Driving on the smooth asphalt with an SUV or a luxury car brand is like driving on clouds and we all seem to like that. But some of us also like driving on bumpy and muddy terrain and find it exciting. Those of you that like that probably like off-roading but don't know it yet. This type of driving is exactly what it sounds like, driving on a path that is unpaved. This is where big and powerful vehicles come into play which usually have what is known as 4-wheel drive. Also known as 4x4 vehicles are capable of going over obstacles far easier than a regular car and perform better when it comes to traction and stability. This makes them safer and 4x4 vehicles usually come with the extra room but sometimes even that's not enough, especially if you're going on a long adventure in the Outback. This is where you'd need an off road trailer.
Benefits of 4x4 Trailers
Versatile
The majority of off road trailers today are multi-functional meaning they can be used as dump trailers and as an alternative to pulling a wheelbarrow. A new quality 4x4 utility trailer can be used on the back or even side-by-side of a quad and it's easy to remove and hook up.
Stronger
When you compare 4x4 utility trailers to a wheelbarrow they often come with a higher payload. This means that they can bear a lot more weight with the common payload for off road trailers being around 450 kg whilst a wheelbarrow can brake if you put more than 220 kg.
Convenient
A trailer usually doesn't make it easy to load and unload items but with a 4x4 utility trailer this isn't the case. You can easily find off road utility trailers with dump features which allow you to dump a load without having to detach the trailer from your vehicle.
Types of 4x4 Trailers
Flatbed
These 4x4 trailers are simple, they are made of a platform places on two wheels. What makes them ideal for is bags of materials such as sand and gravel. Flatbed 4x4 trailers are not made to transport loose material as there's nothing to keep them in place.
Solid Tub
If you're in the market for a 4x4 trailer that can hold loose materials and made of high tensile steel then solid tub trailers are your best bet. They can be loaded with any material without it falling through just like it would on a flatbed trailer. The downside with solid tub trailers is that they are not meant to be used for moving large heavy objects as they won't fit in the tub.
Removable Sides
If you want to be able to move large objects and loose material without a worry then go for trailers with removable sides. These allow you to use the best of both worlds (solid tub and flatbed trailers) by just removing or mounting the sides of the trailer. This way you can also unload the trailer a lot easier as all you need to do is remove the sides of it.
What to Consider
Towing Limits
Once you've determined what type of 4x4 trailer you need, you then need to find the most fitting one. Starting from one crucial spec that is maximum load capacity will determine how heavy of a load you can tow. The load-carrying capacity of your trailer is going to be determined by the maximum load-bearing capacity of your vehicle.
Size
The size of a 4x4 trailer determines the number of items you can tow and their size too. Storage space is determined by size but so is the weight of the trailer. The bigger usually means the heavier. For quick getaways during the weekend, you don't need that big of a trailer but if you like to take a week off you might need a bigger one.
Tires & Wheels
Since you're going to be driving on rough terrain the tyres of the trailer need to be of good quality. A heavy payload will affect the performance of your trailer meaning you need to invest in good tubeless tyres and strong steel wheels.
Tailgate
For those of you purchasing a tub cart that you'll want to invest in a functional tailgate as it can be difficult to fill it with materials. Opening and closing the tailgate will give you a lot of freedom when it comes to loading and unloading the trailer.
2-in-1 Handles
With these type of handles, you can easily switch between the manual grip of a trailer and the hookup point for the tow ball. 2-in-1 handles are ideal when you want to haul a load up a hill and then need to move it by hand when you've parked your vehicle. This adds a lot of versatility and is easy to use as they only require you to pull a pin and spin the handle in place or sometimes out of the way and you're good to go.
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