Van vs. Trailer. What would work best for me?
Posted by Dan000@reddit | overlanding | View on Reddit | 27 comments
[removed]
Posted by Dan000@reddit | overlanding | View on Reddit | 27 comments
[removed]
FeelingFloor2083@reddit
sometimes you just gotta write pros and cons
Keep in mind kids grow fast, if they arnt old enough to have and pack up there own tent, they probably arnt far off. You gotta push some of the burden and responsibility back on them
a lot of people here use roof top tents and push the kids into a ground tent. They even mount them on box trailers so its all contained
ubar12@reddit
Trailer all the way for me. I also have my wife and two girls. We went with a smaller trailer (Boreas XT) with a rooftop tent for the girls and it hasn’t limited us at all in where we go. Anywhere I feel comfortable taking my truck I take my trailer. It’s been on the White Rim, Kokopelli, Rim Rocker, Idaho BDR, Wyoming BDR, and Colorado BDR. Never in a campground.
Only limitations are if you need to turn around it becomes problematic. But I’ve turned it around in very tight places by unhooking and turning by hand. Also, no indoor bathroom. But we have an outside shower and a place to stow a potty that you can put in the shower cube.
Be careful about what you buy. Lots of things that claim to be “off road” really aren’t. I also recommend you rent some different models off somewhere like outdoorsy.com to see what you really want/need.
Let me know if you have any questions.
TheCarcissist@reddit
On the same note, if youre just doing blm fire roads, you don't need the hardcore off road trailers, something like the ibex beast mode with the independent suspensionis more than adequate.
johnnyhandbags@reddit
For safety, how many vans have more than 2 DOT approved seats with seatbelts? Honest question.
Have you considered upgrading your truck to a 3500 or 4500 and a truck camper?
honkytonkzero@reddit
Not really an upgrade when you’re paying 80k for a glorified tow rig
TheCarcissist@reddit
Unless you're willing to rip out and rewire the entire Black series i would run away from those. My local camping world has 3 that have been sitting since like 22 and they are down to like 22k but nobody wants them. They said that warranty is basically nonexistent since the company is basically bankrupt
TheCarcissist@reddit
So, we are trailer people, BUT, im really trying to convince the wife for a van, mainly because if my kids stick with swim team, I have a place to hang out during the goddamned all day meets they have
That being said, depends on how you camp. For me id rather not have to pack up camp every single time I want to make an excursion in the truck. We like to drop the trailer and go wheeling or exploring. I do feel like the van would be more versitile during day trips. But i also live in an area where you can do alot in a day without camping. In a perfect world id have both lol.
Dismal_Ad_3249@reddit
Trailers are fine but as far as getting way out there is concerned my van has been the tops. Switchbacks with trailers sound horrible. I’m in a 2wd c class from the 80s and it does snow, dirt, mud( most of the time) it’s even been on the beach and it still fits in 1 parking spot. Nothing was worse then missing things cause I couldn’t find two contiguous parking spaces
ska-harbor@reddit
very few vans have 4x4 so if you are looking to get super off grid that's going to be harder, towing a trailer out into the sticks can be a pain too. Have you thought about getting a truck camper? slide into the bed of the truck, many sleep 4 and give you all the amenities you could want.
211logos@reddit
Four in a van is tight, especially since if the kids are worth keeping :) you'll need belted comfy rear seats. Not tons of room left, although a pop top with sleeping up there a la the Sportmobiles could work.
Vans are pigs offroad compared to trucks...I've had both.
And yes, of course towing means you might stop short of the harder stuff. But then you can unhook for day trips on harder terrain.
Not to mention the truck is better on easy terrain by a LOT, if you have to use it as a daily driver. SOOOO much nicer in back for the passengers too.
And you get FAR more bang for the buck with a trailer, less in terms of fees, insurance, etc too.
And OMG you've got a GREAT towing vehicle already.
So I don't think it's close: trailer. I'd look at some of the bigger Casitas and other fiberglass ones; they hold up better. I prefer two axle; a blowout on a one axle, especially a heavy trailer, can be a totalling event. Folks mod Casitas etc with better tires/wheels even axle flips for better offroading. Often a better idea than an "offroad" trailer.
Dirty_Vesper@reddit
As others have said…. Truck camper has to be a consideration for your use case.
We have two adults, a dog, and two teenagers. We have an F350 and an adventurer 901sb. It’s tight but we love it. We’ve been camping 30 miles into forestry roads, established camp grounds, ski resort lots, etc. You’re not going to be able to do real 4x4 trails and you have to watch your height, but it’s been a perfect solution for us.
Illustrious_Egg_1837@reddit
Check out Truck Camper Adventure on line.
Check out Outfitter Mfg website.
Illustrious_Egg_1837@reddit
On the van, the high tops literally make them wind vanes, and a tip over risk. You’d have to plan your trips around wind speed. Driving them in crosswind is uncomfortable.
Illustrious_Egg_1837@reddit
First, don’t get a diesel van. Many small towns in the west don’t even have diesel pumps. I ran into that problem, and got rid of the van.
Second, have you considered a truck camper? Lance, or one of the others?
Check out truck camper magazine.com — has useful info.
marenott@reddit
It’s hard to get way out there in a big trailer. It limits what trails and campsites you can visit.
I take one less child but 3 more dogs in my SUV/Trailer combo. I wanted something light, small, and easy to pack.
I have a RTT and an awning tent each can sleep 2. I have an additional annex for the RTT but I haven’t used it yet.
xQuaGx@reddit
I rented a sprinter for my family of four and we lived in it for a week as we traveled all over Alaska. It was a tight fit but I think we could make it better through a custom build. 3 slept in one bed and one on the floor. There was no indoor bathroom but it had a small kitchen with sink and burner.
It depends on how close your family is. For us, we get along and don’t require much space. The structure is just to sleep in. Most of the time is outside
Peg_Leg_Vet@reddit
Look at the MDC 15-4E. Or even some of their others. You could also consider a pop-up truck bed camper like Bundutec, Four Wheel Campers, or Scout.
WelpSeaYaLater@reddit
Trailer, easily.
Van will work with two ‘little girls’ for a couple years at most, maybe less depending on how little those girls are or arent.
Dont buy a basecamp.
21MesaMan@reddit
I think for a family a trailer is the way to go, you’ll just get more usable space. I’ve got a high roof Transit and it’s perfect for me and my wife, but any more than two people is a no go.
AnotherIronicPenguin@reddit
I feel ya. For me trailer is the way to go but getting one large enough to have slide outs and/or an onboard bathroom is kind of a no-go. Just too big, too heavy, and too fragile to go on even a modest trail where I am.
Stealthylols@reddit
I would drop the airstream-they are very nice but not for moderate off-road. Trailer and van are pretty similar for what you can take them on- some trailers can go on pretty wild stuff, but usually you start to lose the benefit of extremely easy setup at that point since they are either pop up or very cramped. I was in the same position of being sick of setting up camp for whole family and ended up getting a Jayflight r154bh baja- I've taken it on a lot of "overlanding" trails for camping, but not "off roading" trails.
Bajaguey@reddit
I'm a trailer guy but that's because I daily a 4x4. When I know I'm going somewhere super gnarly I just leave the trailer where it starts to get gnarly or leave it at home and camp old school. I'm also on a pretty tight budget though my "trailer" is basically just an old cargo trailer with a mattress and some solar panels haha
MojaveMac@reddit
How long will you stay in one place? Will you leave your campsite once you get there for things like dinner or a hike? If you are on the move a lot, the van might make more sense. Do you like easy set up? Van.
Do you want more space especially as your kids get bigger? Trailer. Do you want to set up camp then drive to a trailhead, dinner or ??? Trailer. Do you enjoy the process of setting up camp? Trailer.
Dan000@reddit (OP)
Dunno, few days. Yes. Yes easy setup.
Yes. Yes. Don't mind setting up camp out of a trailer. Do mind unpacking an entire campsite for 4 out of my truck bed.
-RIG-@reddit
I owned an overland trailer and it took a lot of the fun and freedom out of it for me. Like you, I prefer to get out there, explore off the beaten path, and get away from people. I found a trailer limited where I could go, how I could get there, and overall made it more trouble. Trailers have their place, but I think that place is reserved for when you can't get another rig, you've maxed out your current one, and just need to bring more. Vans also have their place, all the conveniences in one 4-wheel package, but are limited in where you can take them. Even a 4x4 diesel sprinter is going to be pretty much limited to ungraded service roads because they are so tall, wide, and top heavy.
Have you considered adding a lightweight popup camper like Tune M1, FWC Project M, Topo Topper Rincon, etc to your current Sierra? Depending on your interior loadout you could fit 2 adults up top and the kiddos in the bed. Bathroom would be handled with a deployable stall on the exterior. You can keep it super basic with the shelter and keep the bed clear or add everything from modular cabinets, sinks, heat, solar, fans, etc depending on need and budget.
Dan000@reddit (OP)
I've considered Project M, but this is my daily driver. I don't want a camper on the back driving to work and around town. And I don't want to take off my tonneau cover and put on the camper every time I want to go out.
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