Overland trailer - general discussion (worth it?)

[NoMoreGreen]

My wife and I are out here at overland of America event in Jay Oklahoma and a dealer is out here.

the Sherpa Gen 3 caught our eye and looks amazing.

70k is 70k though. And financed its more like 140k.

we currently use two ground tents and cots. We get out 10-12 times a year. It’s always hot in Texas or cold.

we’ve done the Ecoflow wave 3 thing, the diesel heater thing and it all works - to an extent.

We keep looking at trailers thinking how much faster it would be to set up camp, storage etc.

we know it’s a terrible financial investment, absolutely horrible. we know about the $600-700 a year in insurance ontop of that? The storage issue etc.

Is there any other major con we are missing?

 

[MOAK]

Yes, you are missing the Arkto line of trailers. Very good friends of ours purchased one last fall. It’s everything a Fourwheelcamper is except it is a trailer. 53k US. Out the door, custom built. I think my friend waited 3 months from ordering it to taking delivery. I can say I am very impressed with the build quality and the attention to detail. It is the first trailer Ive experienced that I can say that. I’ve been around a couple trailers that are highly regarded and I’ve always thought, “ that’s the best you can do?” Using cheap fasteners and cutting corners of fit and finish seem to be the hallmark of production trailers here in the US. The Arkto trailers as with our Grandby Flatbed will not fall apart after only a few thousand miles of technical terrain or washboard roads. Good luck in your search. Have fun hunting! Hope I’ve thrown something to consider your way.

Arkto Campers | Overland Travel Trailer

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[Truckee]

It's a large purchase. I recommend renting or buying a used one first. See what you like and don't like. I enjoyed ours but ultimately sold it.

 

[NoMoreGreen]

It's a large purchase. I recommend renting or buying a used one first. See what you like and don't like. I enjoyed ours but ultimately sold it.

if you don’t mind sharing, was there a particular incident that lead to you selling it?

 

[MOAK]

It's a large purchase. I recommend renting or buying a used one first. See what you like and don't like. I enjoyed ours but ultimately sold it.

Absolutely, my brother in law rented an expo trailer to drag behind his Colorado. The tonge was so long that it made it impossible to navigate many of the two tracks in the San Rafael Swell which is pretty mild wheelin. I built an expo trailer to drag behind our TJ then our 80 series. Loved it for over 20 years. One of my design rules was short & tall. I had a 24” deck clearance, and the distance from my rear axle on the 80 to the trailer axle was a few inches shorter than the wheelbase of the 80. Also had identical track width. That trailer would go anywhere either of the two vehicles went. So, I ask the question of the OP- how will you use it?

 

[grubworm]

Is there any other major con we are missing?

my wife and I bought a similar trailer about 7 yrs ago and REALLY liked it...at first
these type of trailers are cool looking and really make you feel like you can conquer the world with one, but over time I found that they are really small and restrictive. we did trips where we were pretty much up at break of daylight and off hiking all day only to return at dark and wanted a shower and sleep. kind of ok for that but then we did some cold weather trips and showering outside wasn't fun nor was it easy for any kind of bathroom activities. putting on clothes in the morning is a bit of a challenge since you cant stand up in the thing. it does look cool and seems like it is practical and all that, but our big moment came when we did a trip with some folk and ended up having to hole up in the trailer for a couple days due to really bad weather. NOT FUN. we ended up having to hang out in brother-in-laws trailer since we had zero room.

I'm not even including cost or build quality...just being that small gets old pretty quick. long story made short...we kept our off-road camp trailer, but I ended up buying a cargo trailer and converting it the way I want it and that is all we use now. now granted, I don't have the same suspension that the Sherpa has...BUT every other bell and whistle can easily be included on other trailers.

small trailers like the Sherpa are ok for a little while, but add a kid or a dog to something that small and you'll be hating life pretty quick. we bought the forest River "No-Bo" and it did fine off-road and all, but was just too small and not enjoyable after a while just due to its size and restrictions. not to shit on anyone's parade, but it is a serious consideration to think about...especially if you're fixin' to dump $70K. and you're right...if financed, you are looking at well over $100K invested in that

the No-Bos are in the mid $20K and we quit using it in lieu of using a converted cargo trailer. at the end of the day, I have to be comfortable and enjoy being in it no matter the build quality or what bells and whistles it has...

 

[NoMoreGreen]

my wife and I bought a similar trailer about 7 yrs ago and REALLY liked it...at first
these type of trailers are cool looking and really make you feel like you can conquer the world with one, but over time I found that they are really small and restrictive. we did trips where we were pretty much up at break of daylight and off hiking all day only to return at dark and wanted a shower and sleep. kind of ok for that but then we did some cold weather trips and showering outside wasn't fun nor was it easy for any kind of bathroom activities. putting on clothes in the morning is a bit of a challenge since you cant stand up in the thing. it does look cool and seems like it is practical and all that, but our big moment came when we did a trip with some folk and ended up having to hole up in the trailer for a couple days due to really bad weather. NOT FUN. we ended up having to hang out in brother-in-laws trailer since we had zero room.

I'm not even including cost or build quality...just being that small gets old pretty quick. long story made short...we kept our off-road camp trailer, but I ended up buying a cargo trailer and converting it the way I want it and that is all we use now. now granted, I don't have the same suspension that the Sherpa has...BUT every other bell and whistle can easily be included on other trailers.

small trailers like the Sherpa are ok for a little while, but add a kid or a dog to something that small and you'll be hating life pretty quick. we bought the forest River "No-Bo" and it did fine off-road and all, but was just too small and not enjoyable after a while just due to its size and restrictions. not to shit on anyone's parade, but it is a serious consideration to think about...especially if you're fixin' to dump $70K. and you're right...if financed, you are looking at well over $100K invested in that

the No-Bos are in the mid $20K and we quit using it in lieu of using a converted cargo trailer. at the end of the day, I have to be comfortable and enjoy being in it no matter the build quality or what bells and whistles it has...

View attachment 295283

Thank you for this insight and experiences. Not being able to stand up, shower etc. This will have to be an additional conversation I have with the wife.

Generally, I want to avoid slides, trailers that are difficult for me to repair, and those sort of things.

I wont be doing anything to crazy to need a the suspension of the sherpa, it was just a nice addition at that point. Ideally, were looking for quicker camp set ups without rooftop tents.

 

[PCO6]

I've been using 2 different trailers for the last 8 yrs. or so. One is an expedition style trailer I built and the other is a tear drop, or tear "pop" that I bought and modified. One I treat more roughly because I can and the other I have to be a bit careful with because I have to. One I camp solo with because my wife hates it (not a bad thing) and the other she comes with me about half of the time.

The one I built has a small RTT. At my age (73) it's getting to be a bit of a struggle. I like the trailer itself and with attachments to it and/or my tow vehicle I'm able to cook with ease and stay out of the weather when I need to. The problem is not being able to stand up to change my clothes or even having a place to change my often dirty or muddy shoes.



The other one is small but more than adequate especially when I'm on my own. It's comfortable for sleeping (54" x 74" bed) and I can stand up in it. It also has better on board storage - cabinets and cargo doors vs. plastic boxes and high impact cases.





In both cases I use Ecoflow units for power and a diesel heater for warmth. Both have been good in weather down to about 15*F. Both also have good "flap down" air flow in weather up about 90*F.

Overall, trailer #1 is about to reduced to a utility trailer and I'll be selling the RTT. Miraculously the bed will fit an ATV! ... which I haven't told my wife about yet. Trailer #2 will be my only camper going forward, although I still enjoy tenting and I'll be leaving the trailer at home for a few trips a year.

 

[smritte]

Like the others, I've built and used both an expo and a small tear drop. Over the years I've also traveled with other peoples trailers. I want to echo Moak on the long tongue issue. Both of mine are designed to follow my tow vehicle track, exactly. The tear drop is the more comfortable but like everyone else mentioned, it can be small. I have a 270 awning on mine with walls. That gives me a sitting/cooking area out of the elements. That in itself is the best addon so far. The issues are traveling through some areas. even small trailers can be a pain when it comes to maneuvering in short gas stations and some narrow roads where people need to pass.
I love both of my trailers and now after a few decades of using them, I'm looking at campers. There's a number of very lite popups that give me the shelter and maneuverability I need. Add in my awning and I'm set. It would be mounted on my Tacoma.

One thing I will add that I didn't see anyone else post. Most "Off-Road" trailers are absolute junk. The manufacture lifted a street trailer and added dirt tires. Suspension is all wrong for off road and most fall apart quickly. Then there's the other group that weigh twice what they should or worse. There's only a couple of manufactures that I've seen over the years who build correctly.
I have no experience with the one your looking at but I believe you can buy equal or better for your price point. My teardrop has more room than the Sherpa, will track better and weighs 2100 pounds loaded.

 

[MOAK]

Like the others, I've built and used both an expo and a small tear drop. Over the years I've also traveled with other peoples trailers. I want to echo Moak on the long tongue issue. Both of mine are designed to follow my tow vehicle track, exactly. The tear drop is the more comfortable but like everyone else mentioned, it can be small. I have a 270 awning on mine with walls. That gives me a sitting/cooking area out of the elements. That in itself is the best addon so far. The issues are traveling through some areas. even small trailers can be a pain when it comes to maneuvering in short gas stations and some narrow roads where people need to pass.
I love both of my trailers and now after a few decades of using them, I'm looking at campers. There's a number of very lite popups that give me the shelter and maneuverability I need. Add in my awning and I'm set. It would be mounted on my Tacoma.

One thing I will add that I didn't see anyone else post. Most "Off-Road" trailers are absolute junk. The manufacture lifted a street trailer and added dirt tires. Suspension is all wrong for off road and most fall apart quickly. Then there's the other group that weigh twice what they should or worse. There's only a couple of manufactures that I've seen over the years who build correctly.
I have no experience with the one your looking at but I believe you can buy equal or better for your price point. My teardrop has more room than the Sherpa, will track better and weighs 2100 pounds loaded.

Ya, I didn’t want to come out and say it, but yes, most expo trailers are junk. They fetch a high price because of the marketing scheme that brands anything “ overlanding “. We considered trailers such as the Arkto, even an Airstream. The final decision came after we noticed a trend. The last trip down to big bend we learned that a couple of our favorite and most remote sites no longer allow trailers. I all but begged the ranger to come out and have a look. He could not make any exceptions. Too many travelers with crappy expo trailers had broken down over the last few years. Hmmm, no trailers allowed - Pop up truck camper it is.