Large Family Touring

[dale]

Hi all in a couple of weeks I will be greeting the 4th and final addition of our family and was wondering are there people who are touring in a Land rover with a faimly of 6.

We currently have a D1 and while we all fit in the car with the addition of the dikkie seats, but I dont know this will go on longer trips. Especially loosing being able to really load up the rear now.

I was just wondering if and how other people have addressed touring with there large family. Dosen't have to be in a D1.

Any comments welcome :D

[loanrangie]

I'm struggling to get all our gear for 2 adults and 2 young kids ( 3 and 7) in my D1, trailer is the only option. I dont have a portable fridge yet but when i do it will mean even less space in the back. I'm in the process of building a camping trailer to make it easier and evetually will be adding a tent top to it but for now a trailer running disco rims with underspung axle to match the height of the vehicle will suffice.

[dale]

A trailer is what I was thinking along with a roof cage.

Did you build your trailer? or did you purchase it? I have been trying to locate somewhere online that does just trailer, but no real luck.

[BigJon]

a trailer running disco rims with underspung axle to match the height of the vehicle will suffice.

Undersprung axle or oversprung? IE is the axle sitting on top of the leaf springs or is it underneath the leaf springs.

To get my trailer sitting level behind my RRC I had to do a springover conversion, that is put the axle underneath the leaf springs. Bearing in mind that I am running 14 inch rims with quite small tyres.

[Chops]

I had 4 kids in tow ranging between 5 & 13, so I bought a "tradesmans" trailer which I had the axle made underslung and heavy duty and to take electric brakes, (which I never got fitted) and towed that around. I put a false floor in it and we were able to take all we wanted,, including the kitchen sink.
When I get home after work, I'll post a pic for you.

[loanrangie]

Undersprung axle or oversprung? IE is the axle sitting on top of the leaf springs or is it underneath the leaf springs.

To get my trailer sitting level behind my RRC I had to do a springover conversion, that is put the axle underneath the leaf springs. Bearing in mind that I am running 14 inch rims with quite small tyres.

Got them confused, spring over is was i meant. This should sit about level with my 3" lift, i bought a steel trailer frame and am in the process of raising the height of the sides to 400mm and extending the drawbar to 1.6-1.8 (havent decided yet). Needs new floor as well and i already have hubs with disco stud pattern that i got off my BIL.

[loanrangie]

A trailer is what I was thinking along with a roof cage.

Did you build your trailer? or did you purchase it? I have been trying to locate somewhere online that does just trailer, but no real luck.

If you are going to tow a trailer then i wouldnt bother with the roof basket, it will just be more drag.

[tapout]

My wife and i have 5 girls 4yrs-12yrs old and its is a strugle no mater where we go, on big trip we take the camper trailer packed tight and the kids cloths go under there feet, oh we have a D2, so there is not to much room between the third row seats but we fill that to, We dont have a roof cargo cage but i am still looking for one at the right price. On day trips 4wd we have a esky that fits nicely between the third row seats.
At the end of the day only take what you really need.

Jason.

[Spenboyd]

I only have the three kids but we regularly travel with four kayaks on the car and all the gear in the back and in that situation the SLS is an absolute godsend.
Drove to Exmouth from Perth (return) once with four adults and two teenagers in the Disco and all the gear for a 10 day boat trip in a roof pod up top....no probs at all very comfortable and efficient motoring.
Not really a big fan of trailers I try to get everything on four wheels.

[dale]

Thanks heaps guys I think I will have to get a trailer and a roof cage and just be smart with what we take away with us.

[Chops]

Dale,
Here's a pic of my trailer that I had,, wish I'd never sold it now, :(

Put the false floor between the trailer and the canopy section, made some drawers out of some good quality boxes, one of which held the BBQ and food etc, and the other to hold tent poles/shovel, recovery gear etc.

That still gave me more than enough room in the top half to hold everything else, from clothes, tent/massive tarp, all the sleeping gear, boat motor, kids toys/stuff,,

[dale]

Dale,
Here's a pic of my trailer that I had,, wish I'd never sold it now, :(

Put the false floor between the trailer and the canopy section, made some drawers out of some good quality boxes, one of which held the BBQ and food etc, and the other to hold tent poles/shovel, recovery gear etc.

That still gave me more than enough room in the top half to hold everything else, from clothes, tent/massive tarp, all the sleeping gear, boat motor, kids toys/stuff,,


I can see why you regret getting rid of it, it was a sweet setup. Thanks for the pictures. I was thinking of incorporating a kitchen slide now I have an example :D

[DeanoH]

Thanks heaps guys I think I will have to get a trailer and a roof cage and just be smart with what we take away with us.

If you're going the trailer forget the roof rack, they're more trouble than they're worth. You wont need one with the trailer anyway.

Deano:)

[Chops]

I can see why you regret getting rid of it, it was a sweet setup. Thanks for the pictures. I was thinking of incorporating a kitchen slide now I have an example :D

I could have done it a whole lot better,,,:( I have welders etc and access to workshops,, but being busy, just did it cheap and fast,,
The draws just ran on little plastic type rollers, (which kept breaking), I should really have had sliders for them,, but,, it worked well enough, towed really realy well,,
The only thing I think I would have done differently to the trailer itself, would be have a slightly longer drawbar,, and I think I should have just got the elecy brakes put on in the first place. Jerry can holders would have been good too,,,

[Michael2]

Congratulations on the expansion of your clan.

We've managed to get a family of 5 in a 110 Defender for 3 weeks. Kayak & bikes on the roof, and the back packed tight (though accessible).

As already discussed your cheapest option would be a trailer.

Another option would be a 130 Dual Cab Defender, with the cubby replaced by a centre front seat to make it a 6 seater.

You'll fit everyone in the car and have a 1,500kg payload for all your gear.

One issue with that is the new child restraint laws, that would require you to share your elbow space with a larger child than you may have previously been inclined to put in the middle front seat.

Whenever you buy anything for camping always consider it's weight, size and versatility. - For example, I use a campers fly, which weighs next to nothing, instead of tarps for overhead cover.

[willem]

I have a little experience here ... ;):o

We travelled from Geelong to Perth and back in an 89 VW Kombi with myself and my wife and 8 of our kids. Packed to the eyeballs with gear but we managed OK. Did not camp out. Stayed at caravan parks and once or twice in a motel where there was no caravan park.

Everything was carefully packed under seats, around seats, etc. We would start packing the car at 5 in the morning and leave at about 5.30. The older kids had to bring all their gear and the gear of the younger ones to the car, all ready packed and ready to go. I would stow it all in the car. It was like a jigsaw puzzle, but every day we got a bit better at it.

We'd leave at about 5.30 and drive for about three hours, not counting a pit stop to relieve bladders. That would account for the first 300 kms of the day. Then we'd stop for an hour for breakfast and then do another ~ 400 km in 100 or 150 km lots with 15 or 20 minute breaks. We'd arrive at the next place in the early afternoon and after setting up the kids would go to the beach/ explore/ or whatever. It took us 5 days to get there and 6 to get back. It was a tremendous holiday. We stayed in WA for about three weeks visiting friends and family.

We've since repeated the trip twice, though with only six of the kids with us. The Nullarbor trip is a great drive, and with kids it is really interesting and worthwhile. The kids still talk about those trips.

Next time we will take the P38, though we will have only 4 kids with us. The rest have grown up and have left home or are about to leave home. But this trip might be to Darwin and the Tiwi Islands ... We'll see.

Willem

[George130]

We currently have 3 kids in the 130. Now wondering how to fit more in. 2 baby seats and a booster would fill the rear seat.
I have also been told I can't use the rear draws to house the kids.
SWIMO didn't smile when I sujested it was perfect reason to get a new 7 seater 110.

Growing up in huge family we would crefully pack every nook and cranny including around our feet.

[cewilson]

We currently have 3 kids in the 130. Now wondering how to fit more in. 2 baby seats and a booster would fill the rear seat.
I have also been told I can't use the rear draws to house the kids.
SWIMO didn't smile when I sujested it was perfect reason to get a new 7 seater 110.

Growing up in huge family we would crefully pack every nook and cranny including around our feet.


:D I was told the same thing with regards to the drawers :D


As for the original question - I went with a centre front seat in the Defender, effectively making it a 6 seater. The rear is still set up with drawers, cargo barrier etc and there is a roof-rack.

However in all honesty that's only good enough for a weekend - anything longer and I start struggling.

So we managed to pick up a second hand camper trailer - and between that and the vehicle it works perfectly.




I did notice a comment earlier about not using the roof rack if you have a trailer. Whilst I understand the comment, this is similar to if we use the wife's Prado instead of the Defender.

It stops us being able to say take the bikes, or another spare tyre for the longer trips etc. It also makes it harder to store the swags (they are for the kids, they look after their own beds now days!)

[dale]

Yeah I am thinking a trailer as it will take alot of stuff out of the car during the trips that we need the space. This thread has had me thinking of a few clever ways to make use of the limited space in the car now I have filled it up with non camping gear such as children. :p

[Bigbjorn]

you need an escape proof trailer with adequate ventilation

[dale]

you need an escape proof trailer with adequate ventilation

Thinking outside the square :D

I like it that way I would have plenty of room in the back of the disco for draws and a fridge :p.

[loanrangie]

I'll post up pics later but we went camping over the weekend for 4 days, 2 kids (3 and 7) and 2 dogs. I borrow my old mans trailer and finally got off my A and fitted the cargo barrier i've had for about 2 years under the house :o. Trailer was reasonably full but also had about 100kg of firewood and an old 7kg w/machine drum for a fireplace. We packed - an 8x10ft cabin tent with additional sunroom, large inflatable mattress, camp bunks for the kids, 4 sleeping bags, 3 additional blankets, 9 and 2kg gas bottles, 2 burner stove with stand, large moulded plastic folding table and smaller folding table,roll of carpet for sunroom floor, 3 way fridge, picnic basket, large plastic tub of food, large tub of cooking utensils, large tarp in case of rain, 4 cases of clothing, 1 L duffel bag of towels etc, 2 bikes, dog food /bowls, 10l of water (drinking) ,lpg lamp and 12v versa light.

By far the bulkiest item was the self inflating mattress and heaviest was the tent.

[loanrangie]

This was most of the gear packed for the weekend, more gear went into the car but i always try to keep at least a little of my rear viewing area clear.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/04/1428.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/04/1429.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/04/1430.jpg