The Ushi Outdoors Ultralight Trailer is a Trail Chef’s Dream

Ushi Outdoors, a company based in Dallas, North Carolina, offers an innovative solution for outdoor enthusiasts with its all-in-one ultralight trailer, called the Ushi Ultralight. This compact trailer is designed to cater to various outdoor activities such as camping, tailgating, and fishing, providing a practical and convenient way to carry essential gear but not too much. The compact Ushi trailer is the perfect fit for someone with specific needs.

The Ushi is too compact to be a toy hauler or the base for a rooftop tent and awning (the upwards folding rear hatch negates the mounting of a rooftop tent) and too small to carry large amounts of bulky gear for a long distance, off-grid journey. But, the Ushi doesn’t pretend to be the be-all and end-all of the travel trailers; it is simply quite simple, and we think it would be perfect for the kind of traveler who spends a lot of time in the kitchen. In our opinion, the diminutive Ushi is best suited to a Gordon Ramsey in hiking boots, preparing an elaborate meal with campfire smoke wafting through the campsite (alternatively, the trailer could cater to dedicated hikers, bikers, or climbers). More about that daydream later; first, let’s look at the trailer’s design and construction.

One of the standout features of Ushi is its lightweight (640 pounds empty) and durable design, which gives industrial kitchen vibes, not a bad thing, the opposite, in fact. Constructed from high-quality materials, including wood and anodized aluminum, the trailer is robust enough to handle the rigors of outdoor adventures. Despite its sturdiness, Ushi is light enough to be towed by almost any car, making it accessible to a wide range of users. This balance of lightness and durability contributes to better energy performance during towing and, as Ushi Outdoors states, is also environmentally friendly and economical.

Ushi’s detailed design focuses on balancing functionality and aesthetics. Its dimensions and weight make maneuvering, towing, and stowing effortless. The Ushi Ultralight Trailer measures approximately 69 inches wide and 55 inches long. Its height is about 4.8 feet, and it extends to 7.4 feet in length from the rear bumper to the hitch tip. The trailer’s compact dimensions make it a convenient addition to most garages, helping to keep outdoor gear organized and ready for the next adventure. This practicality extends to storage solutions within the trailer, which the manufacturers claim is spacious enough to accommodate various gear like foldable tables, chairs, tents, sleeping bags, and, most importantly, coolers and kitchen equipment.

Another significant advantage of the Ushi, and all travel trailers, is the added space it provides. By storing gear in the trailer, users can enjoy more room inside their vehicle, ensuring a comfortable ride to their destination. The multipurpose nature of Ushi means it adapts to different plans and activities, from tailgating at sports events to camping trips in the wilderness. The additional storage is particularly appealing to those traveling with compact vehicles or as a family. Unlike other larger trailers, the Ushi will not function as a live-in or live-on basecamp but allows for a basic basecamp to be set up while pursuing other activities.

The drawer systems and shelves seem ideal for installing lightweight kitchen equipment, and side drop-down shelves provide extra space for cups and cans. At the same time, your friends and family stand around drooling over your latest culinary masterpiece. Those drawers could also double as storage for tools, maps, hiking, and climbing gear. The small rack on top of the trailer could accommodate firewood and a BBQ if not used for bulkier items such as oversized camp chairs or tents.

The cherry on top of a Dutch Oven cake is that the Ushi is affordable and offers excellent value for money. The durable construction materials should ensure that the little Ushi will be a reliable and long-term travel companion. Would we overland across continents with this trailer? I don’t see why not; provided that the trailer suits the explorer’s style of travel, it could be a practical asset. The size and weight alone ensure that the trailer will be convenient for daily use, especially in developing nations where roads and trails tend to be tight and narrow, and navigating through small villages with a long, wide vehicle can be tricky.

From $9,960 | ushioutdoors.com

Read More: Hard-Shell Rooftop Tents : Buyers Guide

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Graeme Bell is an author and explorer who has dedicated his life to traveling the planet by land, seeking adventure and unique experiences. Together with his wife and two children, Graeme has spent the last decade living permanently on the road in a self-built Land Rover based camper. They have explored 27 African countries (including West Africa), circumnavigated South America, and driven from Argentina to Alaska, which was followed by an exploration of Europe and Western Asia before returning to explore the Americas. Graeme is the Senior Editor 4WD for Expedition Portal, a member of the Explorers Club, the author of six books, and an Overland Journal contributor since 2015. You can follow Graeme's adventures across the globe on Instagram at graeme.r.bell