Road trip camping with a large family

[EbS-P]

Also, it's much less safe than your van. The cage construction on such RVs generally collapses easily....

Agreed… but they don’t crash test the big van but I assume anything made this century is safer than something made in the 80s. I have no business owning 2 stroke Detroit diesel but I kinda want one. 5.5 mpg is average if you keep it under 65 mpg

 

[stoveliker]

Agreed… but they don’t crash test the big van but I assume anything made this century is safer than something made in the 80s. I have no business owning 2 stroke Detroit diesel but I kinda want one. 5.5 mpg is average if you keep it under 65 mpg

lol.
You can find accident pics; if these roll over you're done for.
Even more modern ones. RVs are not meant to be riding in (the back) as a car.
I believe (but am not sure) that in Europe that is even prohibited to do.

 

[begreen]

I think this is a Blue Bird bus not a standard RV. Blue Bird is the maker of many school buses. They are stouter than the average Winnebago. Still, I wouldn't want to be involved in a rollover, in any vehicle, especially with the family aboard.

 

[EbS-P]

I think this is a Blue Bird bus not a standard RV. Blue Bird is the maker of many school buses. They are stouter than the average Winnebago. Still, I wouldn't want to be involved in a rollover, in any vehicle, especially with the family aboard.

Correct on the Blue Bird. I don’t know if they used any of the bus body. Blow steer tire and it could be bad news. In my head we would have seats with shoulder belts for everyone. But any frontal collision the driver’s body is the crumple zone. One has to really really like owning a classic motor coach for your experience to be fun and have deep pockets or moonlight as a heavy diesel mechanic.

 

[MichelleC1]

We are on vacation and planning next years trip. We have five kids and a 2011 Honda Odyssey that was just paid off with lifetime warranty for anything not rubbery. We pulled a small pop up tent trailer one summer with 3 kids. Got a big tent and camped with four for a 4 night trip(but didn’t cook at the camp site cold breakfasts grocery store lunch and ate out dinners.)

Now that there 7 of us we want to keep camping. And want to plan a road trip to the south west in the next few years. Thinking a 3 week trip 3000+ miles. Cooking the quantities of food to feed our family is a chore. A spaghetti dinner now is 2# of pasta 2# of meatballs and big loaf of bread and huge salad and our youngest is 4 months old.

As a kid our family of 4 would drive 4-6000 miles in 3-6 weeks pulling a pop up camper. I’m convinced that we cannot pull a camper that would fit us all with our mini van.

So here the question how would do a long camping road trip with a big family? Would love hear your thoughts.

Evan

That sounds like an amazing trip, but yeah, pulling a camper big enough for seven with a minivan is going to be tough. One option could be sticking with tent camping but upgrading your setup—maybe a large multi-room tent or even two tents to split up sleeping space. You could also look into cargo carriers or a rooftop box to free up space inside the Odyssey. For cooking, a camp kitchen setup with a sturdy table, propane stove, and large cooler(s) will make meal prep easier. Since feeding a big family is a challenge, consider prepping and freezing some meals ahead of time. You could also plan stops at campgrounds with picnic shelters and grills to simplify cooking.

 

[EbS-P]

That sounds like an amazing trip, but yeah, pulling a camper big enough for seven with a minivan is going to be tough. One option could be sticking with tent camping but upgrading your setup—maybe a large multi-room tent or even two tents to split up sleeping space. You could also look into cargo carriers or a rooftop box to free up space inside the Odyssey. For cooking, a camp kitchen setup with a sturdy table, propane stove, and large cooler(s) will make meal prep easier. Since feeding a big family is a challenge, consider prepping and freezing some meals ahead of time. You could also plan stops at campgrounds with picnic shelters and grills to simplify cooking.

Summer 2025 tent camping is booked! Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion, Arches, Mesa Verde, Chaco Canyon! Almost 4 weeks.

We bit the bullet and bought a new Sprinter AWD. Last week the family weighed in at just under 900 pounds of people and car seats. Doesn’t leave much extra capacity in a minivan. I’m trying to design a rack for the back of the van that allows a chuck box to pull out on one side and the cooler on the other. All the equipment and clothes will go on shelves above.

Organization will be key on a trip this long. I’m not good at it but know it must be done!

 

[begreen]

If possible, fit the cooler inside. It will struggle to keep things cool during the 100+º summer in AZ.

 

[EbS-P]

If possible, fit the cooler inside. It will struggle to keep things cool during the 100+º summer in AZ.

Yes. by back of van I mean behind the third row. The very back will probably get a swing out hitch and 7 bike vertical rack.
The van has two AC compressors! We will be comfortable inside.

 

[EbS-P]

Well, we pull out Saturday! Van has had rear shocks upgraded and I have removed the back bench seat and installed a pullout tray and will get a package shelf installed above it today! We don’t have a firm return data! Some time In July! Oil got changed so MB says im good for 20k miles! I need to double check tent and associated gear and get a few more items. Grand Canyon here we come!

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Have fun! The canyon will be awesome! Watch out for the heat!

 

[begreen]

Have fun! The canyon will be awesome! Watch out for the heat!

If it is like our trip long ago in southern France, the family stayed inside the car with the AC running, while I went out and took pictures of lavender fields in Seynanques. It was 105ºF that day and I was the only one foolish enough to be outside.

 

[EbS-P]

Shelf almost done. Glued in flooring tonight. Final assembly tomorrow. Used plus nuts for the first time. They are slick. 12 blind holes. Drilled and nuts inserted to hold the angle aluminum.

 

[begreen]

Be sure to tightly secure loads on the package shelf. They can become projectiles in a sudden, emergency stop.

 

[yooperdave]

Drive safe!

 

[EbS-P]

1200 miles in two days. I-20 has been shut down 3 times forcing detours or long waits to clear what ever it was that happened. Highlight of yesterday was Poverty Point. A truly impressive late archaic flat top pyramid site (1650 BCE).

We got wet! Van was packed in a way that everything is easily accessible so in the middle of the rain I grab the bag of towels. Organization is amazing! Wish my whole life was like this.

 

[EbS-P]

The Imperial on Route 66 in Albuquerque. It was a hot 100+ and windy drive today. 16 mpg as I set cruise at 80 mph through Texas. I Have a OBD scan tool to monitor temps and other things. Showed my coolant pealing at 220F 30 degrees above regular temps and my engine oil temp at 230F again about 30 degrees above normal.

These new motors start to derate when then get hot. Boost pressure won’t go above 26 psi but will hit 34 when it’s not heat soaked. All in all it was great day. Another 670 miles!

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Be safe! I’m hoping you’ve got about 10 extra gallons of water on your vehicle.

 

[EbS-P]

Be safe! I’m hoping you’ve got about 10 extra gallons of water on your vehicle.

we always keep 2 gallon jug iced down. Tomorrow were head to the middle of nowhere. I’ll fill the 2 jug and a couple 2.5 gallon bags. Still have to find room for 4 days of food. Hey kids you each get to hold a full grocery sack in your lap for 3 hours!

To return to the original question…. 600-650 miles a day for 3 days is only doable because we don’t have a trailer. If I was pulling anything i be limited to 500 miles a day mostly by driving fatigue and by speed. Basically were able to go ocean to once in 5 days seeing some things swimming in the hotel pool and not leaving before 8:30AM.

12 passenger van was the best choice. And It needs to be the high roof.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

High roofs are nice!

 

[EbS-P]

Chaco Canyon NM. Flush toilets, no showers ice or vending machines. Got up to 102F and down to 44F. It is one of the most special places I have ever visited.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

If you can scoot over to the Chirachaua Mountains you won’t regret it. It’s on my bucket list to revisit.

 

[EbS-P]

Grand Canyon!

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Woohoo!

 

[begreen]

Don't fall in!

 

[EbS-P]

Antelope Canyon! And horseshoe bend.