What No One Tells You About Buying an Off-Road Trailer

[@dirkkeeler1348]

I've done a lot of overlanding. The "wear and tear" of pulling a trailer is FAR less than having all that extra weight in the tow vehicle. Especially for a Jeep or Bronco. The biggest plus of a trailer is that everything except fresh food is always loaded up and ready to go. When you get home all you do is unhook and put the perishable supplies away.

[@211Gus]

Speaking of building it yourself, any thoughts about bringing back viewer's rigs videos that you did during the dark days? Maybe add a short segment during Coffee one take. I'm sure we could all gain inspiration this great community you've built Brad.

[@TrailRecon]

Thanks for your comment! I've been thinking of a way to bring it back in smaller segments, let me give it a little more thought.

[@211Gus]

@@TrailRecon Just a thought after I found myself binging that playlist a few days ago. So many cool rigs.

[@HPRam1]

the dark days?

[@211Gus]

@@HPRam1 Sorry, I was talking about the user submitted walk-arounds he did when the lockdowns first began.

[@Billrovid]

Ive got the patriot X1 and I love love it. Your pros are right on and the bonus is my family all fits in the tent. The only con i have is it takes a little longer to move daily. Pack up and pack down. But really it becomes the hub when I’m camping and i love that.

[@lanyouree8532]

Patriot campers are in a class of their own. They think of everything. I’ve visited Exploration Outfitters and have seen several models. Unfortunately they beyond my budget. I opted for a custom made square drop and equipped it myself and love the convenience of having everything right there. I learned a lot from Patriot and other brands to build into my trailer. Rigging it out has been a blast and very satisfying but I keep getting new ideas. Thanks for the video. I did have my builder at TriedNTrue Off-road Customs use the Cruisemaster CRS2 suspension which worked out great. We can learn a lot from our Australian brothers.

[@davidcontreras9540]

Great points! If I may, I'd like to add that fuel consumption is very similar if you decide to outfit your vehicle. A rooftop tent, water storage,kitchen, gear etc. Will affect consumption just as much as towing a trailer

[@duff5484]

What you say about gross vehicle weight is SO true. When you account for the weight of passengers, it is very surprising how little weight is left for gear. I also like how you keep your points objective. You give the facts and let the viewer form their own opinion. Great video!!

[@garrettlo83]

I have an LJ and only have 1 passenger, so the rear is for packing. Only down side is if another person ever wanted to join us, it's not possible.

[@dougrogillio2223]

Excellent video. I built my own rig from a quality cargo trailer. Has served us well since 2003. I have $5200 in it, including the purchase price of $3800. Possibilities are endless. Rooftop a/c is quite necessary in Texas for sure.

[@madcratebuilder]

I came very near buying a trailer a few years ago. They do offer many advantages. Being retired and solo I decided to stay with my 6' truck bed and softopper. If I had a partner I would have a trailer. Great job on this video.

[@TheDarkestOne37]

Brad, in CA, you can register a utility trailer like that and get a permanent trailer plate with no annual registration fees. You do need to pay a service fee every five years though; however, that is only $10. I am guessing that trailer is still owned by Patriot though, based on that plate. But for others in CA, it is a good deal to go that route. And... adding a tent to the trailer doesn't change that fact that it is a utility trailer.

[@MuddyRuttzz]

Absolutely right, my XV3 is registered in CA and already covered under my insurance no extra cost.

[@cindycompertfineart7276]

You are correct although DMV can get a bit argumentative over whether or not it’s a utility trailer when they see the RTT. We had a long discussion with them on the topic and they finally agreed.

[@dhmtnracer1]

We use an Opus OP2 trailer for our adventures now. Gas mileage with a V8 4 Runner is about 11-12 highway, 6-8 off road. But the reduced gas mileage is worth it as set up and tear down of camp is a breeze. I also agree about lunch breaks is super simple. We carry 50 gallons of water, two propane tanks and bonus. Has heater for winter camping in comfort. Just like was stated, it fits in my garage as well. Here is a negative not mentioned. Makes exploring unknown trails for possible camps sites more difficult as turning around ability is reduced.

[@randymartin5521]

Perfect timing with this video. I have been trying to decide just in the last couple of weeks whether to get an overland trailer with rooftop tent or a small camper. We don't do any serious off roading in our stock Sahara, just forest service roads, but some of those are pretty rough. The trailers with a rooftop tent seem to weigh considerably less than a camper.

[@twowitnessesstudios]

Thanks for that... I went through the whole gamut and decided to build my own... I am able to load the trailer and not the truck... Love it...!!! I made a list of all amenities I wanted and built a trailer around them... In this project I had to consider many factors... I think you hit all the relevant points... Thanks again for sharing your experience and insight... Hope to see you on the trail sometime...

[@TrailRecon]

That's awesome you were able to build your own, I enjoy seeing how folks customize trailers to fit their needs.

[@adjake1]

Biggest reason I want one. It’s ready to go, id be more prone to go adventure if i didn’t need to pack out every time. #2 setup is as easy as opening a door

[@iamblaineful]

Great post, and I think you hit the biggies, especially Timbren independent axles and overall width. One of the things I tend to see often is overlooking the hitch height, especially on lifted rigs. Shoot for level.

[@jacquesleroux1600]

Hey, first time I see your content. Seems good, keep it up. Two things I'd like to comment on...1) more important than the width of the trailer is the width of the tire track. It is important the the tow vehicle and trailer have the same track width (hope that makes sense). 2) Independent suspension...we all have our own opinions here. Axle with leaf springs and shocks is cheaper, stronger, and could still get you out safe if you had shock failure. Independent, not so much....

[@brbadventurer]

15:10 I had a cool little trailer that was an old motel T box on a solid frame with leaf springs on a solid axel, that I towed behind my modified '83 Toyota pickup. I had an 8' aluminum punt and all my camping gear in the trailer. I was out by myself. I was trying to turn around in a small logging landing. I was running the drivers side tire of the trailer up on a root that had a mild slope to it, I did not realize the passenger side tire was going into the hole the root/stump came out of. I flipped the trailer over upside down. I had the regular ball hitch and it popped off. Here I am in the middle of no-where by myself with a flipped trailer. With some rope and recovery gear including a Hi-Lift jack I was able to right the trailer and set up camp. I had to do some trail maintenance to get the hitch on the trailer straightened out but after that I swore I would set up a better hitch and suspension.

[@frankromig]

I love this video. Your info is great.👍 I just bought a free solo camper that my jeep wrangler unlimited can tow. The smallest tear drop camper that we can walk into. The DIN model. A little big for off road trail camping but great for logging road adventure camping. Keeping the wife happy for adventure is key. Love it😃😁

[@ctcv-to8kq]

For me I just wanted to go back to sleeping inside, away from the roof top tent or ground camping. So far I really like my SoCal teardrop, despite the few downsides. Great video.

[@billwaterhouse5894]

Hey Brad, all excellent points. If I may add, in addition to annual insurance cost and registration etc. Consider sales taxes and personal property taxes (at least here where we are in SC). Happy to share our patriot campers trailer finally went into production after waiting a year, hopefully we'll have it late August. Sales taxes for us is 7%, and personal property taxes (paid up front before they issues tags), is 10.5% of trailer value...or 6% if your trailer can be lived in. They determine that by if it has an inside area, running water, toilet and kitchen/refrigerator. Hope that helps with all the other considerations when shopping for a trailer. GREAT VIDEO

[@pmurphy12667]

We have the OffGrid expedition trailer and won't go back to just the jeep. So much better! This video was perfect!

[@adventurefuel5172]

Great video. Also depending on the level of trails you run, you can opt for a “less trail capable” but more flexible trailer. Mine doubles as an equipment and gear hauler, but I still get all the off road capacity I need.

[@MuddyRuttzz]

Nice, my Xventure is also a great utility, motorcycle or quad trailer.

[@MuddyRuttzz]

Nice video. I have a made in USA Xventure XV3 w/Maggiolina RTT. Tow it with a Willys Ecodiesel Wrangler. Mileage is 1-2 less towing. I got it to add another axle and carry enough gear to make sure my wife is comfortable. It has surpassed all my expectations. Trailer has proved itself when I got in over my head on trails. XVENTURE also builds military trailers, they are all aluminum, no welds. The Dexter Solid Axle has proved to off-road impeccably and parts are available everywhere but you probably won’t ever need any if you lube the bearings. The Xventure has opened up so many avenues to adventure, it’s just incredible.

[@michaelmattern8051]

The Patriots are awesome. I went the build-it-yourself route and kept it simple. Basically a rolling cargo box to get all my gear out of the Jeep and an RTT on top. I went fully enclosed to keep the dust off my gear. It works great for my needs. After using it now for a couple years, I agree with 100% of the video. Lots of good info here if you’re on the fence or trying to decide what is right for you.

[@BenEaddy]

Great video. Wish I had it when I was trying to decide on a trailer last year. Backing up and turning on tight trails is what killed the deal for me. I'd have to unhitch the trailer to maneuver on many of the trails considering my 2500 Sierra HD Diesel "overland" pickup is 22' long.

[@NikkiTheOtter]

Yeah, backing up is...not one of the things I like doing offroad. Not that it's STOPPED me... But an 87 point turn on a narrow service road through a forest is doable, if not preferable. I'll still drag a trailer just for the range-extension capability.

[@Crumb_Trails]

I sure like those Patriot Camper trailer. Not that I've really priced trailers in the past but the cost stops me in my tracks no matter how much I want one. I have some things to consider after watching this. I had ruled trailers out for several reasons until recently.

[@ExpeditionBotswana]

I bought myself an Echo trailer and i been enjoying my overlanding travels since

[@michaelfletcher1224]

It always cracks me up when people say gas prices are high… right now. Of course there is some seasonal fluctuations but the trend is always up over time.

[@pringlized]

Absolutely fantastic. I'm working on a 6x12 DIY build based off the Bruder EXP-4. . You helped me out so much.

[@aunizthegrey]

It’s nice to see an Oklahoma tag, trailer is a life saver for us. We’re too big for a truck, and the explorer holds no cargo.

[@davidlockebreaux8064]

I am LOVING your channel and am so glad I discovered it.

[@tmcnicho]

This is something I'd like to work towards once my kids are older and can handle more than a couple days on the go. I definitely echo your thoughts on not permanently installing things to a vehicle that also has to be a daily driver.

[@limyrob1383]

Very interesting. We have a Land Rover with a matching Army trailer, its about the same size as an overland trailer and its rated for off road. A big rotating hitch is a must, a standard ball hitch will bind up and put a huge twisting load on the rear attachment point. Here in the UK we tend to mix countryside with going into the local town, and there the trailer is a real problem. We have to find oversize spaces and reversing overland trailers is hard; they are short and not easy to see as they are low and narrow. It is great to carry all that extra stuff, but we found we were bringing most of it home un-used, we found with more disciplined packing we could leave the trailer at home for most trips and save quite a bit on fuel. So, yes its great, but it doesn't get much use.

[@jestertech101]

I have to say we love seeing the Oklahoma plates on your trailer. lol Thanks for inspiring people to get out and enjoy all that God has blessed us with.

[@efromhb]

Great running into you at this location and your recommendation for a different location nearby worked out well. Safe travels!

[@TrailRecon]

Great meeting you and glad you guys were able to find a great spot!

[@christianwolf68]

see living in hurricane alley, having 4 dogs and a family, when you need to evac, you cant always find a hotel due to the number of people on the move. the way i was thinking is that if we have to we could easily pull over to a rest stop, or service station, or almost anywhere that you could safely find that gives a bit of security and set up. its really meant for me is extra storage for the things my family wold need for at least 2 weeks. so since Hurricane Ida last year, ive been trying to find one on the cheap side

[@OutoftheOfficeAdventures]

Great video. I have a 4Runner with a 6x8 offroad teardrop. I think it really comes down to the type of driving. I'm mainly on moderate 4x4 trails at most so it works for me. But yes, turning radius and switchbacks can be a problem. The biggest problem is heading down roads you're not sure about then having no way to back out...But for me, it's well worth it. I can always unhitch and leave it when need be. Plus I can leave all my gear in there. Comfort and convenience.

[@cindycompertfineart7276]

You bring up some good points but I have a couple of corrections: 1. registration in CA is cheap, it’s just over $40 and that’s for a Permanent Trailer which only needs re-registration every 5 years. 2. insurance- if you add to an existing home/auto policy, it’s super cheap. For a $30k trailer, it was only $100 a year.

[@AndrewTurner251]

Love this video, I have been looking at trailers lately and this was helpful, the way my family and I experience the outdoors I think the X1-N would be a good fit.

[@intimatespearfisher]

I off road and camp a fair bit in Australia. I would say. If you have kids. A camper trailer is a must. If it's just you and the missus. Just camp out of a roof topper or tent/swag. And have the fridge and cooking out of the boot.

[@nylonnalini]

Very informative! Thank you! 🙏 I am planning to custom build a small offroad capable trailer - 4'W x 6'L x 5'H. Use case is enclosed toilet, Water & Propane, Gear Storage, 2x100a batteries for Camping electricals and a Winterised Roof top tent for 2. Outdoor shower could be easily added. Understood your point about IFS being important offroad. But Timbren type IFS for

[@joelmurphy7980]

Planning on doing a one man 6'x10x78" from a utility trailer for full time. One bunk, indoor galley, shower, toilet, solar, water etc. Nobody makes one man offroad campers with indoor amenities, trading bunk space for four for outdoor galleys. If you've ever stood in the blowing rain trying to fix breakfast you know that it sucks. If I get the urge to do more challenging trails I'll leave it in a state park or some such and go wheel for the day.

[@nylonnalini]

@@joelmurphy7980 Supports 2. We sleep in the car and have a Coleman type kitchen setup with Fridge. The latter could move to the Camper is what we are thinking freeing up space in our 4Runner for other things. Plus the offroad camper will have a toilet. We are currently using a Shower tent + Cassette toilet. The door hatch of the Kitchen could serve as a roof shielding from light rain. If heavier rain is expected we could use a SUV tent (we have one) to enclose the kitchen area.

[@VanillaGorilla502]

I’ve been eyeballing those X3’s for a minute. Ever since I seen them on Expedition Overland I’ve been hooked and seeing they have a US dealer now I’m thinking about it more and more.

[@Alan.livingston]

They are the ducks nuts if you can eat the price tag.

[@jonpaulpepen9470]

Hey Brad, always appreciative of the videos, but just wanted to say I'm extra appreciative that you've started uploading in 4K the last few. Thanks!

[@genemcdaniel8514]

Brad, you make a lot information!!! Lots of people don't think about things like that!

[@tlw8886]

Not to throw water on the idea of a Patriot trailer, but am I the only one who thinks that forking over $35+K to $60+K(T&L included) is more than a tad ludicrous? I understand that they are well designed and built but for less than a quarter of the low end units, I had an off-road trailer built (7.5' x 4.7' box - 10.7' tongue to tailgate, custom wheels / 3 BFG KO2's with electric brakes) that will follow along any where I can go with the diesel Colorado 4x4 pulling it. Parked in the garage , it stores 99% of my gear that used to sit on 2, 4 tier, 5' x 2.3' storage shelfs. Just say'n!

[@sawyerhaupt]

The price is a lot but as an engineer going into designing a trailer for mass production… the price is warranted. So much more goes into these small trailers then you think. Just building a frame for one of these trailers could take many weeks to withstand the design and construction of the trailer.

[@tlw8886]

@@sawyerhauptG'day. Understood that there is some engineering involved and I don't discount that at all, but if the words "Overlander", Overlanding", Offroad", Expedition" etc, get mentioned, the price goes up exponentially. As I mentioned in my original post, I used an experienced trailer builder locally to build out my rig. Once I added all the equipment, (most of which I already had in my load out on the truck ) to the trailer, it made back-country traveling a much more enjoyable experience and as mentioned, at a fraction of the cost of the more mass produced rigs. To each their of course and if something like these work best for those that purchased them, I'm sure they enjoy them and that after all is why we get out and about with them. I'd just rather keep more of my money to spend on other things.

[@davidwood493]

The Patriot camper is 80,000 large in Australia. For 30,000 we purchased another Aussie trailer the Hardkorr explorer. Tough as nails and with all the kit. They are now selling in the US

[@nylonnalini]

The video was informative. 35K is ok for someone who can afford it! I can't so I will have to be creative! Got some good ideas for my DIY which I plan to do under 6K + Roof Tent. 😅

[@Eduardo_Espinoza]

What's "T&L" ?

[@vincedagiel3905]

You helped me make up my mind about getting a trailer. I’ll just stick with my Jeep and a ground tent.

[@garretlewis4103]

I agree with the trailer brakes. I am a proponent of trailer brakes on all trailers. Something else to think about. If you are on the trail, you may have to back the trailer up for quite a ways. We’ve been on the trail and met a line of people coming the other way and had to back up for 1/4-1/2 mile. Not fun and that was without a trailer. We do like the Patriot campers trailers.

[@user-po3mh4dy9r]

Some distinctions may be in order. If the goal is to add 2,500 to 3,000 pounds of travel rig and gear to what you already have, then wear, fuel economy and all the rest matter. If you build a very light trailer as I did, add a few things, and offload hundreds of pounds from the tow vehicle, you have a whole different animal. My trailer is light enough to unhook and move around by hand easily. I also have a UTV winch on the rear of the trailer which is super useful to get your tail out of a ditch or hang-up. Most of these offroad trailers are incredibly heavy IMO. I pulled a 16ft Scamp trailer for years for very light offroad use, but that whole thing weighed only 2,600 lbs. I realize offroad trailers have to be built heavier, but a big part of that is the weight they are required to carry. My trailer capacities are 60 liter fridge, 25 gallons of gas, 20 gallons of water, 20lbs of propane, 480 watts of solar panel, 400 A/Hrs of lithium battery, an onboard welder, and is designed around a 4' x 6.5' box. It is purely a support trailer to increase the range and capability of the tow vehicle, with extra room for gear like my inflatable kayak. The dry weight is about 700lbs, and the loaded weight is around 1,500 lbs. The swing arm axles are rated for 3,500, but I will never even reach half of that. I designed in an extendable bar to the tongue, with sturdy handles to give me huge leverage for hand maneuvering. I'm only lifting about 50 lbs of tongue weight. I've never seen this feature on any trailer, but it is a game changer in tight spots. I ended up building my own because all the manufactured trailers were too heavy, loaded with things I didn't need or want, and lacking critical features. I also saved myself at least $25,000 dollars, while using top grade components and knowing that everything was done meticulously. Trailers are always a pain, but the pain doesn't have to be SO bad, and the advantages can be big. I can take on the longest offroad trails with no worry about fuel, food, water, or any other supply, and my truck drives a lot better and easier unloaded. I use a drone to scout really sketchy trails to avoid getting trapped. That is my biggest worry.

[@north53overland13]

Great trailer video 100% agree on the brake controller! We added a Tekonsha P3 to our JLUR for our custom off-road tear-drop. While relatively lightweight, the added security of having brakes on or off-road is the best feeling.

[@TrailRecon]

Thank you! Agree, a trailer brake controller is really a must for an off-road trailer.

[@north53overland13]

@@TrailRecon Curious, what the tongue weight is on your Patriot? Our Teardrop is a bit heavier and are looking into options for our JLUR rear suspension. What have you experienced with your JLUR while towing?

[@woolengrappler]

If you have a daily driver/ weekend adventure vehicle and kids, I think a trailer seems like a great option. You can keep your vehicle relatively stock and increase your carrying capacity by sharing the payload with the trailer. Trailers also make for a great basecamp. For a family I think going lightweight with ground tents and backpacking gear and one streamlined vehicle is great, or using a trailer. I honestly don’t think that a rooftop tent and full buildout works well with a family unless you’re willing to go with a 3/4 ton truck and a camper. I personally think lightweight and streamlined is better. The gear is more modular, can be used in more situations, it’s lighter and more packable and cheaper overall so you can stay at the occasional hotel, Airbnb, guest house, etc to shower, do laundry, get internet, etc.

[@realdeal1512]

I have been looking at the Patrol trailer found one completely loaded out with 23 zero ten awning shower refrigerator battery back up and solar panel along with complete articulation hitch and suspension for $22k

[@rickysoffroadrecovery]

Finally we get relax with Brad. We got popcorn and hot chocolate today. Hi Brad

[@MotoringAdventures_KE7SAI]

Hey Brad, check out my M1102 military trailer. It’s pretty much ready to go off-roading out the box and relatively cheap compared to custom builds. Still has lots You can add, but it’s got all the off-road hardware and doesn’t need to be insured.

[@Arithorath]

If you live in, or visit South Dakota you can rent trailers like this one in Custer! The business is called Overland America. You can also rent Jeeps and Broncos!

[@brunnie]

Great video about pros and cons. Regena's sloppy joes look delicious (hint hint... need the recipe). Our trailer is more of a cargo hauler than it is a true off-roader, so we use it to free up space in the Xterra. Until next time... Travel safe.

[@TrailRecon]

Thanks! Keep an eye out, she has started posting recipes on our Trailrecon.com blog.

[@jrfunk9718]

Yep, looking forward to that recipe!

[@adventureawaits3646]

great video, one of these days I'll get me one of these. Wish they were not so expensive, but the quality seems top and yes, you get what you pay for.

[@davidzimmerly7354]

Great video, we've been looking at teardrop trailers and small trailers, nice reminder of things people don't think about

[@edwardsimmons3721]

Love the independent suspension.

[@fishingwiththomas]

I am close to getting myself a camper trailer. Now days you can get a brake controller that mounts to the trailer so you can tow with any vehicle.

[@JustinKingOffroad]

i diy built a m416 trailer into an offroad camping rig. nothing fancy, had a top made for it strong enough to support a RTT. the inside of the 416 just holds storage totes and is divided out by 2x4 to keep them from sliding around too much. works awesome, but would love to have built in fridges and cooking areas. for now, i just carry the gear in the tub and setup camp old school. but it's great!

[@MichaelLutolf-m3c]

Thank you, very clear and complete information. As we are travelling in South Africa, we just got a new off-road trailer... hope we did the good choice. Friendly Michael

[@billynunns]

Love my turtleback getaway trailer. These points are all spot on. In my opinion, the pros far outweigh the cons. Also, the redarc brake controller is amazing. Highly recommend.

[@TheBBow]

Brad, could you do a video sometime about setting up for base camp (setup, safety, security, special considerations)? You’ve mentioned base camping in other videos on occasion, and while I know it’s not your thing, any tips and tricks would be great.

[@redneckwithajeep5001]

Something else to consider is wheels and tires on a trailer. If you have a blowout does the trailer have a spare or match your vehicles spare? If you're hauling around all your gear and have to leave it in the woods to get a tire that could be an issue

[@TrailRecon]

The spare is right there on the back of the trailer, so yes, having a spare on it is important.

[@anthonylee2099]

Just ran into your channel. That how I see things, when they randomly pop up. Love your trailer set up. I don’t 4 wheel or have a 4 wheel drive truck, so wouldn’t get one Thanks for you and your wife Regina for sharing your experience with having and what to consider if you do. 🤙😎

[@gcnphilly]

Very informative video!! That’s a beautiful Bronco and trailer combo you have going. Also kudos to your wife for the homemade sloppy joes. Maybe you guys could do a video or two on your favorite, most convenient camping meals. That would be fun!

[@jeeptrail-r3f]

I bought the x3 this year (2024) and it had a lot of problems day-1. The water tanks leaked, the trailer brakes were not working, and the tent leaks when it rains. I am not the only owner with these problems, and Patriot Campers is not doing anything to fix the issues. They are not a company that stands behind their product.

[@essexlexington712]

Happy Mother's Day Regina!!!!

[@regenakowitz]

Thank you!☺

[@fritty9927]

Very nice. My wife would never buy into something with no A/C. Here in the Midwest temps in summer are mid 90’s with 200 % humidity 😄.

[@johanneyvindsson9123]

I love every single video you make! Thanks again.

[@cynthiamgentles6781]

You might consider a portable electric bear fence for camping in bear country. 2.4 lbs for huge peace of mind.

[@briankelley616]

You know I'll bet a trailer like that would be a great place to store a Trail Recon cook book. 😁

[@RMFROGGE]

Love your videos. I just picked up an Expedition 2.0 from Off Grid Trailers and it's awesome. I noticed in this video that your hitch with the 360-degree yolk might be installed upside down. If it was the other way around the trailer will be level on the road.

[@Aaron-ge1hy]

Awesome video, Brad! Thanks to you and Regina for sharing your experience and opinions on this topic. 👍🏼

[@ShaunsJeep]

Thanks for always sharing knowledge. I enjoy it always when you upload.

[@TrailRecon]

Thank you!

[@WaslonLopes]

13:37 Best advice, Brad!

[@IanGoegebuer]

My wife and I recently purchased a Bantam T3C trailer and mounted a roof top tent on it. When towing it with my 3 speed TJ, I actually get higher milage at 55 than I normally would at 65 not towing. Vehicle size, like a TJ, played heavily into our decision to build a trailer.

[@mcse38]

Awesome video, thank you Brad. I have been on the fence about this and have my eye on the Opus OP4 trailer, this would defiantly fit in my garage but I didn't know about the extra cost of insurance so that will be something I look into as well. Thanks again, I have been following you and Macro for a few years now.

[@elkhuntr2816]

Turning around seems like the biggest problem to me. Many times we end up at the end of a 4WD logging road with a drop off on one side and a almost vertical bank on the other. How do you turn around? Is there any way to disconnect the trailer and turn it around by hand? Do you simply back it up until you find enough room? Disconnect the trailer and reattach it to the front of your rig? If someone could come up with a solution to that one, it would be a game changer. Some sort of offroad trailer dolly to turn it around? A trailer may go anywhere your 4WD can go, but it definately will not turn around like your 4WD!

[@tnargs57]

Assuming that fuel can is red for petrol, I would feel unsafe with it right at the rear of the trailer where it is most likely to be the first point of contact in an accident. If it is diesel then okay.

[@blankcdcd1372]

Hello Brad! My Dream setup for long trip : Jeep gladiator + Alu cab with fireplace + trailer Patriot campers. This setup it is perfect for long trip around the world. When one long trip with you + Marco + friends to Patagonia - South America? Of course will be beatiful video content with many views.

[@SkylinersYeti]

The first thing I look at when thinking about an off road trailer is, Will my tow rig handle the extra weight? Balancing the towing capacity of the tow vehicle with the fully loaded weight of the trailer. Towing a trailer that is too heavy for the tow vehicle is dangerous and puts much more wear and tear on the tow vehicle.

[@TrailRecon]

Agree, the weight of the trailer off-road really matters.

[@Cmtinker]

Sorry if I missed it elsewhere in the comments. What awning is that? I like that it allows you to keep it and the tent low, but pop up to standing height!

[@garagepie]

You guys must come to Southern Africa! You will LOVE it!

[@apleparulo3958]

Excellent analysis. Great job summarizing pros and cons. Trailer seems like a go for those who want the many conveniences it offers and expect to use it a lot. New sub.

[@IronWolfOverland]

Excellent review! I’ve been camping and doing light off-roading with an M416 trailer for about 25 years now. I think you hit just about every key consideration. One area in which I’m constantly revising my approach is deciding what gear goes in/on the trailer vs. in the truck. For example, I typically park the trailer and then drive trails; but some of my recovery gear is in/on the trailer.

[@MuddyRuttzz]

Your trailer was probably made by Schutt Industries in Clintonville Wisconsin like my XV3.

[@tlw8886]

That is the conundrum with splitting gear between the trailer and the tow vehicle. I've taken to splitting the recovery / repair gear between the trailer and the truck for those times when I de-couple and go it alone on the trails. The Decked drawer system solved this storage problem and many others for that matter. I've setup the trailer to be able to get quick access to recovery gear stored aboard the trailer while coupled to the truck and then have ample gear aboard the truck while out away from the trailer.

[@gorila1958]

Can ya do a follow up on this but about Teardrop trailers offroad and also situation where you have run into dead end roads or narrow trails turning around with limited space. TIA

[@texassky9706]

How can I get my husband to come out with me more? LOL! It's true though. We have a bit of role reversal when it comes to sleeping outside. I love, love love this trailer setup. I would have no trouble towing it myself. It's quite costly though. It's nearly the price of an airstream basecamp. For now, I will stick with a ground tent. Anyone have a used patriot camper for sale? Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I love seeing Regena out with you! Y'all are awesome!!

[@regenakowitz]

Thank you! It's fun getting out there with Brad. ☺

[@TheStevenhull]

Great Video! Thanks so much for putting this together. I know it takes a lot of time just to do 1 minute of video! TY

[@TrailRecon]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@vitale6633]

You and Regina are a wonderful couple ! My wife of +30 years now watches TrailRecon :)

[@TrailRecon]

Thank you, glad you two are enjoying the video together!

[@vegpwrshlominator1873]

Love my off-road trailer but go back and forth on weather I’m going to sell it or keep it. At least for me there’s always that anxiety of towing something and worrying about getting stuck in a situation with poor maneuverability. Even the smallest trailer will make your footprint pretty big. Southern Cali is definitely a great place for owning a trailer. Recently moved to Washington and areas are more tighter to be towing at least were I live.

[@CJLane-62]

I don't really give to much thought to Footprint, but selling my Diesel pusher to go back to my Roots of Tent camping, but need a hard sided trailer to camp with a Yappy dog ,!

[@vegpwrshlominator1873]

@@CJLane-62 i guess when I say foot print I’m trying to say length. I feel like a very long vehicle.

[@CJLane-62]

@@vegpwrshlominator1873 try being about 55-60 ' long going down the hwy!

[@vegpwrshlominator1873]

@@CJLane-62 yeah there’s no comparison my trailer is 5,8 Weeroll Wrangler. I purposely stay under 13 ft.

[@CJLane-62]

@@vegpwrshlominator1873 I hear ya,I'm hoping to get down to no more than 15-20 feet total

[@underthetrees4780]

You talk about the wear towing puts on your vehicle, but if you're towing to off-load weight from your 4×4 onto the trailer you're saving wear and tear, especially if your 4x4 is a daily or a winter vehicle.

[@SimonFaeDenny]

Really helpful, thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@williamalldaffer5903]

love all your videos. I was looking at the 2023 X-3 with pretty much all the options except the coffee maker storage lol. Is the cost worth the purchase? There are only 2 places that sell them in the US and it's the same company so they price them how they want. I feel 80k is way to much for the camper.

[@camerongarcia3128]

‘For an oldercouple where one of the adults has mobility problems and has trouble with climbing a ladder to get into a RTT, would you suggest one of those mini trailers; such as a Hiker,or an Vigallance mini trailer?

[@TrailRecon]

Yes, I think a trailer with lower access is a better option.

[@christahatting1835]

How do you take care of the trailer in storage. For example the water tanks to keep them from getting that damp rotting smell

[@TrailRecon]

Fortunately, we use it often enough that it's not a problem. But it's easy enough to drain and rinse clean when we're ready to use it again.

[@thomasudell4848]

Awesome video with much sensible advice. Thank you both.

[@TrailRecon]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TheLucian08]

Regina crushed it on correcting you with ‘people’. You rock Regina! And great info and video as always! Love seeing you working in the family. We got a teardrop last year, and been loving it. So much less stress and time to get out, which is the most important thing. Cheers

[@jerryjoseph9135]

Best brake controller: echo smart. Especially if you have multiple vehicles or trailers

[@Rooftroop]

Thanks for the awesome video as always. We are looking into getting into overland. Love your Jeep set ups.

[@TrailRecon]

Thank you! Remember, you don't need much to get started, just get out there!

[@Rooftroop]

That’s true. We just want to get a good Jeep similar to your set ups. Then it’s game on.

[@gregbiles7120]

Thanks for the excellent video. Your trailer is on the heavy side. Empty + water is 2164 pounds. When you're fully loaded do you you approach the 3500# Wrangler towing capacity?

[@TrailRecon]

Thanks! Even with a full tank of water and all our gear for a week long trip we are only around 2600lbs.