That is my one concern with a lot of those type of pop-up, even though they are "off-road" models, they aren't built to handle anything more than the highway. I think the Opus, Black Series, and Livin Lite would be where I would focus.
What am I looking for? Family of four entry level overlanding camper/trailer
- Thread starter sb.reno
- Start date
calicamper
Expedition Leader
Jumping Jack might be too basic or small but I have a similar trailer going on 9 yrs old. Its just a tent on a trailer. I have the original Life time tent trailer. The negatives are not good for desert winds!
calicamper
Expedition Leader
This one was on my interest list. But cost vs basically being cheap RV quality and the added complexity of the hard side fold outs has it pretty low on the list.
I’m not into the added expense of the Taxa Mantis but feel like its just a better all around solution for my use / need. Can also see it working well after kids fly the coop just wife and I. Which is a factor if I’m dropping 30k on something lol
Todd n Natalie
OverCamper
Also a chance to upgrade stuff?
Our first tent trailer was an old Bon Air, the 2nd was Coleman and our hard wall is a Forest River. Build quality was about the same for all. Which to say, not great. But, nothing that has been too bad.
Once you get to your destination, you just have to figure out where the screw that's rolling around on the floor came from, haha
Pics below are our second Tent trailer. Pretty nice as far as a tent trailer goes, cassette toilet, slide out dinette, two king beds, came with an add -a-room and a power lifting roof.
calicamper
Expedition Leader
I’m mainly a CA coastal and Sierras camping. My tent trailer was perfect for those regions. The eye opener was Moab our first Desert trip and typical mild desert winds. Yeah pretty much a fail. We’ll be doing more desert trips and more higher latitude trips not as tent trailer friendly in the future which case something to consider. Also primary reason I’m looking to replace our tent rig. 
Spring break this week for our area. Several friends are in Death Valley, winds have decimated the tent people last few days. Couple of hard side RV folks even reported minor wind damage, lost antenna etc.
Spring break this week for our area. Several friends are in Death Valley, winds have decimated the tent people last few days. Couple of hard side RV folks even reported minor wind damage, lost antenna etc.
Last edited:
Outback/Intech256
New member
I'll second InTech RV's. They are simple, reasonably priced, and you can customize it yourself. The wife and I camped with 3 kids and 2 dogs. We skipped the factory kitchen and my wife bought a good camp chef stove. We also use RTIC coolers instead of the refrigerator. They hold more food and are good for about 3 days.
Sent from my moto x4 using Tapatalk
Sent from my moto x4 using Tapatalk
calicamper
Expedition Leader
I’ve really looked at the Intechs. I like that you can get all your “junk” inside ie not on display. LolI'll second InTech RV's. They are simple, reasonably priced, and you can customize it yourself. The wife and I camped with 3 kids and 2 dogs. We skipped the factory kitchen and my wife bought a good camp chef stove. We also use RTIC coolers instead of the refrigerator. They hold more food and are good for about 3 days.
Sent from my moto x4 using Tapatalk
The larger Flyer and a kids Bunk o cot was a very serious possibility for us. But not fitting in the garage was a big negative. The tip out bed is also pretty tight for two. We are still in our Subaru OB camping rig, but between, bikes, water for 4 on desert trips, growing kids err heavier kids the OB was hitting bump stops. I had an old Sequoia we used on the long trips. Ended up doing a 2 for 1 swap on the cars. 2019 Expedition Platinum Heavy tow pack. I was worried the mileage loss of the Subaru would suck.. But to my surprise the Expedition did 22mpg trip average last summer on a trip the Subaru did 18.5mpg same trailer and gear.. Really surprised me!!
Trying to figure out the trailer upgrade plan families of 4 basically get screwed by the RV biz they want us all to buy giant Ranch houses on wheels with oak cabinets and entertainment centers..
I think a lightly used Taxa Mantis is likely the route I’m headed. Other Expedition owners report 14-15mpg with those which isn’t too bad considering..
Attachments
There is a dealer in San Diego area with Anza(s) listed on craigslist. It's not THAT far of a drive if you need something immediately.
5x8 Brand New Extreme Offroad Teardrop Camper Trailer - 31" Tires! -...
These brand new extreme offroad teardrop trailers are just what you need to head out into the mountains for a weekend away. With standard features like 31" Mud Terrain over-sized tires and...
losangeles.craigslist.org
justbecause
perpetually lost
Whats up with not having a queen bed option on a bunk house without slide outs? Who needs a full bed and bunks?
Wait it out. Now that people have bought up everything with their stimulus checks and it has become very profitable to stay home rather then go back to work, there is a shortage of everything. This can't last forever or the country will implode. I'm guessing the market will soon be flooded with gently used trailers in the next 8-12 months when people are forced into behaving like adults again and do grown up things like pay for rent and a mortgage again.