With a 4×4 camper trailer, you’re no longer limited to adventures on the road. You can access and stay in areas off the beaten path, where few will ever venture. That’s why they’re such a popular accessory for off-road enthusiasts, but many first-time camper trailer buyers face a dilemma: hard or soft floors? There are plenty of strong opinions in the forums, and it’s difficult to separate opinion from fact.
As usual, there’s no one right answer. The best off-road camper trailer depends on your specific needs. Here’s how to tell whether you should be looking at hard or soft floors.
What are Hard Floor Camper Trailers?
The base of a hard floor trailer is rigid and solid, hence the name. It’s usually made of a material like aluminium or some kind of composite, and when the trailer is being towed, the floor is folded over the top, acting like a roof. When you reach your destination, you unfold the trailer similar to how you’d open a book.
What are Soft floor Camper Trailers?
A soft floor camper trailer also unfolds in a similar way, but the notable difference is that it’s made of a flexible fabric or PVC. Because this type of floor is not rigid, it moulds to the shape of the ground underneath it. You’re still protected from moisture and cold, but you may still notice rocks, sticks and other objects under your feet.
Setup Speed
Every 4WD trailer camper wants to get their home-from-home setup as quickly as possible. While both trailer types are fairly quick to set up, especially compared to traditional tents, hard floor types have the edge. They can generally just be unfolded, and there’s no need to clear the ground or anything first. Soft floor campers require a little more assembly, as poles and ropes are used for tension and support.
Comfort
Comfort is a difficult metric to assess. Hard floor trailers offer an experience that feels more like a traditional bedroom, but some outdoor enthusiasts like the closeness to nature that a soft floor provides. If you’re staying in a flat, soft and grassy area, soft floors can be great. Hard floors offer more versatility, however. They allow you to camp on hard, uneven surfaces, too. It really depends on where you plan to use your trailer.
Space and Layout
Soft floors have the upper hand here, as they are cheaper to manufacture and easier to fold up many times. This allows trailer designers to offer much larger living spaces.
Weight and Towing
No surprises here: hard floor trailers are typically heavier. This impacts speed and fuel consumption. Soft floor campers put less strain on your vehicle, but many modern SUVs are more than powerful enough for both types. Whichever you choose, don’t forget to add compliant plates to your trailer, though.
Conclusion
Many people love the idea of clocking off from work on a Friday and towing a trailer or caravan to some quiet location for a break. Choosing the right off-road camper trailer makes this easier than ever, and now that you know the main differences between hard and soft floors, you should be ready to make your choice.