Camping setup with kids?

We are currently a family of 3 + 1 dog with 1 more kiddo on the way and I'm wondering how everyone with kids handles camping out of the 4runner. I'm used to throwing everything in the bed of my (old) Tacoma and head out but that was before kids so space was never an issue. Now we have kids and less overall vehicle storage for camping gear and I'm weighing some options. See below:

Keep 4runner (2007 V8 Sport 223k miles) and buy a small camping trailer (M416 or similar)
Wait a couple years and buy another Tacoma when kiddos are forward facing
Sell 4runner and buy a Tundra crewmax now (2018-2021)

I like the trailer idea as I could use it for house stuff as well but seems kind of a pain to pull the trailer out every time I need to haul things.

I like the Tundra idea as it would be a vehicle that would last us a longer time, something the kids can grow into and still have plenty of room. Downsides are more cost up front and bigger vehicle to drive everyday/on trails which I am NOT used to. I really like midsize vehicles for zippin around town.

I like the Tacoma idea but waiting a couple more years to go camping again will be painful.

I'm sure I'm missing some other options, lets hear it!

 

I used a utility trailer behind various cars for years before I bought a truck.

While not quite the same as your topic, the point is that it was cheap and multi purpose useful. No insurance, no gas, no depreciation, etc etc. I built it from a well used but not rusty boat trailer. Left the tilt feature in place, which was handy for many things. Put 13" 4 lug wheels on it so the tires were significantly larger than the small boat ones.

Made the box a full 4'w and 6'l w/2' sides. Could haul a lot of gear, and the axle line was almost as high as any car I towed it with. Lots of woods, remote roads and hidden lakes were explored with that setup, a canoe and ground camping gear.

Just a thought.

 

Add a Thule box on top.

 

Having went from 2nd Gen DC to a 4Runner, I can tell you you've got a few year window where the kids are forward facing and fit ok in the Tacoma. I miss the hell out of my bed, but for a midsize, the 4R is in every other way a better option w kids.

 

Yeah they really seem to be the most useful for a number of reasons. Appreciate the input!

 

I thought of this too and it would work for weekend trips but don't think it would give me the space I'm looking for to fit all my camping shit. And for that reason, I'm out.

 

For sure. I get it from a day-to-day aspect, the 4runner is awesome for that. We simply can't fit everything in it and take off to the mountains for a weekend.

 

I could be wrong, but I thought the big vee-aight 4Rs had a bigger tow capacity than the new Tacoma.

I agree with trailering it. I carry a big camp too, though it's just for two people and three dogs. I run a pop-up camper for ease of consolidating the rolling Sanford and Son reenactment.

 

Holiday Inn

 

I was unaware that my sister had an account on TW. She likes to show up on family road trips and ask "how was the temperature last night? My continental breakfast was great."

 

4th gen 4Runners with the V8 have a 7500lb tow capacity.

 

Haha right on. I’m leaning that way too. Really it’s the giant Pelican cooler and tent that would take up most of the space in the back of the 4Runner. Then add in camp chairs, portable table, cooking stuff and it’s packed full

Yep. Although mine doesn’t have the weight distribution hitch anymore, a small trailer loaded with camping gear wouldn’t get close to that.

 

My opinion is a small enclosed trailer (4x6) would be good. You could have your gear stored in it ready to go, just add food, clothes and family.

 

Me ex had a 4Runner with one of those hitch mounted cargo carriers. Aluminum IIR. Was very handy when extra space was needed. We found totes that fit and were stackable. Also used it for a cooler, extra gas cans, etc.

 

My son used one on his 4Runner to take his stuff to a from college.

 

I've gone this route with a soft roof top cargo bag.

 

Thanks gents, more thinking to do I suppose.

 

Part of me badly wants a project to work on too so leaning the trailer route haha

 

I use one in the bed of my tacoma for cross country road trips.

 

Here was the series of events today





Then went and bought this thing from Harbor Freight for $90 lol. Should have plenty of room inside now. Next challenge is to figure out how to mate this basket with my bike rack. Then toss a kayak on top and we’re ready to roll