Trailer or motor home

[kevin79]

I have a family of 7. We currently have a Roo but no one wants to share a bed so we are thinking of a bunk house. Currently, we have to take two vehicles with us which I annoying since we don’t get to ride together then. We take the truck to tow the camper, 7 bikes (2 with training wheels), camping chairs, a folding table and wood. The other vehicle is a van that has most of the kids and two kayaks. To pull a bunkhouse, I would need to upgrade my truck. Would a motor home pulling the van make more sense? That way, I would only be putting miles on one thing, travel as a family and still have a vehicle to sight see with that holds everyone. What is everyone’s thought, especially with a family this size?

[kenandterry]

You’ll need to win a lottery if you haven’t already.

Family of 7, needing sleeping for 7....your selection is limited.

Bigger problem....a motorhome big enough and powerful enough to pull a van (and that will need a dolly or complete trailer to bring along if you don’t spend $2000+ to modify for flat towing) will require a diesel pusher motorhome. Probably 40 feet or longer....plus length of van you want to tow. Special licensing needed for driving a rig this size?

New....used....which brand....make.....engine size 340hp, 360hp, 400hp etc

You gotta have deep pockets

Just saying

[bikendan]

Not many Motorhomes will have sleeping for 7.
It would have to be a quad bunk MH, which aren't common.

[RACarvalho]

As far as I know, the most cost effective solution would be a light weight bunkhouse towed by a Ford Expedition.
A Keystone Passport 2920 may be a solution....

[lcv800]

Give a 5th wheel toyhauler some thought. New truck would be the downside but they sleep a lot of people plus room for all the "toys".
Rusty

[RACarvalho]

Originally Posted by lcv800

Give a 5th wheel toyhauler some thought. New truck would be the downside but they sleep a lot of people plus room for all the "toys".
Rusty

Travel long distances with 7 on a truck may be a challenge....
On the other hand, a full size diesel van towing a light weight bunkhouse would have space to carry the people and the stuff....

[kevin79]

Originally Posted by RACarvalho

As far as I know, the most cost effective solution would be a light weight bunkhouse towed by a Ford Expedition.
A Keystone Passport 2920 may be a solution....

Would the 2920 be towable with a 1500 truck?

[spock123]

With seven I would look at getting a toy hauler that could sleep everyone plus with a extra bath. You can also use the campground bathroom. I would get a dually crew cab plus I would get a onboard generator so I could ride in the toy hauler or keep the van for some of the seven to ride in or get a small vehicle to tag along. It may be a problem in some campgrounds but I would keep the van and use it for sightseeing, that way all seven could go in one vehicle. Forest River makes some nice toy hauler’s

[quicky06]

Sunseeker 3250DSLE Class C Motorhomes by Forest River RV

2 in the bunks by the bedroom
1 on the couch.
1 on the dinette
1 above the cab.

Then parents in the master

[RACarvalho]

Originally Posted by kevin79

Would the 2920 be towable with a 1500 truck?

If the truck can tow more than 7200lbs (GVWR) and around 800 lbs of tongue weight plus your family and gear, yes....
The reason I mention it is because it is the lightest brand for the size that I know of.
Just to have an idea, my camper is also a 29 but its almost 2000lbs (GVWR) heavier with a tongue weight also 300 lbs heavier....

If you don't mind towing it with a full size van, your entire family will have more comfort and space for gear and accommodate the kids as they grow and/or want to bring friends along.
That camper and a full size van, in my opinion, is what would bring more fun for the money for a large family.
A Chevrolet Express Passanger 3500 with the diesel engine and full loaded with accessories will tow almost the same as a F150 and have 1000lbs more in payload capacity at a price that is almost $10k less ....
The price of one motorhome to fit 7 probably will pay for 3 or more brand new rigs(van+camper) of the above ….

https://www.keystonerv.com/travel-tr...ravel-trailer/

[kevin79]

Do they still make savanna vans?

What is the difference between the 2920bh and 2920bhwe?

[Fladitchdoc]

Wow...sounds like you need a used Band Tour Bus, they sleep at least 6 in bunks and always have a master bedroom in the back for at least 2 more...I saw a Prevost H3 that the family converted for this very reason

[RACarvalho]

Originally Posted by kevin79

Do they still make savanna vans?

What is the difference between the 2920bh and 2920bhwe?

Now they call it Express Van instead of Savanna....
As for the difference between the bh and the bhwe, I believe that the bh is produced for East coast and the bhwe is produced for West coast and the difference should be, as I understand, the size of the tanks... You will have to ask the Keystone dealer....

[DeborahL24]

We were looking for a lightweight trailer that would hold our family. We only have 2 children but they each like to bring friends. We went with the Salem 31KQBTS. We absolutely love it! Has everything you need, outdoor kitchen, 2 slides in bunk house for enough room for kids (3 bunks and convertible sleeper sofa). Main room slide with a convertible couch and ushaped dinette that sleeps 2 comfortably. Bedroom up in front with queen bed. Perfect layout for our needs!

[MachaMacha]

I have never considered a motorhome since it does not provide daily transport while 'camped in place' (you need a towed vehicle behind) and the insurance on the motorhome will eat you up. A pick-up pulling a trailer is my choice. 7 Bunks and bodies? I like the Expedition/bunkhouse solution posted earlier.

[Kaadk]

The motorhome might give you the 'everyone travels in same vehicle' option, as well as provide some room and comfort, but what about those 7 bikes you bring along? Or that Kayak? I know Thor makes a toy-hauler Class A that might meet your 'bring it all and tow a van as a toad' needs, but I don't know if it would address your "kids want their own bunks" needs:

https://www.thormotorcoach.com/outla...oor-plans/37RB

[rlh1957]

I have seen a two bath bunk house that sleeps 6 with the fake bed dinette or couch thrown in to accommodate 8. I'm sure there is something towable out there. I driving think two vehicles is still in your future.

[IsleDog]

Take a look at the XLR Boost 27QBX, has room for the bikes inside, and lots of space for people too.

the new expedition MAX has a little bit more payload capacity and is longer than a normal expedition. 1900+lbs capacity on the MAX. much like the older expedition EL models.

A 3500 12 passenger van (remove 1 set of seats for cargo room) has 3000-3500 lbs of payload capacity. might make more sense to go the 3500 or even a 9 passenger 2500 route just based on payload. and they will haul just about anything you throw behind them.

some things to consider:
7 people is probably 800-1000 lbs of payload by itself. as mentioned, probably 800+ lbs of tongue weight. toss in the cooler and snacks for 7 people, entertainment for 5-6 of them (hopefully not the driver), weight of hitch, and anything packed in the TV that does not fit in the TT.

[Murbella7]

Originally Posted by lcv800

Give a 5th wheel toyhauler some thought. New truck would be the downside but they sleep a lot of people plus room for all the "toys".
Rusty

The big advantage of separates is that once you have setup camp, you still have a touring vehicle. Composite living in a MH can be a real pain when you have to pack up everything just to go buy some milk.

[kennyairport]

It looks like your choice of which way to go. You're always towing something.