We have just purchased a Defender 110 for our big trip. We are planning to travel the world over two or more years so it's a big one. We have seen some good trailers (Globe Master, check out Specialist 4x4 Expedition Equipment - Trek Overland) and are wanting thoughts on if it would be a good idea or just too much hassle to take along.
We are planning to travel to Africa, Asia, North and South America and Europe. I thought it would be good idea for all the mechanical items, spare wheels, water etc but am also thinking that it would make the trip more expensive for shipping as I am sure most places would charge as much as another vehicle when doing a ferry crossing.
Has anyone done a big trip with a trailer? Or maybe you know someone or have come across someone who has. Any comments or idea's would be appreciated.
Thanks

Hi Bigpond and welcome to the Hubb.

This is a tough one and much of it comes down to what you feel comfortable with - don't get too large a trailer as it will become a pain, especially in tricky off road situations.
I think it comes down to how much you gain from the extra load capacity against how much extra it will cost in money for shipping and fuel, and how much more you are limited by the trailers bulk.

How many of you are going on the trip?
If just two of you I would be inclined to stick with the 110 only, add a roof tent and poss an awwning and off you go.

Good luck

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ChrisC

I had to drag a trailer around Africa and Asia for many years and found it to be a pain. The only thing it was good for was saving your camp site pitch when you went out.
If you've a 110 you should have enough space without it.
The temptation, for me anyway, is too great to fill up all the space I can with stuff "just in case".
It is easy at first to take too much with you, it gets easier later to pack what you need, not what you think you might probably, possibly need.
Keep it as simple as possible, enough for comfort but not too much so that you are weighed down with added extras.

I think just about every expedition through Africa and the world have never used them. U are asking for problems.

From ferries borders/papers to sand towing. To extra spares fro that axle. The spare wheels for the trailer

They will cause u more problems than what its worth to carry extra goodies!!

The 110 should have ample space.

We had 3-4 people in our vehicle through Africa and we carried all spares and water and fuel and rooftop tents /chairs/cooking etc in one vehicle.

We've seen the trailer in action and it is a fantastic piece of kit especially when set up for the night. It also performed amazingly well off road in Wales. The owners did however say it burnt an extra 25% fuel in their Disco.

I'll see if i can find their e-mail as they are moving to the Pyreness soon and taking the trailer into Morocco.

In my opinion, (1 year long motorbike trip and 1 x 6 month trip in a 110) there is no real need for a trailer. One of the huge rewards of overland trips for me has been to realise how little material stuff is really needed to get through the day.

I am always amazed that people pack bundles of clothes and books and kitchen items things like that on big trips. We have always started with virtually nothing on our trips and bought stuff on the way as we needed it and pass it on when we no longer need it, or if it's worn out it's binned.

Buying stuff along the way helps the economy of the country you are travelling through, particularly I think as we did with clothes from local markets.

Of course, for full on desert expeditions, none of this really applies because "prior preparation prevents piss poor performance" as we used to say in the military.

Hope I don't sound too preachy but the less you take, the less there is to have nicked, less to worry about and so on.

Creature comforts are definately worth thinking about because you will have some "down days" but when I consider how people RTW on bicycles for years on end, it's always amazing.

Plus, perhaps a trailer will cost a few hundred quid which, as I said before is worth a couple of thousand miles and another month on the road to me

Hope that helps

In South Africa we have some of the best off road trailers, made for the bush, and even they take a pounding and need constant refurbishment.

And they sell fully kitted for around R80000 so about 6000 pounds. They are braked and have full axle and suspensions that you will need for the bush and off road.

It will become a liability, unless for some reason u cant climb up to the roof top tent

Good luck

You might want to check these guys out

Lone Wolf Transglobal Expedition 2007

A very well written blog with lots of issues with the trailer. I think you might even be able to drop them an email to get info.

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Ollie

www.jollyfollies.com

Land's End to Sydney 2009

Tom Sheppard did several Saharan crossing with a Sankey trailer behind his Range Rover. Its possible.

With a 110 you are unlikely to need one IMHO. 110s are big old beasts.

Trek Overland are exorbitantly priced in all their products, there are easier ways to get a trailer.

Much of the popularity of trailers comes from the SA safari market where hicap and crewcab pickups are popular - a trailer is used to carry tent, stove, gas etc, leaving the mother vehicle free to explore minus all that clutter when the camp is set up. Its food for thought but when ferries are involved trailers add expense and complexity (and opportunities for fictitious taxes, baksheesh and fines). I wouldnt bother - keep it simple!

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'91 LR 110 Def/Disco hybrid "Elsa"
Bring me the horizon....

A big thanks to everyone who has given me information on this subject. I have made a decision! We won't be taking the trailer!
I think if we were just doing one country, say Australia, then it would be a good option and but travelling through so many countries and so many different situations I have taken most peoples' advise and keeping the money in my pocket. It would buy a hell of a lot of desiel!
Thanks for all the helpful advise.

While living in Kenya, we towed a Bushwakka trailer (from South-Africa) around the country upto Ethiopia. So basically through mud and rain, but also desert trips.
If you are more then 2 in a car (which was the case for us : 2 adults and 1 daughter aged 5 - they take a lot of space !) then a trailer is the only option.
I have NEVER run into problems in tricky situations : the Defender is a very good towing vehicle and the fuel consumption hardly went up. I had to work the gearbox a bit harder.
Maybe it comes with age but I like a bit of comfort - which is what you get with a trailer. And the added advantage that you can leave your camp "as is" and go exploring the full day with the car without bothering to pack everything all the time.
I can only recommend it. Thos who say that it is a burden have probably never had one, the disadvantages outweigh the disadvantages.

I have pulled trailers throughout South Africa when I operated a overland safari company. The only drawback is the A frame. Be careful of your load distribution . Any trailer no matter how strong will brack its A frame draw bar at the point where it meets the load body. I used ex military trailers hich were designed to take a ponding and I had two breaks.

All my trailers weref itted with Nato Hooks as the normal civilian hooks cant take the punch and besides its easier to hook.

During 10 years of travelling through Southern Africa with a trailer I never got stuck once. I had a simple philosophy. Before the going got tough I engaged the central diff lock and low range. There were times where I travelled for three days with diff lock engaged in low range and I never encountered a problem . I even did dune suerfing with my trailer. Admittedly I rolled it a few times but with the Nato Coupling it never endangered the vehicle.

One thing is imperative when towing a trailer through sand, make sure the towing vehicle and trailer run in the same track and that the wheels and tyres are completely interchangable. I never travelled with more than 2 spares and never got stranded.

Towing a trailer requires a totally different driving style whereas you might take a chance and drive through an obstacle without inspecting it first without a trailer you must certainly inspect the obstacle first when towing towing a trailer.

On my trailer I carried 12 jerry cans 6 water and 6 diesel. then I had 12 plastic packing crates ex ammo boxes and on the top of the trailer I fitted a roof carriedr which carried 3 bow tents, 6 thivk mattresses, camping chairs and table and a host of other loose paraphanalia.

Plan your trip well, load the trailer properly and dont take chances and you will enjoy the extra creature comforts .

Greetings

Loot