Seeking recommendations for a backcountry camping vehicle/setup. I've browsed quite a few different forums and threads, but want to get some feedback before narrowing my vehicle search further. Requirements:
- Fits 2 adults, 2 kids in car seats, 1 giant dog (30" withers, 100lbs)
- Dog needs to not overheat in summer (90ºF), nor freeze in Winter (-20ºF)
- Dog sleeps close to kids (guardian dog)
- Dog able to look forward or head out window while driving (still a puppy, but gets carsick sometimes)
- 4WD, able to tackle Montana forest roads (talus shelves, stream crossings, etc.) and XC Alpine trails (would like to do CO & NM routes, possibly head into AK via Canadian rockies)
- Backcountry camping - Glacier & Yellowstone NP in Winter
- DD worthy - will have to take ~20 mi to work during dead of winter when motorcycling is a bad idea
Camping setup is flexible. I could see a RTT (with lower alcove) possibly working, but I'm concerned about cold weather, dog, and midnight pee breaks for the kids. Something quick & easy is best for morale, especially if we're setting up in a snow/rain storm.
We've gone on quite a few car camping trips with a ground tent that has gone fine, but the Subaru Outback is way too small for the dog and can't get us across many of the stream crossings and other rough terrain nearby. Also, bears.
I've been scouring craigslist and eBay for months for an E-350 with either Quigley or U-Joint 4WD conversion, 7.3L or bulletproofed 6.0L diesel engine, standard length for better departure angle. Desired is <150k miles and <$20k, but that seems to be a unicorn. The plan was to do my own camper van conversion, keep the first row of seats for the kids (maybe do a Sienna seat conversion and turn-around driver/pass seats for eating) and then a raised bed for the kids with storage underneath. I'd have Colorado camper or another company install an insulated pop-up for the wife and I to sleep on. The giant dog would essentially have the whole front part of the vehicle to roam and growl at coyotes.
So, that said, I recently rented a Suburban for the whole family (and visiting in-laws) to pile into and head down some of the prospective local trails...it barely did it. We're lucky to have not slashed a tire on the talus, ground clearance was marginal with the side steps, wheelbase felt too long, and it was often maxing out the width of the trails. But, it made me realize a Tahoe would fit everyone well if we flipped part of the middle seat down for the dog to have a window and used a RTT for sleeping. The width issues have me reconsidering a FJ80/FJ100 with RTT or Tacoma with Habitat/Flippac. The dog is eating up a lot of storage room for expedition/backcountry type gear (imagine a whole other person that wants to lay down most of the time). No dog and I'd probably have a Tacoma right now.
Thoughts?
- Fits 2 adults, 2 kids in car seats, 1 giant dog (30" withers, 100lbs)
- Dog needs to not overheat in summer (90ºF), nor freeze in Winter (-20ºF)
- Dog sleeps close to kids (guardian dog)
- Dog able to look forward or head out window while driving (still a puppy, but gets carsick sometimes)
- 4WD, able to tackle Montana forest roads (talus shelves, stream crossings, etc.) and XC Alpine trails (would like to do CO & NM routes, possibly head into AK via Canadian rockies)
- Backcountry camping - Glacier & Yellowstone NP in Winter
- DD worthy - will have to take ~20 mi to work during dead of winter when motorcycling is a bad idea
Camping setup is flexible. I could see a RTT (with lower alcove) possibly working, but I'm concerned about cold weather, dog, and midnight pee breaks for the kids. Something quick & easy is best for morale, especially if we're setting up in a snow/rain storm.
We've gone on quite a few car camping trips with a ground tent that has gone fine, but the Subaru Outback is way too small for the dog and can't get us across many of the stream crossings and other rough terrain nearby. Also, bears.
I've been scouring craigslist and eBay for months for an E-350 with either Quigley or U-Joint 4WD conversion, 7.3L or bulletproofed 6.0L diesel engine, standard length for better departure angle. Desired is <150k miles and <$20k, but that seems to be a unicorn. The plan was to do my own camper van conversion, keep the first row of seats for the kids (maybe do a Sienna seat conversion and turn-around driver/pass seats for eating) and then a raised bed for the kids with storage underneath. I'd have Colorado camper or another company install an insulated pop-up for the wife and I to sleep on. The giant dog would essentially have the whole front part of the vehicle to roam and growl at coyotes.
So, that said, I recently rented a Suburban for the whole family (and visiting in-laws) to pile into and head down some of the prospective local trails...it barely did it. We're lucky to have not slashed a tire on the talus, ground clearance was marginal with the side steps, wheelbase felt too long, and it was often maxing out the width of the trails. But, it made me realize a Tahoe would fit everyone well if we flipped part of the middle seat down for the dog to have a window and used a RTT for sleeping. The width issues have me reconsidering a FJ80/FJ100 with RTT or Tacoma with Habitat/Flippac. The dog is eating up a lot of storage room for expedition/backcountry type gear (imagine a whole other person that wants to lay down most of the time). No dog and I'd probably have a Tacoma right now.
Thoughts?
