Regional guide
Overlanding Moab with a Trailer
Moab is the reference point for off-road travel in the United States, and it is roughly four hours from where we build. It is also the place where the difference between a trailer that articulates and one that does not becomes obvious within the first mile.
This guide is about towing there specifically: what a trailer changes about route choice, camping and planning.
A trailer changes your route calculus
Moab's famous routes were rated for vehicles, not for combinations. Adding a trailer lengthens the rig, changes your breakover and departure geometry, and removes the option of a quick three-point turn on a ledge.
The practical approach most people settle into is basecamping: tow in on a route the trailer handles comfortably, set up, then run the technical obstacles with the vehicle alone. That is what the Basecamp V3 is designed around — camp stays put, the 4x4 goes to work.
What the terrain demands
- Clearance: slickrock ledges punish anything hanging low — the Basecamp V3 sits at 17 in
- Articulation: a three-axis hitch keeps the trailer from binding when the vehicle is off-camber
- Tires: sharp sandstone rewards proper all-terrain tires and a full-size matching spare
- Brakes: long, steep descents make a correctly set brake controller non-negotiable
- Suspension: torsion axles handle sustained washboard on the approach roads
- Recovery gear rated for the loaded combination, plus a way to disconnect and reposition the trailer
Camping rules near Moab
Moab is heavily managed. Much of the BLM land along the Colorado River corridor and near popular trailheads requires designated campgrounds or permits rather than free dispersed camping, and rules change by area and season.
Check the current BLM Moab Field Office guidance before you go, reserve where reservations apply, use existing sites, carry a portable toilet system where required, and pack everything out. The area's popularity is exactly why enforcement is real.
Heat, water and seasons
| Season | Conditions | Trailer notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Prime; warm days, cool nights, busy | Book early; expect crowded designated sites |
| Summer | Extreme heat, monsoon storms | Awning shade and water are critical; never camp in a wash |
| Fall | Prime; stable weather | Best all-round window for towing in |
| Winter | Cold nights, quiet, occasional snow | Insulated tent, cold-tolerant battery, drain the water system in a hard freeze |
Setting up before you air down
- Air down for the terrain — and remember the trailer tires as well as the vehicle's
- Re-check the coupler, safety chains and electrical connection after the washboard approach
- Level the trailer on rock before deploying the rooftop tent
- Deploy the 270° awning early; shade is a resource here, not a luxury
- Confirm your water level before committing to a multi-night stay
- Have a plan for grey water — it goes home with you
Frequently asked questions
Can you tow a trailer on Moab trails?
Is dispersed camping allowed around Moab?
What is the best time of year for Moab?
How much water should I bring?
How far is Moab from the ADDAX factory?
Basecamp, then go play
See the Basecamp V3 specification, or read the tow guide before your first trip out.