Tow The Smart Way on the Trails

What you need to know about overlanding with a trailer.

by

Words by Peter Yardonov

We have towed and used many off-road trailers over the years. After a lot of trial and error, we became pretty proficient with them but it hasn't been without some bumps, bruises, and a little sweat along the way.

One of our recent overland adventures involved towing two trailers up to the mining community of Cerro Gordo, located on the west side of Death Valley National Park near Lone Pine, CA. During our past overlanding experiences, we often encountered at least one minor glitch. However, a few of them on our most recent run - like getting lost, spending more than an hour reverse-engineering through a rock garden and coming across a washed-out trail - were exhausting experiences although we were always up for the challenges.

Following this overland outing and at the time of writing, we realized this is an article that we wished we had written and read before. There are many benefits of towing off-road trailers when overlanding and just as many reasons ‌so many enthusiasts use them. Here are several points to consider whether you’re in the market to buy a trailer, want to enhance the use of your existing one or are just looking for some best practices for added safety.

What are the Benefits of an Off-Road Trailer?

There are a number of ways to be comfortable while camping off-grid including using a tent, an RTT, or modifying a 4x4 with sleeping accommodations, and all are viable and popular options. However, we like to think that an off-road trailer is an extension of a 4x4, which not only provides a great place to sleep, but it’s where you can store additional gear, be provided with optimal protection from the elements, and prolong trips. Other advantages include:

  • Using it as a comfortable home base.
  • More designated space for gear, thus reducing the time to prep for trips, (especially if your trailer is always loaded and ready to go at a moment’s notice).
  • Some are rigged with various systems and/or appliances and can integrate larger power systems for chargers, tools, and more.
  • Increased living space
  • Reduced weight and increase space in your 4x4/tow vehicle

The Basics of an Off-Road Trailer

Off-road trailers are designed to be towed over rough terrain. Naturally, there are limitations of where you can haul it, but there are several construction and design features to provide reliability in the backcountry.

For example, it’s important to understand the strength (and weight) of the materials used for the chassis, frame, roof, even the storage areas, windows, and entry doors. Some of the more specific features that manufacturers offer include being equipped with the same tires size and bolt pattern as your 4x4, an articulating 360° rotational hitch with three-axis movement (we like the Lock-n Roll and MaxCoupler) as well a rear-mounted recovery point(s).

A two-inch receiver, stone and skid guards, and materials like R16 insulation, aluminum composite panels and aluminum diamond plating for optimal strength are other appointments incorporated into off-road trailers.

Driving with a Trailer

Off-roading on difficult trails and roads can be challenging enough in your 4x4, let alone having a trailer on the hitch. For some conditions, you’ll require a new set of driving skills to ensure you get to your destination safely. First, since there are two or four additional wheels to manage, understand that each set follows a different trail every time you turn, especially on narrow, rocky, and tough terrain. Trial and error is the best way to learn and some tips we suggest include:

  • Practicing at Home

If you're new to towing or not familiar with the way a trailer handles, get a feel for it in your driveway, hitching it to your rig, backing it up, parking, and using the stabilizer jacks. You may also want to change the tires so the process will be familiar should you get a flat on the trail or highway.

  • Understanding Trailer Weight and Balance: Keeping the load light and balanced is just smart towing, no matter where you travel. Remember to never place heavier items on the axle and always consider the weight of the trailer battery(s) in the forward nose box.

A good rule of thumb is to place the trailer's centre of gravity from front to back, approximately.5 m (about 1 ft) ahead of the axle line and ensure it’s balanced on both sides. Also, avoid overloading on the rear axle, which can offset the trailer's tongue weight, and place heavier items in the centre of the interior.

  • Lower Tire Pressure: Lowering tire pressure not only provides an overall comfortable ride (and improved shock absorption in some conditions) but allows the trailer to better handle rocky, gravel, and washed-out roads. Many enthusiasts recommend lowering the tire pressure to the same level as the tow vehicle tires.
  • High-Centered Trailers: Unfortunately, some trailers can get centered on rocks or other large obstacles. You can get it free by using a Hi-Lift Jack and cushion its landing by placing softer terrain underneath.
  • Downhill Driving: One of the best ways to handle slippery hills or inclines is by shifting into 4WD-low and engaging your rig’s hill descent feature (if it has one). To slow your descent, use your trailer's electric brakes. In the event the trailer swings sideways, apply a single trailer brake to straighten it out.
  • Whoop de Doos: Sudden ‘difficulties’ - otherwise known as whoop de doos - can be dangerous. The most important rule when towing an off-road trailer is to drive slowly and be as efficient as possible. It’s also dangerous to tow a trailer too fast, especially on loose gravel roads.
  • Deep Gully Crossings: It’s not uncommon to get stuck crossing a deep gully especially when it’s steep at the bottom followed by a sharp incline. Sometimes, the hitch can dig into the ground at the bottom of the gully or the trailer can slide sideways in slippery conditions.

Winching and Other Best Practises

Use Your Winch over Challenging Terrain: Rather than add stress to your vehicle's driveline when driving on difficult terrain, your winch can gently pull your entire trailer up. Instead of just pushing the main drivetrain, you can use the winch to gain that motion when stuck. A winch is basically an additional device that helps the trailer load and unload various objects.

Side Winching with a High-Lift

Winching with a Hi-Lift Jack is an effective form of recovery and although we have never rolled a trailer, we have assisted others on the trail who have. Using the jack, we moved his trailer sideways, then pulled it upright back on its wheels.

As discussed earlier, a winch can be extremely helpful for off-road drivers when they get stuck. So, you can also use the winch sideways, which is very effective and you can also help others recover. In short, using winch sideways is a good back-up plan to get rid of that extra stress when you’re on relentless terrain.   

Use Spotters

Spotting others ensures the utmost safety and is equally important (if not more) when you have a trailer on the hitch. Remember, the trailer tires will take a different route than your vehicle's so it’s wise to have someone help you navigate around obstacles.

Rims and Tires

Depending on your trailer, try to have the same tire sizes and rims as your 4x4, which means you’ll only need one spare should you blow one on the trail. While convenient, it’s always best to be prepared and bring a spare for both the trailer and your 4x4 on extended trips.

Hub-Centric Wheel Adaptors/Spacers

With their many benefits, wheel adaptors and spacers fit on the trailer's hubs and they must be hub-centric. Before purchasing wheel adaptors for your trailer hubs, be sure to consult an expert at your local shop.

Towing on the Highway

Any trailer can extend your stopping distance and to ensure the utmost safety on busy, fast-paced highways or rural roads, pay attention to your speed, traffic, and keep a safe distance from other vehicles. Also, be aware of municipal, provincial or state highway traffic laws as some regions require chains on trailer wheels in winter weather and if the axle has brakes.

Final Thoughts

Proper planning, understanding best safety practices, and ensuring that you have all the ‌gear is time well invested and provides stress-free trips and more enjoyable times on the road. For more details and information on models available be sure to visit Black Series Campers at www.blackseries.net.