Brein Wankel reminds us that you can experience the greatest thrills of a spontaneous trail ride while still enjoying the comfort of a trailer. His Turtleback Expedition has made the last six years of camping with family filled with the most memorable and enjoyable moments out in the wild.
Growing up with a love for hiking and trail running, Brien bought a Jeep to keep up with his love of exploring the outdoors in Tucson, Arizona. He quickly realized his wife and kids enjoyed the rides too (but not so much the running), so the hunt began for an ideal trailer to accommodate his adventurous family of five.
When it came down to the many options available, Brien and his wife chose the Turtleback Expedition because of its size and ease of setup. It’s never fun to pull into a campsite only to spend the next hour putting together camp and delaying dinner with hangry kids. Turtleback has expedited the process to allow for less work and more family time in the great outdoors.
With a hankering for exploring unknown trails, narrow mining access roads, and rough terrain, Brien has appreciated the trailer’s ability to keep up with any route. “We can take it wherever,” he said.
In addition, Brien values the rugged features of the Turtleback Expedition. Analog controls are a plus for anyone who loves to brave daring trail rides, with the reassurance that you can address and troubleshoot any issues should you need to.
Brien noted that the initial hesitation to invest in a trailer was quickly replaced by the realization that his family was gaining access to endless opportunities for exploration to come. He compared it to owning a cabin, but instead being able to set up camp in new locations–for a lot less money.
With well over 30,000 miles and a few hundred days of camping under its belt, Brien’s Turtleback Expedition has been a highlight for family adventure. The ample space (now adorned with his kids’ latest rock collections) has allowed for the feeling of “roughing it” while enjoying the comfort of a trailer. The Wankel family loves the ability to leave for a camping trip on a whim. And with virtually no packing required for their Turtleback trailer, they can throw a bag of clothes in and ride!
Brien resides in Tucson, Arizona where he enjoys a large overlanding community. As a digital creator, you can find him out on the sketchiest of trails–or safely catch a glimpse on Instagram @sonoranspaceprogram. Be sure to ask him about his favorite Thanksgiving trail memory. That’s a story for another time.
