What truck to fit 6 people and fifth wheel?

It would not be my cup of tea traveling with 6 in a crew cab. 2 bench seats would be doable but tight, kids won't stay small. You are the one that has to travel with everyone so only you can answer if it will work.

nma33 wrote:
I would go with a Class A. Simpler! lol

The problem, for me was that I found extremely few class A motorhomes (read: 1 model) that had the sleeping arrangements/floorplan that I was looking for:
- a true room/bunkhouse for the kids
- sleeping arrangements for 4 adults + 2 kids where we weren't using the dinette or living room couch
- sleeping arrangements where no one was sleeping on a bed (mattress) on the floor

We had other "must haves" that no class A fulfilled.

Go here and ask questions. They will help you any way they can. http://www.rvnetwork.com/index.php?showforum=32

cbshoestring wrote:
@ SabreCanuck

You kind of confirmed what I was thinking...awesome tow vehicle, similar price to a pick up on steriods.

Which begs to question why it is being suggested for OP who seems to be concerned with seating???? Although with the correct conversion...could provide additional seating.

AND I can't resist (with a name like SabreCanuck)...LET'S GO PENS.

LOL.. Sabre was the motorbike.. CANUCK meaning 'from Canada'.. But you are right GO PENS!

I personally don't see adding seats to the bunk portion of an HDT either. I wasn't recommending the HDT, I guess I was answering the 'about an HDT' question... Adding seats is one thing but climbing up to those seats, adding windows, doors and emergency exits would be my concern. I would think a crew cab pickup would be more comfortable at that time or as was suggested earlier>> Class A-B-C would be my vote.

So, I'll stop hijacking the thread :)

@ SabreCanuck

You kind of confirmed what I was thinking...awesome tow vehicle, similar price to a pick up on steriods.

Which begs to question why it is being suggested for OP who seems to be concerned with seating???? Although with the correct conversion...could provide additional seating.

AND I can't resist (with a name like SabreCanuck)...LET'S GO PENS.

We have traveled all over the US in our 06 F350 Crew Cab with 4 adults and 2 kids that includes myself, my wife, grandma, grandpa, and our 8 and 3 y/o both in car seats. Can be a little cozy, but my wife doesn't mind cozying up to me.

A Kenworth 72 or 86 Aerodyne sleeper with sofabed seats 5 people.

cbshoestring wrote:

Question about these "HDT" converts. A bit of FYI for the crowd...And because I, ME, MYSELF wants to know.

I have spent my years sleeping in a freightshaker, so I am well aware that a 72" sleeper has plenty of room for additional seating should the bed, storage cabinets,etc... be removed. Is this what normally happens with these converts? Are people adding two rows of seating? The way I see it, without more doors, you would be looking at 2 seats in 2nd row, 3 seating bench along back. Moving seating capacity to seven people. Obviously, the towing/payload would exceed most RVer's wildest dreams.

Am I thinking correctly with these conversion????

OR

Are people basically using them as two seater over grown pick-ups with plenty of storage...with the payload/towing thingy too..????

OR

Maybe adding just a single rear seat????

I guess what I am asking....short of towing/payload capacity and durability, what are people gaining by using an HDT over a pickup.

I ask this in context to the fact that the O.P.'s intitial concern is seating capacity in conjunction with towing.

I don't think extra seating capacity would be an item in most typical HDT conversions.

I have a couple of friends that are doing this and they are basically doing it due to overkill and storage....

Used HDT = $30-40K(?)
towing capacity 60,000 lbs,
life expectancy - 1,000,000 miles and then some,
average fuel econ = 9-10'ish mpg (probably never better, never worse).
Add a deck/conversion for hauling a car/motorbike = $10K.

You have a $50k tow vehicle that you can pull your RV to the moon and back, you carry a smart car or otherwise that is easy to park/drive and awesome MPG when exploring and you can pull any RV ever made.

The logistics make perfect sense but it's not a popular choice due to ????? Drivers License requirement? Being the 'odd man' with the HDT at the campground?? Dunno...

ol Bombero-JC wrote:


Most/many states allow "converted" HDTs to be registered as Motor Homes.

Escapees HDT Forum

~

Question about these "HDT" converts. A bit of FYI for the crowd...And because I, ME, MYSELF wants to know.

I have spent my years sleeping in a freightshaker, so I am well aware that a 72" sleeper has plenty of room for additional seating should the bed, storage cabinets,etc... be removed. Is this what normally happens with these converts? Are people adding two rows of seating? The way I see it, without more doors, you would be looking at 2 seats in 2nd row, 3 seating bench along back. Moving seating capacity to seven people. Obviously, the towing/payload would exceed most RVer's wildest dreams.

Am I thinking correctly with these conversion????

OR

Are people basically using them as two seater over grown pick-ups with plenty of storage...with the payload/towing thingy too..????

OR

Maybe adding just a single rear seat????

I guess what I am asking....short of towing/payload capacity and durability, what are people gaining by using an HDT over a pickup.

I ask this in context to the fact that the O.P.'s intitial concern is seating capacity in conjunction with towing.

nma33 wrote:
I would go with a Class A. Simpler! lol

THIS - by far...

Now you just need to convince DW.