We're a family of 4 and have had the time of our lives for a very small fraction of the numbers you are spit-balling. We just moved up in trailer and about doubled our financial investment. We're very comfortable that not a dollar of it will be wasted. From the tone of your post, you don't seem as sure of that. No way would I make a $1200/mo. commitment on a hunch that we might use it. I could be reading you wrong.
You mentioned weekend commitments. We had a family discussion and all agreed that we would not do that. We have good friends that love camping with us, but reality for them is that they can do it only 1-2 times a year. We spent about 60 nights last year.
If $1200/mo. is easy for your budget, then maybe do something half that and you won't feel bad if it sits more than you'd like.
Just some random thoughts...we've wrestled with the same thoughts.
