Capable Family Camping Setup

[TAFKALVS]

This camper looks like it could fit your bill, and it already appears off-road so no worries there either.

He says the price is firm so maybe try and get him to throw in the A/C unit.

https://mobile.craigslist.org/rvs/5639671916.html

Or a fat baggy of crystal meth.

[MakersTeleMark]

These are roomier than you would believe:

[El Chupacabra]

These are roomier than you would believe:

That's exactly what I had. Fleetwood Evolution E1. Burly frame, axle, wheel /tire setup all was good. Build quality was shit. The 15-year-older Forest River one I had before it ($2K or so) was much better quality, and it was mediocre.

But yes, roomy.

[Danno]

I didn't get rid of the pop up due to lack of space, that's for sure.

[bagtagley]

This camper looks like it could fit your bill, and it already appears off-road so no worries there either.

He says the price is firm so maybe try and get him to throw in the A/C unit.

https://mobile.craigslist.org/rvs/5639671916.html

I was supposed to inherit that, but Ma and Pa need the money.

I can see the issues with sleeping 4 in a truck camper, but it has to be better than a tent, especially in crap weather. And it seems that with some creativity and a little carpentry, I can get around the biggest issues. I'm seeing some older FWC and Northstar campers for under $2K. Be a good way to cheaply try it out. Biggest expense is the truck. I'd want to run an 8' bed camper in a 6.5' bed, so it looks like I should be searching for 3/4 ton trucks. Even then, I'd think I could put something together for under $15K. That way I can keep the Sonata, have a nice camping setup, and a capable pickup when I need it. That will keep BMills and I on a level playing field. He can make fun of Sonatas, and I can make fun of people from Ohio. Win, win!

[iceman]

Sniper!

[bagtagley]

Que?

[AdironRider]

I think you can get 99 percent of the benefit of a camper by bringing along an aerobed and choosing a tent that you can stand up in. I've got a mountainsmith 5 man that sets up in 5 minutes with three poles. I'm 6'3. Put an aerobed and some actual sheets down and you'll be glad you spent 500 not 5000. You are typically only in there to sleep.

I've yet to really see a camper or rv that doesn't ultimately take just as long to set up as a tent setup. By the time you jack and level the thing you can set up a tent. And you have kids, just make them do it and supervise.

[bagtagley]

I have a pimp tent with inflatable mattresses. It's not just the tent that's the issue. I'm ready to try something different.

[zion zig zag]

Probably not a concern, but soft sided campers are not allowed in some of the campgrounds in bear country. I know GTNP and Yellowstone campgrounds specifically.

[teleee]

This is my set up and I fricking love it. Went from a tent to this. I have to say being able to shower, cook and occasionally poop inside after a day of freezing my ass off on the river is priceless. Have it set up with everything inside so I back up hook up and go. Just add food and water.
Its lightweight and tows easy. The pop outs give us a ton of room. When I'm in bear country we leave the pop outs up and make the table into a bed.
The clearance isn't great but if you go slow the short single axle will go damn near anywhere. I have taken it to some pretty gnarly spots.

[BmillsSkier]

I was supposed to inherit that, but Ma and Pa need the money.

I can see the issues with sleeping 4 in a truck camper, but it has to be better than a tent, especially in crap weather. And it seems that with some creativity and a little carpentry, I can get around the biggest issues. I'm seeing some older FWC and Northstar campers for under $2K. Be a good way to cheaply try it out. Biggest expense is the truck. I'd want to run an 8' bed camper in a 6.5' bed, so it looks like I should be searching for 3/4 ton trucks. Even then, I'd think I could put something together for under $15K. That way I can keep the Sonata, have a nice camping setup, and a capable pickup when I need it. That will keep BMills and I on a level playing field. He can make fun of Sonatas, and I can make fun of people from Ohio. Win, win!

To be fair there's only one Sonata that I make fun of and it's driven by a guy who is owed $37.

[Foggy_Goggles]

Because I'm too lazy to find the RV thread, here are two I've come across. Something like the Bronco on an updated 3/4 ton long bed would be about perfect. I've seen the Chinook in person. Looks nice, guy said he'd take $27K.

https://denver.craigslist.org/rvs/5686383309.html

https://denver.craigslist.org/rvs/5632125571.html

[nopainnojane]

We have had a pop-up for 5 years now and really like it. Kids are 8 and 10 and we still have plenty of room. We have the regular low clearance wheels and have found no issues getting to forest service campgrounds in Colorado.

First tow vehicle was a Dodge Dakota which did fine. Biggest issue was cab size for the kids. Got a Ram 1500 and been much happier.

Set up and tear down are not that big of an issue for us, about 15 minutes to set up and 30 minutes to tear down. Did a 10 day trip in it last summer and had now problem moving from place to place.

The other plus over hard sided units is we can store it in the garage. The truck does not fit, so that is handy. It is also nice to just load food, clothes and water and go.

[Tye 1on]

Probably not a concern, but soft sided campers are not allowed in some of the campgrounds in bear country. I know GTNP and Yellowstone campgrounds specifically.

minor clarification: hard sided are not required [yet?] in GTNP-

[Foggy_Goggles]

^^^Good to see your name! 8 and 10! Time flies. If your ever up towards Winter Park let me know.

[Cayuse]

Pretty happy with my Tundra and FWC setup. Finding a used FWC is a challenge. I've taken the combo pretty much anywhere I'd want to take the truck by itself. Most I've slept in it has been 3 but could do 4.

Fridge runs on batteries/solar and there is always cold beer for after a climbing or biking session no matter how spur of the moment.

[nopainnojane]

^^^Good to see your name! 8 and 10! Time flies. If your ever up towards Winter Park let me know.

It does, I can't hardly keep up with the kids. The oldest took us to the cirque last season after ski school took him back there. My wife and I both have lifetime passes at WP so we are up all winter, mainly weekends.

[zion zig zag]

minor clarification: hard sided are not required [yet?] in GTNP-

Good to know. So just Yellowstone I guess?

[Harry]

Good to know. So just Yellowstone I guess?

Yeah, but most of the Yellowstone Park campgrounds are soft-side legal. But there are a few that do require hard sides. IMHO it is not a big enough deal to sway your purchase decision.

[zion zig zag]

Yeah, but most of the Yellowstone Park campgrounds are soft-side legal. But there are a few that do require hard sides. IMHO it is not a big enough deal to sway your purchase decision.

It is for my wife. She heard about the few campgrounds and now assumes that bears are just waiting to tear into campers nationwide.

[rod9301]

Livin'lite makes great popups, very light, and optionally off road.

[Harry]

It is for my wife. She heard about the few campgrounds and now assumes that bears are just waiting to tear into campers nationwide.

Oh. Vibes bro....

[bodywhomper]

Question for some, how much time are you spending doing maintenance, upkeep, and cleaning on the popups and hard side trailers? I grew up spending lots of time in a 79 pace arrow. Sometimes that thing took a lot of work, and my parents spent a good amount of time cleaning it. I'm guessing it's similar with a trailer, minus the time under the hood.

[bagtagley]

Any thoughts on the truck? Diesel vs gas. Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge. I'm not brand loyal. Just want reliable and easy to fix.

I'm going to go look at some trucks next week, but I'm curious about the space of an extended cab vs crew dab. If it's a DD, I'll be hauling kids daily. Four door is probably ideal, but then I'd prefer a shorter bed. Long bed is better for some of the bigger campers, but with four doors, that's a long fucking truck.