Blog: To Trailer or Not to Trailer

 

There is a clear opposing opinion on whether dragging along a camping trailer adds or detracts from the overall overlanding and camping experience and amongst other reasons, herewith the main ones:

• Is it really necessary, when and why?
• Is it worth the added fuel and ownership costs?
• Does towing a trailer in remote places increases the risk of having a breakdown?
• Is owning a trailer a cool factor or is it for conservative old folks?

Well, let’s unpack these scientifically and systematically.

For the Yea’s, its most certainly necessary if you plan to stay at a single campsite for longer than 3 days or so. Why? well, you set up once and break down once but, in between, you have a luxurious base or a secure built “home” with all the amenities and best of all, your vehicle is uncoupled and free to roam, anywhere and at any time, day or night. This luxury is even more amplified if you are staying longer than 3 days at that same campsite and let’s not even talk about how happy Mrs. Jones and the kids will be to experience such luxury and convenience. Consider also that a lot of packing is done in the trailer, so, your vehicle is also free from clutter for the journey there and back and game driving again, putting a smile on Mrs. Jones and the kids. So, all these benefits accrue for a better, peaceful and relaxed experience.

This is as opposed to using your vehicle for mobility and for living at the same time. According to the Yea’s, it’s a shame for those “single equipment” guys who have to unpack, open tents and awnings and set up every time they enter camp and then, in a backbreaking way, repack and fold away tents and awnings every time they need to use the vehicle. These poor sods have to repeat this process multiple times day and night – pure torture and a heavy work- load. We not even going to talk about what happens when the ablutions are too far away to walk at night and a vehicle is necessary to get there – we have all witnessed these guys drive to the ablutions with rooftop tents erect and ladders swinging wildly!

For the Nayer’s, well, for these guys, they would never want to become part of the trailer brigade. They are big and burly, wild and free with the most amazing vehicles with every single gadget attached to it to make their packing and unpacking, tents awnings and all, swift, easy and less “backbreaking”. They are the real adventurers that ride further and deeper into the bush, crossing mountains and lakes and would never allow the “shlepping” of a trailer to ever impede their adventure or dictate their destination. These guys and their vehicles are a 100% self-sufficient unit; they enjoy their freedom and mobility to go anywhere faster, further and deeper! Less is more for them and they will gladly pack and unpack, fold and unfold multiple times a day to uphold their maverick and burly status.

Comment: – The Yea’s would say that the only problem for the Nayer’s is, when they get to these far and remote campsites, they encounter us Yea’s relaxing and lazing around our Bush Lapas and Metalians, Conquerors and Invaders with our vehicles uncoupled and parked at a distance under a tree ready for a quick trip to the ablutions, a drive around the campsite or ready for the game drive ahead

–  In response, the Nayer’s will say that enroute to the campsite, they overtook hundreds of slow -moving, almost crawling Yea’s and they also passed some Yea’s broken- down on the side of the road with bush mechanics feverishly working to replace shot shocks on the trailer.

Statisticians and Actuaries will tell us what we all already know which is: yes, towing a trailer adds to the risk of something going wrong with either the horse or the cart and, that towing a trailer means more fuel and insurance required therefore adding to the costs. Common Physics will also tell us that towing a trailer may impede us from getting to some locations, but Logic also dictates that some of the locations advocated by the Nayer’s are not open to the public in any case and that “Trespassers will be Prosecuted”. Lastly, Technology will tell us that modern and well-maintained trailers are bullet proof and so reliability is not an issue.

So, what is the answer?

Before we answer that, one more “Trump Card” by the Yea’s is this – consider that they also use their overlanding vehicles as dailies when they get back home for school runs, work transport, to attend wedding functions and business meetings.

There cannot be a definitive answer as both have valid points but if finances allow, I think having a trailer as well as a fully equipped horse is the way to go. This allows you the freedom to, depending on your destination, route and time available, choose whether to Trailer it or Not to Trailer it.

Do you prefer being that burley maverick that believes it is uncool to shlep a trailer around, is super organized with a fully equipped single vehicle that does everything as long as you pack, unpack, open and close 10 times a day OR, to be that conservative family orientated adventurer who puts Mrs. Jones and the kids first and shleps a trailer to make overlanding and camping more comfortable and that has all the time in the world to get to those places safely and securely?

Harry Nicolaides

Wannabe Wild Camper