Leitner Designs is an American design and technology company, located in Mission Viejo, California, that invents, engineers and markets products designed to improve the function and utility of light trucks. The company’s motto, “Carry Your World” captures the breakthrough products Leitner Designs has brought to the market since its founding in 2007.
Their flagship product is the Active Cargo System (ACS). It is a patented cargo management system that allows you to carry all your gear securely. Its modular design is easily upgradable with numerous accessories. The ACS eliminates the shortcomings of truck racks currently on the market. Its design not only allows you to carry large items above the roof line, but its center load bar can be slid out of the way to carry large items such as motorcycles and bicycles. Its “Quad Rail” T-slot mounting technology allows endless accessories to be securely attached allowing complete customization!
The product showcases:
All aluminum TIG welded construction weighing 65 pounds
Simple no drill installation (2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma)
Rubber load pad to prevent damage to cargo
Locking water proof side mounted Gear Pods
Fuel can mounting plates
Load stops to keep gear from shifting
Stainless steel tie down rings
Locking Hi-Lift Jack mounting brackets
Roof Top Tent mounting brackets
Light brackets
Compatible with many Thule accessories.
Bernhard Leitner, says: “I have owned pickup trucks for over 24 years and none of the truck racks available served my needs. I needed a rack that could carry my gear in waterproof lockable storage and not get in the way when loading my motorcycles. I wanted a product that had a factory look and finish that enhanced the look of the truck and not distract from it. Leitner designs is owned and operated by adventure seekers. We hit the trails every weekend testing and refining our products. Everything we design, engineer and manufacture is done with your next adventure in mind.”
“Four wheeling, like any other activity, has its rules and principles. During my 40-plus years in this sport, I have seen and experienced a lot. The following axioms flow from all the wisdom I have picked up from others I respect. My list is actually longer, but I trimmed it to some of the better ones.”
Retrain your instincts– “Your instincts are wrong off-road, and you have to learn the correct ways. For example, if you’re going down the hill and the vehicle is sliding, the natural tendency is to step on the brakes. That just locks ‘em up and you slide more. If it’s wet and muddy, you will slide in the direction of off-camber. If you’re driving on a shelf road, you’ll go right off the edge. Learn the proper steps to take, and commit those to memory.”
Steep, sandy downhill -go with the flow.
Focus on clearance and traction – “Clearance and traction are basic tenets for dirt and rocks. You can get these by applying the correct driving technique and by mechanical means. The technique comes from your driving skills, as well as your ability to read lines and chart the proper course. Mechanical means include bigger tires and suspension to lift the body up. Traction is gained through better tires, lockers in the axles, and by airing down. Learn to drive without upgrading the vehicle with mechanical aids. You will develop better technical skills and improve your ability to pick lines.”
Disengaged sway bar to maximize articulation.
Pick your line and drive the line – “Four-wheeling is a game of inches. Four wheeling by design involves driving over difficult trails. That’s part of the fun. Even so, we try to minimize the hazards. As you view the trail ahead, pick a route that is most likely to afford traction for all four wheels. A lot of times moving just a few inches in one direction makes all the difference of keeping traction on all wheels.”
Lori, editor and co-founder of The Adventure Portal- picking a line
Keep momentum to increase flotation – “Momentum and flotation are the basic tenets for soft surfaces like sand and mud. Use steady momentum to carry you through soft surfaces. Too often drivers hit the gas too hard or at the wrong time, and they end up stuck. Airing down produces a larger footprint for each tire. This spreads the weight over a larger area so you have less weight per square inch. Combined with the proper momentum and driving techniques, this provides the flotation we need for soft surfaces.”
Change your tire pressure for the terrain – “It’s a game of pounds (PSI) too. We air down considerably to drive off road. When you’re in the 10-12 psi range, being off by 1 psi can make all the difference when you’re going through soft surfaces like sand, mud and snow. Make sure your pressure is just right.”
Don’t spin your wheels! – “Spinning wheels get you in trouble. If you no longer have forward progress and you start to spin your wheels, several things can happen.
– If you’re in a situation that’s a little off camber, you’ll drift. You can drift into a much more difficult situation.
– If you’re on soft material, like mud or sand, you’ll bury it.
– On firm ground the vehicle can literally start jumping up and down
placing tremendous destructive forces on the drive train each time the
wheels come down.
Tom of Badlands 4×4 training scoping the line choice and amount of acceleration.
Take precautions and the right equipment – “The more remote and more difficult the trail, the more prepared you need to be. For an easy trail near town on a Saturday with your buddies, you might get by without spares. Do the same on the Rubicon and it could be a day out to purchase parts and a day back before you can start your repairs. By the way, consider helicopter insurance from calstar.org (ed: or just have a Spot) next time you do the Rubicon. And remember the 7 P’s – Proper Prior Planning Prevents Pathetically Poor Performance.”
Losing rear traction
Keep it slow – “Ten mph is fast off-road. We are not racing and over 10 mph is fast. When you are going fast off-road, do not hit the small 5″ or 6″ (or bigger for that matter) rocks embedded in the wash when aired down. You can cut the sidewalls on both tires on the same side before you are able to stop. Avoid them or slow down and ease over.”
Stick to your recovery plan – “Chaos reigns when someone gets stuck. Everybody has an idea of how to get the driver unstuck – the quicker the better. And everybody tries to help without a plan. That is counterproductive and can be dangerous. Put one person in charge and hold a recovery meeting to plan your strategy. Remember slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.
Lori learning recovery safety measures
Expect delays on any run – “The more vehicles you have, the more likely something is to happen: breakdowns, someone gets stuck or blows a tire bead, riders need bathroom breaks. Assume your trip won’t stay 100% on schedule, so don’t get all wigged out when there is a delay. But groups are not bad. There is safety in numbers.”
There is an exception to every rule! – “I couldn’t resist adding one more axiom. Sometimes you have to break the rules – like when your life is in danger. Sometimes you break the rule just because – like going alone. The point is there are exceptions but your level of caution needs to go way, way up.”
“Even though I list 11 axioms here, which are considered self-evident and assumed to be true, the sport of 4-wheeling has in addition dozens, even hundreds of rules designed to make you a better driver and to keep you safe. If you hear of others, and they really strike a chord with you, add them to your list.”
Thanks to Tom Severin for his off road driving wisdom. Check out his four wheel drive trainings and trips at 4×4 Training.com.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK – What are some of your favorite 4WD driving techniques? What are the off-road driving techniques that you have found hardest to learn?
Tell us about it in the comments!
The owner of this month’s rig is Bernhard Leitner of Leitner Designs. The TAP crew met Bernhard while camping out at Blair Valley in Anza Borrego State Park a couple of years ago. We had seen him cruising by and ended up talking with him about his amazing rig.We thought we’d share his story and some interesting facts about the Pinzgauer.
Bernhard has always been interested in Pinzgauers as they were manufactured in the town that he was born, Graz Austria. In the 1960’s his father worked at the company that manufactured Pinzgauers as an engineering apprentice. In 2003 Bernhard’s uncle told him that the Swiss Army was modernizing their fleet of vehicles and auctioning off their supply of aging Pinzgauers. Bernhard wanted both the 4×4 and 6×6 variants. His uncle agreed to drive the three hours it would take to get to the town where they were being sold and choose two for him. Bernhard’s Uncle had been a mechanic all his life and he trusted his uncle’s judgment implicitly. He wired the money and had them shipped to the U. S. sight unseen. He did not regret it as the Swiss had taken impeccable care of both for the last 30 years. Storing them in underground heated shelters during the winters.
We asked Bernhard a few questions about his 6×6 1973 Pinzgauer that we thought our readers might want to know:
1. What’s the advantage of having 6 wheels? The advantage is the increased amount of traction and flotation six wheels provide, 50% more to be exact. With the six wheels, the ride is really smooth. He floats over washboard, sand etc. The Pinzgauer has three axels so the wheels are closer together than a standard 4 wheel drive. It climbs rocky terrain almost like a caterpillar. It has an independent suspension system which means that each wheel moves independently. He never has spotters when scoping out a line on a difficult trail unless they are pinzgauer owners themselves. The Pinz has almost no articulation and traditional wheel placement could lift three wheels off the ground! Bernhard went on to say however that even with three wheels off the ground, he’s got three on….so on a standard vehicle it’s like having one wheel off the ground; manageable. Another thing is that the Pinzgauer has portal axles giving the vehicle 13.25 inches of ground clearance with modest 34” tires, so it can straddle most obstacles that would hang up a traditional 4×4, allowing a completely different driving style.
2. Does the length of the wheelbase make it harder to maneuver on switchbacks and other tight turns? No. The Pinzgauer has a tighter turning radius than the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. It’s got a 40’ turning radius to the Jeep’s 41’ and he sits directly over the front axels…there is no hood. “This is one of the wonderful features of the truck and lets you see what’s on the trail ahead of you even when the hood is pointing toward the sky”. Bernhard says his Pinz turns like a forklift and makes the sharp turns that most people don’t expect it will be able to do.
Here are the comparative specs and commentary from Bernhard:
Pinzgauer 712Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
Wheelbase 117in 116in Overall length 195in 185in Width 69in 74in Payload 3300# 1000# Curb Weight 5300# 4200# “The wheelbase on my truck is only one inch longer then a 4 door jeep. This is why I can do all the trails the jeeps go on. Plus with the extra axle in the middle it takes a lot to high center the truck. It is also only 11 inches longer then a jeep unlimited but can carry 3X the weight.” This is a man who loves his rig!
3.Is it easy to get parts for the Pinz? Does it break down often? The vehicles have only recently been retired from service with the Austrian army and NOS (new old stock) parts are readily available from Swiss Army Vehicles; a dealer in Fayetteville Arkansas. Bernhard carries loads of spare parts in case of a breakdown on the trail but has not encountered anything that couldn’t be easily fixed while out on the road. The simplicity of the vehicle with no electronics makes the Pinz an ideal overland rig, and in case the two spare tires are not enough it can be driven on just 4 wheels.
4. What do you like most about owning a Pinzgauer? “I get to meet everyone! When I go camping, people come by to ask me about my rig. They bring some beer, we share food. It’s great! I have met so many nice people that I wouldn’t have if my vehicle wasn’t so unique.”
Specs: Manufacturer: Styer Puch Country of origin: Austria Model: Pinzgauer 712M Troop transport Year: 1973 Engine: 2.5L air cool 4 cylinder Gasoline 90Hp top speed 55MPH Transmission: Synchronized 5 speed manual transmission 4WD: synchronized 2 speed transfer case, shift on the fly. Front and rear differential locks. Suspension:Front Independent Pendel /with coil springs. Rear Independent Pendel Axle with leaf springs Ground Clearance: 335mm (13.25″) Electric: 24 Volt waterproof system Approach/departure angle: 45/45 degrees. Climb angle: 100%. Sideslope: 40%. Modifications: -Custom front winch bumper with 9500# mile marker winch -Rack for four 5 gallon jerry cans -Elevated Dog Bed between driver and passenger with food and water bowls -Custom bridging ladders and mount -Custom toolbox mount -Custom second spare tire holder -12 volt charging system for trailer -Custom Snorkel tested to 5 feet of water fording -24 Volt on board MIG welding system. -15 Pound CO2 tank -Hella H4 100w lights -Fuel tank guard
~A big thank you to Bernhard Leitner of Leitner designs, maker of the Active Cargo System, and look for our write – ups on his custom made trailer and his budding new business….coming soon~
For more overland and off-road ready rigs, CHECK HERE
So I admit it, when I travel I always over pack and when we go on an overland adventure, I’ve been accused of being “over prepared”. To be honest, I’m not sure what that means because you don’t “need” anything until you find yourself in a place where you need it. This being said, on my way home from “Snoverland Expo” this year, I definitely needed my RotopaX fuel containers and every drop of gas in them.
I had decided to take a different way home and head west along the I-40 , turning south along Hwy-95 and eventually joining the I-10 close to Joshua Tree National Park. The map showed a straightforward route with some cool overland trails in the middle of nowhere (Snaggletooth range) to explore. I was alone in my Taco, towing my Sierra4x4 trailer and had plenty of time, provisions, gear, and fuel. I was getting a measly 14 mpg, but knew that there was one gas station along theHwy-95 that would carry me through the journey.
Snaggletooth range area
After hours on the road and many miles behind me, I drew into the station at Vidal Junction with an empty tank and was approached by the attendant who gave me the “tanks are dry” speech. I asked when he expected a tanker, and got a shrug of his shoulders. Well, not to worry as I was “over prepared” with a 1.75 gallon RotopaX tank on the back and two 4 gallon RotopaX tanks on the roof. So, technically speaking, I had approximately 140 miles of extra gas to put in my tank. In actuality, I needed every drop of it and later nervously limped into the Desert center gas station on the I-10 again with a dry tank. It was a wake up call, as this was the first time in 3 years I had used the extra gas I always carry and never really expected to have to use it on a highway.
So what has been my experience with the “overland cool” RotopaX gas containers I have been carrying around? I have had a slight leakage with one of the 4 gallon containers I carry on my roof. In all fairness to RotopaX, this is entirely my fault as I failed to release the pressure in the cans caused by altitude and temperature changes. A point they make clear on their site. Secondly, when I actually came to use the eco spout in an emergency situation it took me 15 minutes to work out how to make it function. Again, simple user error as there is a well presented video on the RotopaX site clearly showing how they function.
My take away is that yes, I am very “prepared” with gear, but I learnt that sometimes I can be “under prepared” in the knowledge on how to use the technical gear I have purchased. And yes, even spare gas containers should obviously be considered a technical item.
In conclusion, RotopaX make a great product and one that I can thoroughly recommend and am glad I have purchased. They are well made and have been in all weather conditions on my rig for over a year and show no signs of wear. The rotational connecting system is unique and easy to use and I like the ability to be able to not only stack, but also lock cans onto the rig……..and oh yes, they look really cool too.
For more information on RotopaX gear check out www.rotopaX.com
Off – road trailers are certainly an emotive subject, some people swear by them, others…well, they swear at them. TAP took possession of a brand new, off-road ready Turtleback Trailer in April 2014 and spent the next 12 months towing it several thousand miles around California. We went from crazy busy Californian freeways to switchback mountain roads and decidedly “interesting” overland trails in the desert, where trailers didn’t seem like they belonged. For about 50 nights we camped using the Turtleback, all in primitive locations. We probably put several years of use on it in this one year period. TAP also owns and has extensively used an off-road capable Sierra4x4 trailer (The company is no longer in business.) since 2010. It has been very interesting to compare the bare bones box-on-wheels Sierra4x4, to the fully loaded “glamping machine”: The Turtleback Trailer.
The off-road trailer unit we ordered was fully loaded with the following options:
-7 Way Flat Trailer Plug Wired to: Running, Brake, Turn Charge Line & Trailer Brakes
- Interior Lighting in Cargo Area and Kitchen
-42 Gallon Fresh Water Tank Food Grade, BPA Free Construction
-Flowjet 12v Demand Water Pump
-Atwood 6 Gallon DSI Water Heater
-Exterior Shower
-Baltic Birch Pantry Drawer in Kitchen Area
-Baltic Birch Slide Out Kitchen with 2 Drawers
-2 Burner Wedgewood Stainless Steel Stove with Stainless Cover by Atwood
-Stainless Steel Sink with Hot & Cold Faucet
-48″x32″ Nose Box, 45″ Side Box, 25″ Side Box
-Upgrade to UCF Torsion Axle
-Spare Axle Trailing Arm for Flexride 3500# torsion axle
-TBT Tailgate with Spare Tire mount and drop down table.
-31-10.50-15 Tire and Wheel
-Electrical System addition to STD box Turtleback Trailer. Includes Blue Sea Battery Disconnect, Blue Sea 6 Circuit Fuse Block, 6 Amp Marine Battery Charger (Shore Power), 10 Amp Solar controller.
-Black Accent Group – Water Heater Door, Water Fill, Outdoor Shower
-Valterra Stabilizer Jack
Turtleback trailer kitchen view: courtesy of Adventure Driven
When we picked it up in Phoenix from Dave at Turtleback Trailers, I was impressed with his attention to detail and the overall finish of the trailer. There is no question that Dave cares about what he makes and runs a professional organization. Small domestic businesses thrive and survive based on their product and their customer service. Buying a product like this can be stressful due to the monies involved. Let’s be honest too, many times, not all couples are 100% on board with the decision to buy. Dave personally manages each trailer pick up with the customer, which is essential. Our advice is to ask a lot of questions and remember to listen, it will save time working it out later.
The trailer was definitely bigger than our Sierra4x4. (Dry weight differences are 750lbs compared to approx. 1200lbs). This being said, it never felt too big for either our Tacoma doublecab TRD or Jeep Unlimited Rubicon, either on or off road. When fully loaded and weighing approximately 2000 lbs, it did cause some laboring on road hill climbs, when being towed by our Jeep. I blame this on the under- powered Jeep engine, rather than the trailer, as this isn’t something the Tacoma ever suffered from. After several thousand miles of towing, I can honestly say that the Turtleback trailer tracks with the tow vehicle beautifully. On long journeys the majority of the time you settle in and forget it’s behind you. Actually, be careful of this, as it’s easy to cut people off when changing lanes!
Turtleback trailer side view- The Adventure Portal
So let’s take a look at and assess what we had bought. (I’m not going to go into a lot of technical information here as you can find everything you need spelled out in detail on their website www.turtlebacktrailers.com). The basic Turtleback comes nicely appointed, but if you’re like me, there are also many options that you simply “need” to complete the experience. “Need” is obviously a relative term and looking back here’s some things I learned.
-The 42 gallon water tank comes standard. We went on many multi night trips where we were primitive camping with 3 of us and a dog. Better to have too much than too little but we never used 42 gallons of water and always ended up draining it on our journey home. Of course you never want to run out of water when in the backcountry, but this amount of water weighs a lot, so experiment with how much you really need to carry.
-The tailgate with spare tire and stainless drop down table. This to me is an essential upgrade as I wouldn’t trail anywhere without a spare tire. The stainless drop down table was always used and super useful when cooking and preparing food. It packs away easily and out of the way.
-We had the UCF flexride axel upgrade. I obviously can’t compare it to the standard axel, but it definitely created a stable platform off and on road.
-I really thought we’d use the rear awning, especially since we spend so much time in the desert. In actuality we didn’t and it became just an extra piece of gear to mess with. I do however see many trailers with them erected, so maybe that’s just us?
-The exterior shower and Atwood on demand 50k water heater seemed like such a great idea. It worked great, but we didn’t use it very much at all. I have short hair so I used it to wash off, but I could have done this with a bucket of water. My ladies both have long hair and didn’t want to hassle with washing their hair or showering when camping primitively. If we had been in a camp-site, they would have simply used the showers.
-If you going off road with your trailer, definitely up-grade to the Multi-Coupler. It gives you articulation security when towing off road and 100% safety that the trailer won’t jump off a ball hitch. Believe me, this can happen and did to us with a $600 repair bill on the trailer. Luckily we were only doing 5 miles an hour and I hesitate to think of the consequences of this happening a higher speeds!
-Battery Electrical upgrade: One battery proved completely sufficient for our needs and we never had issues with a low battery charge. To be fair, we tend to move campsites along our travels so are constantly charging while trailing. If you intend to create a static basecamp, then maybe a second battery is required or a solar system to power up. If opting for the solar option, make sure you use roll up or fold up systems for ease of storage and use.
-If you’re going to tow a trailer then a roof rack and RTT (Rood top tent) is an obvious choice. There are many on the market and Dave can sell you one as part of the package. We’ve been using RTT’s for almost a decade and will never ground camp again!
-Nose and side boxes. The nose box was useful for battery and electrical system storage. We also opted for the side boxes and in reality, we never really “needed” them for extra space as the combination of the kitchen slide outs and the large storage area at the front of the trailer proved sufficient. They do finish the aesthetics though and make the trailer look killer.
-Tire and wheel size is debatable. The standard setup comes with AT 265×70-R16. For most trails that people will tow on, this is absolutely fine. If you truly intend to trail across moderate to difficult terrain then I suggest you go up in size. We did touch down on the odd occasion when on questionable trailer suitable terrain and a bigger tire set up would have avoided this. Also, when possible, try and match the size and make of tires/wheels to your tow rig, as this gives security of having matching spares. Finally, bigger tires simply make the trailer look great!
-The kitchen was fantastic. The Baltic birch drawers all functioned perfectly and now even come with dove-tailed corners. I really liked the stove flame cut-off when you pulled out the top drawer above the stove. Occasionally annoying when you were wondering why the kettle wasn’t boiling, but a great idea. The water heater worked well too and it was nice to have hot water to do the dishes even if we didn’t use the shower option. One slight gripe was that the grey water drainage pipe was positioned too close to where you were standing while cooking. An easy fix though.
-No fridge. A lot of other trailers come with space for a fridge and a slide out. The Turtleback doesn’t. Dave’s point is that most people use or want a fridge or cooler in their rig when out on the trails. That’s true for us and we used an Engel 45l in the Tacoma and an Engel cooler in the front compartment of the trailer when on multi day trips. I do feel however that a proportion of buyers would still wish there was a fridge option around or close to the kitchen area.
The Adventure Portal with Turtleback along Cerro Gordo road east.
So, after 12 months of significant use, the Turtleback trailer performed extremely well and stood up admirably to any conditions we threw at it. Everything worked perfectly and it is still in great shape and looks it. Dave has also made some upgrades to his next generation trailers and they are even more dialed today. TAP has no hesitation in recommending this product and it will give you many years of fantastic glamping experiences.
Finally, there are obviously many trailer options out there. Is it a simple box on wheels to carry gear or is it something that gives you some of the comforts of home in true glamping style. Everything has its place and prices can range from affordable to “I’ll need a loan for that”.
* In the spirit of full disclosure, since we always take two rigs, we ended up not needing two trailers. We decided that for our use, a simple rugged box on wheels was most appropriate. We sold our Turtleback to the Managing Editor of Toyota Cruisers and Trucks (TCT) Magazine and it is now being towed around the SW behind a very nicely built FJ Cruiser. Turtlebacks can also be seen behind some very experienced drivers and rigs, like Adventure Driven who guide tours in the North Rim area of the Grand Canyon. Another fantastic testament to the quality and build of this rugged glamping machine!
“Took a couple of days to drive up to Tahoe and I shot some DSLR time lapse along the way. This was the first winter storm of the season, just in time for fall colors. From Bishop to Mono Lake, the Sierras were in all their glory.”- Bill Freeman
