My son and I want to travel around the country when he is in 7th grade (a year from now). We have an old '92 Terry Travel Trailer (TT) currently. Out tow rig is a '10 Toyota Tundra 5.7L 4WD with a topper. Last summer I saw a family with a pop-up tent trailer (PUP) at Glacier NP and packing up in the rain and folding up that tent trailer seemed... wet. Though on the other hand, the towing is so mcuh easier than a TT.My question to you is, what would is your best/easiest mode of travel, assuming you will be driving thousands of miles (10k likely) over the course of a few months -- Old TT or New PUP? (I have toyed with the idea of a cabover camper for the Tundra, but the payload is only 1640#, so even with a FWC Hawk shell, I would maxxing out the payload. In addition, wouldn't the small space be an issue after a while?)Travel trailer seems like the obvious choice, but towing would get really tiring, especially if you are going 800+ miles in a couple days. And the lack of parking for RVs and any city driving... I dunno, seems daunting. Towing a pop-up seems SO much easier... but then there's the set up and take down every night or every couple nights. Is it really as bad as I imagine? Do they leak like tents when in steady rain for a few days? We will definitely be hitting rain, and we may head up to Jasper and Banff, so it'll be chilly though I intend to steer clear of snow.What are the pros and cons of a TT vs PUP? What Would You Do (WWYD)?PS I am also thinking of buying a new or slightly used Forest River Cherokee Wolf Pup 16BHS thinking it might be easier to maneuver and see behind me since it's 7' wide (as opposed to the 8' TT I have now). Not sure if that makes a difference. :?Thanks in advance for your insight!

If you were doing a lot of stops along the way with one night stays, I would prefer a TT.Setting up the pop up and breaking it down each night to move to the next campground would get old quick. And it really cuts into the amount of time you have to enjoy each new location.We found that out on out first long multi stop trip last summer. We have a hybrid, so set up time is between a standard TT and a pop-up.On our next trip we plan to stop at least 2 nights at each campground to get a chance to check things out.

Camper van (aka Type/Class B Van). Gently used might be the best answer. You can drive all day, park anywhere (pretty much), and when it's time for bed, pull over, park and sleep.

MDKMDK wrote:Camper van (aka Type/Class B Van). Gently used might be the best answer. You can drive all day, park anywhere (pretty much), and when it's time for bed, pull over, park and sleep.Hmm, I briefly looked at those and they seemed pricey (at least the ones I want! haha). Maybe a cabover camper Hawk shell is the way to go... with airbags. Ugh. I hate to spend $12k for a shell model. gah. But it DOES make sense. I will be the only one driving, cooking, etc. My son helps, but...

The "easiest" would be a nice little Class C MH, but the most efficient would be a small TT. Any type of smaller self-contained TT will be the best configuration. A popup, as has been mentioned, requires lots of setup and takedown. We loved ours, but with young kids, it became a real pain. From looking at your signature, I am guessing that you are the mother of a 12 year old boy, so having one bed will most likely not be the best configuration and you will need at least two beds.Do your homework on weights and towing. Do NOT believe any dealer on what your truck will tow. It's amazing that a truck like the Tundra will only tow small trailers safely. I was looking at Craigslist in Sacramento and found a few things that you PROBABLY can tow, plus at least one Class B and some Class Cs.https://sacramento.craigslist.org/rvs/d/sacramento-2012-jayfeather-ultralite/6857725456.htmlhttps://sacramento.craigslist.org/rvd/d/loomis-new2019-navi-16bh-travel/6857311964.htmlhttps://sacramento.craigslist.org/rvs/d/lincoln-2006-chateau-citation-24ft/6857873955.htmlhttps://sacramento.craigslist.org/rvs/d/placerville-2016-thor-gemini/6852011167.htmlhttps://sacramento.craigslist.org/rvs/d/auburn-2005-winnebago-minnie-24ft-class/6857382760.html

maria_bettina wrote:MDKMDK wrote:Camper van (aka Type/Class B Van). Gently used might be the best answer. You can drive all day, park anywhere (pretty much), and when it's time for bed, pull over, park and sleep.Hmm, I briefly looked at those and they seemed pricey (at least the ones I want! haha). Maybe a cabover camper Hawk shell is the way to go... with airbags. Ugh. I hate to spend $12k for a shell model. gah. But it DOES make sense. I will be the only one driving, cooking, etc. My son helps, but...The good news is, you've got a year to figure it out. In theory, you could sell the truck/trailer you have now, and buy something in a Class B van used, which could become your everyday driver to replace the Tundra. Lots of folks drive their vans daily, they probably get about the same or not much worse in gas mileage, than your truck/trailer combo. It will also free you up from any trailer storage situation you might have now, or make room in your driveway, at the least.Or, as has been suggested, maybe a small Class C, but it probably wouldn't work as well as a daily driver, once the road trip ends.Just throwing out ideas. Non-towing, as that's my preference, unless it's a destination camping trip, and a towed is necessary. Then I tow.

XC Trip with 12yo - TT or PUP? WWYD? | Good Sam Community

maddog348
Explorer
Apr 05, 2019
Noticed you mentioned in 1st post a 4WC'Hawk'shell. You do realize that it is empty. Over cab bed. benches over wheel wells. No fridge no potty pretty much no nothing. I know I bought one. Been building on it since. Love it. Even though it is really easy to put up & let down would probably be a little small for even 1 adult & 1 teenager to make an extended trip. NOT a lot of room for gear.

JM2¢ ~~ YMMV
Boomerweps
Explorer
Apr 05, 2019
I have a 2019 16BHS and think it would work well with your tow vehicle, two adults and a kid.
If the 2016 doesn't have new tires, plan on replacing them with new Goodyear Endurance. You'll want the peace of mind of new, heavier duty tires for the trip.
The 16BHS has crappy mattresses. I recommend the 8-10" Zinus foam ones via eBay. Work well, available in RV queen and bunk sizes, decent price. You can strap up the lower bunk and use that space for storage via the outside storage access door.
The GTWR is based on including the tongue weight. Mine is 3877#. It only has a single 3.5K# axle. Plan on traveling with little water in the tanks to allow for more cargo capacity.
Mine came with a single 20# propane tank and single battery. I suspect boondocking (no hookups) for three people for two days would be the max, three days with utilities discipline. Also then you'd need to haul water.
Any questions about the 16BHS, feel free to ask or PM.
As you can see in my signature, I'm towing with a 2008 Explorer V6. Gets almost 10mpg at 65mph. Does not like hills ;( Stops well using a prodigy brake controller.
maria_bettina
Explorer
Apr 05, 2019
Thanks for all the opinions.

The one about having a TT and getting stuck at a gas station - Eek! That would be me! heh.

Yea, the lack of amenities for the 4WC Hawk shell is an issue, and also the lack of storage which was mentioned before.

The Chalet A-frame still seems to be winning out in my mind, though logically I would still may get stuck having to back up and get out of a tight bind, plus finding parking when we need to shop. Guess I better start my lessons in Towing with the TT we have. Confidence is key I think.

I wish I was a gazillionaire and could just stay in hotels along the way. :) Though even that is not ideal as I enjoy staying inside the parks to experience nature as much as possible.

I just have to remember even the bad camping experiences turn into funny stories later ;)
DrewE
Explorer II
Apr 05, 2019
Finding parking with a trailer is not too hard, you just might have to park further away from the store. Your legs probably are going to need stretching anyhow. (It's similar with my class C; I need a minimum of two end-to-end parking spaces, and that's pretty tight for width so a quad of four or a bunch side-by-side is preferable.)

I have very fond memories of a somewhat similar trip I took with my mom in fifth grade (I think it was fifth grade). We mostly tent camped, with a motel stay perhaps every third night on average. We got pretty adept at setting up and taking down the tent!
maria_bettina
Explorer
Apr 06, 2019
DrewE wrote:
Finding parking with a trailer is not too hard, you just might have to park further away from the store. Your legs probably are going to need stretching anyhow. (It's similar with my class C; I need a minimum of two end-to-end parking spaces, and that's pretty tight for width so a quad of four or a bunch side-by-side is preferable.)

I have very fond memories of a somewhat similar trip I took with my mom in fifth grade (I think it was fifth grade). We mostly tent camped, with a motel stay perhaps every third night on average. We got pretty adept at setting up and taking down the tent!

That makes my heart swell <3 My son is in 5th grade now :) We took a trip to Glacier and Yellowstone last summer and camped in the truck shell, which my hubbie had decked out for us with a plywood base for the bed and hidey holes under the bed for our stuff. Everything was wonderful through our week at Yellowstone. It even snowed one morning! And then we went to Glacier and it was nonstop rain for 3 days. The driving rain penetrated the shell while we were driving there, and our bedding and truck cap were soaked. :E
It was a nightmare! Now we can laugh (just a little). ;) Cut our trip short unfortunately. No matter what, we have those memories forever. !!!! But I want a redo. :D
bikendan
Explorer
Apr 06, 2019
maria_bettina wrote:
Thanks for all the opinions.

The one about having a TT and getting stuck at a gas station - Eek! That would be me! heh.

Yea, the lack of amenities for the 4WC Hawk shell is an issue, and also the lack of storage which was mentioned before.

The Chalet A-frame still seems to be winning out in my mind, though logically I would still may get stuck having to back up and get out of a tight bind, plus finding parking when we need to shop. Guess I better start my lessons in Towing with the TT we have. Confidence is key I think.

I wish I was a gazillionaire and could just stay in hotels along the way. :) Though even that is not ideal as I enjoy staying inside the parks to experience nature as much as possible.

I just have to remember even the bad camping experiences turn into funny stories later ;)

Take a look at the Rockwood/Flagstaff A-frame trailers.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Apr 07, 2019
Practice backing up and then pull whatever trailer you want.
parker_rowe
Explorer
Apr 08, 2019
DrewE wrote:
Finding parking with a trailer is not too hard, you just might have to park further away from the store. Your legs probably are going to need stretching anyhow. (It's similar with my class C; I need a minimum of two end-to-end parking spaces, and that's pretty tight for width so a quad of four or a bunch side-by-side is preferable.)

I have very fond memories of a somewhat similar trip I took with my mom in fifth grade (I think it was fifth grade). We mostly tent camped, with a motel stay perhaps every third night on average. We got pretty adept at setting up and taking down the tent!

This. I haven't had an trouble finding parking with our setup either. Or at gas stations.

Before we got this trailer the biggest thing I ever towed was a 16" car trailer.

At grocery stores you just part further away and take up multiple spaces. Easier at Walmarts and bigger stores.

We've even taken it on a ferry in NC a few times. That is probably the most disconcerting to me, but no issues...the ferry operators know exactly what you need to do.

Our 11 and 12 year old girls love camping. We have been camping with them since they were babies, starting in the old "family" pop-up my mother in law bought new in 1993! It's still in use by others in the family since we bought our own. :)
maria_bettina
Explorer
May 05, 2019
Thank you all for all your thoughts and sharing your experiences. We went round and round (til today in fact). We sold our 1992 TT last weekend (in one day!) and although it was bittersweet, having the taillights screw up as the buyer was connecting his TV to the TT was a reminder that we were doing the right thing.

I practiced backing up our utility trailer a few weekends ago. I did ok, but it was nerve-wracking. I know, I know, utility trailers are more difficult to back up, but nevertheless, it factored in my (our) decision - "To tow or not to tow?" That was the question. And it was answered. :B

We thought about building our own cabover camper from Glen-L Designs, but I did the math last night, and we don't have much time left with our son before he heads off to college (7 years from now he will be a senior and know where he's headed!). So instead of spending countless weekends on building, we want to spend it playing...

Which leads me to our "final" decision - We are going to visit the Four Wheel and ATC factories this upcoming week and hopefully put a deposit on a shell.

The reasoning is that even though it might be a tight fit for a XC trip for my son and me, we will be using it for lots of weekend trips and week-long trips too.

So I'm officially heading off to the Truck Camper forum :) Wish me luck! And thanks again. :C
tatest
Explorer II
May 06, 2019
I would choose the TT. When I was 15, 5 siblings age 4-15, we did a three week trip from Detroit to Montana and back, with side trips to National Parks enroute. Most nights we could just stop (not even unhook), fix dinner in the campground, pile into the trailer to sleep. A popup camper would make that a whole lot more work.

After we wore out that TT (with some help from an uncle who borrowed it to take it to Alaska and Mexico before bringing it back to Michigan) it was replaced by a popup camper, used by my family with Mom, Dad, and the three younger sisters for a week at a time in the state parks. That's what a popup is for.

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