Indholdsfortegnelse for Summer 2008 i Overland Journal

Four hundred and seventy five miles from the nearest town, almost all on gravel roads—that’s the reality I must keep in mind. That, and the fact that my wife and I would be driving there in a 33-year-old, short-wheelbase Land Rover. With two dogs. And no other vehicles. The Trans-Taiga Road, in the James Bay region of northern Quebec, is the most remote place accessible by vehicle in North America. Although not the 4WD adventure we’re used to, what this trip lacks in technical difficulties it more than makes up for in isolation, and the planning and logistics that requires. The trip there and back would cover over 4,000 miles, and take us on more than 1,100 miles of gravel road. That’s not to say we would just jump in…

When was the last time you packed for a camping trip in less than 30 minutes? I don’t think I’ve ever been that lucky. However, I’ve never owned a trailer designed to make camping an effortless, pack-some-food-and-go lark. Even though my Tacoma is permanently equipped with basic supplies and equipment, I always have to add certain things: sleeping bag, pillow, cooking gear, gadgets, camp chairs, maybe a table—the list goes on, depending on the trip. But in the last couple of weeks I’ve discovered what it would be like to own a dedicated trailer packed with my entire kit—just hitch up, turn on the fridge and toss in some steaks and beer, and leave. Of course, anyone with an Airstream can do the same thing. But the trailers we reviewed…

The Jumping Jack is a versatile trailer that serves three functions: First, it provides a large, tall, and comfortable living space that will keep you out of the elements with room for several people to sit, sleep, eat, and even walk around. Second, it provides a large steel platform for transporting all manner of large and heavy cargo, including recreational toys, field equipment, tools, etc. (up to approximately 1,800 pounds) Third, it can be converted to a standard utility trailer by removing the tent and securing the deck panels upright, which makes the front and sides nearly five feet tall. You will have a tough time hurting this trailer. It’s built of heavy-duty, welded steel with a black powdercoat finish. The floor deck is made of sealed wood planks. The…

The goal of this review was not to compare similar trailers and declare an Editor’s Choice, but to explore a variety of approaches that fill different needs. We assembled a group of manufacturer’s representatives and a test team in Central Arizona for a multi-day session that combined backcountry driving and camping. We spent some time on twisty paved roads and straight highways, and finally used a single test vehicle to tow each trailer through a closed-course test track in the mountains. The test team comprised myself and four others: Jeremy and Windy Edgar (regular Overland Journal gear testers; see Summer and Winter 2007), and Tim Huber and Danica Moore. Tim and Danica are avid explorers who roam the western U.S. and Mexico in a Toyota 4Runner. Part of Tim’s background…

Although we were unable to secure one in time for our test, we wanted to include some information about Outlander. I was able to examine these trailers at the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab last year, and was impressed with the utilitarian nature of the design. The basic concept is a tube steel frame, almost like a cage, to which various cargo boxes and equipment are mounted. This modular approach allows Outlander to offer various models and configurations. The 11-gauge steel framework provides a sturdy and protective means of transporting a payload over technical terrain in the backcountry. The Sherpa (pictured) is a compact model; the Sherpa II is a larger version with either a top-loading or rear-access main box. Another model, the Traverse, can transport adventure motorcycles. The dustproof…

Judging solely from its name, you’d expect the Morpho to be a far-out design—and you’d be right. Don’t bother looking for the poles when you pitch this one, because there aren’t any. The Morpho uses air instead. Stake out the Morpho’s four corners, then hook up the “Nemoid” bellows foot pump to the front air beam valve and start stepping. Like a green beast emerging from the depths, the tent rises and begins to assume a rigid, sloped-hoop shape. Inflate the second beam and you’re finished. I’ve seen a video of this accomplished in 45 seconds flat, but that was with an already-staked tent—cheating. Starting from scratch and moving quickly but smoothly, I had a best time of 2 minutes, 10 seconds—still darn fast and easily the best in test.…

The Elbow Room lived up to its goofy name: It was hands-down the most spacious floored tent here. Despite empirical dimensions similar to the Nemo and Stephenson (40 square feet), the soaring ceiling—well over 40 inches tall across most of the tent—and near vertical side and end walls, added to the light-gathering cream-colored canopy and fly to create a tremendous feeling of airiness. Admittedly, this tent is sold as a three-person model and it is the heaviest in the review, but its 7 pound, 10 ounce weight is not out of line with some smaller two-person tents. It would be perfectly comfortable for a couple with a small child. The Elbow Room follows conventional tent construction: The canopy goes up first, followed by a separate fly. The freestanding canopy is…

August 31, 1996 – Baboquivari Mountains, southern Arizona. A hot, muggy summer day, the best kind, when the normally dun-colored hills are bristling green and alive with butterflies and flowers and birds, a gift from what we call monsoon rains. Lifelong cougar hunter Jack Childs, his wife, Anna Mary, and hunting partners Matt Colvin and Gavin Weller were working their hounds in these remote, rugged mountains two hours southwest of Tucson. The terrain is so fractured and steep, it can take hours to cover just a few miles. The dogs had picked up a scent and were baying hard up in the oak-and-juniper-dotted rhyolite crags above. But something sounded wrong—the dogs were frantic, their calls more urgent than normal. Two cougars? Cubs? Scrambling up the scree slopes, the hunters gained…

A good one-line description of the Chaser would be “military meets sports and recreation, with a side of racing.” From a military aspect, the Chaser has the basic benefit of a voluminous storage box sitting atop a bombproof chassis. From a sports and recreation viewpoint, it’s a stylish trailer that can be optioned with useful things such as cargo rack systems, a roof tent, a Baltic birch kitchen shelf, a shade awning, fuel cans, a 19-gallon water tank with pump, and a fridge. Regarding the “side of racing” remark, we would never endorse such a practice, but this trailer can probably follow your tow vehicle at any speed short of wildly irresponsible. The Adventure Trailer suspension has evolved to a state of refinement you have to see and feel to…

Kamparoo is known as Cub in Australia, where they have been making trailers for three decades. Cub is distributed in North America by a Canadian company under the Kamparoo label. Our test unit is a Vacationer model equipped with a Trans-Continental package, which includes a heavier-duty axle, longer and stronger drawbar, and larger (29-inch) tires, resulting in more ground clearance and rough service capability. Several things about this trailer set it apart from the others we tested. No offense to one of the greatest women on earth (sorry mom, I’m just trying to make a point here), but my mother could tow this trailer into the bush by herself, set it up by herself, and enjoy it. It’s that easy to use. This is an excellent trailer for anyone who…

Adventure Trailers, following their tradition for innovation, will release a new overland trailer this fall. The new design combines their fast-acting independent air suspension, and a lightweight composite body. The design allows for quick set-up, and incorporates a large expandable main tent with standing head room, and a full kitchen with a stove, fridge, and water. The trailer features easily accessible storage compartments, and a built-in queen size bed. Development and testing are currently underway at Adventure Trailer's Upland, California, facility. adventuretrailers.com, 877-661-8097…

There are several sub-four-pound tents on the market. But not one boasts anything close to the 42 square feet of floor space offered by the Stephenson 2RSL, which weighs exactly three pounds—probably less than the chrome studs on a pair of leather Harley Davidson panniers. Yet the Stephenson’s two-pole, sloped-tunnel design is not only spacious, it’s incredibly strong, known to shrug off 60-mph Himalayan gales. Credit this weight-to-performance ratio to Jack Stephenson, a former aeronautical engineer. He, and now his son, William, have been sewing tents and sleeping bags for a small but loyal clientele for 40 years. (They also supply an amusing naturist-oriented catalog and website.) Stephenson uses a featherweight, 30-Denier, silicone-impregnated nylon sourced from the hot-air balloon industry—which explains the exuberant color combination on the review tent. Fortunately,…

Hilleberg, a family-run company based in Sweden (with a recent subsidiary in the U.S.), has been producing best-quality shelters for mountaineers, canoeists, and other outdoorspeople for 35 years. They pioneered the concept of linked canopies and flies that pitch in one step, and were one of the first makers to adopt superior silicone-impregnated fabrics. The Staika (made in the Hilleberg factory in Estonia) is one of their most versatile models. It’s a three-pole dome with joined canopy and fly. The poles are 10.25mm DAC Featherlight, a little fatter (and thus stronger) than commonly supplied with tents this size. The pole ends slide into short pockets around the base of the fly, after which the upper part clips on, and a separate vent top clips over that. It’s so instinctive that…

It’s strange to think of a Toyota Land Cruiser as contraband, sharing a list with absinthe, Cuban cigars, Sierra Leonean diamonds, and coca. But while 75-series Land Cruisers are ubiquitous workhorses virtually everywhere in the world, they were never imported into the U.S. Sighting one here is cause for bootleg-turn maneuvers to get a close-up view or flag down the driver. Speculation abounds as to why we have been (and continue to be) denied. Personally, I don’t buy the argument that “the U.S. market simply won’t support it.” My guess is that it has more to do with design feasibility and economics as they relate to EPA and DOT standards. Canadians share our grief to an extent, but they can import foreign vehicles that are at least 15 years old…

• Rebuilt in 1990, including a new galvanized chassis and new Defender bulkhead. • Brownchurch roof rack mounted directly to the roof panel to lower the center of gravity and reduce wind resistance. • Drivetrain: Mercedes Benz OM616 4-cylinder diesel engine with a Seriestrek adapter mated to the stock 4-speed transmission and transfer case. Rocky Mountain Rover-drive overdrive unit. • Axles: Original Land Rover housings, Toyota 4.56-ratio V6 electric-locking differentials, Seriestrek 30-spline axles, Super-winch freewheeling hubs. • Suspension: Rocky Mountain 2/3-leaf parabolic springs, military shackles, Old Man Emu dampers. • Steering: Toyota FJ60 power steering box driven by the Mercedes Benz power steering pump. Modified original steering column fitted with a Borgeson collapsible shaft and U-joints. Seriestrek heavy-duty tie rod and drag link. Miscellaneous: • Front bumper air storage tank…

The Horizon is similar to the Chaser in design; the chief difference is in physical dimensions and the number of storage compartments. The Horizon is 18 inches shorter and four inches wider than the Chaser. In addition to the main box and nose box, a full-length side box is mounted above each fender. One of the side boxes can be optioned as a kitchen, complete with a Cook Partner stainless-steel propane stove on slides, a full-length cutting board fitted to the inside of the door—which acts as a work surface when open—and a propane bottle mounted on the tongue. As on the Chaser, the optional 19-gallon water tank is UV stabilized, black rotomolded polyethylene, and includes a spigot with a hand pump, just an arm’s reach from the kitchen area.…

The Campa originated in the wilds of South Africa and Australia, and over many years has evolved into the current design, now manufactured in the U.S.A. The actual trailer used for our test is a well-traveled DRS (Disaster Reconnaissance System) unit, but is essentially the same as the ATT Explorer model built for the civilian market. The Explorer is one of two civilian ATT models, the other being the Expedition, which offers larger tent and room options. After spending some time with this trailer, and interviewing the president of Campa, Chris Cole, it became obvious that there is no better way to demonstrate the durability of a product than to showcase one that has been put through the wringer. The test trailer had endured over 140,000 miles of use, including…

RESOURCES Other trailer manufacturers of note: Aliner Expedition: aliner.com, 724-423-7440 Tentrax: tentrax.com, 800-488-2022 Jayco Baja: jayco.com, 574-825-5861 Chalet Alpine with Trailboss Package: chaletrv.com, 541-791-4610 Sylvan Sport Go Trailer: sylvansport.com, 828-883-4292 Conqueror Trailers: americanmobileresponders.com, 678-557-1008 Some of these trailers will have limited capability during extended adventures or over technical terrain. Online information: Outback Teardrop Trailer Site: outbackteardrop.com Expedition Portal Forum: expeditionportal.com/forum Teardrops and Tiny Trailers Forum: mikenchell.com/forums Special Thanks Special thanks to overland trailer owners Andrew Walcker (Adventure Trailers Horizon) and Mike Schwartz (Kamparoo Vacationer Trans-Continental) for traveling to Arizona to participate in the comparison.…

Kifaru brought a familiar shape into the 21st century to create a different approach to wilderness shelter. The 6-man Tipi is a floorless, single-wall, ellipsoidal pyramid, supported by a central aluminum pole and 15 perimeter stakes. Besides the unparalleled 140 square feet enclosed by its four pounds, nine ounces, the design also provides full standing headroom right next to the pole. Still not impressed? You can also equip the Tipi with a 3 1/2-pound woodburning stove that folds into a 10 x 12 x 2-inch-thick package—including the seven-foot chimney. You have to see it to believe it. The “6-man” designation is misleading. Six people could sleep in it, but the sloping walls leave the perimeter of the tent usable for little but fully horizontal humans, or gear storage—albeit a vast…

Sierra Designs has a long history of offering a lot of tent for the money. I’ve totally lost track of the models I’ve tried and owned, but most performed beyond their price, and the Tengu 2 is no exception. It also proves that Sierra Designs hasn’t simply been treading water selling their perennially popular Clip Flashlight. The three-pole Tengu 2 boasts the same attached canopy and fly design as the Hilleberg, and has a similar rectangular floor with dual entrances and vestibules. But one vestibule on the Tengu is very large, the other very small—sort of a vestigial vestibule, if you will. The big one is plenty big enough to store a mound of gear, or cook in when stormbound. The canopy of the Tengu, however, is nearly all screen,…

I consider vestibules to be a critical design feature of tents used for overland travel. Without one, you are brewing coffee in the rain, and either sleeping with your muddy riding boots inside the tent or hoping whatever you covered them with the night before didn’t blow away, leaving you with soggy feet for the next two days. The Tengu 2 has the vestibule nailed, but the mesh canopy won’t cut it when temperatures head south. The MSR and the Hilleberg are both superb tents, but I would give the edge to the Hilleberg for the slightly larger and more convenient vestibules, and its freestanding design. For two people, having separate entrances, each with its own vestibule, is an incredible convenience. After a long day on the trail, when blood…

“I’m drawn to holes on the map. Places that are the big empty. I suppose it’s the solitude, the quiet, and the star-filled nights.” The chill in the morning air belies the fact that in six months, this will be one of the harshest places in the United States, with daytime temperatures soaring to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. But in January, just before the pink band of first light appears on the horizon, Jack Dykinga finishes his photographer’s breakfast—coffee and a chocolate chip cookie—then bundles up in a down parka and climbs out of the Four Wheel Pop-up camper mounted on the back of his Toyota Tundra. When the pink band appears, Dykinga knows he has about 20 minutes to get his 4x5 Arca Swiss camera set up, and the…

The amenities have certainly changed—I doubt they had saunas, panini, and Wi-Fi in 1905—but the purpose remains the same for the hotel, trading post, and restaurant in the tiny hamlet of Nipton, right on the Nevada-California border on Highway 164. Throughout the 19th century, tired travelers stopped at “Camp Nippeno” to refresh themselves at this point where two overland wagon routes crossed in the Ivanpah Valley. By 1905, when the railroad came through and established a “whistlestop,” there was a hotel and trading post. When we rolled in one morning last December, the parking lot of the Nipton Trading Post was packed with bright orange KTM motorcycles fresh off a KTM Adventure Tour, a rental Harley piloted by a Japanese couple, a dune buggy, and several nicely outfitted 4WDs. We…