I've been trying to do this for a couple years now, but can't seem to make it work, as I haven't been able to find a family-friendly option that sleeps 4, is relatively affordable, and is still somewhat modern. Right now the choices are basically getting an old van with questionable safety/reliability, or ponying up 100K+ (with emphasis on the +) for a Sprinter/Promaster conversion. I'm leery of the former, and don't have the budget for the latter.
Yeah, I'm hoping prices get more rational on these at some point. I don't think they will, but I'm still not going to jump on one now because I don't think I can use it enough at our stage in life to justify owning it (with these prices), so by the time I really get to enjoy it it'll be older. Rather have warranty and everything intact for when we start touring.
Not sure how old your kids are, but I'll pm you a video of how I set up our old minivan for camping with two kids. Some of my best memories are from that few-year period where we travelled a ton in that.
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Originally Posted by Table 5
Speaking of vans....this vintage Caravan is in seriously sweet condition for the year.
Not sure how old your kids are, but I'll pm you a video of how I set up our old minivan for camping with two kids. Some of my best memories are from that few-year period where we travelled a ton in that.
Kids are 10 and 7. We currently camp in a 4-person rooftop tent on top of our Landcruiser. I know many people dislike the rooftop tents, but it's actually been pretty great...the kids love it, and the fact that we're not sleeping on the ground is what got my wife to be open to camping. However having 4 people up there is starting to get tight...hence starting to look for something new. I was hoping for a van, but may need to settle for a small trailer...we just don't camp enough to put big money towards it.
Kids are 10 and 7. We currently camp in a 4-person rooftop tent on top of our Landcruiser. I know many people dislike the rooftop tents, but it's actually been pretty great...the kids love it, and the fact that we're not sleeping on the ground is what got my wife to be open to camping. However having 4 people up there is starting to get tight...hence starting to look for something new. I was hoping for a van, but may need to settle for a small trailer...we just don't camp enough to put big money towards it.
Ya, with the rooftop tent, one of those small half height trailers with a bed and outdoor kitchen setup might work well. Only issue might be the tongue weight plus rooftop tent, people and gear may be a bit much, no idea on Landcruiser cargo capacity.
Ya, with the rooftop tent, one of those small half height trailers with a bed and outdoor kitchen setup might work well. Only issue might be the tongue weight plus rooftop tent, people and gear may be a bit much, no idea on Landcruiser cargo capacity.
Yep, basically exactly what I'm thinking. In the spring I almost got a converted M101 military trailer where you could put your tent up top, and crap down below. Should've got it...but hemmed and hawed too much and it was sold by the time I got back to the guy. There are some much nicer new "off grid" trailers out there too...but those are pushing 40-50k.
Landruiser has a 5.0L V8...so don't think towing should be an issue with a small trailer. I'm not crazy about towing stuff, but the one nice thing with a trailer is that you can leave it at your site. With the rooftop setup, you're fairly stuck unless you want to pack up all your crap.
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Towing is not bad, once you do it a few times. If you are the type that likes to setup camp then need a vehicle to get to trails or town or whatever, trailers are much better for that!
we went with an Airstream Rangeline with the pop top.
We had a Winnebago Trend for 8 years and it worked great. The Ram Promaster never gave issue so we stuck with it. We wanted to downsize, and this seemed like a logical choice. It wasn't cheap that's for sure. But what is now a days. We almost broke even with our Trend because pricing has gone up so much, it allowed us to ask more than we paid for ours.
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Is there some rule that every car club has to let a couple M3 owners in? We usually see exotic car clubs tour through the Banff area when we’re out there (this Saturday looked to be a Ferrari club) and they always have a “tricked out” M3 tagging along. Always has that “Take your little brother with you!” feel.
I've been trying to do this for a couple years now, but can't seem to make it work, as I haven't been able to find a family-friendly option that sleeps 4, is relatively affordable, and is still somewhat modern. Right now the choices are basically getting an old van with questionable safety/reliability, or ponying up 100K+ (with emphasis on the +) for a Sprinter/Promaster conversion. I'm leery of the former, and don't have the budget for the latter.
I'm in a similar situation with a family of 4 and and seriously contemplating a no-build minivan campervan conversion for our existing Sienna. I thought about a small teardrop trailer, but it seemed to be too few pros, relative to the cons of trailers, towing, and storage.
The below video is the best guide I've seen on how to do this. Ironically - minivans are in hot demand and tough to get thanks to #minivanlife booming as the "affordable" option (relative to a Sprinter/Transit conversion)
Yep, basically exactly what I'm thinking. In the spring I almost got a converted M101 military trailer where you could put your tent up top, and crap down below. Should've got it...but hemmed and hawed too much and it was sold by the time I got back to the guy. There are some much nicer new "off grid" trailers out there too...but those are pushing 40-50k.
Landruiser has a 5.0L V8...so don't think towing should be an issue with a small trailer. I'm not crazy about towing stuff, but the one nice thing with a trailer is that you can leave it at your site. With the rooftop setup, you're fairly stuck unless you want to pack up all your crap.
I'm currently building my own "off-grid" trailer. I bought a half-cut compact truck frame (93 Ford Ranger) that was converted into a trailer and registered. I upgraded the suspension and added 32" BFGs. I just purchased a fiberglass truck cap that will be mounted to the truck frame trailer.
I have hacked together all of the systems and it is very DIY right now. 200Ah LiFePo4 batteries and 400W solar w/controller. Using a small inverter and an EcoFlow Delta 2, as well as a Bluetti EB3A as power stations. Water is a small USB rechargeable pump attached to a water cooler bottle. Washroom is a small composting toilet. Cooking is a Camp Chef 2 burner. Heat is a 5kW diesel heater or a Mr. Heater. I'm looking forward to getting it on the road over the next year to refine the build.
My first big trip will be to Johnson Valley for King of the Hammers in the spring of 2024 and then Tuktoyaktuk in the spring of 2025.
Impact > Force except when you have a forklift and back hoe LOL
I need to remember this when I have “that” fastener which won’t budge.
I once had to wedge a piece of wood between the crank and block, then used a scissor jack to put force on a breaker bar. I was sure the breaker bar was going to explode.
Have to be impressed how strong that Land Cruiser crank bolt is.
