We're running into a similar roadblock when it comes to finding a TC big enough to fit a family of four with older kids. Most dinettes are around 40" wide, and that's not enough to comfortably accomodate a 10 and 7 year old at the same time. Some slide-out models have up to a 48" dinette, but even that is pretty tight for two older kids.
Adventurer makes the 10T, with a popout tent on the passenger side, but it's probably too heavy for your truck. Here's a link:
Host makes both a tent that opens out the back, and also a bunk option to go above the dinette. I've also seen pics of a few home made add-a-bunks here.
'06 F350 Lariat Supercab SRW, 6.0 PSD 4x4 Long Bed, Intake Elbow, Walker Big Truck Muffler. '06 Host Rainer 950 Double Slide, Fastguns. Firestone Air Bags, Rancho 9000s, Vision 19.5s with Hankook DH-01 245s, Energy Suspension bump stops.
I'm going to be a nay-sayer here. Most short bed campers are cramped with just two adults. How do I know this? Read sig. Only in a pinch would I subject myself and my family to such a sardine can existence. There are folks on here that do it, but they must have a very high claustraphobia threshold and love each other very, very much. We have had the occasion to sleep another adult on the dinette bed, and another short adult in the back seat of the truck. You must be desperate to do this, though.
Form just doesn't follow function here. Depending on the ages of the two children, setting up a tent along with the camper would be a do-able alternative. Another solution, if you are summer campers only, would be to forget the TC and get a large tent trailer. I've also seen folks with several older children travel with both a TC (pop up or hard side) for the adults and a tent trailer for the kids. Having two bedrooms would have advantages, and the truck certainly has the muscle to pull the tent trailer. If you are off-road bound, I've seen some new model tent trailers with what look like off-road accommodations. Like, big tires and wheels, more than adequate suspension, a more heavy duty frame, all which look better than the wheel barrow wheels and flimsy construction you see on older tent trailers.
One of my Jeeping buddies installed a tent trailer super structure on his military jeep trailer. It goes anywhere and folds out to a very livable space.
There are a lot more options for you, all of which I like better than 4 bodies in a S.B. T.C.
regards, as always, jefe
'01.5 Dodge 3/4T, CTD, HO, Qcab, SB, 4x4, 6spd, D60, D80+Pwr Loc,
camper&tow pkg,Titan V, 285/75R-16 frnt, 33/14.5 Nitto super singles rr,
Rancho 9K's, Warn M15K winch. tows Jeep CJ8 rock crawler on 14' trailer
'98 Lance Squire Lite 165s, 8' 6" X Cab
stufarmer wrote: Check out the new Lance 830 with the rear tent option. Very cool.
The problem with the 830 is that to get that tent you have to give up an appreciable amount of inside storage as well as the only outside storage space. Also it only has a 30gal water tank, which 4 people can blow through pretty quick.
2007 F350,SC,LB,4x4,6.0/Auto,35" tires,16.5 Warn,Buckstop bumpers
2007 Outfitter Apex9.5,270W solar,SolarBoost2000e,2 H2K's,2KW inverter,2 20lb LP on slide out tray,4 Lifeline AGM bats,Tundra fridge
95 Bounder 28' ClassA sold
91 Jamboree 21' ClassC sold
CochraneCamper wrote: Most dinettes are around 40" wide, and that's not enough to comfortably accommodate a 10 and 7 year old at the same time.
Them must be some big kids. My 13 and 15 year old fit fine on the 40" bed(one facing each way)and my 16 year old sleeps on a mat on the floor. Five of us are very comfortable in our Adventurer 90FWS. Remember these campers are for camping not for living
96' F350 PSD with smoke added, Airbags, Trailmaster SSV shocks, 315/75R16 Toyo M/T, Centering guides.
06' Adventurer 90FWS with leg extensions
06' Jetcraft XS.
94' Wells Cargo 7'x14' Slide-Show
Here's another approach. We use to have a 9 1/2' Hideaway (which we used for about 20 years. When we started with it the kids were like 5 and 2. When older sister finally decided that sleeping with little brother was eeeewwwwww! (about 12 and 9 or so), we picked up a new little Jayco 860 pop up. The kids now had their own rig which they were quite proud of and which stayed in the "base" camp. We'd use the TC and truck for running around and day trips. When they were old enough to drive, they then had their first RV. We've all gone through several vehicles and a new TC, but that pop up is now camping home to our daughter., husband, and grand daughters. When we first started, many people would look at the combo, scratch their heads and I'd just tell them it's the mother in law house! That little pop up has covered all lower 48 states, gone through very little repair and is still in use. Didn't mean for this to be a Jayco testimonial, but this combo worked great for us for years.... just another 2 cents.
I am going with jefe 4x4 on this one. I HAD a 91 11.5' caribou on a F350 longbox and it just got to be too much(less) for the 4 of us. Just not enough room while cooking & getting ready for bed or Day. We looked at the new campers with the pop-out tents and that might have did the trick but the $$$ was way out of our price range. So you might go the route we went and find a Class-C that might make it work. I found my 25' (2' longer then my old setup) with 4x4 that I can go anywhere that my truck/camper setup went and tow the boat better. Just something else to think on.
NOPE! Everyone just considered it a truck pulling a trailer. Once the daughter started pulling it with her own car, then we had to get another site, although there were many cases where, once they found out we were family, just said "oh what the heck".
Berticus wrote: I am going with jefe 4x4 on this one. I HAD a 91 11.5' caribou on a F350 longbox and it just got to be too much(less) for the 4 of us. Just not enough room while cooking & getting ready for bed or Day. We looked at the new campers with the pop-out tents and that might have did the trick but the $$$ was way out of our price range. So you might go the route we went and find a Class-C that might make it work. I found my 25' (2' longer then my old setup) with 4x4 that I can go anywhere that my truck/camper setup went and tow the boat better. Just something else to think on.
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