A trailer for a family of 6

[Ruthe]

I'm not sure if I've ever posted here, although I've been checking in from time to time for the past three years. We have a 2014 Escape 19. I'm posting today for our daughter. She and her husband and four children are full timing right now in a Tent Trailer and they're realizing that they need something with hard sides. I'm wondering if there are any fiberglass trailers that can sleep two adults and four children -- something with bunks. They bought a tow vehicle that they love (a Mercedes van) but it can only pull 5000 pounds. I suspect they'll have to let go of the van, but I thought I'd ask here.

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by Ruthe

...I'm wondering if there are any fiberglass trailers that can sleep two adults and four children -- something with bunks. They bought a tow vehicle that they love (a Mercedes van) but it can only pull 5000 pounds. I suspect they'll have to let go of the van, but I thought I'd ask here.

There is one I know of, but you'd probably have to order it new, it won't have a bathroom, and the two upper bunks are weight limited to around 100 pounds.

The Casita Spirit model is available in either 16' or 17' lengths. In standard trim with side bunk option (front bunks replace bathroom and side bunks replace dinette) it can sleep 6. I'd probably go for the 17'er because it has a larger main bed (54" versus 45" in the 16'er). It should weigh around 2800-3000 pounds loaded, so the van would have no trouble.

On the other hand, seems like you could rig up beds in the van. If a couple of people slept there, it would open up a lot more options, including some that have baths.

[Ruthe]

Thanks Jon, that is an interesting option that I'll pass along. I think they're going to have to trade in the tow vehicle and go for something more powerful At first they didn't think they'd need a bathroom, but after two months on the road, I think they are changing their minds. They have so much stuff in the van (including a frig that runs on batteries) that there wouldn't be room for anyone to sleep.

[Ice-breaker]

Originally Posted by Ruthe

I'm not sure if I've ever posted here, although I've been checking in from time to time for the past three years. We have a 2014 Escape 19. I'm posting today for our daughter. She and her husband and four children are full timing right now in a Tent Trailer and they're realizing that they need something with hard sides. I'm wondering if there are any fiberglass trailers that can sleep two adults and four children -- something with bunks. They bought a tow vehicle that they love (a Mercedes van) but it can only pull 5000 pounds. I suspect they'll have to let go of the van, but I thought I'd ask here.

Knowing age and gender of the kids may help to determine what options may work.

[emij]

I've thought the Scamp 5th wheel would be a good option, but they'd need a truck and seating six in a truck is tricky, especially as kids grow. But it sleeps six, two up above, two on the bunks and two on the dinette. I think you could even get it with a bath. Good luck on the search!

[Jon in AZ]

It's not molded fiberglass, but you might take a look at the Camplite line of aluminum travel trailers. They have some models with tip out beds to increase sleeping capacity. They're lighter than many other conventional trailers, so they might have something that will work with the Mercedes van. It does seem like a vehicle I'd hate to let go of.

[WaltP]

About the only molded fiberglass trailer I can think of is the 25' Bigfoot, but pretty pricey unless you can find a used one.

Walt

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Ice-breaker

Knowing age and gender of the kids may help to determine what options may work.

Yup if any of the children are over the age of 10 its a good bet they would be happier sleep in their own tent beside the trailer. Or at least that has been my experience.

[Ruthe]

Whatever camper they get has to be able to sleep all of them for those times when the weather is bad. The kids range from 1 to 12, and with this being their full time home, they all need a place "to be." They were looking at a Lance but then there's the weight issue. Something's going to have to give.

[David Tilston]

I'm not sure this is a solution, but Trillium made a 4500 option for a double bunk above the dinette bed. In theory, the trailer could sleep six, but since this is a 15' long trailer, it would be very crowded.

[Byron Kinnaman]

Sleeping the children?? It's called a tent. Remember they'll be grown and leave home before you know it. Get something for Mom and Dad, children generally love tents.

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by WaltP

About the only molded fiberglass trailer I can think of is the 25' Bigfoot, but pretty pricey unless you can find a used one.

Walt

Trying to visualize…
"There were four in the bed and the little one said, 'Roll over, roll over,'…"

I did see a RQ that had twin beds rather than a queen. If twins fit, then you could build two bunks.

But you will need a full-size van or SUV to pull it. With a base dry weight of 4750 pounds, a vehicle rated to tow 5000 pounds won't cut it.

[WaltP]

Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman

Sleeping the children?? It's called a tent. Remember they'll be grown and leave home before you know it. Get something for Mom and Dad, children generally love tents.

Nope, won't do. Nowhere to plug in their TV in the tent.

Walt

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by WaltP

Nope, won't do. Nowhere to plug in their TV in the tent.

Walt

TV (Television and camping don't go together). Maybe RV Resorting.

[Glenn Baglo]

Easy peasy. You just unplug the trailer and plug the TV in at the post.

[Ice-breaker]

For vacations and weekend camping trips, a small fiberglass rv could potentially work for a family of 6 with 4 children 1-12yrs old. Things would be pretty cramped in almost any fiberglass trailer, and some challenges would exist for finding sleeping space for all that allowed for night time access to the bathroom (assuming the trailer would have one). However, I could not imagine full-timing with my own family of 6 in a space as small as a fiberglass rv, even in one of the bigger fiberglass trailers like the Escape 21, Escape 5.0TA or the larger Bigfoot trailers. For full-timing with a large family (if I would even consider such a concept), I would definitely choose for my own sanity one of the larger 5th wheel stickies with pull-outs and lots of space.

[steve dunham]

We have a 17ft Casita , which by our estimation is tight for 2 adults and a dog . I cannot fathom trying to even weekend camp with 6 people in a fiberglass trailer let alone live fulltime. A tent is only a temporary solution at best. The concept of living fulltime in a space the size of a walkin closet seems insane to me.
We have 5 kids and kids need their space and their privacy as do adults.

[thrifty bill]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

We have a 17ft Casita , which by our estimation is tight for 2 adults and a dog . I cannot fathom trying to even weekend camp with 6 people in a fiberglass trailer let alone live fulltime. A tent is only a temporary solution at best. The concept of living fulltime in a space the size of a walkin closet seems insane to me.
We have 5 kids and kids need their space and their privacy as do adults.

Ditto, we have a 17 foot Casita which is tight for the two of us and our dog.

And I see a larger tow vehicle coming, perhaps a 3/4 ton van.

[Glenn Baglo]

I'm thinking a double-wide might do it.

[Ruthe]

I thought maybe there was a bigger fiberglass trailer that I hadn't heard of. They've really enjoyed the van -- being able to spread out while en route has been good, and the tent trailer is surprisingly spacious but they need something hard sided and bunks and probably a slideout will help. So they'll just have to weigh the options.