Turtleback Expedition, The Details.

Talk about quality. The team over at Turtleback Trailers really did their homework when they designed this trailer. The build quality and materials used are second to none. Below, you will see some of my favorite features of the trailer. There are many other cool things about it, but here we will highlight just a few.

Paint

I am sort of a sucker when it comes to blacked-out rigs, thats why I am a fan of the paint I chose for Shelly. It is a bedliner-style paint that protects the panels from rock chips, scratches etc. It is super easy to clean and requires absolutely no maintenance.

This has been scraped, hit and bashed with rocks, yet there is no paint damage.

Suspension

I cannot recommend the Icon Vehicle Dynamics upgrade enough. It makes a huge difference in towability when on highway speeds. You know those dips you feel when you go over a bridge on the freeway? Nothing. Those rocks that jolt your precious gear around? Massively dampened.

Overall, this upgrade softens the bumps to protect your gear and to keep trailer from tugging and jolting around, putting stress on your drivetrain. Timbren Axles are offered by Turtleback and are great for pavement-heavy adventures, but the IVD upgrade is totally worth it if you plan on going further into the bush.

Power Management System

With this build I opted to get the upgraded 2 battery system. Since we are running the fridge inside of the trailer instead of inside of the vehicle, I need more power so I can stay powered for a few days without any input other than from the vehicle. Coupled with the battery system, I have a 2000 watt inverter and a solar controller from Zamp Solar. With the ability to charge solar while stationary and through the vehicle while driving, I have yet to run out of power. I would highly suggest adding as many extra ports as you can throughout the trailer.

Control Panel

The control panel is one of the coolest areas of the trailer. The wiring is pro and the switches feel heavy and make a satisfying clicking sound as your toggle them on and off. The Control Panel is where you can turn on or off every feature of the trailer, including the inverter and water heater. This is our main storage place for things we use regularly while on the trail: toiletries, lights, bug spray, snacks, etc. When the tent is open, the control panel is protected from rain (keep in mind this changes based on the tent you put on the trailer).

Rims & Tires

Something we thought of when ordering was that we should have extra spare rims and tires for our Land Rover. We had Turtleback fit our Expedition with the same tire and rim combination as the Land Rover. This is because we are usually far from pavement and on fairly technical roads. Eventually, we plan on doing the Dempster and Dalton Highways. The Dempster Highway can be particularly hard on tires and getting our specific tires would be difficult and costly because of the unusual sizing.

I must admit, it is a little odd to see an Expedition trailer using 20 inch rims, but they look great and do really well when aired down.

Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the best amenities of this trailer. On our longer or more remote trips, we do not want to be looking or paying for restaurant food and would rather have a “home cooked” meal on the trail. Complete with a two-burner Steel Partners Cook Partner stove, Dometic sink with hot and cold water and more storage than you need, it feels like your kitchen at home. I like the ergonomics of this particular set up, as long as you can remember to get everything you need to cook with out of the drawers before opening the stove to cook.

Awning

The Rhino Rack Batwing 270 awning is great when it is deployed, although it takes a long time and two hands to get it set up (careful with the setup in the wind). Coupled with the awning sides, I would recommend getting this awning if you aren’t afraid to go camping when it is snowing, raining and/or very windy.

What is also cool is that the same awning sides that are used to create walls for protection from the elements, can also be used as extensions to offer more coverage from the sun. Check out the two setups in the two photos to the right.

Overall

This trailer is a beast. When you are considering a trailer, make sure to consider the amenities you want and the length and type of trips you plan on doing.

If you want to follow along on our journeys check out @Dirty_Discovery on Instagram. Since there is so much going on, that is usually where we end up posting the most updated stuff!