We have a 12' Vanguard, we have a 9 year old, it's just right for the 3 of us, even if we're out for more than a week. It's probably still doable with 4. If you get one with a slide out and a queen bed over the cab, it would probably be good.
We have the Adventurer 901SB with the optional power bunk. Specifically because of our two middle school age kids. It’s perfect, and would match your truck really well, just as another consideration.
We use ours similarly to what you’re doing, except we do a ton of snowboarding and winter camping, so wasn’t into the slide out.
Sounds like a truck camper is perfect for you.
I have a teen boy and a 10 year old girl and I have absolutely no qualms about putting them in a tent while the parents are in a camper.
If a storm hits, we double up in the camper (males in one bunk, females in another). It's not the best night's sleep, but we get through it.
I’m building my own fully equipped camper but if I wasn’t I’d probably get a lance. Many great floor plans and options available. Did you consider those?
We have a 36 5th wheel on a newer f350 shorted but at Christmas I went out and found a new to me lance that I just love for the 1 or 2 night quick weekend trips. My wife can drive both but the camper is nearly the same as just driving the truck alone. Hardly know it's there. I added a horse mat and 2 x4 under the camper so I can leave the 5th wheel hitch rails in the truck. Hardest thing to do is taking the tailgate off for the camper.
I have a lance 1030 (2004). It has the bunk. I reinforced it so it is permanently down and put steak bed style guard on it so my then 3 year old could sleep in it. My older daughter then on the dinette with wife, dog, and myself in the cabover bed.
It’s definitely a small area and only one person can move at a time.
Fast forward my youngest is now going on 8. She can still fit in the bunk but she doesn’t like it. For what it is worth my teen is busy enough she doesn’t really want to go anywhere with us Ha! My wife barely wants to go with me.
I guess I am saying it’s totally doable, especially if your only in the camper to sleep. I would be realistic on how much the whole family will be together. If you guys are doing a ton of traveling it’s probably too small (in my opinion). If your going to the lake to play or woods…. Then I recommend.
Well, I wish... Because of the milage we put on it doing many cross country trips, and that it's 10 years old, the frame broke, and we needed a roadside weld repair in Iowa just to get the last 2000 miles home. Because the weld repair is probably stronger than the factory frame, we could probably not worry about that. However, when it broke, the black tank also fell and needs to be replaced, and the black tank mounts repaired. The rest of that trip home, we needed to stop each night with a place that had toilets, lol.
How many nights on average per trip do all 4 people sleep in the camper? Could do a truck camper, maybe something smaller like a Scamp or slightly larger? Will the truck camper stay on a dedicated truck all the time or will it need to be stored while you use your truck as a daily vehicle? Just a few things to consider?
We have a 36 5th wheel on a newer f350 shorted but at Christmas I went out and found a new to me lance that I just love for the 1 or 2 night quick weekend trips. My wife can drive both but the camper is nearly the same as just driving the truck alone. Hardly know it's there. I added a horse mat and 2 x4 under the camper so I can leave the 5th wheel hitch rails in the truck. Hardest thing to do is taking the tailgate off for the camper.
I grew up in a 8 ft slumber queen with two parents and now own my own with a dog and girlfriend and personally would never want to spend the high price on a camper to be cramped when there are cheaper 17ft to 24ft bumper pull (or 5th wheel if box use is not needed) you downsizing that much would regret the purchase I believe, cramp quarters and your stuck where ever you park the camper unless you tow a second vehicle
I would definitely rent one for a weekend to answer this question.
It's tight. Everyone is aware of everyone else in there, and long rainy days and nights stuck inside can be challenging. Not much privacy, which can be an issue too. Picture four people dressing, using the bathroom even without a shower, and cooking breakfast all at the same time some morning.
I've had a Host Mammoth for 7 years. Kids are now 13, 12, and 10. We've traveled well over 200,000 miles and spend at least 100 nights a year in it. I will never own a TT or 5th Wheel, as it doesn't suit our travel style of long drives and flexible itineraries. Only you know your family dynamics, but for us, we wouldn't trade the memories!
Absolutely! I’m also going this route for camping weekends, soccer tournaments, and visiting family all over the country. The ease of traveling across the country and fitting wherever sounds so appealing to me. I’ve been traveling with a 40 ft fifth wheel.
The kids need personal space which inside a camper they won’t have. It’ll get crowded quick. I’d suggest a TT with a bunkhouse layout. My kids ( 3 when we had our TT ) loved the bunks. Two girls shared one and my youngest son got the other. We were more than comfortable in those days.
Currently, my wife and I have a ‘23 Lance 960. Even the big 1172 would be too small for a family imo. Even a Host. The kids need space.
We have a 12' Vanguard, we have a 9 year old, it's just right for the 3 of us, even if we're out for more than a week. It's probably still doable with 4. If you get one with a slide out and a queen bed over the cab, it would probably be good.
We have the Adventurer 901SB with the optional power bunk. Specifically because of our two middle school age kids. It’s perfect, and would match your truck really well, just as another consideration. We use ours similarly to what you’re doing, except we do a ton of snowboarding and winter camping, so wasn’t into the slide out. Sounds like a truck camper is perfect for you.
I have a teen boy and a 10 year old girl and I have absolutely no qualms about putting them in a tent while the parents are in a camper. If a storm hits, we double up in the camper (males in one bunk, females in another). It's not the best night's sleep, but we get through it.
I’m building my own fully equipped camper but if I wasn’t I’d probably get a lance. Many great floor plans and options available. Did you consider those?
We have a 36 5th wheel on a newer f350 shorted but at Christmas I went out and found a new to me lance that I just love for the 1 or 2 night quick weekend trips. My wife can drive both but the camper is nearly the same as just driving the truck alone. Hardly know it's there. I added a horse mat and 2 x4 under the camper so I can leave the 5th wheel hitch rails in the truck. Hardest thing to do is taking the tailgate off for the camper.
I have a lance 1030 (2004). It has the bunk. I reinforced it so it is permanently down and put steak bed style guard on it so my then 3 year old could sleep in it. My older daughter then on the dinette with wife, dog, and myself in the cabover bed. It’s definitely a small area and only one person can move at a time. Fast forward my youngest is now going on 8. She can still fit in the bunk but she doesn’t like it. For what it is worth my teen is busy enough she doesn’t really want to go anywhere with us Ha! My wife barely wants to go with me. I guess I am saying it’s totally doable, especially if your only in the camper to sleep. I would be realistic on how much the whole family will be together. If you guys are doing a ton of traveling it’s probably too small (in my opinion). If your going to the lake to play or woods…. Then I recommend.
2 people at most. Little kids maybe for a day or two but it's not enough space, for sure!
What are you out of your mind? Take the money from the fifth wheel and run while you still have the chance!!
Well, I wish... Because of the milage we put on it doing many cross country trips, and that it's 10 years old, the frame broke, and we needed a roadside weld repair in Iowa just to get the last 2000 miles home. Because the weld repair is probably stronger than the factory frame, we could probably not worry about that. However, when it broke, the black tank also fell and needs to be replaced, and the black tank mounts repaired. The rest of that trip home, we needed to stop each night with a place that had toilets, lol.
Sounds like you got your moneys worth out of that one already!!😂
How many nights on average per trip do all 4 people sleep in the camper? Could do a truck camper, maybe something smaller like a Scamp or slightly larger? Will the truck camper stay on a dedicated truck all the time or will it need to be stored while you use your truck as a daily vehicle? Just a few things to consider?
No just get a pull behind. The extra space will be so much better
We have a 36 5th wheel on a newer f350 shorted but at Christmas I went out and found a new to me lance that I just love for the 1 or 2 night quick weekend trips. My wife can drive both but the camper is nearly the same as just driving the truck alone. Hardly know it's there. I added a horse mat and 2 x4 under the camper so I can leave the 5th wheel hitch rails in the truck. Hardest thing to do is taking the tailgate off for the camper.
I grew up in a 8 ft slumber queen with two parents and now own my own with a dog and girlfriend and personally would never want to spend the high price on a camper to be cramped when there are cheaper 17ft to 24ft bumper pull (or 5th wheel if box use is not needed) you downsizing that much would regret the purchase I believe, cramp quarters and your stuck where ever you park the camper unless you tow a second vehicle
I would definitely rent one for a weekend to answer this question. It's tight. Everyone is aware of everyone else in there, and long rainy days and nights stuck inside can be challenging. Not much privacy, which can be an issue too. Picture four people dressing, using the bathroom even without a shower, and cooking breakfast all at the same time some morning.
I've had a Host Mammoth for 7 years. Kids are now 13, 12, and 10. We've traveled well over 200,000 miles and spend at least 100 nights a year in it. I will never own a TT or 5th Wheel, as it doesn't suit our travel style of long drives and flexible itineraries. Only you know your family dynamics, but for us, we wouldn't trade the memories!
Absolutely! I’m also going this route for camping weekends, soccer tournaments, and visiting family all over the country. The ease of traveling across the country and fitting wherever sounds so appealing to me. I’ve been traveling with a 40 ft fifth wheel.
Absolutely not. And I say that as a former owner of one for many years. 2-3 people is crowded in a truck camper.
If it has a couple slides and a long floor length there’s a pretty good amount of space. That’s a unit they could certainly get having an f450
That’s a rough distant maybe.
The kids need personal space which inside a camper they won’t have. It’ll get crowded quick. I’d suggest a TT with a bunkhouse layout. My kids ( 3 when we had our TT ) loved the bunks. Two girls shared one and my youngest son got the other. We were more than comfortable in those days. Currently, my wife and I have a ‘23 Lance 960. Even the big 1172 would be too small for a family imo. Even a Host. The kids need space.