GMC Canyon + Fleet = Family of Four?

[Rabidsnipe]

Question: Has anyone used a mid-size truck with a Fleet/Bobcat for two people and two kids (both currently age five)? Did you eventually upgrade to a bigger truck/camper? How did you manage gear storage for that many people?

We currently use a 16' (13' interior) travel trailer. We generally camp for, at most, 3 nights in one place. Because we both work full time, our trips are limited to weekends and vacations. We don't really "overland" in the literal sense because we enjoy actually being outside doing things rather than driving. We currently use our travel trailer as a place to sleep, use the bathroom, keep things cold (in fridge), and some gear storage. We normally don't eat or cook inside. We don't hang out inside the trailer. Even though we have a wet bath, we have never used the shower. We view the trailer as basically just a fancy tent.

The reason I'm looking at campers is that I'm growing frustrated with the limitations imposed by the trailer. Clearance issues, road condition issues, campground restrictions, etc all are frustrating. While we do camp in developed campgrounds (mostly USFS or state parks), we enjoy getting off the beaten path in our travels (USFS/BLM dispersed camping). The trailer has been a limitation to that type of camping.

Also, our HOA is pretty restrictive on parking trailers in a driveway. This means any service has to be done at our storage garage. It would be nice to be able to load the camper on and have it at the house where all my tools are.

I anticipate the camper would not be permanently installed. My truck is currently my daily driver and I would like to keep it that way (primarily because of cost).

And feedback is appreciated. And this is my first post, so hi.

-Chase

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Chase, I’ll offer my 2¢ worth. That sounds VERY tight. It can be done, but your activities inside are going to be restricted to sitting, sleeping and moving over so someone can get past you. Your youngsters are going to get big in a hurry, and then it will be really tight.

You might look at some of the pop up tent trailers that are built with high clearance and rougher roads in mind, or maybe a large tent.

Hopefully, I am not raining on the parade, but it’s not a path I would take. I find my Bobcat tight with just me and one of the dogs along.

 

[Bill D]

I think the biggest issue you will face is going to the bathroom at night.
4 people means both the upper and lower areas will be occupied at night making bathroom use an issue.

 

[kmcintyre]

My 1 cent (half as good as the 2 cent above)... way too many people in a FWC that small. I'd consider going larger (truck and camper) otherwise you'll have to do it in a few years.

 

[Rabidsnipe]

I hadn’t thought about the bathroom issue at night. Do the larger options solve that problem (Hawk/Granby)?

 

[longhorn1]

We have a 2014 Grandby, front dinette, my wife, yellow lab, and myself. We had always talked about taking one or two grandkids. It became apparent early on that the two of us and the dog were plenty. As it is, I usually get up, get dressed and take the dog for a walk so my wife can get dressed.

 

[knoxswift]

I've done 3 people 2 dogs in an Egale...rain days were challenging.

 

[patrkbukly]

Granby front dinette with toilet on an F250 here.

Significant other + me + daushound + Schnauzer and we are great.

I could not imagine smaller.

I do not leave when she gets dressed.

 

[WyoIDI]

We make a young family of four work in our 90's grandby no problem. We have a the "roll over" couch not the dinette. There's enough room to get down to the floor without disturbing the kids. We do put an emphasis on spending most our time outside not inside if we can help it. An 8' ARB awning and the awning room has helped a lot with more usable space if we need to be inside.

 

[Ghettofab75]

I'm in roughly the same situation, two 5yr old boys.

My thoughts were to only put 4 people in the camper when the weather was bad. Most of our camping is in fair weather during the summer, so putting the boys in a tent outside would be fine. We have good tents too, so a little rain wouldn't be an issue. However, the camper does still have to fit 4 people if the weather does get bad, and one of the reasons to have a camper is to extend the camping season.

I wouldn't look at anything less than a grandby space wise, espicially if having some sort of toilet is important. I was originally thinking of a front dinette, two kids and an adult up top, one adult in the dinette. However, now I'm thinking of a grandby shell model, with two fold down bunks from each side. The kiddos could climb up and down to get in/out of the upper cabover and the adults could sleep on the bunks and not have to climb ladders. This layout has some issues, but seems to be the easiest way to sleep 4 people. Obviously this forces all cooking and kitchen activities outdoors, but we were planning on that anyways. I could possibly build a fold out counter top above the side bunks to use when not sleeping. The lower bunks could also double as couches if needed.

Just some ideas,
Kevin

 

[Wildcat]

I concur with the replies but to give you another opinion you should read the opening post on the the following topic and perhaps pm the poster since he hasn't chimed in on this topic. In a nutshell it says he has a family of 4 with an eagle, which is narrower than a fleet (and not being made any more). http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/18133-2001-eagle-4-wheel-camper-refresh/

 

[fireball]

My boys are 1 and 3 and our hawk shell works very nicely for us. We sleep and taken naps inside. All cooking done outside.

The fleet would be too small for us to be comfortable.

The hawk is the perfect size to store some gear and extra baby/toddler necessities and have a good sleeping setup. I love how quick and easy it is to setup and has allowed us to get out much more than we otherwise would have.

 

[Rabidsnipe]

Thank you all for your replies and help about my question. The rapid response was awesome.

 

[Living The Dream]

Can't talk about this topic without reference Mali Mish. A family of 5 (+1 cat) that lived full time in a granby and f250. Anything can be done with enough will power.

https://www.youtube.com/user/malimishcom

You'll have a great to no matter what you choose to buy. And welcome to WTW!