Thread: Large Family Touring

Originally Posted by 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,,

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

Originally Posted by 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.

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

Originally Posted by dale

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

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,,,

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.

I have a little experience here ...

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

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.

Originally Posted by 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.

I was told the same thing with regards to the drawers


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!)

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.