BRUDER EXP-4: A New Breed of Performance Trailer

Nearly three years ago, Expedition Portal took a look at the Bruder EXP-6, a stunning off-road trailer designed and built in Australia. It featured one of the best suspensions in the business, a luxurious interior, and global compatibility for sale anywhere in the world. You could say it made some waves in the industry, but it was also quite large. So for those who want to get a bit further off the beaten track, Bruder has now developed a smaller alternative called the EXP-4. Like its larger brother, this new design will pack abundant off-road capability, no small amount of creature comforts, and be available for purchase anywhere in the world. You’ll find the full video release under alink at the bottom of this article, but luckily, Rob Boegheim was able to bring us the full scoop on this trailer early on, straight from the Land Down Under. So without further ado, let’s take a look at the EXP-4.

– Chris Cordes

The beauty of the EXP-4 lies in how simple it makes off-roading and camping. It is the fruition of Bruder’s vision for a less is more trailer with no setup, no pack down, and no need to level in camp. In other words, the EXP-4 does more, so that you can do less.

Doing less is stopping and camping anywhere, even if the terrain is uneven. A huge 12 inches of adjustable wheel travel (nearly triple that of its nearest competitor) can level the EXP-4 almost instantly.

Doing less is having instant access to a sheltered kitchen that is level no matter the terrain.

Doing less is having a 6-foot-wide, 7-foot, 2-inch-long sleeping area that is level and always ready—no setup or pack up required.

Doing less is towing with the confidence that the EXP-4 design is genuinely engineered to set the cat amongst the pigeons in towing performance.

And by doing less, you’ll experience more of the outdoors.

To really understand the EXP-4, we caught up with co-designer Dan Bosschieter at their Brisbane office and asked for an overview of their newest trailer.

“The EXP-4 is the firstborn of a new breed of performance trailer. It’s fitted with our patented suspension system, the same suspension used on our commercial products with global exploration companies. It’s designed and engineered to transport expensive equipment over undulating desert terrain in +50°C/+120°F temperatures.”

There is a growing trend of vehicle manufacturers making performance-oriented 4WDs, and Bruder has gone to great lengths to bridge the gap between trailer and 4WD performance and ride quality. The US Ford Raptor has around 13 inches of wheel travel, and the Australian Ranger Raptor has 9 inches at the front and 11 inches at the rear. The EXP-4 has 12 inches of wheel travel, allowing it to maintain ground contact as well as or better than many tow vehicles.

“A good trailer design doesn’t hinder the tow vehicle’s natural abilities. The EXP-4 doesn’t buck, jolt, or bounce around off-road—it provides the ultimate towing experience.”

Being true adventurers themselves and having a lifelong passion for off-road exploration, the Bruder brothers have drawn on their experiences in Australia and around the world to develop the EXP-4. Instead of designing a trailer that could simply survive remote journeys, they built a trailer that thrives on them.

Interior

Inside, the bedding area is 6 feet wide and 7 feet, 2 inches long, with plenty of space to sit up (1.2 meters). There is room to accommodate young children on a 1-meter x 1.8-meter bed that doesn’t hinder the main bed. Internal USB charging points and LED lights are standard, and there is generous storage throughout, including hanging space for clothing.

The kitchen layout is homelike in function. It is the full width and height of the EXP-4 body and the rear door doubles as protection from the rain or sun when open. There is a 60L fridge, and cooktops are chosen by the client. Cooktops can be gas, diesel, or induction. There are no slide-outs in the EXP-4, so when it’s time to leave, you close the door, and you’re done—it is just that easy.

Chassis and Suspension

Bruder has fully engineered the entire EXP-4 from the ground up including the suspension, chassis and even the body construction.

The suspension is only available on Bruder products and made with Australian 450-grade high-tensile circular hollow section steel which is angled to prevent hang-ups off-road. The suspension also allows you to choose your preferred height for kitchen and entry or exist. Drop it low for easy access in camp, then raise it for high clearance work on the trail.

The chassis is completely airtight (no holes), so off-road debris like sand or salt can’t get caught within it. Plus, it incorporates a Warn recovery winch.

Bruder deliberately avoids the use of aluminum sandwich or honeycomb composites on the EXP-4, as these can create insulation leakage and pathways for ice or heat to migrate to the interior. Instead, the entire EXP-4 body is made from epoxy-bonded, closed cell composite up to 60 millimeters thick. This gives the EXP-4’s body an insulation R-value over 5.1. Water can be a precious commodity, so the tank is mounted inside the body, meaning the entire undercarriage of the EXP-4 is void of any vulnerable equipment. This also prevents water supplies from freezing in cold conditions.

Externally the EXP-4 has two main lockable storage locations able to accommodate up to six jerry cans. They can also mount jerry can holders to the outside so that storage areas can be used for bulk equipment, outdoor gear, or items like a portable toilet system. There is also a built-in external shower.

The EXP-4 body is incredibly strong, so adding any type or style of rooftop tent isn’t a problem. In fact, the EXP-4 comes pre-equipped with tie-down points to store extra items on the roof.

And rather than offering only one awning type with the EXP-4, clients can choose the awning that best suits their needs—from full electric awnings to 270 walkarounds or generic pullouts. No matter what you’re looking for, Bruder has an EXP-4 design for you.

BRUDER EXP-4 Specifications:

Weight: 850 kilograms
ATM: 1600 kilograms
Axle capacity: 2,600 kilograms
Departure angle: 42 degrees
Body length: 4,027 millimeters
Total length: 4,995 millimeters
Ground clearance: 861 millimeters
Max height: 2,080 millimeters
Low height: 1,780 millimeters
Width: 1,903 millimeters
Wheel track: 1,700 millimeters
Brakes: ventilated disc
Max tyre size: 37 inches
Suspension: Bruder patented design, 12-inch adjustable wheel travel with correct geometry, 450 grade high tensile circular hollow section steel Bruder specific 4x remote canister rose-jointed monotube shock absorbers
Body: Epoxy-bonded, closed cell composite up to 60 millimeters
Water capacity: 100L internal body tank
Chassis: Airtight and sealed (no holes) 125  x 75 millimeters with recovery winch mount

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aPWnXpdLkc&feature=youtu.be