Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Hitch up with the 7 best off-road trailers ready to take you anywhere in 2024

Beefy tires, rugged shells, and serious overlanding chops—these trailers go where most others won't dare

A Bean Stock 2.0 ultralight travel trailer being towed down a wooded trail by a new Ford Bronco.
Bean Trailer

From 4×4 camper vans to overlanding rigs with rooftop tents to rugged teardrop trailers, there’s no shortage of options for serious off-road camping these days. But, for our money, nothing beats the simplicity of a travel trailer. They’re lightweight, lean, and compact enough to tow down even the narrowest and nastiest backcountry trails. Just hitch up to a worthy four-wheel-drive rig and go. If you’ve been itching to get out there but aren’t sure which trailer is right for you, we’ve got you covered. These are the best off-road trailers designed to take you just about anywhere.

TAXA Outdoors Woolly Bear: Best for rugged minimalists

Young couple camping in the rooftop tent atop a TAXA Outdoors 2025 Woolly Bear off-road trailer camper.
TAXA Outdoors

For minimalist campers looking to bring everything they need and nothing they don’t, the 2025 Woolly Bear is damn-near-perfect. At less than 11 feet long and roughly 1,300 pounds, it’s ridiculously easy to tow with just about anything short of a Harley. The clever design manages to pack a full camp kitchen, tons of outdoor gear storage, and room for a two- or even three-person rooftop tent. It’s also endlessly customizable with a mosquito net outdoor room, a propane package, aftermarket portable power stations, and more. The stock version is already plenty off-road capable, but upgrading to the Overland Edition gets you a Timbren axle-less suspension, electric brakes, and all-terrain tires with steel wheels.

Escapod Topo2: Most rugged

Open hatch revealing the compact camp kitchen of the Escapod TOPO2 Teardrop Trailer.
Escapod

Compact, rugged, and ready for all-season camping—that’s Escapod’s Topo2 teardrop trailer. Thanks to the composite fiberglass monocoque body, it boasts a dry weight under 2,000 pounds, so it’s readily towable by almost anything with a hitch. The pocketable footprint measures just 13.5 feet, but you’ll find a surprising amount of amenities in that tight space. The interior is roomy enough to sleep two adults comfortably, with plenty of storage and power outlets, so you can live, sleep, and work on the go. Around back is the classic teardrop camp kitchen that’s completely customizable with cooktops, a cooler/portable fridge, drawers, and cabinetry for all your campfire cooking essentials. It all rides on Escapod’s own freeride independent suspension with five full inches of travel for each wheel.

SylvanSport GOAT: Best jack-of-all-trades trailer

Rear view of SylvanSport's GO All-Terrain Camper Trailer being towed by a Jeep.
SylvanSport

There’s no recreational travel trailer on the market that’s as versatile, towable, and just plain cool as SylvanSport’s GO trailer—that is, until the company debuted the all-new GOAT (that would be “GO All-Terrain”) model earlier this year. It’s part toy hauler, part adventure gear trailer, and part pop-up tent camper. Whatever you need it to be on any given Sunday, it transforms in just a few minutes with a little reswizzling of the trailer’s layout. The GOAT model is SylvanSport’s most aggressive trailer yet, with beefy Falken Wildpeak all-terrain tires, a Timbren HD Axle-Less suspension, and 18 inches of ground clearance, so you’re ready to tackle even the toughest trails.

Opus OP15 Off-Road Hybrid Caravan: Best for overlanding in comfort

Opus OP15 off-road travel trailer being towed down a dirt trail.
Opus Camper USA

If an ultra-compact, two-person teardrop just isn’t disco enough for you, Opus ups the ante with the legit OP15 travel trailer that’s rugged enough for the backcountry but packed with plenty of front-country comforts. It’s roomy enough to sleep four adults comfortably with a hot stand-up shower, heat, air-conditioning, and a sizable fridge/freezer, so you can stay clean, cool, and well-fed no matter how far from civilization you venture. It all rides on a rock-solid galvanized stainless steel chassis and a trailing arm suspension, so it’s plenty durable and comfy on the drive out to your campsite.

Winnebago Hike 100: Best for off-grid comfort

Couple sitting outside a Winnebago Hike 100 off-road trailer parked on the beach.
Winnebago

When you’re looking to head off-road, and you want to pack everything plus the kitchen sink, Winnebago’s Hike 100 has you covered. The compact 15’11” design weighs just 3,000 pounds, so it’s readily towable by most small SUVs. There’s ample room on the exterior to mount all of your favorite adventure gear, too. Stepping inside reveals full-height ceilings, and there’s room for a queen bed with a separate loft bed, a wardrobe closet, and a stand-up wet bath. The interior aesthetic is also cozier and homier than any other on this list, so if you’re looking for a true “home away from home” wherever you roam, this is it.

Bean Stock 2.0: Best for easy towing

Woman solo camping outside a Bean Stock 2.0 teardrop travel trailer.
Bean Trailer

Bean seriously ups the ante with its latest, all-new Bean Stock 2.0 towable. At less than 1,200 pounds, it’s one of the most easily towable, full-featured off-road trailers on the market. Thanks to a seamless fiberglass shell, it’s also more durable and leak-resistant than traditional “stick-built” (i.e., aluminum and plywood) trailers. It’s purpose-built from the ground up to be extremely off-road-capable with a 2,000-pound Timbren HD suspension and 27-inch radial all-season tires on 15-inch steel wheels. Upgrading to the off-road package adds a four-inch lift and monster Falken Wildpeak AT3W 235/75R15 tires for even better ground clearance and trail-ready capability.

Colorado Campworks NS-1: Best for the environment

Colorado Campworks NS-1 solar-powered trailer parked on a ridge.
Colorado Campworks

Most overlanding and off-road trips only last as long as your batteries (or fresh water supply). Colorado Campworks tackles the first problem with its 100% solar-powered NS-1 (Nomadic System One). It’s designed to store more power—up to a whopping 11,000 watt-hours—than any other teardrop trailer we’re aware of. That’s enough to run all of your favorite gadgets and any appliance, including the NS-1’s climate control system, for about as long as the sun is shining. So, you could theoretically just never go back to civilization.

What to consider when shopping for your own off-road trailer

Coast Model 1 solar electric travel trailer/RV parked near a pond.
Aero Build

Shopping for any RV—vans, motorhomes, and even off-road travel trailers—is complicated, especially if it’s your first time. There’s a lot to consider, and we can’t cover it all in this post, but here are a few things to get you started:

Weight

Assuming you already have a tow vehicle (TV), weight is arguably the most important factor when shopping for a new off-road trailer. That’s because your TV’s maximum towing capacity will dictate the heaviest trailer you can realistically tow (and buy). Be sure to triple-check your manufacturer’s recommendations on this, as it’s not something that should be taken lightly. Thankfully, most of our recommendations come in well under 3,000 pounds, so they’re easily towable by most small to mid-sized SUVs and even some sedans.

Length

The overall length of your off-road trailer is important on the trail, too. Shorter trailers are more maneuverable and give you more flexibility with where you can travel. Longer trailers offer more interior living space and probably more amenities, but they can be a nightmare on narrow forest service roads.

Ground clearance

More difficult trails—those with tons of obstacles, varying heights, and constantly changing terrain—can be challenging or even downright impassable for off-road trailers without sufficient ground clearance. If you’re planning to tackle serious terrain or you don’t want to be restricted in where you can take your new trailer, consider a trailer with as high of ground clearance as possible. This may mean upgrading to an off-road package if the manufacturer offers one.

Off-road suspension

Even on smooth pavement, trailers take a serious beating akin to a constant earthquake while traveling down the road. It’s exponentially worse on rocky, uneven backcountry trails. That’s why it pays to make sure that the suspension on your new trailer is ready for the trail.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Winnebago reveals the Ekko Sprinter, a camper van with more off-roading capability than ever
The RV maker ups the ante again with a Sprinter Van-based class B+ rig that's built for serious off-road fun
Winnebago Ekko Sprinter Campervan parked on a sandy ridge.

Winnebago made a splash in the RV and overlanding worlds when it debuted its Sprinter-based Revel camper van back in 2017. The off-road-centric coach was a distinct departure from the company's well-established line-up of leisure RVs. It doubled down a few years later with the Ford Transit-based Ekko — a more spacious, more capable big brother designed to take you and your gear, well, just about anywhere. Now, the RV maker is upping the ante yet again with its all-new Ekko Sprinter — a Sprinter Van-based class B+ rig that's ready for serious off-road fun.

Get the low-down on the all-new Winnebago Ekko Sprinter camper van
With the new Ekko Sprinter, it's clear Winnebago recognizes that size matters. The latest model is bigger in every way than its Transit-based brother. With a 170-inch wheelbase, it's 18" longer, to be exact. That's still compact enough to navigate twisty backcountry roads yet roomy enough to accommodate more amenities, gear, and passengers. The Ekko Sprinter offers belted seating for four adults and sleeping space for three. An optional pop-up adds sleeping quarters for two more for a total of five (in a compact camper van!). Plus, the deep gear garage allows you to pack everything you need and then some (think: a whole arsenal of outdoor adventure gear).

Read more
This $16K teardrop trailer is trail-ready and light enough to be towed by a Subaru Forester
New Bean teardrop trailer is ready for serious off-road adventuring
A Bean Stock 2.0 ultralight travel trailer being towed down a wooded trail by a new Ford Bronco.

Custom van life vans and over-the-top overlanding rigs have stolen most of the public attention for anyone daydreaming about serious long-term road life. But those aren't your only options. Teardrop trailers, for example, have been around for almost as long as vehicles could tow things. These ultralight travel trailers are designed for minimalists looking to explore the world with only the essentials. While most aren't designed for hardcore off-road use, Bean Trailers doesn't design "most" teardrop trailers. Case in point: Its all-new Bean Stock 2.0 is a rugged, featherweight design ready to go, well, pretty much anywhere you need it to—all for under $20K.

All about Bean Trailer's all-new Bean Stock 2.0 teardrop trailer
Despite their compact appearance, many teardrop trailers are bulkier and heavier than they look, and most just aren't built for spending any serious time off-pavement. The Bean Stock 2.0 tackles both of these issues with a seamless fiberglass shell that's far lighter (less than 1,200 pounds!), more durable, and more leak-resistant than conventional "stick-built" (i.e., plywood and aluminum) teardrops. The design is purpose-built for even the roughest trails. Coupled with a slimmer, trail-friendly profile, it can readily be towed by most midsize and even compact SUVs, like Toyota RAV4s and Subaru Foresters.

Read more
Stanley cup alternatives: The best water bottles you can get
There's plenty of other water bottles on the market

Most of us know that swapping soda, fruit juice, and sugary drinks for old fashioned H20 is better for our physical and mental health. Why not take care of the planet’s health in the process by ditching traditional plastic bottles with a reusable water bottle of your own? Not to mention, you'll save money without having to keep buying plastic bottles again and again.

If you've been on any social media lately, you know that Stanley tumblers are having a bit of a moment. And while we're fans of the brand, we're also fans of avoiding the aggravation of trying to buy sold-out water bottles. Looking for an excellent water bottle you won't have to stand in line to get? These are the best water bottles to keep you properly hydrated in 2024.

Read more