If you’re not ready to plunk down a hundred grand or more for a fully self-contained adventure Sprinter, the next best thing is pulling a trailer behind the vehicle you’ve already got. And if that vehicle happens to be bad ass and ready for the back country, you’ll need something capable of following you. Or, hell, this would look just as killer behind the family wagon or minivan.
Colorado Teardrops sets themselves apart not only by putting monster 35″ BF Goodrich offroad tires on their trailers, they make the frames out of welded aluminum and add things like nerf bars, reinforced axles and full coverage skid plates. Ready to get way, way out there?
At the core of their new 2017 lineup is a full aluminum frame. This keeps it rigid and adds years and years to its life compared to wood-framed tow-behinds. Prior, they used marine-grade plywood to build them, but founder Dean Wiltshire says the new goal is to have them last decades, so metal was the way to go. And aluminum is light, so the Summit model shown here weighs in at just 1,800lb with the optional power kit. Walls and ceiling are fully insulated, too.
The alloy frame also means it’ll support up to 1,500lb on the roof, so you can add a bike roof rack, solar panels, cargo box or whatever.
Inside, you can choose the color of wood and customize much of the layout. Got kids? Add bunk beds up front while you and sweetie sleep on a queen size mattress that pulls down from the back wall. Outside, you can choose from plenty of colors for the exterior paint.
The rear opens up for more storage. It can be outfitted as a galley, with stove, coolers, water, etc.
On the front, you can add a tool box, storage base or other accessories. For getting really off road, they also offer an articulating hitch over the standard ball hitch. Roof top or side tents, fresh water tanks, solar panels and plenty more options help you make it your own. Base price is $21,500 for the Summit, but other 2017 models start at just $11,300. Side note: Their solar panel option charges the battery packs (option, which can also be charged by 110V or 12V), and the panels can be popped off and set up to 20ft away to charge in the sun while your camper sits in the shade, or just removed and taken to wherever the party needs power.
