Best Expedition Trailers of 2023

Each year, we take a long, hard look at the expedition trailer market to see what’s new, what’s hot, and what’s worth your hard-earned cash. Our past lists in 2021 and 2022 featured a wide range of options for virtually any on- or off-grid needs at all sorts of price points. The same is true of this year’s list.

You’ll see some familiar faces in our 2023 rundown of the best expedition trailers. You’ll also see some new entries that we’ve never featured before but that have been in the industry for years designing and building reliable, durable trailers for your expedition needs.

So, without further ado, let’s see which companies made the cut for this year’s list of the best expedition trailers!

Editor’s Note: Bookmark this article and check back frequently, as this is a dynamic list that we’ll update throughout the year.

Table of Contents

• Alcom Offroad
• Sportsrig
• Rustic Mountain Overland
• Sunnyside Offroad
• Space Trailers
• Alpacamper
• Patriot Campers
• Turtleback Trailers

Alcom Offroad

This year’s top spot goes to Alcom Offroad, an innovative company whose expedition and off-road trailers are smartly designed, impeccably built, and offer all the features you need to get out and camp more often.

I want to specifically highlight The Spur, Alcom Offroad’s smallest unit at 135 inches long and 74 inches wide. But don’t think that because it’s a small trailer that it’s short on features…nothing could be further from the truth!

Let’s start up top, where you can add an optional CVT Mt. Rainier rooftop tent. This tent offers ample space for you and your significant other to get a good night’s sleep off the cold ground and away from predators. The tent is housed on a 65” Rhino Rack HD roof rack with 70” RTC tracks and three RLT legs. It’s the ideal platform for the tent!

The trailer itself is made of aluminum using box tube construction, so it’s lightweight yet incredibly strong and able to withstand the tough conditions of expedition travel. The bonded .063 aluminum exterior sheets are powder coated for added durability.

Inside the trailer is a vast array of amenities you don’t often find on trailers of this size. For example, you get a locking slide-out kitchenette that’s 32 inches wide, 15 inches deep, and eight inches tall. The galley includes a two-burner cooktop/sink combo, and there’s a separate slide-out for a 60-liter Dometic fridge/freezer.

Additionally, you get a 20-gallon fresh water tank and a 12-volt on-demand hot water heater that pumps out water at a rate of one gallon per minute. There’s a 42″ W x 21″ D x 21″ H driver’s side dry storage box, a 20-pound propane tank with a regulator, and three LED porch lights, too.

One of my favorite features, though, is the onboard power system. There’s a Zamp solar inlet for adding solar power and a DC volt meter for battery management. Speaking of batteries, you get two deep-cycle marine-grade batteries mounted in the trailer’s front storage box. You can upgrade the batteries to lithium if you like.

The trailer rides on a 3500-pound Dexter axle and Black Mod 15-inch Apex wheels with ST235/75R15 6H tires. You get 17.5 inches of ground clearance and a 50-degree departure angle for those particularly difficult off-road trips. Wherever your tow vehicle can go, The Spur can go, too!

Alcom Offroad offers a host of upgrades you can select to make The Spur an even more functional trailer for your needs. You can add a spare tire and rim with stud patterns on all five tires to match your vehicle. You can also add a 1000-watt inverter and a solar panel for off-grid power.

At the end of the day, The Spur is a fantastic example of an expedition trailer. It’s purpose-built for exploring and has a wide range of standard features (far more than I listed!) that give you a lot of bang for your buck.

But more than that, The Spur is built like a tank and gives you the peace of mind that it can handle just about anything you throw at it. When you’re exploring this big, beautiful world of ours, having trustworthy gear is a must – and that’s exactly what you get from Alcom Offroad with this made-in-the-USA expedition trailer!

Learn more about The Spur from Alcom Offroad

Sportsrig

When shopping for an expedition trailer, you definitely want a few crucial features: excellent towability, superb off-road prowess, and a budget-friendly price. SportsRig’s Trailstomper trailers certainly fit the bill!

In terms of towability, it doesn’t get much better than a trailer that weighs around 700 pounds dry. With a trailer this light, you can tow it with virtually any vehicle – four-cylinder Jeeps, compact SUVs, and even UTVs (but check the towing capacity of your rig first, of course).

The Trailstomper has an independent FOX coil-over suspension, beefy and aggressive off-road tires, and heavy-duty trailing arms, ensuring you can tow this trailer over virtually any terrain.

And while you’re exploring your favorite off-road locations, you can do so knowing that the Trailstomper’s fabricated steel frame will hold up to the rough-and-tumble nature of off-road travel. The trailer has a black powder-coated finish for added durability, Grade 8 hardware, and LED trailer lights, too.

All the way around the Trailstomper, you’ll find evidence of it being a beautifully designed, well-built, highly durable trailer. For example, the trailer has aluminum storage boxes that are lockable and powder coated, that way, your gear is secure and protected from the elements.

The trailer also has a modular design that enables you to customize it to your specific needs. Add a fridge box, propane tanks, solar panels…you name it! What’s more, you can add these and other features all at once when you order your trailer or add them as your needs change.

This modularity is one of the Trailstomper’s best features because you can build a truly personalized trailer…

Perhaps it’s just you and your significant other right now, and you don’t need extra storage boxes, trays, or other accessories. But if a little one comes along and you need added storage and amenities, you can add them to your Trailstomper as needed. 

On top of all that, there are two Trailstomper models to choose from: the TS1 and the Pro Package.

The TS1 features the amenities discussed above as well as a large aluminum chuck box that measures 43″ w x 40″ L x 26″ H. There’s more storage, too, with a 20” x 39” front cargo tray and an upper cargo rack that also accommodates a rooftop tent.

The aforementioned all-terrain tires ride on 14” steel wheels, and the trailer connects to your vehicle with a 2” coupler. The TS1 comes with a one-year warranty as well. Best of all, this trailer starts at just $7,995. You won’t find many trailers this well-equipped for that price!

The Pro Package kicks it up a notch with a few additional features that make it an even more capable off-road expedition trailer.

For example, you get everything from the TS1 package plus 37″ x 15 1/2″ x 12″ aluminum side boxes, a 30″ x 20″ x 20″ tongue-mounted gear box, and a 450-pound capacity pull-out slide tray for a chuck box. Needless to say, storage is not an issue with this rig!

The Pro Package also includes aluminum wheels, a spare tire, and a 2” rear hitch receiver for adding hitch-mounted accessories like a bike rack. You also get rear stabilizers and a leveling jack to give the trailer a solid foundation when you’re ready to set up camp. You get all that for $13,495. Not bad!

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention one of the very best features of these trailers – they’re made in the USA by a family-run business. That’s how you know these trailers are so well-made! It’s also nice to purchase products that help local economies and keep jobs here in the U.S.

At the end of the day, you want your expedition trailer to be functional, durable, and reliable. It’s nice to get those things without breaking the bank, too. As I said earlier, SportsRig ticks all those boxes and more!

Learn more about SportsRig trailers

Rustic Mountain Overland

I was at Overland West in Flagstaff not too long ago and was walking to an interview when I saw the Rustic Mountain Overland Anzac GFC Moto Hauler. It literally stopped me in my tracks! Why, you ask?

It’s simple, really. I had never seen a trailer like this before – an expedition trailer with a splash of toy hauler and a dash of rugged off-road camper all wrapped up in a tidy little package. Talk about unique!

As you can see in the images, there’s a sleeping platform up top with a GFC tent for your sleeping comfort. Underneath that is a 48″ x 99″ tub for your motorcycle or whatever else you need to store. The tub has an integrated L-track tie-down system that allows you to secure whatever cargo you have inside.

And by inside, I mean that the storage area has locking doors on all four sides. Close them up and lock them to secure your gear when you’re not around. When you’re ready to kick back and relax at camp after a day of adventuring, deploy the upward-opening doors for easy access to your gear and the added bonus of sheltered outdoor space.

BUT…this bad boy is actually so much more. Not only do you have access to the rooftop sleeping area from inside the trailer, but depending on how you have it set up, you can also use some of the indoor storage space to have a seat and sip your morning coffee. This setup, called a Go Fast Camper, expands the trailer’s functionality even further!

The Anzac GFC Moto Hauler doesn’t stop there with the goodies, though…

You get a robust tongue box with upper and lower chambers. The lower chamber has a Tembo Tusk box slide and a Dometic CFX3-45 cooler with a Dometic PLB-40 battery to power it. The upper chamber is ideal for cookware, clothing, recovery gear – whatever you need!

And if this rig is a bit too big for your needs, Rustic Mountain Overland’s Patrol XCT might be up your alley.

The XCT improves and expands upon the Patrol XC with a tongue box and cargo basket up front, a custom 16-inch-tall roof rack up top, and a Timbren HD 2200LB axleless suspension below. 

The trailer also comes with 31-inch AT tires wrapped around 15-inch wheels, a Lock-N-Roll hitch, and a textured powder-coated finish for durability (and good looks!). You can choose from a host of colors and optional features, too, including an armor package, a custom bed liner, a matching spare tire, and a Cruisemaster CRS2 suspension.

In either case, you get a high-quality, well-built, made-in-the-USA trailer that has all the features you need and none of the extra weight you don’t want. When taking a fun-filled expedition this year, you can set yourself up for success with a trailer from Rustic Mountain Overland!

As if all that isn’t enough, this small family-owned and operated business is dedicated to a customer care experience like no other. Before, during, and after the sale, the folks from Rustic Mountain Overland will treat you how they want to be treated – as it should be!

Learn more about Rustic Mountain Overland

Sunnyside Offroad

Next up on our list of the best expedition trailers of 2023 is the Bunejug from Sunnyside Offroad.

As you’d expect from Sunnyside Offroad, this trailer is ultra-capable for your expeditions and is loaded with features that allow you to set up a base camp quickly so you can do more exploring.

The Bunejug sits atop a custom-fabricated long-travel independent trailing arm suspension. Combined with load-adjusting shocks, this trailer has one of the best suspensions on the market that all but guarantees a smooth trailering experience on- and off-road.

The trailer is just 650 pounds, so it’s light enough to be towed by small vehicles, including UTVs. It offers a static weight capacity of 550 pounds, which is plenty for you, an adventure buddy, and an optional rooftop tent.

The sleeping footprint is 46″ x 94″. You get a peak internal height in the optional tent of 45″ so you can get up and move around. Add a 5′ x 5′ annex for additional protected space, and you have the makings of a solid setup for sleeping, taking off muddy shoes, showering, and so forth.

The optional tent offers a 3″ high-density foam mattress with a washable poly/cotton cover for easy cleaning. The tent fabric is 280G poly-cotton rip-stop with a one-inch aluminum internal frame. The no-see-um mesh keeps the mosquitos out while giving you a nice view of your surroundings outside.

You’ll also stay dry in the tent thanks to the 420D polyester Oxford material that features taped seams and PU coating – a must for spring and fall trips when rain is more likely.

The Bunejug was designed and tested in Reno, Nevada, where the Sunnyside Offroad team has easy access to some of the most epic adventure areas in the world. The Bunejug is a reflection of that – a tried-and-tested expedition rig that can handle the toughest of terrain.

Perhaps best of all, the Bunejug is about as budget-friendly as it gets. Pricing starts at $9,625, which enables you to get into the overlanding and expedition groove without costing you an arm and a leg!

Learn more about the Sunnyside Offroad Bunejug

Space Trailers

Ask anyone who owns a trailer what the worst part of trailer ownership is, and my guess is that they’d tell you they take up a ton of space. I keep my trailer in a storage unit so it’s out of the way, but I have to pay for that privilege – not ideal! Other folks keep their trailers in their driveways or on the street in front of their house, which isn’t ideal either.

But what if I told you that you could have a trailer and the space you need for your vehicles, adventure gear, and so forth?

This might seem like a fantasy, but Space Trailers has done it. I had the privilege of seeing Space Trailers up close and personal at this year’s Overland West Expo, and I have to say that the photos included here simply do not do it justice. It is far and away one of the most innovative trailers I’ve seen in years.

So how has Space Trailers made giving you more space a reality with their lightweight trailer? You can store vertically. Yes – vertically!

How is this possible, you ask?

It’s simple, really. On the back of the trailer is a Space Bumper that offers a perfectly flat surface for storing the trailer vertically. As you can see in the image above, the trailer’s tongue adjusts downward to ensure the trailer has the smallest vertical footprint possible.

Additionally, the base trailer weighs approximately 625 pounds, so it’s super lightweight and easily maneuverable. The large Luv Handles on either side of the trailer and the wheeled tongue jack enhance the trailer’s maneuverability further.

Space Trailers come in various models, including the LowRider ST, HighRider ST, and HighRider XL. The difference between the LowRider and HighRider models is how the axle is mounted to the leaf spring. LowRider springs are below the axle while the springs are above the axle on HighRider models.

This, along with available 13-inch or 15-inch wheels, enable you to choose a trailer that matches your vehicle’s ride height. For example, a LowRider ST with standard 13-inch wheels has a tongue height of 14 inches, which is ideal for smaller vehicles. The HighRider XL, on the other hand, comes standard with 15-inch wheels giving the trailer tongue a height of 21 inches for taller vehicles.

No matter which model you go with, you get the advantage of having the ultimate functionality. Whether you need to use the trailer to carry camping gear, a few bikes, a kayak or two, or something in between, its ingenious design makes it easy to adapt to your specific needs.

What’s more, these sport utility cargo trailers have a low-profile, aerodynamic design that helps you save on fuel costs. The less money you spend on fuel, the more money you have to pay for your adventures!

While some small, lightweight trailers are little more than a metal box on wheels, Space Trailers offer loads of features and amenities that help you get your adventure on. For example, the base trailer comes with goodies like:

• A 4×7 foot box with a non-skid floor to keep your gear in place.
• A tailgate that flips open to 90 or 180 degrees.
• A removable UV protectant .25-inch-thick HDPE canopy with an aluminum frame that is easily opened, even if you have gear mounted on top of it.
• Gas cylinders on either side of the trailer that assist with opening and closing the canopy. These cylinders can accommodate up to 300 pounds of gear.
• 13-inch Mod Black steel rims with highway-rated radial tires that can go off-road and up to 80 mph on the highway.
• A 4-foot tongue that’s bolted to the frame which allows it to flip down for vertical storage applications.

On top of all that, Space Trailers have bright LED lights on the back and the side of the trailer, a four-prong lighting receiver, galvanized steel frame, and six galvanized steel tie-down rings for securing your gear.

All Space Trailers also come equipped with a 2-inch ball and coupler, safety chains, and, as mentioned earlier, a wheeled tongue jack to aid in moving the trailer when parked.

But, like any good trailer company, Space Trailers gives you plenty of options for customizing the trailer to your specific needs. You can add heavy-duty gas cylinders that support 400 pounds – perfect for adding a rooftop tent to the mix. You can also add a kayak rack, a bike carrier, or a 6.5-foot awning, to name a few options.

In other words, Space Trailers give you the flexibility to add what you need without bogging the trailer down with a bunch of stuff that isn’t necessary. And since these trailers are made in the USA (in Red Wing, Minnesota, to be exact) by a family-owned company, you know that the quality of the materials and the craftsmanship of the trailer are second to none.

Lightweight adventure trailers are a dime a dozen these days. But Space Trailers stand out from the crowd because of their sheer functionality. Use it to haul your kayak one day, garden supplies the next, and take it camping the day after that!

As the cherry on top, these trailers start at just $4,999. Talk about budget-friendly! Not only does Space Trailers help you save precious space, but it also helps you save fuel, and save money. What’s not to like?!

Learn more about Space Trailers

Alpacamper

The problem with some expedition trailers is that they don’t have the space, features, or amenities to enable long-distance travel for the entire family. But then there are trailers like the Alpacamper A1 that’s rugged, ready for the most challenging trails, and maximizes the capacity for your gear and other necessities – just what you want in an expedition trailer! 

This trailer is built on a hot-dipped galvanized frame with an off-road independent suspension with double shock absorbers, trailing arms, and coil springs. Having the lowest center of gravity of any similar sized expedition trailer, it is virtually impossible to roll-over over challenging terrain under appropriate speed. add in 32-inch off-road mud-terrain tires for good measure, and you have a recipe for a highly capable expedition trailer!

The trailer has a host of features and amenities that you simply don’t find in many expedition trailers. For example, you get dual 20-gallon water tanks for a combined 40 gallons of water storage capacity – one in the front and one in the rear for the optimal cargo weight distribution flexibility. 

There’s also a portable cassette toilet, a slide-out kitchen, and a rotomolded cooler. You even get a 75L dual compartment, dual temperature freezer/refrigerator! You can also enjoy a 2000-watt inverter, a 2048wh fast-charging smart LiFePO4 portable solar generator. As I said…this trailer is purpose-built for long-distance overlanding adventures!  

But that’s not all this trailer has to offer…

The A1 has a large rooftop tent for two adults and a child. When you aren’t snoozing away in the tent, you can set up a massive outdoor living area under the 180-degree awning (shown above). In fact, the awning has a floor, sidewalls, windows, and a front door, so it can be a completely enclosed and protected space when the weather outside is less than ideal. 

Such a large enclosed tent area can double as a playroom for the kiddos, meanwhile mom and pop can have privacy, peace and quiet in the roof top tent. You can also sleep up to 8 people with four double bunk beds inside the enclosed tent area! Not to mention with a low entry height to the roof top tent of just 4 feet, getting down from the roof top tent couldn’t be any more easier and safer. 

Other features include:

• 20-pound propane tank compartment
• 4 stabilizer jacks
• 4 recovery hooks
• Pass-through storage
• 10” heavy-duty jockey wheel
• Electric brakes plus a hand brake

With a long list of features, you probably think this is a big, heavy trailer. You’d be wrong, though!

At 133 x 78 x 41 inches, this trailer is ultra-compact. And with a dry weight of 2,258 pounds, a tongue weight of 300 pounds, and a GVWR of 4,740 pounds, it can be easily towed with various vehicles. And that’s precisely what you want in an expedition trailer – something compact, lightweight, and capable of handling difficult terrain.

Alpacamper is a U.S.-based company that has spent years perfecting its trailer designs – and it shows! It’s hard to build a trailer with this many features in such a small package, but these folks have done it and done it well.

And with a base price of $20,800, the A1 also represents incredible bang for your buck. Spend less money on your trailer while getting more features than you do with other rigs. What’s not to like?!

Learn more about the Alpacamper A1

Patriot Campers

Another fine option for your expedition travel needs is the X1 from Patriot Campers. This trailer was designed in Australia, a continent with some of the harshest expedition travels you could possibly imagine. For those of us in the USA, these trailers are coming soon and offer off-road capability and luxurious accommodations in a small package.

If you’re like me and you enjoy cooking, the Patriot Campers X1’s galley will be a favorite feature. It has an L-shaped kitchen with slide-out shelving, a Dometic stove and grill, and an integrated spice rack. There’s also a large sink with hot and cold water, a large food drawer for dry goods, and stainless steel bench tops for prep space.

On the power front, the X1 has a REDARC Manager 30 management system with a switch panel and dual gel or AGM batteries. You can also enjoy gas hot water service and more than 40 gallons of onboard fresh water storage.

This trailer doesn’t skimp on storage, either. All told, there is around 70 cubic feet liters of storage space, including a utility slide-out with an RHS option, a man cave with a utility shelf option, and a large rear drawer with dividers. You also get increased storage space in the RHS with an inverter and a charging shelf for your devices.

The X1 features an X-Cruise coil 1.60T dual-shock suspension with 10-inch electric drum brakes. You get 16-inch PCOR wheels wrapped in 33-inch mud-terrain tires to attack just about any trail.

Additionally, there’s an X-Cruise airbag suspension and a Rigilite Chassis, plus a 40-degree departure angle. Not bad, right?!

On top of all that, the X1 takes just 10 minutes to set up. Just pull into camp, get your trailer ready to go, and then you can commence with exploring the terrain around you.

With features like an optional kids room and a changing room that connects to the rooftop tent, the X1 gives you the flexibility you need to go on solo expeditions or trips with friends and family.

Learn more about the Patriot Campers X1

Turtleback Trailers

Earlier this year, Turtleback Trailers unfortunately had to cease production. This was devastating news for the industry, but gladly, Turtleback will be back in the fourth quarter of this year building new trailers again.

If you follow my adventures at all, you know that I have a Turtleback Expedition Trailer that I picked up in 2020. It has proven to be a rock star no matter where I’ve gone, be that to established campgrounds near my house, deep in the backcountry in the Sierra Nevadas, or various points in between.

The Expedition T1 comes with a welded 2×3 galvanized tube steel chassis and a Timbren axle-less 3500HD suspension. The suspension is paired with 16-inch steel wheels with 265/75R16 all-terrain tires. You also get a tailgate with a spare mount swing that features a flip-down table.

One of my favorite features is the Birch kitchen. It has an 18-inch Partner Steel stove with a deep well Dometic stainless steel sink. There’s a tempered glass topper for the sink that gives you that much more prep space when you’re whipping up meals.

The trailer comes with a 42-gallon BPA-free water tank and an on-demand 12-volt water pump. The 6-gallon Dometic water heater ensures you have plenty of water to do dishes or clean up after a long day on the trail.

As for the electrical system, you get a control panel with a Blue Sea 8-circuit breaker panel, Blue Sea marine-grade components, and a single Group 31 AGM deep cycle battery.

Other goodies include an 11-pound propane tank, a four-rail powder-coated steel roof rack for cargo or a rooftop tent, and plentiful storage with a nose box and side boxes. The aluminum body kit not only looks fantastic, but it’s also highly durable to stand up to the rigors of your explorations.

Of course, Turtleback offers a wide range of upgrades and optional features that enable you to create a truly bespoke adventure rig for your specific needs. But that’s to be expected from one of the leaders in the expedition trailer industry!

Learn more about the Turtleback Trailers Expedition Series