Black Series Campout Recap: Lucerne Valley

We started our Black Series Campouts event series because, well, we love two things above all else: off-road trailers and camping, preferably together. So when we’re not at work making the best off-road trailers we’re outside using them. And when we’re out there, there are few things we enjoy more than talking trailers with other campers – suspension, design, mods, specs, you name it. Black Series Campouts are an opportunity to do exactly that, connect with like-minded adventurers, talk rigs, and have a good time. When trailer talk turns to shooting the breeze by the fire and the belly laughs get extra loud, those are the good times we look back on with a smile. We’ve hosted Black Series Campouts for a while now and we’ll continue to put them on in the coming months. Check out the bottom of this post for a full rundown of what the campouts entail, who’s invited, and how to know when and where the next one will take place.

A recent campout found us in California’s beautiful Lucerne Valley. The sun was shining and so were the trailers, that is until the trailer race got them gloriously dust-coated. Below are trip highlights, info on Lucerne Valley (highly recommended spot for all you trailer campers), and yes, epic photos from our trailer race across the sand flats.

About the Location

Lucerne Valley is a prime location for off-road trailer camping. Black Series staff member and campout attendee, Duane Millares, describes it well:

“Lucerne Valley is a dry lake bed that’s quite remote. The road to the location is rough and requires four-wheel drive vehicles. We were at a location that no other trailers were able to access.”

The desert beauty of Lucerne Valley is apparent from the moment it comes into view from the road. But it is a desert – hot, dusty, and dry. “Our awnings and canopies were put to great use. We staked them down for reinforcement against the occasional dust devils,” says Millares.

Managing the unpredictability of the elements is all part of the fun of getting remote, and once our caravan of Black Series trailers had set up camp and settled in, the vastness of the sand flats was mesmerizing. In the seemingly infinite sandscape we’d created an oasis.

Activity Highlights

Rock climbing, hiking, off-road racing (more on this shortly), and star gazing would be on the brochure for Lucerne Valley, but possible activities are limited only by your imagination. Our crew included families, and it didn’t take long for the kids to start channeling their inner Alex Honnold and climb Free Solo-style over the rock formations by camp. Everyone partook in some day hiking. And the night skies were as clear as the water from our trailer showers. The stargazing was top-class.

The most memorable activity, though, was our impromptu trailer race across the sand flats. Maybe it was inevitable. When you have a fleet of off-road trailers and four-wheel-drive trucks in a seemingly infinite desert playground, at some point those trailers are getting hauled at high speeds across the sand. Looking at the vast flats devoid of tire tracks we felt like Picasso eyeing a blank canvas. It was time to paint a masterpiece.

The Rigs on Hand

Our convoy to Lucerne Valley was impressive – a diverse cross-section of the Black Series lineup. On site we had two HQ19s, an HQ17, a Patron, and a Classic Double. For attendees it was a chance to touch and feel the evolution of Black Series off-road trailers, from the indestructible tent campers that our legacy is rooted in, all the way up to one of our biggest, most luxurious flagship HQ models, the HQ19. You could chart the course of Black Series’s history right there on the lakebed.

Tips, Takeaways, and A-ha Moments

No excursion off-road is without lessons. Even after a smooth-sailing campout like we had in Lucerne Valley there are trailer camping tips to walk away reminded of. Here are a few that we took away from the desert:

Respect the Beta – This may seem basic but by doing our homework beforehand, checking the maps, the weather, the routes, the timing, and knowing who was coming and what their knowledge and skill levels were with off-road camping, we were able to drive into the valley fully prepared. In particular, this meant bringing extra water and sun protection. Sunscreen, hats, long sleeves and pants, awnings, pop-up tents, it all made a difference in keeping folks comfy and happy.
Pack Some Non-Electronic Entertainment – While our trailers provide all the creature comforts of home, including power for all your devices, the great outdoors are at their greatest when we can disconnect, at least a little. That goes for kids and adults alike. The pass-through storage compartments and interior storage space on Black Series trailers is perfect for bringing frisbees, footballs, outdoor gear, board games, and any other battery-free toy you can think of.
Never Turn Down a Chance to Trailer Race in the Desert – This might go without saying, but when there’s miles of perfectly flat desert and you have the most rugged off-road trailer available. Let it rip. (Within your comfort zone and while staying safe, of course).

Campout Details for Attendees

If you’re interested in attending an upcoming campout simply stay tuned to our social media feeds. That’s where we’ll announce upcoming events. Here’s a rundown of things for campout attendees to know:

Campouts are open to anyone. The attendees usually include a majority Black Series owners, Black Series pros (employees), and members of the public who want to check out Black Series trailers in the wild.
Campout announcements usually happen 30-45 days prior to the event.
Black Series provides some food and beverages, but all attendees are encouraged to pack appropriately for a self-supported stay (this means food, water, and other essentials).
Black Series Pros are usually on hand. The event invite will specify this. Our staff are good people, out for a good time, and there’s no one better to chat with about trailer specifics.
The locations are usually in the greater California area, though we’re looking to broaden our reach for future campouts (Want us to come to your neck of the woods? Shoot us a note on social or leave a comment here. We’d love to hear from you. We’ve also had Campouts hosted and managed by Black Series owners so if this interests you we can talk about helping you play host).

Caravans shown in this post: