Solutions for those adventuresome RVers who enjoy camping off the grid.
By Bruce W. Smith
November-December 2025
This was our fifth day on the road and our first night in an improved campground since we began exploring the backcountry of Central Oregon during a short vacation. My wife and I had just finished dinner and were tidying up the galley of our TerraDrop Alpha off-road trailer made by Oregon Trail’r when a couple from a nearby campsite stopped by to say hello.
Our visitors were also on vacation, driving a large Class A motorhome. They were curious about our little RV and wanted to take a closer look.
After we gave them the nickel tour of our off-road-style teardrop, they told us they were considering selling their motorhome and reinvesting in a smaller RV in which to enjoy boondocking wherever their wanderlust would lead. They said they really liked how our RV was designed and that a small crossover or SUV could tow it.
Boondocking & Overlanding
Many people feel intimidated by the thought of towing a large travel trailer. Still, some want to go camping away from the crowds while enjoying a comfortable bed, a cook stove, and other basic amenities.
Winnebago Revel 44E
Interest in boondocking — also known as dispersed camping or dry camping — on state, federal, and other types of public lands increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. It remains a popular choice among many RVers to this day.
Overlanding, which has also gained popularity in the family RVing world, is not synonymous with boondocking. While both involve enjoying the outdoors and camping without being connected to water and an electric grid, overlanding focuses on travel and exploration. It often involves traversing unpaved back roads through mountains and deserts — and occasional four-wheel-drive touring.
Off-Grid Camping Features
Today’s best RVs for boondocking or overlanding typically have long-travel or lifted suspensions, tires with aggressive tread, all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive (if motorized), a comfortable bed, solar panels that feed long-life lithium batteries, and innovative ways to maximize storage and versatility in minimal space.
Additional features may include a well-equipped galley area for prepping and cooking meals, a roof-top tent design, and enough onboard propane capacity to stay off the grid for days or weeks at a time.
Some of the newest models also include convertible sleeping accommodations, interior and exterior LED lighting, multiple options for carrying extra gear on the roof and sides, and even a hitch setup that accommodates trailer movement over rough, undulating terrain without compromising the towing vehicle.
A bathroom with an indoor or outdoor shower may or may not be included. Also note that some models do not incorporate permanent or portable bathroom facilities, so keep this in mind when evaluating them for your travels.
Whether you’re drawn to an off-road teardrop, a purpose-built travel trailer, a 4×4 van, or even a smaller Class C coach to be your off-grid home away from home, RVs suited for backcountry travel vary greatly.
This sampling of 2026-model RVs for boondocking and overlanding caught our attention. The first group of units contain the conveniences many travelers prefer, such as cooking and sanitary facilities, in various configurations.
AOR Odyssey S3
AOR ODYSSEY S3
(MSRP: $72,900)
Australian-built campers are known for their quality, versatility, safety, comfort, and durability. A prime example is the 17-foot-9-inch Australian Off Road (AOR) Odyssey S3, which is sold in the U.S. by XGRID Campers. This compact vehicle, weighing 3,175 pounds, is like the Swiss Army knife of overlanding trailers. Its pop-top fiberglass body includes a queen bed; a diesel hot water/furnace system; a freezer-fridge accessible from both inside and outside; and a large external kitchen with a three-burner propane cooktop, pantry, and sink. “Think luxury camping meets off-road durability riding atop a full off-road chassis with trailing arm suspension,” noted Loren Walker, founder and CEO of Las Vegas-based XGRID. Options abound, as do overlanding destinations.
No Boundaries 18.2 Beast Mode
NO BOUNDARIES 18.2 BEAST MODE
MSRP: $42,674
No Boundaries 18.2 Beast Mode
Of the five No Boundaries Series 18 travel trailer floor plans, the 18.2 Beast Mode is the largest at 21 feet 8 inches and weighs 4,028 pounds empty. A full bath and galley are situated in the rear, and it is outfitted with 30-gallon holding tanks. Midship is a jackknife sofa; up front is a
queen bed with storage above and below. The Beast Mode package replaces the standard single-beam trailer axle with a lifted Curt independent suspension and taller and beefier mud tires to help handle off-pavement, four-season forays better.
forestriverinc.com/rvs/no-boundaries
STORYTELLER OVERLAND GXV HILT
Storyteller Overland GXV HILT
MSRP: $498,888
Many expedition-style Super C motorhomes are custom units. Storyteller Overland’s RAM 5500 6.7-liter diesel GXV HILT Super C is touted as the first production-scale, RVIA-certified, Class C expedition truck. This means buyers can get traditional RV financing, insurance, and nationwide service for the HILT. Every system in this unit is designed to support occupants for weeks off-grid. Features include a queen bed, wet bath, 120-gallon freshwater tank, 1,325 watts of solar power, 41-inch tires on bead-lock wheels, and LiquidSpring suspension.
“Vehicles like this have historically been outrageously expensive, built to order, and complicated to buy,” said Jeffrey Hunter, CEO of Storyteller Overland. “We wanted to solve for this by making it easier to own and lowering the barrier to entry without sacrificing a single bit of quality — instead, actually elevating the quality and capability in the process.”
Coachmen Cross Trail 20XG
COACHMEN CROSS TRAIL 20XG
MSRP: $192,308
Built on the all-wheel-drive Ford Transit 3500 chassis, the Coachmen Cross Trail 20XG excels in remote camping locations. Interior features include a 51-inch-by-80-inch bed on a power lift, Euro-style cabinets, an induction cooktop, a convection microwave, a 12-volt fridge, and a 15,000-Btu high-efficiency air conditioner with heat pump. An exterior slideout holds a propane griddle. A lithium battery system supplies electrical power, with optional rooftop solar and/or a dual-fuel generator. The Ford chassis has been upgraded with Falcon Racing shocks, a 2-inch suspension lift, 31-inch all-terrain tires, and a front brush guard with LED lights.
“Our Cross Trail 20XG is one of our Class Cs that our customers have enjoyed boondocking in, and the equipment we’ve added in 2026 further enhances the opportunity to do so,” said Nicholas W. Terlep, Coachmen Class C national sales manager.
Forest River IBEX 16MKD Beast Mode
FOREST RIVER IBEX 16MKD BEAST MODE
MSRP: $42,828
One of the smallest units in the company’s line of conventional travel trailers, the IBEX 16MKD measures 21 feet 8 inches and weighs 4,023 pounds unloaded. The optional Beast Mode package, with a lifted Curt
Forest River IBEX 16MKD Beast Mode
independent suspension and taller, more rugged tires, invites travel off the beaten path. Inside, you’ll find a front queen bed, a full bath, rear 30-inch-by-74-inch bunk beds, a two-burner cooktop, a large 12-volt fridge, a microwave, and a comfortable dining area. This model also comes with a 400-watt rooftop solar package and a 2,000-watt inverter.
Thor Sequence 20U
THOR SEQUENCE 20U
MSRP: $165,060
Couples seeking a comfortable boondocking van might consider Thor Motor Coach, which offers more than 30 Class B vans, including the new Sequence 20U floor plan. Built on the dependable Ram ProMaster 3500 “window van” all-wheel-drive gas chassis, this 21-foot, 9,350-pound, all-wheel-drive RV is ready for adventure — and boasts a 5,000-pound tow rating. Its compact yet functional layout features a midship wet bath, a fully equipped kitchen with a large refrigerator and portable induction cooktop, and dual opposing rear sofas that quickly convert into a bed. A removable
Thor Sequence
table creates the perfect spot to dine or work on the go, while swiveling captain’s chairs in the front seamlessly transition from driving to becoming part of the living space when parked. Exterior Thule roof racks and an awning are standard; rear door bike racks and all-terrain tires are available options.
Winnebago Revel 44E
WINNEBAGO REVEL 44E
MSRP: $254,076
Many RVers consider the Winnebago Revel to be the original off-road camper van, built on the all-wheel-drive turbo-diesel Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis. It remains a popular choice for those seeking boondocking and overlanding adventures, regardless of the season. The 2026 model 44E measures 19 feet 7 inches long and has a 6-foot-3-inch interior height. It sleeps two on the power-lift bed; when the bed is raised, the “Gear Garage” below becomes a nice storage space for bicycles and other outdoor items. Additional features include an indoor/outdoor galley, swivel cab seats, a versatile wet bath, ample space to dry wet gear, a sturdy roof rack, a 35-gallon freshwater tank, and multiple off-grid power solutions.
FOR EVEN MORE ADVENTURE…
Travelers who are interested in boondocking and overlanding but feel they don’t need an RV with all the typical features, such as a permanent bathroom or interior galley, might consider these models as well.
Arkto Campers C10
ARKTO CAMPERS C10
Arkto Campers’ all-new 2026 C10 features composite and aluminum construction. This purpose-built overland trailer has a dry weight of just 2,750 pounds and a width of only 72 inches, which makes it easily towable by popular mid-size SUVs with a 3,500-pound towing capacity. Its pop-up clamshell design creates an interior height of 6 feet 11 inches, and a hinged residential queen-size bed makes for comfortable sleeping. Despite the reduced footprint, the C10 retains overland essentials, such as a slide-out outdoor kitchen complete with a 10-cubic-foot pantry, a dual burner stove, a sink with hot and cold water, and an inside-mounted fridge/freezer; an outdoor shower and inside portable toilet; and both USB and 110-volt outlets for gadget charging. It rides on a hot-dipped galvanized steel chassis supported by a Timbren axle-less independent suspension with a 4-inch lift and 31-inch all-terrain tires.
Escapod TOPO2 Voyager
ESCAPOD TOPO2 VOYAGER
Escapod’s TOPO2 Voyager features a single-piece composite fiberglass body and an independent-suspension chassis, offering lightweight durability and maximum strength without the bulk of traditional frames. It comes with a five-year warranty, reportedly the best in the industry. The RV’s seamless design eliminates weak points, making it impact-resistant and weatherproof for four-season camping. The mid-level Voyager model is equipped with a 110-amp-hour lithium battery and 190-watt solar charging for extended stays off the grid. The rear hatch opens to access the full galley, which can be upgraded with a 63-quart ARB fridge/freezer. This RV also features full insulation, internal mechanicals, and an Aqua-Hot hydronic heating system.
Iron Peak XTR-10
IRON PEAK XTR-10
Constructed in Minnesota, this extreme off-road RV ranks among the newest “squarerdrop” trailers designed for extended overlanding. “We build for the adventurers who don’t care about gimmicks or trends. They just want gear that works — season after season, mile after mile,” said company founder Gary Hible. The XTR-10 is built on a galvanized steel chassis with custom independent suspension and has a dry weight of 2,375 pounds. A swing-out rear door reveals the well-equipped galley. Other standard features include Molle side racks, a roof rack, a side storage box, LED lighting inside and out, a 6-foot-long bed, a Redark power system with lithium battery and rooftop solar, and dual propane tanks. Larger solar and battery configurations, awnings, external shower enclosures, and roof-top tent systems are among the available options.
Off Highway Van Davey Jackson 170 Pro-X
OFF HIGHWAY VAN DAVEY JACKSON 170 PRO-X
This overlanding conversion from Off Highway Van is based on the 170-inch Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis outfitted with a limited-slip differential. It incorporates hydronic floor heating, an integrated dual-burner induction cooktop, bug screens for the rear and side doors, premium JL audio, a 130-liter fridge/freezer, a 45-gallon fuel tank, and a legless power awning. Exterior upgrades include a Warn winch and a WeBoost cell signal booster. Options include composting, cassette, and dry-flush toilets.