additionally, having the same size tires on the trailer often provides similar axle clearance to that of the tow vehicle, a vehicle geometry that the driver is likely already familiar with. The appearance of the trailer’s rims does not need to match those on the vehicle; they only need to share the same bolt pattern. This setup ensures compatibility and simplifies the logistics of tire management during off-road excursions.
Hub-Centric Wheel Adaptors
If there is a need to use rims on a trailer that have a different bolt pattern from its hubs, wheel adapters for the trailer’s hubs will be necessary, or it may be required to purchase all new trailer hubs with the correct bolt pattern. In most cases, the adapters and spacers for trailer hubs should be of the hub-centric type, rather than lug-centric adapters. It is important to consult an expert before purchasing wheel adapters for trailer hubs to ensure compatibility and safety.
Embarking on an overlanding journey with an off-road trailer can significantly enhance the outdoor adventure experience, providing practical benefits over both traditional vehicle camping and larger RV-type vehicles. While off-road trailers offer increased mobility, cost-effectiveness, and easier integration with daily driving needs, they also require specific skills and considerations to maximise their utility safely and effectively.
Essential practices such as maintaining proper weight distribution, understanding the dynamics of towing through challenging terrain, and utilising equipment like winch systems and hub-centric wheel adaptors are critical for ensuring both safety and enjoyment. The versatility of an off-road trailer allows for greater exploration capabilities, enabling adventurers to traverse narrower, more challenging paths that larger vehicles cannot access.
With the correct preparation, equipment, and driving techniques, an off-road trailer becomes an invaluable tool for those seeking to explore the vastness of the outdoors. Whether it’s navigating steep inclines or managing slick terrains, the knowledge and tips outlined ensure that enthusiasts are well-prepared for the demands of off-road towing. This readiness not only enhances the experience but also ensures that each journey is as thrilling as it is secure.