Over the years, I’ve become hypersensitive about the brands I stand behind. It’s important to me that the gear I recommend to you is of the highest standard, that way your overlanding and off-roading experiences are ones full of fun – not trying to get sub-par gear to do what you need it to do.
You’ve likely seen various articles on 4WDTalk that discuss different trailer options for your overlanding and off-roading adventures. One of the most recent trailers I’ve recommended in such articles is the OBi Dweller 15.
I recently had a chance to fly out to Phoenix to visit the folks at OBi and get eyes on the Dweller 15. Just seeing it online and reading about it left me very impressed. But as I’ll explain in a moment, I wanted to see this trailer with my own eyes and learn more about how OBi designed it and put it together.
The trailers OBi had at their facility were already spoken for and ready to ship – which is a testament to how much demand there is for these things. I’m glad the fine folks at OBi obliged my curiosity and set time aside during their busy day to help me learn more.
In today’s article, I’d like to give you my first impressions of this trailer – which, by the way, are nothing but good!
Table of Contents
- OBi Dweller 15 Interior Features
- OBi Dweller 15 Exterior Features
- This Trailer is Ready for Tough Trails, Too
- What Sets the OBi Dweller 15 Apart From the Rest?
- Recommended Overlanding Gear
OBi Dweller 15 Interior Features
Let’s do a quick overview of what you find inside this impeccable expedition trailer…
First off, there’s an expanding pop-top roof that gives you additional headroom and a greater feeling of space inside the trailer.
I can tell you from experience that the interior of this trailer feels so much bigger than you think it will. The combination of the pop-top roof, the rear pop-out, and the light interior colors make it seem nothing short of grand inside.
You’ll also find high-end laminated cabinets with plenty of storage, laminated flooring for durability, and an en suite shower with cassette toilet.
As far as sleeping accommodations go, you can rest your weary head on a plush queen-sized mattress and sleep comfortably in the hottest weather knowing that the under-bunk A/C system will keep you cool. If you’re on a winter adventure, no problem! The combi heater will keep you toasty warm.
Other interior features include:
- An extenda bed
- Hot water heater
- Dining table
- Skylight for additional natural light
- TV with DVD player and stereo system
- Day or night window shades with bug out screens
Even the small details – like the abundance of USB ports and the window latches – don’t go unnoticed in this trailer. Everything is well designed, smartly laid out, and easy to use.
So, while this is an expedition-ready trailer, it is by no means sparse. Instead, you get a well-appointed cabin where you can get cleaned up after a long day of adventuring and rest comfortably to recharge for the next day.
On top of that, you get a trailer with beautiful, durable materials, a smart use of space, and loads of storage.
If you’ve ever been overlanding, you know that space is the biggest commodity. This trailer not only has excellent living space, but makes such smart use of its space that it seems far bigger than it actually is!
OBi Dweller 15 Exterior Features
Moving outside, the features keep on coming. You get a 12-foot electric awning to provide shade on those warm, sunny afternoons when you just want to plop down in a chair and read a good book.
If you’re a foodie, the pull-out galley kitchen with a sink and two-burner stovetop will be one of your favorite amenities. There’s also a pull-out full-size fridge and freezer to keep all your food chilled and frozen until you’re ready to whip up a meal.
Now, you guys know that I love to cook, so the kitchen is one of the most important features I look for in a trailer. The Dweller 15 doesn’t disappoint…
Rather than cramming the kitchen inside the trailer, OBi implemented it as a slide-out, which is a genius idea, if you ask me. This setup gives you more interior space while allowing for a well-appointed kitchen outdoors. Keeping the smell of dinner outside the trailer is a nice bonus as well!
On those days when you’ve really gotten dirty out on the trail, you can take advantage of the Dweller 15’s outdoor shower to get cleaned up, that way you don’t track mud, dirt, and dust into the cabin.
Speaking of showering, the Dweller 15 has a 21-gallon freshwater tank and a 31-gallon city water tank to go along with a 21-gallon gray water tank. That’s a lot of showers!
As I noted a moment ago, space is at a premium on overlanding trips, and the Dweller 15 accommodates that with loads of exterior storage. There’s a front-mounted tool box that’s perfect for your tools, chains, and other heavy gear. There’s also integrated locking exterior storage boxes for keeping frequently-used items within easy reach.
The trailer features LED exterior floodlights so you can light up camp after the sun goes down. There’s a 2000-watt inverter with three 100AH batteries and three 100-watt solar panels so you’ve got plenty of power for the trailer’s systems and powering your gadgets while you’re off-grid.
This Trailer is Ready for Tough Trails, Too
Of course, having amenities like air conditioning and a toilet are great, but if they aren’t in a trailer that can handle tough trails, what’s the point?!
The folks at OBi designed this trailer with a clear purpose – to be something that can manage the most difficult terrain so you can camp off-grid in style and comfort.
To achieve that end, the trailer comes with an independent coil suspension with dual heavy-duty shocks and springs. The trailer is built on a hot-dipped galvanized chassis and rides on 16-inch wheels and all-terrain tires. You even get an articulating towing coupler to enhance the towing experience on rough terrain. Don’t worry – electric brakes help bring the trailer to a stop!
Other trail-ready features include:
- Dual safety towing chains
- Front-mounted Emergency brake
- Heavy-duty mud flaps
- LED signals and brake lights
All of these features and amenities come in a trailer that’s 17.9 feet long, 6.8 feet wide, and about 7.5 feet tall (with the roof collapsed; 8.09 feet tall with it expanded). And with a dry weight of 5,070 pounds, this trailer is a great size to tow behind your truck or SUV to explore the great unknown.
What Sets the OBi Dweller 15 Apart From the Rest?
Obviously, the Dweller 15 has a lot going for it on paper. But what really sets this trailer apart are the folks behind the trailer – the people at OBi that are responsible for building this beast.
As I noted earlier, when I first heard about the Dweller 15, I’d never laid eyes on one in person, let alone gotten inside of one. I was so impressed with what OBi had to offer that I booked a flight from L.A. to Phoenix so I could meet the OBi team and get a hands-on look at the Dweller 15.
You just can’t appreciate how big this camper feels inside until you’ve actually been in it – photos simply don’t do it justice. Additionally, you can’t appreciate the design, craftsmanship, and build quality of this trailer unless you see it and touch it in real life – it is simply that good!
More than that, the OBi team is super genuine, loves outdoor adventuring, and is truly dedicated to delivering their customers quality products and top-notch service.
One of the things I love most about being in business for myself is meeting new people, getting to know them, and building relationships. Sometimes, that process can feel a little forced or strained, but that’s not been the case with the OBi team. They are knowledgeable, caring, and ready to go to bat for their customers. They’re the kind of folks you enjoy getting to know – and the kind of folks you’d love to go on an adventure with!
So, clearly, I’ve been nothing but impressed with the OBi Dweller 15. After all, there’s a reason why it’s on my list of the best expedition trailers of 2022.
If you’re thinking about investing in a new trailer for your overlanding adventures, I can’t recommend the OBI Dweller 15 enough. Get more details about this awesome rig over at OBi!
Recommended Overlanding Gear