Best set-up to explore with Tundra for family of 4?

I've been researching all sorts of overlanding set-ups and a ton of stuff looks cool, but I'm not sure how it would really work for our family. We are 2 adults (I'm 6'4" so that limits some stuff), 2 boys aged 6 and 9 and a dog that's about 50 lbs. A popup camper like the Go Fast camper or Vagabond seems interesting because the kids, dog and gear could be in the truck bed and my wife and I could sleep "upstairs". I would need some sort of airflow for the dog during travel or have her in the cab destroying the new seats (or get some sort of dog seat protectors). A 4wheel camper looks sweet, but obviously more money. I have a crewmax so budget would make the Raven shell the most appealing 4wheel camper option, but I'm not sure we would all fit. We would need a big cooler for food, modular sleeping set-up for the kids, etc. A bed rack and roof top tent could possibly work, but then I have no way of securing most of the items if we want to go out hiking or mountain biking. A basic camper shell and ground tent is the cheapest and maybe most versatile option although takes a bit more time to get going. A small RV trailer would be the most expensive and would limit places to go, but would be less limiting on space. So many options....any people here with a family my size getting out and exploring in your Tundra? What is the best set-up in your opinion? Photos welcome

 

Interested in this too.

 

I vote go with the old cap/shell option (w rack) and Tent camping. You could always invest in some nice backpacks giving you the option to camp away from the truck. Kids love that sort of stuff. I found a pretty decent spill proof seat cover on Amazon for the back seat. Works great for the dogs and has velcro openings for seat belts.

 

I’m researching this right now as well.
As cool as the roof-top tents are they wouldn’t work for us. We need a base-camp (tent) to store all of our bags/clothes/etc when we take off on a hike/Trip etc.
I’ve searched for hours and I think I’m going to do Bed cross bars, and mount a Yakima or Thule “rooftop” box on it.
I need more dry storage, and I don’t want a canopy - I’ve had them before and even with a “quick-lift” system it still sucked to remove when I needed to load a quad or something in the bed.
I can’t find much on bed bars with boxes though.

 

Frontrunner roof rack and a roof top tent. My RTT is a two person but you can get a much larger one that fits up to six people. This setup leaves a lot of storage in the bed.

 

That's what I was gonna say^

Bed cap + RTT.

Then it gives you tons of room in the bed for coolers, dog crate, and the rest of your gear, etc. AND its lockable

Hell you could always get two RTTs, one on the cab for you and your lady to bump uglies in and the one on the cap for your sons (because they're lighter)

I think there's a guy on here with two RTTs

 

What about a cab height bed rack, with a softopper underneath and a roof rack? If you wanted to run a 4-5 person tent, you could attach the RTT to the bed rack and let it hang over the cab. You’d have to make sure the bed bars were the same height as the roof rack, but it’d give you enough room to run it without the RTT hanging off of the back of the truck. Plus, you’d have the bed for hauling stuff and the added utility of additional storage on the roof.

 

The GoFast campers look pretty nice. @desktoglory on instagram was rocking one at Expowest. I didn't really dig for details, but I am still skeptical on how these will hold up to some wheeling. The idea of being on top and the kiddo's in the bed is a good! Even with this you would have to make a platform setup and/or unload gear to prepare the kiddo's sleeping situation then load everything back up to leave. A similar setup is a camper and tent, but even with the HD campers and a tent on top still leaves me skeptical.

Think of the trails/wheeling you will be doing. Also consider weather- open bed rain+dust+mud+dirt = on gear etc.

Another option is a solid rack setup with tent+annex. Kiddos and dog can stay in the annex. Only thing annex is a not so fun to setup or break down. If you are gonna be parked for a few days I would say this is probably more ideal.

If you are already considering the GoFast camper or the Vagabond, think of hauling a trailer instead. Convenience of parking it and locking up your gear is a good plus. You don't need to bring it with you all the time for every trip, with the tent/camper you will always be stuck with that unless you are ok with taking it on and off. A solid trailer setup are pricey, but you can find some good deals used on expo portal and clearance deals from cvt and other manufactures.

My wife and I are small, and with just 1 baby(1 more on the way) we do fine with my setup. BAMF full size rack with Autana 3p tent. Setup has gotten easier every time. Load outs been more organized, utilizing max bed space while everything is safely secured. Just keep in mind you do a bed rack/tent setup consider upping the leaf pack maybe air bags. I don't think there is a best setup. Just bc everyone is different- needs/accommodations/ high speed wheeling and so on. I do think you have tons of great options out there, just plan it out as you feel fits your needs, or else you will be doing it over again if it doesn't work out the first time.

 

Wow. That post looks so much longer on my phone.

 

Thanks for all the input. There is much to consider with all these options. Perhaps it is cheaper and easier to just do an airbnb....haha

 

Keep in mind that with the CrewMax you are payload-limited. Especially with a family of four.

 

I have recently realized that. I knew it was less than my 2015 F150 I had, but when I went and really compared the numbers I was surprised at how limited it really is on a CrewMax with LineX, sunroof, leather, sliders, etc. I think I'm at like 1,000 lbs not counting passengers......crazy.

 

Yep, with my additions, if I am sitting in the truck I only have like 1100 lbs. All my stuff adds up quickly.

 

That was the longest post I've ever seen from you .
Decked drawers with go fast camper would be great. It would provide a platform in the bed for kids and the penthouse for adults.

 

Need an xl tent for 4. I fit 3 with my setup. Relentless bed bars, smittybilt Tent, Arb awning.

 

Yeah, sit down and figure it out. It aint cheap. Most people get lucky spending once. I have a nak for buying shit twice. For some reason I never learn my lesson.

Yeah it was the longest post..I think. I always thought I was the silent, but deadly type. That's just my farts.
the decked storage is awesome.. I just dont like how you loose so much everywhere else. So expensive too. If you can find used that'd save some good coin.

 

I don’t know if u really considered a trailer but this popped up
https://instagram.com/p/BjFtwYOAaut/

 

Go fast on a double cab I mentioned.
https://instagram.com/p/BjF_LKzFr7E/

 

23zerousa.com makes nice RTT too and I'm eyeing Relenteless fab new bed rack

 

I've been watching all this stuff. I can rationalize some of it, but I'm just not sure how it works in practice and it's an expensive mistake to go all in and then realize it doesn't work too well. The more I think about it the more I wonder if a simple snugtop and ground tent set-up might be the most practice for our size family. It's not as cool as an overland rig, but it would suck to spend 10k+ and not have enough room and not use it enough. Still thinking...

 

Yeah it’s definitley a trial and error type of deal. First few times me and the wife actually did some dispersed camping she had a few freak outs in my smaller back packing tent. Some nights we were ok and some we ended up in the cab. We are small, I can scrunch on the rear floor(crewmax)and she fits perfectly door to door next to me. The first initial plan was to use the back pack tent in the bed, but after a few times unloading and loading up all the gear to make space then organizing it the next morning that was no longer an option.

Go out a few times with a pop up tent. @joonbug and @froggy78 picked up some neat quick pop up tents. See what ya like with a regular tent type setup. Your boys are big enough to have some fun setting up their own tent with the guard dog. Then just go from there.

Definitley invest in the gear as those items will go a long way. Safety/first-aid/fire extinguisher/cookware/cleanware/quality totes/recovery gear etc..

 

some good new feedback on expo and tacomaworld on vagabond and GFC's.....interesting to see these options coming to market

 

When it gets down to it, most of these are tents that are mounted to your truck which limits the size and configuration of the tent and adds hardware to your truck. I would consider either a large tent, a family tent, or possibly a tent trailer. If it doesn't work out on the tent or family tent you're only out a couple of hundred dollars and the tent trailer since it isn't vehicle specific would have a greater resale market.

 

nice setup! how did you mount the awning like that?