Setup for 2 kids 2 labs and 2 dirt bikes

calgaryyz250 · Apr 4, 2017

I am looking for opinions on setup ideas. I've got a crew cab diesel and can't fit the dogs in there with the car seats.

I sold our old camper before we had kids and we camped in the 20 foot all aluminum enclosed trailer (has heat. Ac. Even fridge)

I've thought about putting a topper on and crating the dogs in the box, but then no where for dirt bikes.

Then I thought about a truck camper (dogs ride in there) and just towing the enclosed for the toys.

Then I started looking at smaller bumper pull toy haulers. (Something you could pull with a suburban).

Then I thought about a moterhome and the cargo trailer.

The way I'm leaning now is just taking a second car. Load the bikes in the truck and drag a regular travel trailer.

So basically looking for opinions on what others have done.

sirkdev · Apr 4, 2017

calgaryyz250 said:
I am looking for opinions on setup ideas. I've got a crew cab diesel and can't fit the dogs in there with the car seats.

I sold our old camper before we had kids and we camped in the 20 foot all aluminum enclosed trailer (has heat. Ac. Even fridge)

I've thought about putting a topper on and crating the dogs in the box, but then no where for dirt bikes.

Then I thought about a truck camper (dogs ride in there) and just towing the enclosed for the toys.

Then I started looking at smaller bumper pull toy haulers. (Something you could pull with a suburban).

Then I thought about a moterhome and the cargo trailer.

The way I'm leaning now is just taking a second car. Load the bikes in the truck and drag a regular travel trailer.

So basically looking for opinions on what others have done.

LOL welcome to parenthood...

calgaryyz250 · Apr 4, 2017

sirkdev said:
LOL welcome to parenthood...

Yeah. We could all fit before the second car seat. Born St. Paddys.

busted2x · Apr 4, 2017

Our dog rides in the holiday trailer all the time. She has her bed in there and just chills out. No probs.

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vodoo103 · Apr 4, 2017

calgaryyz250 said:
Yeah. We could all fit before the second car seat. Born St. Paddys.

We were in the same boat years ago. Finally decided to just have someone else take care of the dogs. They're a pain in the butt anyways - always rolling in dead fish or any type of poo they can find. If we're taking dogs, we're definitely not taking the bikes. I have a lot more opinions about dogs + camping, but I'll attempt to keep this on topic.

Your options are pretty much the same process everyone in your situation has gone through. If you camp close, taking the extra vehicle may be the easiest and cheapest solution.

Bnorth · Apr 4, 2017

Another advantage to taking two vehicles is you can get there and setup without the kids running around and the ensuing fight after your wife tries to back you into the camp site.

the_real_wild1 · Apr 4, 2017

Just get rid of the kids and keep the dogs.

calgaryyz250 · Apr 4, 2017

busted2x said:
Our dog rides in the holiday trailer all the time. She has her bed in there and just chills out. No probs.

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Do you kennel or just throw the bed on the floor?

I did some googling on that idea and rv.net seemed to think this was awful. I debated on having the wife tow me around in the trailer just to see what it was like in there.

busted2x · Apr 4, 2017

calgaryyz250 said:
Do you kennel or just throw the bed on the floor?

I did some googling on that idea and rv.net seemed to think this was awful. I debated on having the wife tow me around in the trailer just to see what it was like in there.

Just a bed on the floor, It's not any rougher than the box of the truck, and also totally legal. She would hate the kennel. She's an outdoor dog. She likes the trailer.

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vodoo103 · Apr 4, 2017

We've done it a few times for short trips. Just have to be careful of temperatures / Air flow. Guaranteed it's way better than how they get treated on the Airlines.

Keep in mind that the general population cares for the well-being of dogs more than kids anymore (Geesh I sounded old there)

calgaryyz250 · Apr 5, 2017

Anyone try a one ton van with some of the seats removed? Saw some cool setups on ThumperTalk. Just not sure I could bring myself to daily drive. Also very few with 4x4.

I think I will get the old lady to take me for a short trip in the trailer. Dogs kennel at night so being kennelled in a trailer wouldn't likely bother them.

Seems to be the cheapest easiest solution.

Ronaha · Apr 5, 2017

There's the Ford Excursion? But probably better off with a one ton van

NoBrakes! · Apr 5, 2017

Ronaha said:
There's the Ford Excursion? But probably better off with a one ton van

And put the bikes on the roof? lol

calgaryyz250 · Apr 5, 2017

NoBrakes! said:
And put the bikes on the roof? lol

Some pretty cool moto vans over on ThumperTalk. Decked out with pressure washers etc. Figured an extended length could fit bikes in back and still have second row seating etc.

Edit:

Saw this idea, like it a lot.

NoBrakes! · Apr 7, 2017

That would be pretty slick actually

Chrisp1 · Apr 9, 2017

You can put a trailer receiver on the front of the truck as well and haul another bike. My brother has a truck camper and does this so he can still pull the boat.

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Setup for 2 kids 2 labs and 2 dirt bikes

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