Tentrax Trailers - Product Review

Once off the pavement, the standard 2-inch ball receiver was removed and refitted with a simple D-ring-style hitch. We tested the articulation of the hitch and trailer first by heading across the crater-filled dry lakebed of Johnson Valley, California. The hitch never dug in or hindered the performance of the Rover in any way during this leg of the test.

Next, we moved into the soft, sandy dunes to get a feel for its high-speed tracking and manageability. Once again, the Tentrax proved to be nimble enough to step through and over the small waves of sand while remaining on both wheels. With speeds approaching 50 mph in tight turns, the trailer's low center of gravity proved to be an excellent design.

During the second day of testing, we moved up into higher altitudes through a dry riverbed leading up into Big Bear. After tearing a hole in the exhaust, we wished the Defender had the 17 inches of ground clearance that the Tentrax does. While maneuvering the trailer in and out of some very rugged areas, we were pleased by how well the trailer tracked and articulated without the slightest hesitation. At no time did we have to disconnect the Tentrax from our test vehicle.

Next, we headed up the California coast to Oceano Beach to test the weather resistance of the Tentrax. Luckily, it was sunny and warm, giving us ample time to play in the sand dunes before the storm blew in that evening.

It was here that the Tentrax earned the root of its name. From the time we popped the lid to the time we climbed inside to rest was a mere three minutes. Normally, we'd have spent 20 minutes setting up our tent after locating a level ground site and clearing away debris. The Tentrax setup was far simpler. While the wind howled and the rain poured, we sat inside, warm and dry, drinking hot coffee. There's no place like home, eh?