How Accuride Drawer Slides are Revolutionizing Outdoor Living

• Into the Wild Overland is a Colorado-based manufacturer of trailers.
• These robust trailers can handle tough off-road terrain.
• Accuride 9308E heavy-duty lock-in & lock-out slides underpin each trailer’s space-saving kitchen compartment.

There are thousands of miles of overland trails in the United States, more than a few in Colorado. If you’re there you may run into Matt Reichel. If you’re lucky, you’ll see one of his popular off-road campers.

Matt Reichel is owner and founder of Into the Wild Overland, a company that builds compact overland trailers. Based outside of Denver, Reichel started his business after an epiphany.

“I had spent years in construction management,” he says. “I came to a point and asked myself: Is this where I want to be in life?”

With some soul-searching, Reichel knew it was time for a career change.

Changing Course

Reichel and his wife sold their belongings and set off on a year-long journey across America. That journey took them across the many ranges, plains, cities, and shores in the vastness of the United States.

“Of all the places that impressed me the most, I had to say Death Valley stood out the most. You see the stars and natural beauty, in all their simplicity, at night…That really leaves a mark.”

Even before he ventured off on his trip, Reichel had tinkered around with a trailer, customizing a bare example with all the accouterments he wanted: electricity, hot water, and a stove, just to name a few. He used his knowledge of construction to craft cozy, yet durable, interiors. Whatever he didn’t know, he learned by reading manuals and talking to friends who did.

When Reichel returned to Colorado, he was determined to take charge of his own future. That future would be building a new line of durable, ultra-versatile trailers.

Built Tough

“I like to think of these trailers as a Swiss army knife on wheels.”

That’s Reichel’s simple, yet fitting, analogy for the versatility and reliability of his trailers. Into the Wild Overland campers include an extraordinary list of amenities, such as a 100-watt solar panel, a hot-water shower, and a pull-out kitchen compartment.

Then there are the technical features for off-road use. Those include:

• oversized tires & 15-inch steel wheels to handle rough terrain
• electric brakes for ample stopping power
• a fully independent, axle-less suspension with nearly 2 feet of ground clearance
• and a load capacity of 3,500 lbs.

Reichel enlisted Accuride’s 9308 Heavy-Duty Lock-In & Lock-Out Slides for his trailer’s kitchen accessories, mounted at the rear. Those accessories include a pull-out propane burner stove with glass top, a sink, and a combined fridge/freezer.

Accuride’s 9300 Enhanced Series handles loads up to 600 lbs. The 9308 Enhanced locks a slide in or out. A user unlocks the slide by pushing up or down on a tab. This secure locking feature makes the 9308E a popular choice of drawer slide in transportation, including recreational vehicles and trailers.

Additionally, each trailer holds up to 10 gal. of fresh water for cooking, washing, and showering, and 11 lbs. of propane for heating.

Total interior space is 105 cubic feet. In essence, Into the Wild Overland’s ethos is “Maximum Versatility. Minimum Size.”

A Changing Audience

What used to be considered as a retiree pastime has become a new lifestyle. Baby Boomers still make up the bulk of present RV/trailer buyers, but younger buyers are embracing the mobile and micro-living lifestyle.

Reichel has noticed this: “A lot of my customers are folks in their thirties. They either want to downsize, live off-grid, or just go on an adventure.” Given that an Into the Wild Overland trailer costs about as much as a sub-compact economy car, Reichel’s trailers offer a living solution much more affordable—and liberating—than a traditional home.

It a perspective Reichel understands well. “Hey, I was there. I felt it. I’m glad I’m making something that might empower those feelings of freedom.”

The Road Ahead

Reichel isn’t resting on his laurels. Into the Wild Overland has two concepts in development—a miniaturized “toy hauler” version of the Boreas for carrying small vehicles; and a larger variant of the Boreas, featuring a pop-up top, bathroom, and internal kitchen. You can keep up with his latest progress by checking out his Facebook Page or blog.

Explore our in-depth, multimedia profile on Into the Wild Overland visiting our Customer Stories Page!

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