How can the Truck Camper work with kids (more than 2 people)?
1. Truck Seating: Flexible
Truck can seat up to 6 people! It has a proper front bench seat (seats 3).
The front easily converts between the console and seat by flipping up/down.
The rear split fold 60/40 bench seats 3. Lots of combinations could be used here!
The rear seat is 2 separate parts. Meaning you could have 1 rear seat (60% driver side removed) or 2 rear seats (40% passenger side removed).
2. Camper Seating:
It will fit 3-4 people. Plus an additional small child may fit on the short bench side. We've also had guests sit on the bathroom floor (which is elevated and works well).
3. Camper Sleeping:
It is really a 2 person (queen bed) configuration. However, a small child would fit on the dinette seat (long side).
4. Additional Sleeping Options:
Truck Sleeping Platform! There are some configuration options here...
A) Sleep on the bench seat Front or Rear. Simple, Quick setup. It would be possible to sleep up to 2 (1 front / 1 rear).
B) Rear seat delete options. Could be entire or partial. The 60% driver side or 40% passenger side seat can be removed individually.
GooseGear has some good photos showing what it looks like in either configuration:
The Ford Super Duty F250-F550 Second Row Seat Deletes for the Super Cab are designed for you to replace your rear seats and create a flat and secure platform to secure your gear to. The Seat Delete Plate System includes hatches that allow access to the factory storage space below the rear seats...
www.goose-gear.com
I would look to build a custom platform to maximize storage and allow for quick setup. Ideally... remove the 60% driver side (2 seats). Build a fixed platform in this area. To maximize space, platform height could match the front center console height (approx. 20" from the floor). Giving a ton of secure storage under the platform. On top of the platform foam cushions and sleeping gear could be stored.
The 20% passenger seat can fold both up (seat bottom) and down (seat back). Folding the seat back down gives the most width and matching height to the center console (ideal).
This gives around 28" of headroom above the platform which is plenty to move around.
Total width side/side is 67" which can work for many adults.
Total width (from back wall to center console) is 30" or more. With the seats forward it adds another 6" or more.
The platform could have a hinged section that would extend over the 40% passenger seat giving a flat sleeping area.
Alternatively, the entire back seat could be removed with a bike platform installed (as we used the truck). Bikes could be store outside at night; and the platform could be used for sleeping on. Then the front bench seat could be utilized for transporting the additional passenger.
Interior sleeping configurations are versatile and by far the most secure and poor weather friendly. Plus, much less expensive than alternatives like rooftop tents.
As kids grow... they could move into a ground tent arrangement to help promote independence and growing camping skills.
Hope these ideas could be helpful for those looking to sleep additional people.