FoCoNoCo
Fort Collins, Colorado
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You could also check out the KZ Sportsmen Classic units - I believe all, or at least most of them have GVWRs at or below 3500 lbs. Also the Jayco X17Z and Starcraft 17RB twins are hybrids with two pull out doubles, a drop down dinette, and a jack knife sofa that in theory could sleep 8, though rather "quaintly" - should be fine for 5 though. These twin units have a GVWR of 3500 lbs as well.
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Takeda Family
Ottawa ON
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If you are thinking going with a motorhome, maybe you should explore the possibility of upgrading to a stronger tow vehicle? Just a thought, then your choices of trailer would be a lot greater.
2011 Shamrock 23SS
2007 GMC Sierra 1500
Me '75
DH '78
DD '06
DS '08
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yorkgm
York Beach, Maine
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Chuck_S wrote:
Problem with sleeping in the main cabin (sofa or dinette) is that person can't go to sleep early or sleep late. If everyone is on a rigid schedule it can work, but only to a certain extent. Kids really want their "own space" and being the one that's stuck out in the main cabin puts a negative spin on the whole camping experience. Frankly putting the kids, or at least the older kids, outside in a nice tent is better.
I shudder when I think of a family of 5 in a small, ultra light weight travel trailer with the main bed using up half the floor space, two stuffed in coffin like bunk beds, and the red-haired stepchild sleeping on the sofa. Pick the child you like least for the sofa. Be sure they know the reason they're out there. 
-- Chuck
My kids are so exhausted from swimming and playing all day that when they go to bed their only concern is where is my favorite stuffed animal. My 6yr old, who sleeps on the couch, is one of the first to go to bed and the last to wake-up. This does not put a negative experience for her or anyone else. I know this to be true because as soon as one trip is over they start asking when is the next one.
Sleeping is the smallest part of camping so when everyone's asleep all the beds look the same....
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Chuck_S
Broadview Hts, OH, USA
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Sounds good to me! Never worked for out family as no one has the same sleep patterns and use of the main cabin for sleeping has never worked. But we've never had more than 4 that I can think of.
-- Chuck
'06 Roo 23SS behind '07 Expedition out of Cleveland
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ilovecamping
IL
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We slept 5 adults and one child in our Flagstaff 625D pop up. It wasn't the sleeping that was difficult, but the time spent inside otherwise was crowded. We used it for vacation and had a great time. I think camping is so fun that when you are young, even a tent is great. Just choose to be safe and have fun with whatever fits your family.
Donna & Tom
2000 Suburban LT 1500
2011 Shamrock 23ss
2 DD's-grown
1DS-grown
3 DGD's
1 DGS
1 Pekineese
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2009 ngts camped-14
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Steveo35
Ohio
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Joined: 06/16/2009
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Don't forget to figure in the cost of the cargo capacity of the Dakota. Tongue weight + gear + family of 5 = trouble. If DW drove another vehicle with the kids and gear you might be OK.
I had a '93 Dakota extended cab. It was a great tow vehicle, I towed a 5 ton trailer (Bobcat + gear) and had no issues pulling it. Stopping, now that was another thing. 
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icepickjazz
Westfield, IN
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Joined: 01/25/2008
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yorkgm wrote:Chuck_S wrote:
Problem with sleeping in the main cabin (sofa or dinette) is that person can't go to sleep early or sleep late. If everyone is on a rigid schedule it can work, but only to a certain extent. Kids really want their "own space" and being the one that's stuck out in the main cabin puts a negative spin on the whole camping experience. Frankly putting the kids, or at least the older kids, outside in a nice tent is better.
I shudder when I think of a family of 5 in a small, ultra light weight travel trailer with the main bed using up half the floor space, two stuffed in coffin like bunk beds, and the red-haired stepchild sleeping on the sofa. Pick the child you like least for the sofa. Be sure they know the reason they're out there.
-- Chuck
My kids are so exhausted from swimming and playing all day that when they go to bed their only concern is where is my favorite stuffed animal. My 6yr old, who sleeps on the couch, is one of the first to go to bed and the last to wake-up. This does not put a negative experience for her or anyone else. I know this to be true because as soon as one trip is over they start asking when is the next one.
Sleeping is the smallest part of camping so when everyone's asleep all the beds look the same....
Chuck is right. The kids want their own space and a tent works well weather permitting. We have 2 boys ages 11 & 14. We encourage them to each bring a friend on the camping trip. If sleeping inside they fight over the sofa and the rear bunk, because they want their own space. The dinette isn't such a popular sleeping spot, but that is also a toss up.
Nothing's perfect and there will be trade offs in whatever floorplan you choose. You not only need to think about short term camping needs but long term camping needs. What will the camping dynamic be like in 3 - 4 years? Will you be bringing extra kids?
We debated between our 23SS and third bunk 233 (233S didn't exist), but ended up with 2 bunks because we like the kitchen layout. Based on how our camping needs have changed had the 233S existed at the time, we might have gone that route.
No matter what you choose, you will certainly have some good times & good memories.
* This post was
edited 05/15/11 08:52am by icepickjazz *
'08 Rockwood Roo 23SS -- '04 Ford Explorer V8
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HTT to be?
Southern Wisconsin
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I believe it is more of a product of what you are used to. We have a family of 5 and started with pups when the kids were 4,3 and 1. They have always shared sleeping areas as my Mom and Dad usually came with us so we would have 7. As the kids got older and bigger, my parents got a bit older and often did not join us, they still shared the bunk ends. Sometimes the boys would bring a tent, especially if they brought friends. When we moved into the HTT in 2008, our "kids" were DS 18, DD 17 and DS 16. We have taken quite a few trips including two trips out West that were 3+ weeks long, and we are quite happy using the table for a bed. I know that doesn't work for everyone, but it works very well for us! I just wanted to share because I get a bit aggrevated when people make blanket statements that it doesn't work.
Hope you find a camper that works for you!
2007 Jayco 23B
2009 E350 Ford Club Wagon 5.4 w/ tow pkg
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1997 Coleman Sunridge- Served us well for 11 years!
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bikendan
Napa, Cal.
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Joined: 11/21/2005
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Steveo35 wrote:Don't forget to figure in the cost of the cargo capacity of the Dakota. Tongue weight + gear + family of 5 = trouble. If DW drove another vehicle with the kids and gear you might be OK.
I had a '93 Dakota extended cab. It was a great tow vehicle, I towed a 5 ton trailer (Bobcat + gear) and had no issues pulling it. Stopping, now that was another thing.
that's a point that hasn't been brought up. with either vehicle, you have to subtract the weights of anything other than a 150lb. driver.
so, say Mom weighs 150lbs. and Dad weighs 200lbs. and the 3 kids together weigh 300lbs.
then you have to lower the tow capacity by 500lbs. so now the Dakota can only tow 3900lbs. and the Jeep can only tow 4500lbs.
and that's not counting any cargo in the vehicles or the weight of the WDH.
i still find it hard to believe that even with a small v-8, the Dakota has only a 4400lbs. tow capacity.
* This post was
edited 05/15/11 01:45pm by bikendan *
Dan- Firefighter , Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur , Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever , 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LS, 2007 Rockwood Roo 23SS w/Equalizer and Prodigy, and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes
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cdawley1
McDonough, GA, USA
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I know what you mean. I just hate that different auto manufacturers can put different tow ratings on different types of vehicles. I know they are trying to play it safe by voiding the warranty if the tow capacity is exceeded. That is definitely a good thing. The part I don't get is how you can have for instance, a F150 and a Silverado of the year, same size V8, say a 4.6L or equivalent, and one will tow a lot more than the other. Oh well, I guess it's all a marketing gimmick.
2003 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab 3.9L V6
Ozark Trails 10x13 Dome Tent (sleeps 6)
2 adults, 3 children (2 girls, 1 boy)
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