10 Towable Treats

There are plenty of exciting new choices out there when it comes to trailers and caravans that can handle tough off-road conditions. This selection of 10 shows the wide range of choice available to buyers across the spectrum of needs…

- Stuart Reichardt

Before entertaining the purchase of an off-road or gravel road trailer or caravan, it is important to decide what you will use it for. Will it be used predominantly on tar and good gravel roads, or will it be subjected to difficult off-road terrains that require a more robust chassis and suspension design? Once you’ve decided on the types of usage your towable treat will be subjected to, and settled on your needs in terms of space required and spending budget, it’s time to gather the family and go shopping.

We’ve helped things along over the next few pages with some great examples from South Africa’s premier trailer manufacturers, ranging from tough full off-road multi-berth camping palaces, to gravel-optimised caravans. We urge you to browse the size and capacity specifications, compare the construction differences, size-up the layouts, and analyse what is offered as standard and what can be fitted as an option.

You need to be sure that the trailer can easily be towed by your existing vehicle, and that it has sufficient space for most of your adventures. A key check is to ensure the trailer can easily be set up (and taken down) when on the road. Try out the process before signing on the dotted line.

Buying the correct trailer for your family’s needs is essential because you want a trailer you can use for many years without worrying about overloading or having to upgrade. Our suggestion is do your homework comprehensively and consider all your options before you decide to purchase.

The checklist