Passenger capacity

[Michelle@EarthCruiser]

Familyvan are you coming to Expo? We'll have an FX there with 2 seatbelts, but we'd probably like to try 4 actual people in the space before committing. I would definitely not recommend 4 adults.
Understandable that side facing can cause issues for some people. We just work with the space we have in the way it works best for us.

 

[calicamper]

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/142185-2014-Ram-2500-Flatbed-Pop-up-Slide-out-camper

Just get this rig. Seats 5 in the cab, sleeps 4 -5 ready to go, just cut the check and go.

 

[familyvan]

Unfortunately I can not make it to Expo this year. I understand you are working with the space you have. (which by the way I think is awesome) There are pros and cons to ever set up and I could be fine with sideways seating as long as there is room for the whole tribe. Thanks for the response.

 

[familyvan]

calicamper, good looking rig but I need a total of 6 seatbelts, and I am unsure if dodge has the middle front. Plus I am looking for something a touch larger and I like the idea of the kids riding in the back

Thanks though

 

[calicamper]

6 yikes. I haul two grand parents along on trips occasionally plus the two kids. 6 is hard and why we have the Sequoia, you need a big crew cab with two bench seats. I have never seen a bed mounted structure designed to passenger safety standards most get obliterated in accidents, the idea of kids in the back is nice but I'd rather have them belted into a vehicle with air bags and roof strength designed to handle a roll over. No trailer only thing that comes to mind is a big Ford crew cab with two benches.

 

[familyvan]

Yup 4 kids makes life interesting. Not to mention I need to squeeze in our 100 pound dog. For our daily duties we drive and Yukon. But once all our camping gear is in there we are out of room. I have considered the super duty, but I am a huge fan of the cab forward trucks and would love something built on that.
I trust earthcruiser and other reputable companies make the cabins safe for passengers. For me it is just a matter of having enough seatbelts. Luckily I have a two more things I need to fall in place before I make a purchase like this so I have some time to find whats right for us.

 

[david506th]

I personally do not see the Fuso FG viable for more than 2-people as a "Camper" Expo vehicle. Now maybe if you are doing short haul weekend trips with the others riding in the DOT approved back but anything longer not so much. If we had the crew cab option we would be doing better. I think the Terra-Star 4x4 Crew Cab is the best option for a family wanting a small / medium camper body on the back with passenger capacity. We can also hope the new Crew Cabover Volvo 4x4 makes it to the USA which some has said is coming.

 

[mcc272]

TerraStar Thoughts

We have also been looking at a TerraStar as it is the only non pick up crew cab 4x4 available in the U.S. It will take a 16 and 17 foot box with the short and long WB respectively and still be within the Australian 60% overhang which, while not a U.S. requirement, is not a bad guideline for guidance purposes. However, it does turn into a long vehicle, nearing 30 feet. Also, I have not been able to get a good handle n an SRW conversion as it is not a factory option.

 

[SkiFreak]

I know that if I had my time again I would get a crew cab, opposed to the single cab. Not for carrying kids, but my dog would be happy in the back and I would not need a pass-thru into the camper.
Alas, I do not have a time machine, so I am forced to work with what I have. A pass-thru and a hard sided poptop are not things that go easily together.

 

[kerry]

What about a 2wd crew cab Isuzu or Chevy? Or do a conversion on one of the crewcab 2wd drives like that company in Florida is doing?

http://denver.craigslist.org/grd/5012207598.html

http://www.adtranshino.com.au/products/view/4/crew-cabs

 

[familyvan]

kerry, thats a good option. I forgot about the company doing those conversions in florida. As for the terra star it is a big truck. I drive/ride in a 4x4 workstar at work and it is a little bigger than I would like to go. Although it is a comfortable ride and is very easy to drive.

This is the company that converts the NPR's http://www.rctrucksalesandparts.com

 

[penguincoder]

Thanks everyone, this is super helpful!

 

[Aussie Iron]

Have you looked at importing a Crewcab shell from Australia.They are available at some of our wreckers.

Dan.

 

[mcc272]

Importing

Imports into the U.S. Have to be 25 years old and depending on what you bring in, part availability may be an issue.

 

[kerry]

I think he mean just import the crew cab, not the whole truck.