I am looking to to downsize from my 27 foot toy hauler/camper. Boys are gone and simply do not need that big of a camper anymore.

Would like to get a 18-22 foot toy hauler that is designed for more rugged use?
Closest thing I have found is a Black Series 19ft. But they are expensive. $$$$$$
Is any US manufacturer making such a thing?

Have been searching internet and you tube with no luck. What says everyone?

If I cannot find anything, I am going to have to go the enclosed trailer route and modify accordingly. I did use one a long time ago basically as a tent on wheels. Then the boys showed up and wife wanted a little more comfort.

Not seen any toy haulers trimmed down to that size. Seems they'd be a little short or living space.

We sold our camper ( too flimsy for our off road camp trips) and plan to buy a 8'x16' enclosed trailer and mod it. It will carry the UTV and have a few essentals such as batteries, lighting, vent fans, etc to accomodate sleeping/camping. I too can't see spending that kind of $$$ on a camper. All I need is something to haul the toys and a place to sleep and get out of the weather.

Our camper has been very good camping off grid and getting around the Black Hills and Bighorns. If I could simply knock 5-6 feet off the back it would be perfect.

Do not need the toy hauler aspect so much. Just love having the ramp to load/unload stuff.

Have hauled the sxs a few times, and those were not really necessary. Now it sits mostly at the ranch for use out there.

Fully loaded it is right at my 1/2 ton diesel's towing capacity of 9000lbs. Truck handles it fine, not towing it all over he country, 2-300 miles maximum trips. Talking with some people in the know. The 9K rating came from all the extra insulation in the engine compartment to speed warm up. The newer model are all rated at 12K. Have never had a problem with engine or transmission overheating. Even in 100 degree weather. Just have to drive appropriately and use common sense.

It even has an aux gas tank with pump. Used it twice on extended hunting trips when I had a gasser tow vehicle. Nice not having to run into town for fill ups.

Best plan would be to keep it, but like the idea of dropping a few thousand pounds of weight if possible. Checking to see what else is out there.

I am by no means an expert, though having looked a little at the black series, the only other trailers on the road(never been in one) that have caught my eye are Geo Pros. I don’t think they are nearly the trailers that the Black Series are, but they did seem to offer some of the off pavement capabilities that the BS trailers do.

No experience with KZ brand RV's but they have a 21 footer with a ramp.



https://www.kz-rv.com/products/sportsmen-classic-travel-trailers/

They also have models with a large upswing hatch on the back. This Escape series says it have an available off road package.

https://www.kz-rv.com/products/escape-travel-trailers/

Super small 12 footer

http://www.xplorcampers.com/xth-toy-hauler-12-.html


EDIT: Article with a few different options for small toy haulers. Hope this helps!

https://www.rvingknowhow.com/small-toy-haulers/

The big thing for "off roaders" as I understand it, is to be light and have more suspension travel. With a single point hitch torsional strength does not seem like it should be an issue unless you are maxing out suspension travel. washboard in and pothole jarring are another matter.

How is value retention on a camper vs. How much would you lose by modifying vs. What would it cost you to custom build what you want... You could play "three card monty" with yourself all day on that one... Would you enjoy the project and could you realistically complete it in time to use it this season or is it better to list it an plan the project for next season.. That is a key question...

I have the pursue. Intech builds high quality trailers with great components. I took it thru some nasty stuff in Georgia in January and the limitations come from whatever you’re towing with.
The only negative I found in mine is the frame has small triangle shaped fenders below the side door. Mud thrown from my tires landed on it and I had to remove it to open the door. Other than that it towed great, all dometic appliances, superb awning system, all aluminum construction.



https://intech.com/rv/

I wouldn't expect any of the standard RVs that have all terrain tires to stand up well to serious offroad use. Black Series actually builds there RVs for offroad use.

The sub 20' toy haulers won't likely have enough space for your SxS. This is an example of a common small TH floor plan. https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/travel-trailers/rockwood-geo-pro/G19FBTH/5685

One nice "plus" of a ramp is that with a pair of jack stands you have your own built in porch. Add some sheer/tight scrim material with little magnets glued on and you can sleep without the bugs getting into your living space. Total cost of the magnetic screen ~$10.00.

not sure about a smaller toy hauler but OutdoorsRV makes good offroad campers.

Lance 1985 with their optional 7” suspension lift. Taken it into rugged areas.

Twin torsion axels. Added a 100 watt solar panel and charge controller , 20ft of lead so you can just set it out in the sun.



https://www.lancecamper.com/travel-trailers/1985/

Although this is not a toy hauler by any means of course

Had this custom ordered/built July '20/July '21...yes 12 month lead time..the 'Topo1'

Built in Coalville Utah just south of I 80....three hours north of Podunk

Well equipped using quality components...fully galvanized frame to start

Dual deep cell batteries...1000 watt inverter.....100 watt solar panel...free ride off road suspension...electric brakes

I used my own tire/wheel pkg...Cooper ST Maxx LT265-75x16's on Vision wheels...articulating hitch

Dometic fridge....21 gallon water tank...on demand hot water & shower.....Propex heater etc.....

20" plus ground clearance....will tow easily anywhere the truck will go...KOA's not on the list.....

https://escapod.us/order-now/topo-series/

Hauling toys is why we have a 3/4 ton long bed pickup for a 23' camp trailer. I have a 50" Polaris RZR that fits in the back of the pickup. If you have ATV's, you can put 2 crosswise on a bed-top rack.

That is a nice setup. It really illustrates that get what it takes to go off road you have to be willing to compromise somewhat.
That A-frame wheel spindle set up is new to me. It looks to keep the ride height lower while being able to use the A-frames as skidder plates in a pinch.
I hate tortion springs on any pull behind.

The issue with standard designed campers is the higher the ground clearance goes (drop spindles or spring overs) so goes the roof and roof mounted units. If your not dragging the bottom then your knocking stuff loose on the top with tree limbs.

Many RV's have dropped axles. It doesn't cost all that much to replace a dropped axle with a straight one. It'll give you about 4" more ground clearance.You'll have to adjust the ball mount on the tow vehicle to keep it level, though.

You could add shackle mounted drag links to the underside of that And literally skid the camper over anything you could take your vehicle over.

After a very wet night, that flooded out many others, i was high and dry, Full kitchen, water, heat, Queen bed,



Close it up put my 4 wheeler on the roof, hook it to my jeep and away I go, Rio7

That looks cool. Got any pics of it packed up?

Thank you for all the replies and ideas. Exactly the kind of input I was looking for.

Trying to stay away from tiny/teardrop campers. Should clarify that I am looking for a camper that can handle gravel and open logging roads better than a glamping model. Off grid capable of course.

I bought a solar panel many years ago to keep my two gel batteries charged. Have a catalytic heater installed, along with a furnace for use when I have electricity access.

Back to research.....

tndrbstr, Can't find one. Rio7

Hard side or soft side pop up? We had a Fleetwood E2 pop up, had a front deck for hauling toys, high ground clearance. 20 ft nose to tail. Most of our camping was off the grid. Had higher ground clearance than my F250 4x4.

I’ve been a tent camper/hunter all of my life. Finally hit the stage where I was done roughing it on a winter deer hunt where the wind blew continuously and temps never got above freezing. You had to be inside either the tent or truck if you weren’t hunting. Heater had to be going. Even though the tent was a good one, Kodiac, it sucks being inside trying to stay warm. Weather finally won…

That’s the problem with the minimalist, overlanding set ups. Weather has to be nice. You’ll be cooking, showering and eating outdoors. Can’t stand up in them either.

Interesting. Who makes that?

Sounds like you need a motor home, trailer, and a jeep.

Yep Intech makes good stuff. I have a two axle Flyer model that they don't appear to make any more. It has two popout queen sized tents the pull out galley and A/C. I can haul my Grizzly and Rokon together or can haul my Kawi Teryx with room for a couple of ice chests and outdoor furniture.

The wife complains about the lack of a lavatory so I put up a shower tent with portable hot water and a porta potty so she doesn't have to rough it.

Not a great pic but the only one I had on photo bucket and that Teryx fits with room to spare.

Ever heard of a tent?

Would like to know also.

Nice setup, Rio and anything that you can share on it would be appreciated.

True, MAC but high and dry makes things a lot more comfortable for the long haul.

Jmo

What model is the camper?

CRS, A couple friends have the Forest River/Wolf Pack and seem to be happy with their choices. They do pull them off road in the mountains.

We have a similar Intech, the Explore, similar to hunter's but you can (almost) stand up. Wife can, I have to hunch. "Off-road" is subjective. It should go anywhere our twenty year old Trailblazer will pull it. It's short, and has good clearance. Welded aluminum frame keeps it relatively light, I think around 2000# with the add-ons.

Nice.
Complete with outhouse!

The wife has requirements.

That is what I currently have and will probably be keeping for the near future.

I have tents, and they have their place.

crs...after a lot of thought and research I bought a 14 foot ez hauler that I will be converting.....minimalistic approach ...warm ..dry..stand up in...good off road etc...for heat I bought dickenson marine propane fireplace......bob

I think it could be the best option out there.

#1 is you get everything you want and nothing you don't.

I saw a conversion that was done super cool.

The guy carried 2 dirt bikes in it.
He gave me a tour and I'd never seen anything quite like it.
It had the standard toy hauler style crankup bed which gave room for the bikes but he'd done so much more.

The guy had a lot of talent and it showed, he'd ordered the tallest cargo trailer he could get. He told me he'd bought a junk RV for basic parts like windows and tanks, frig and some of the electronics.

The holding tanks were mounted inside instead of underneath, that made for a base for his cabinets and also his bathroom.

He did a lot of custom LED lighting, a split AC and plenty of solar on the roof.

I noticed a bigger inverter style generator in the bed of his truck, it looked to be 3500-4000 watt size, either a Honda or a Predator I'm not sure which.

It had no short comings and he said it cost him far less than anything comparable that he could of bought.

Jeff on the tntt forum some of those guys go all out...I ordered this one taller...dbl doors in back thats my storage etc,,,taller entry door...had axles flipped tongue extended ...had 2 rollers built for the back like the ones on roll off dumpsters for going in ravines....zodi hot water heaters...etc.

going to be super insulated for winter coyote hunting.....bob

Sounds pretty spot-on, Bob. Would love to see pics when you get it.

If you need certain modern creature comforts the "simple, compact. tough and not expensive" solution may be evasive. After many years and experiences using a variety of equipment, got flat serious about the actual needs and priorities.

To pull behind my old 4wd Blazer I made and rigged a trailer from the back half of a same year pickup (leaf springs) and mounted a sturdy cap. Both used. Trailer was much tougher than most RV type stuff, wheels tires same size as Blazer, tracked nicely with same width. Rigged a solid tarp/pole setup to attach to the thing for shade/protection in camp. Truck and trailer nicely carried everything I needed plus space for an elk carcass (although I never tried to sleep in there with a carcass). Could have but never did take a little ATV in it, used portable cook stove and cool chests, water in 6 gal. jugs, two 4 ft. folding tables, etc. Basic but easy and tough, and went into some very ROUGH places. Rough enough that I did consider mounting a transfer case under the trailer.

LBP

Sorry don't remember the name of the company that made that camp trailer, I gave it to my son 3 years ago, and it's at his place in Colorado, i heard the guy that built it closed up his shop. Rio7

Jumping Jack tent trailer’s was the Best 4 wheeler, camper there was, haul small wheeler all the way to big side by side, they may still be in business.

It looks perfect.

Jumping Jack is still in business.

I have a brand new 14 footer that's tall and wide, I ordered it with the barn doors instead of the ramp that's now standard.

I used it once for a 80 mile round trip.
It's become a glorified tool box on wheels.
I installed steel shelving down one wall and set my gang boxes against the other.

It could be anything I wanted it to be anytime...

Definitely thinking that building my own is the answer.

Looks pretty similar to a Kamparoo Trailer.

I’ve got a few customers that went that route and when they were built they were hard wired for 110 volts. All they had to do was fire up the suitcase generator and are gtg. Fold down beds and tables with 110/12 v lighting

LBP, It is a perfect little camper, my son has added a shower tent and a head shed, they take it to the desert, year around to ride their dirt bikes. i only used it a couple of times a year, they use it a lot. and love it. Rio7

I just posted a new thread on refilling RV water tanks from a creek while camping. RV WATER SUPPLY

Here are a few that haven't been mentioned yet that haul some toys and are suitable for off-road use, all made in USA. Not sure how large of a toy any of them can fit.

RKS Offroad: https://rksoffroad.com/
I got to see one at an overlanding fair in Salt Lake City last summer, had some cool features, like pop up roof over the bathroom for full standing height, and the roof doubles as a deck to sit chairs on.

Teton X Porter: https://tetonx.com/porter
Might be a little tight to fit a side-by-side, but probably works for motorcycles. Made in St George, UT. Their Hybrid model is real cool, but has a 24 month lead time.

AntiShanty: https://antishanty.com/
Made near Logan, UT. Also saw one at the show last summer, lots of modifications possible.

My wife's sister has just what you are looking for. 16 or 18 foot toy hauler. The queen sized bed elevates up against the ceiling, and an ATV can be parked underneath.

I suppose one's definition of prohibitively expensive would vary. But these folks are not real well off.

Bottom line, somebody does build them.

Tetonx is a company owned by a high school buddy of mine. He has done really well in getting a good company off the ground and is a great guy.

Thanks for all the info, reasearching it all.

RKS offroad looks possible.
Teton X- not doing the tent thing
Like the shanty, but too small I am afraid.

Idaho Shooter- what make is your relatives small toy hauler?

Yes, "off road" is subjective. Places I have taken campers in the past had them falling apart at the seems. Most campers are framed with 2x2" wood frames and cannot take real off road camping. I am talking getting back in for hunting: bolders, washes, 10" ruts,etc. Driving on a dirt road and pulling off in a flat spot in the grass or prairie is one thing. Pulling for four to six hours on undeveloped, rutted and rocked up two-tracks is another story.
Looking at prices of true off road capable rigs reinforces my decision to build one from a modified enclosed utility trailer.
Best of luck on your search. I can say that stopping in town to buy wood, caulk, angle iron and screws to limp one back home can put a damper on the mood, lol.