First, I hope this is the correct forum and second , I will refrain from all the manufacturer's names at this point, unless the Administration authorizes me to do so.
After being "bit" by the OffRoad Camping Trailer bug, it has been my Mission to find the right camper-trailer to suit my needs. What I found in short order is no manufacturer in the US that I'm aware of to this point compares to build options, and quality of Oz or the SAfricans. Not for my needs or desires anyway. However there are many teardrop manufacturer's here in the US that offer a variety of options, options ranges, configurations and price points which seem to be very popular. Most appear to be expensive considering the majority have room for sleeping inside and little else. Although, I get the rationale and design which maximizes it's overland range, I'm not a fan. Especially of popping a tent up over a hard shell camper of any kind and climbing a ladder to access for any reason.
There are a lot of folks who may and have taken issue to the point of offense at my comments, yet I'm not novice at back country camping. I've hunted big game all over Texas Idaho, Colorado and NMexico in the gamut of weather, elevations and remote location from a range of accommodations. What I'm looking for will be geared to meet those needs. After a hard day of hunting and hiking steep elevations you want to relax in the evening in relative comfort and have certain amenities that offer ease of use. That means a solid roof over my head that provides some measure of climate control, a means of showering- even outside( also vital when hunting) a decent bed, well equipped & accessible kitchen, storage and communications capability past a cell phone with rechargeable battery stations. An eating area and even some means of entertainment system that accommodates blue tooth/stereo are also quite desirable. This asks a lot yet it is provided in many of the camper trailers offered in Australia and SAfrica. There are some here in the US that "offer" many of those things but not all and certainly not in an Off-Road type camper trailer. Notice I used the term "offer" instead of deliver. Primarily because delivery is questionable at best based upon what I have experienced thus far.
This brings me to my experience, which is quite concerning. I've contacted a few manufacturer's mentioned on this Forum both via email and calls. I can name at least four who have yet to return my call or email in any way. The closest I've gotten was a call back after many attempts from a manufacturer in California who engaged in a thread about the failings of a fellow manufacturer, while extolling how reliable their product and service was. Yet he has yet to send me the email he promised. Still, there was another that told me how great his product was and validated it's now new $80k price, though his website states half that. Only after a series of repeated phone calls & emails by me to got his limited attention, did I see a response. There was another manufacturer with a great website and a seemingly excellent product line who has yet to reply to multiple emails and calls, in addition to a couple others that yielded the same experience.
The collective experience in this exercise is Very Disconcerting. It gives me an idea that very few "manufacturers" have the infrastructure, capitol, business acumen and professionalism to follow through. It is an industry niche in these United States that demands a buyer beware disposition. Especially when I see a specific manufacturer touted here that requires a 33% deposit on contract and another 33% before construction with potential for up to six week wait for material delivery. Really? Their trailer appears to be a nice little product but that is unreasonable and draws a red flag. AS a customer you have very little control over the process once you finance 2/3 of the build before it even begins. Not a chance would that happen with me, nor is it justifiable for many reasons. Being busy is not a valid excuse. In fact this tells me that any manufacturer that exhibits any of the aforementioned behavior probably has a limited time of existence which elicits a number of additional issues.
On the other hand, I will give credit where credit is due- which is probably allowed and should be. Two manufacturer's who I feel can be trusted are Overland Explorer out of Canada- I think and Teardrops NW. Both gentlemen contacted me in short order after inquiring about their product. TeardropsNW has a great interactive website that allows you to choose your model , dress it with options and provides pricing. That gentlemen emailed me within minutes of completion offering to save me money by suggesting similar , cheaper options which would not serve my purpose more efficiently. Whereas the gentleman from Overland Explorer sent me a build sheet with options and engaged in direct dialogue from this site. So, even though I'm not crazy about teardrops for reasons stated, I feel fairly confident these two companies do what they say they can and will do.
Ultimately, I have not found a trailer that meets all my requirements & desires, for now. Yet aside from the two companies mentioned and Conqueror's US rep Dave- who is as professional as they come, I would not hazard a chance or any money on several manufacturer's here in the US, unless there were models ready for delivery.
My mind can be changed. Hopefully this thread will yield more comments from those who have had positive experiences with other manufacturer's. My experience to date however has been enlightening but less than enjoyable.
EDIT: Off Grid is another manufacturer with good response time also
After being "bit" by the OffRoad Camping Trailer bug, it has been my Mission to find the right camper-trailer to suit my needs. What I found in short order is no manufacturer in the US that I'm aware of to this point compares to build options, and quality of Oz or the SAfricans. Not for my needs or desires anyway. However there are many teardrop manufacturer's here in the US that offer a variety of options, options ranges, configurations and price points which seem to be very popular. Most appear to be expensive considering the majority have room for sleeping inside and little else. Although, I get the rationale and design which maximizes it's overland range, I'm not a fan. Especially of popping a tent up over a hard shell camper of any kind and climbing a ladder to access for any reason.
There are a lot of folks who may and have taken issue to the point of offense at my comments, yet I'm not novice at back country camping. I've hunted big game all over Texas Idaho, Colorado and NMexico in the gamut of weather, elevations and remote location from a range of accommodations. What I'm looking for will be geared to meet those needs. After a hard day of hunting and hiking steep elevations you want to relax in the evening in relative comfort and have certain amenities that offer ease of use. That means a solid roof over my head that provides some measure of climate control, a means of showering- even outside( also vital when hunting) a decent bed, well equipped & accessible kitchen, storage and communications capability past a cell phone with rechargeable battery stations. An eating area and even some means of entertainment system that accommodates blue tooth/stereo are also quite desirable. This asks a lot yet it is provided in many of the camper trailers offered in Australia and SAfrica. There are some here in the US that "offer" many of those things but not all and certainly not in an Off-Road type camper trailer. Notice I used the term "offer" instead of deliver. Primarily because delivery is questionable at best based upon what I have experienced thus far.
This brings me to my experience, which is quite concerning. I've contacted a few manufacturer's mentioned on this Forum both via email and calls. I can name at least four who have yet to return my call or email in any way. The closest I've gotten was a call back after many attempts from a manufacturer in California who engaged in a thread about the failings of a fellow manufacturer, while extolling how reliable their product and service was. Yet he has yet to send me the email he promised. Still, there was another that told me how great his product was and validated it's now new $80k price, though his website states half that. Only after a series of repeated phone calls & emails by me to got his limited attention, did I see a response. There was another manufacturer with a great website and a seemingly excellent product line who has yet to reply to multiple emails and calls, in addition to a couple others that yielded the same experience.
The collective experience in this exercise is Very Disconcerting. It gives me an idea that very few "manufacturers" have the infrastructure, capitol, business acumen and professionalism to follow through. It is an industry niche in these United States that demands a buyer beware disposition. Especially when I see a specific manufacturer touted here that requires a 33% deposit on contract and another 33% before construction with potential for up to six week wait for material delivery. Really? Their trailer appears to be a nice little product but that is unreasonable and draws a red flag. AS a customer you have very little control over the process once you finance 2/3 of the build before it even begins. Not a chance would that happen with me, nor is it justifiable for many reasons. Being busy is not a valid excuse. In fact this tells me that any manufacturer that exhibits any of the aforementioned behavior probably has a limited time of existence which elicits a number of additional issues.
On the other hand, I will give credit where credit is due- which is probably allowed and should be. Two manufacturer's who I feel can be trusted are Overland Explorer out of Canada- I think and Teardrops NW. Both gentlemen contacted me in short order after inquiring about their product. TeardropsNW has a great interactive website that allows you to choose your model , dress it with options and provides pricing. That gentlemen emailed me within minutes of completion offering to save me money by suggesting similar , cheaper options which would not serve my purpose more efficiently. Whereas the gentleman from Overland Explorer sent me a build sheet with options and engaged in direct dialogue from this site. So, even though I'm not crazy about teardrops for reasons stated, I feel fairly confident these two companies do what they say they can and will do.
Ultimately, I have not found a trailer that meets all my requirements & desires, for now. Yet aside from the two companies mentioned and Conqueror's US rep Dave- who is as professional as they come, I would not hazard a chance or any money on several manufacturer's here in the US, unless there were models ready for delivery.
My mind can be changed. Hopefully this thread will yield more comments from those who have had positive experiences with other manufacturer's. My experience to date however has been enlightening but less than enjoyable.
EDIT: Off Grid is another manufacturer with good response time also
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