007
Explorer
My current overland truck is an 01 tacoma reg cab with a rack and eezi-awn 1400 ttop. This has worked well for me, but the family has now reached numero four, and the seating only accomodates 3.
The next platform is purchased, a 2011 4door tacoma short bed, so seating is no longer a problem, but I'm torn between two of four build options.
1.Ground tent is out (wifes orders, she's spoiled now).
2. Trailer is not likely - totally practical, many advantages, but I love driving and I hate the "ball and chain" feeling of tugging a trailer. I understand that a trailer allows for a better driving experience once you unshackle the pig and then have a vehicle without cargo, but it will take a lot to convince me to drag a trailer.
3. Snugpro or A.R.E. topper or shell with my current RTT. The kids are still small so they can fit and when they get older they can move into cots down below in the annex. With this setup I would have a drawer system in the bed, shelving on one side with windoors and probably a rear swingout. I like this plan because I can move the tent between trucks if wanted, and the 2011 tacoma can be just a truck and topper when not on trips. The wife likes the look of this and it's the truck she typically drives (again, spoiled)
4. Flippac. It's the thing holding me up, the topper idea is going head to head with this. I like the flippac, and so does the wife, but it's a more drastic addition to the truck, and the wife is less thrilled about its permanent and bulky/odd characteristics when not in use.
At this point its a matter of pros vs. cons on the flippac. We haven't seen a flippac in person, and we know the RTT life well.
I'm hoping to get some better insight and advice from people that have setup a rig for 2+2, the kids are 6 and 4mo's. I would also like to hear from people that have used a flippac. I really appreciate the feedback, thanks!
The next platform is purchased, a 2011 4door tacoma short bed, so seating is no longer a problem, but I'm torn between two of four build options.
1.Ground tent is out (wifes orders, she's spoiled now).
2. Trailer is not likely - totally practical, many advantages, but I love driving and I hate the "ball and chain" feeling of tugging a trailer. I understand that a trailer allows for a better driving experience once you unshackle the pig and then have a vehicle without cargo, but it will take a lot to convince me to drag a trailer.
3. Snugpro or A.R.E. topper or shell with my current RTT. The kids are still small so they can fit and when they get older they can move into cots down below in the annex. With this setup I would have a drawer system in the bed, shelving on one side with windoors and probably a rear swingout. I like this plan because I can move the tent between trucks if wanted, and the 2011 tacoma can be just a truck and topper when not on trips. The wife likes the look of this and it's the truck she typically drives (again, spoiled)
4. Flippac. It's the thing holding me up, the topper idea is going head to head with this. I like the flippac, and so does the wife, but it's a more drastic addition to the truck, and the wife is less thrilled about its permanent and bulky/odd characteristics when not in use.
At this point its a matter of pros vs. cons on the flippac. We haven't seen a flippac in person, and we know the RTT life well.
I'm hoping to get some better insight and advice from people that have setup a rig for 2+2, the kids are 6 and 4mo's. I would also like to hear from people that have used a flippac. I really appreciate the feedback, thanks!