MaineBumpkin
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #1
Looking for some advice / feedback regarding off-road campers.
We currently own / haul a 35' Travel Trailer but with a JLUR 3.6L on order we are already planning an epic (to us) x-country trip in 2022. Originally we were planning to tent camp because the whole roof-top idea doesn't appeal to me and we want to run with the soft top. Then we started to think about all the gear we would need to buy / pack (which would fill the Jeep) and the fact we had no way to bring our Kayaks when we go Jeep camping. After all that thinking we 'think' we are ready to ditch the 8,000lb condo on wheels and change the way we camp by migrating to an off-road capable camper.
We still want some of the conveniences of a camper, especially when hookups are available (AC / Heat / On board water, Roof Rack, etc.) but we also want something we can boondock with where no 'typical' camper / tow vehicle will travel. The one compromise being that there will be some places we just cannot pull it (The Rubicon).
All that said I've looked at several options and seem to be down to:
No Bo 10.6
Geo Pro 12SRK
E-Pro 12SRK
Yes, there are other options but I can't bring myself to pay 30-50k for a hard sided tent on (all be it beefy) wheels. With the off-road package my 3 choices seem pretty capable although the axle placement on the two SRK's (basically same camper?) seem to give it a departure angle advantage over the No Bo. I like the rear kitchen setup on the SRK's too but I love the bat wing awning on the No Bo.
My problem is that I can't really find many reviews from people who took these units down anything more substantial than a slightly bumpy gravel road. You would think these manufacturers would give one to someone like TrailRecon and say 'go put it to the test and make a video'. Maybe they are afraid they would fall apart I did find one video tour where a guy with a JLUR was using a No Bo 10.6 but I was surprised to see him using a WD hitch. Not sure I would bother when pulling 2,700lbs and 270lb on the tongue. He did have a pretty cool inverter setup on the front of the camper so his tongue may have been pushing the 350 max.
I see some members have the campers listed above so any real-world experience / advice would be greatly appreciated! Any regrets? Any places you planned to go that you turned back? Any bad experiences towing over rough terrain? Any cool mods / accessories you would recommend?
One last thing, it seems Forest River owns all 3 brands but the No Bo's price point seems to be several thousand higher. Any one have any idea why that is? Quality perhaps?
Thanks everyone and sorry for the long post, hopefully many people (besides me) will find it helpful.
We currently own / haul a 35' Travel Trailer but with a JLUR 3.6L on order we are already planning an epic (to us) x-country trip in 2022. Originally we were planning to tent camp because the whole roof-top idea doesn't appeal to me and we want to run with the soft top. Then we started to think about all the gear we would need to buy / pack (which would fill the Jeep) and the fact we had no way to bring our Kayaks when we go Jeep camping. After all that thinking we 'think' we are ready to ditch the 8,000lb condo on wheels and change the way we camp by migrating to an off-road capable camper.
We still want some of the conveniences of a camper, especially when hookups are available (AC / Heat / On board water, Roof Rack, etc.) but we also want something we can boondock with where no 'typical' camper / tow vehicle will travel. The one compromise being that there will be some places we just cannot pull it (The Rubicon).
All that said I've looked at several options and seem to be down to:
No Bo 10.6
Geo Pro 12SRK
E-Pro 12SRK
Yes, there are other options but I can't bring myself to pay 30-50k for a hard sided tent on (all be it beefy) wheels. With the off-road package my 3 choices seem pretty capable although the axle placement on the two SRK's (basically same camper?) seem to give it a departure angle advantage over the No Bo. I like the rear kitchen setup on the SRK's too but I love the bat wing awning on the No Bo.
My problem is that I can't really find many reviews from people who took these units down anything more substantial than a slightly bumpy gravel road. You would think these manufacturers would give one to someone like TrailRecon and say 'go put it to the test and make a video'. Maybe they are afraid they would fall apart I did find one video tour where a guy with a JLUR was using a No Bo 10.6 but I was surprised to see him using a WD hitch. Not sure I would bother when pulling 2,700lbs and 270lb on the tongue. He did have a pretty cool inverter setup on the front of the camper so his tongue may have been pushing the 350 max.
I see some members have the campers listed above so any real-world experience / advice would be greatly appreciated! Any regrets? Any places you planned to go that you turned back? Any bad experiences towing over rough terrain? Any cool mods / accessories you would recommend?
One last thing, it seems Forest River owns all 3 brands but the No Bo's price point seems to be several thousand higher. Any one have any idea why that is? Quality perhaps?
Thanks everyone and sorry for the long post, hopefully many people (besides me) will find it helpful.
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