When you think of overlanding adventures, do you think of sticking to the pavement, camping in RV parks, and admiring beautiful landscapes from afar?
Or are you like me and want to experience the beauty of your surroundings up close and personal (and away from the hubbub of tourists)?
Well, you can have it both ways, provided you have the right camper trailer for the job. And for my money, the OBi Dweller 15 is that camper.
But how can one camper do it all, both on-road and off? Let’s find out in the OBi Dweller 15 Review below!
Table of Contents
- What is OBi?
- OBi Dweller 15 Build Quality
- OBi Dweller 15 Off-Road Features
- OBi Dweller 15 Exterior Features
- OBi Dweller 15 Interior Features
- OBi Dweller 15 Put to the Test
What is OBi?
OBi stands for “Outback Innovations.” It’s a company born out of the rugged terrain of Australia whose mission is to build campers that are simple yet refined, easy to set up and operate, yet capable of tackling the toughest terrain.
OBi Campers are available at select dealers in the United States – dealers that know these trailers top to bottom, inside and out, and who can help you determine which OBi Camper is right for you.
Whether you go camping three times a year, need a camper to live in full-time, or something in between, OBi’s campers, like the Dweller 15, have the features and functionalities you need.
OBi Dweller 15 Build Quality
Normally, I reserve the “build quality” part of a review for the end of the article, but in this case, it’s important to discuss it at the outset.
Why? It’s simple! The OBi Dweller 15 is an absolute rockstar in the build quality department.
On the one hand, trailers like this – trailers intended for rough and tumble travel off-road – have to be built like tanks to withstand the rigors of travel.
On the other hand, OBi is a proven leader in camper build quality. Their commitment to innovative designs, quality materials, and achieving luxurious camping conditions is evident in the Dweller 15 and each camper in their lineup.
For example, as shown in the video above by ROA Offroad, the Dweller 15 has polycarbonate windows rather than glass. Obviously, glass windows are easily breakable, and you don’t want anything that breaks easily on a trailer intended to go off-road.
These windows have a break resistance 200 times better than glass of the same thickness, so you can hit those rough off-road trails with the confidence that a rock or tree branch won’t bust out your windows.
Another example of the Dweller 15’s build quality is in the latches used for the exterior storage compartments.
I know that latches aren’t a terribly sexy feature, but these aren’t just any latches…
The OBi Dweller 15 uses heavy-duty stainless steel latches that offer much better reliability, durability, and performance in off-road situations. Normal camper latches run about $3 each, but these bad boys are about $20 each.
Price doesn’t always dictate quality, but it most certainly does in this case. These latches are big and beefy and lockable, so you can leave your gear inside and rest assured that it’s safe under lock and key.
I use these two simple build quality features as examples because they demonstrate OBi’s commitment to giving you the best experience. I mean, if OBi goes to these lengths for windows and latches, you can bet that the big stuff – the electronics, plumbing, suspension, and so forth – are super high quality as well!
OBi Dweller 15 Off-Road Features
Of course, you don’t buy an OBi Dweller 15 simply because it’s built well…
These trailers are known worldwide for being highly capable off-road. And those capabilities start with the suspension components upon which the trailer rides.
Up front is a McHitch articulating towing coupler that’s a must-have for off-road travel. These couplers offer 360-degree movement, easy hitching and unhitching, and they prevent the trailer’s tongue from binding against the ball or popping off the ball altogether.
Underneath the OBi Dweller 15 is a hot-dipped galvanized chassis that’s purpose-built for standing up to the rigors of dirt, mud, rain, snow, and other elements. The trailer also has an independent coil suspension with heavy-duty shocks and springs that makes for the smoothest towing experience, whether you’re on the freeway or an old Jeep trail.
Add two feet of clearance (two feet!!), 16-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, electric drum brakes, and heavy-duty mud flaps, and this trailer is ready for an off-road party!
OBi Dweller 15 Exterior Features
The OBi Dweller 15 is about 18 feet long and nearly seven feet wide. While it isn’t the biggest trailer out there, you still get quite a lot of space. And despite all that space for features and goodies, it’s still hard not to be impressed by all the stuff OBi crammed into this thing.
There are simple features like the electric entry step that show OBi’s commitment to luxury and convenience. But there are also complex features that make this trailer the ultimate in off-road luxury.
For example, the OBi Dweller 15 has a pull-out galley, complete with a sink and a two-burner stovetop. The galley offers all the prep space you need to cook meals, and with a pull-out for a full-size divided refrigerator and freezer, you have the space to keep all your food, too.
I personally like the outdoor kitchen setup because it frees up more interior space for other goodies (more on that in a bit).
Another feature that’s worth mentioning is the electric awning. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to spend all day inside the trailer (though, I could in the Dweller 15!). Instead, I want to be outside enjoying the fresh air, yet do so without being rained on or beaten down by the sun.
The 12-foot awning on the OBi Dweller 15 solves that problem by giving you sheltered space where you can sit down, read a good book, and take in the views around you. And since the awning covers the kitchen area, you can prepare dinner under the cover of shade, too!
If you hit the trails on your side-by-side or four-wheeler and come back dirty as can be, the outdoor shower unit (shown above with the OBi Dweller 13) will be a good place to stop. Sure, there’s an indoor shower, too, but why track dirt and mud inside your Dweller 15 when you can hose off outside?!
This trailer is loaded for bear with storage space, too.
Not only do you get 21 gallons of fresh water storage, 31 gallons for city water, and 21 gallons for gray water, but you also get multiple exterior storage bays (with those awesome locking latches!) plus a tongue box up front for recovery gear.
In fact, there’s so much storage in the OBi Dweller 15 that you can add nearly 1,400 pounds of gear. That’s a lot of stuff, yet the Dweller 15 accommodates it well by offering ample storage space. Your gear will be easily accessible and organized, too, thanks to a series of pull-out slides and drawers in the exterior storage bays.
As you can see above, rather than having to climb inside the bay with a flashlight to rummage around for what you need, you simply pull the bins out, grab what you need, and you’re good to go!
OBi Dweller 15 Interior Features
As impressive as the exterior of the OBi Dweller 15 might be, the interior is even better, in my opinion.
Off-road trailers are supposed to be these rugged beasts with few – if any – creature comforts, right? Not in an OBi camper…
For example, the OBi Dweller 15 has a pop-top roof that gives you ample headspace, even if you’re over six feet tall. Add in a rear slide-out that expands the bedroom area, tons of windows, light interior colors, and loads of LED lighting, and you have a recipe for a light, bright, and spacious cabin.
Throughout the cabin, you’ll find high-end laminate cabinets that offer all sorts of storage and organization. There’s laminate flooring, too, which is not just beautiful but durable and easy to clean, too.
Speaking of cleaning, the en suite bathroom is a nice touch! The bathroom has a cassette toilet, a sink with hot and cold water, and a stand-up shower that offers you all the room you need to twist, turn, and bend down to get cleaned up.
In the middle of the trailer is a table where you have meals, play games, or sit and relax as you enjoy the views outside. The under-bunk A/C system will keep you cool, while the Truma Combi furnace and water heater will keep you warm and heat water for doing dishes or showering.
The plush folding queen mattress is 69.5″ x 80″ – ideal for two adults. Above the dining table is a bunk for a kiddo that’s out of the way yet provides a safe space to sleep.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the power system, too. The OBi Dweller 15 is outfitted with three 100-watt Renogy solar panels and a 2,000-watt Renogy inverter. The trailer comes with three 100AH AGM batteries, too, so you have the complete setup for off-grid power for extended stays.
This would be a very long article if I enumerated every single feature you’ll find inside the Dweller 15. Instead, have a look at the video above by ROA Offroad, which offers a detailed tour of this beast inside and out.
OBi Dweller 15 Put to the Test
So, by now, you have a good idea of what the OBi Dweller 15 offers in terms of interior amenities, exterior features, and off-road prowess.
But me telling you about these things is a lot different from you seeing it for yourself!
Above is another ROA Offroad video exploring their fully-modified OBi Dweller 15. This video highlights all the special features offered by OBi and shows you the possibilities that lay ahead for customizing your Dweller 15 to your specific needs with outfits like ROA Offroad.
At the end of the day, investing in a trailer is a big deal. You want to be sure you get good value for your money and that your trailer can do what you need it to do. You’ll tick both boxes with the OBi Dweller 15, that’s for sure!
For more details about this trailer, visit OBi Camper or ROA Offroad.