Las Vegas to Reno with many stops!!

Nice pic!!

JuDY: I've done a lot of tent camping in my 24 years and I can tell you I absolutely love it. However, I really wanna do the camper thing. I'm traveling with my two dogs in the winter. None of us will be able to handle the cold. Not only that, but my tent is enormous and quite a pain to put up and take down with any less than 5 people. I don't want to buy another tent and I really don't want to risk the rain pissing me off. I've camped in the rain before...as fun as it it, its very irritating when putting up and taking down gear. I don't really want to stay in hotel rooms as that will ruin the whole "roughing it" concept for me. I know campers aren't totally roughing it, but they are one step up from a tent for me...and in the winter its completely necessary.

As far as my route goes: I'm going to pick up a few maps and guides from AAA and do some more research on the net before I take this trip. I will most likely change around destinations and time spent in places to accomodate my travel partner and my spontanuity. I do however, have specified destinations such as Apple Valley and Bakersfield because I have friends that I would like to visit there. (so I know those two places are extremely uneventful) I will check out a few of the places that were mentioned by Pashnit and perhaps add them to my itinerary.

So back to the trailer thing. I'm aware of the lowered mileage on my MPGs...I'm aware of the slower speeds I will be forced to travel at. I'm still really trying to decide between a cabover and a trailer. I would like space and convenience...but I would also like something that isn't going to make me go 10mph and break my vehicle down.

Keep the feedback coming by the way...I love it and I'm learning a lot.

Oh, as a dog lover, I don't want your dogs to get cold. I was going to give you a bit of a flip answer...get an easier tent to put up/down. Mine is about a 5-minute, 1-person job that sleeps 2 people and a dog quite nicely. But that doesn't solve the problem of the cold now, does it?

I think each solution (camper vs. trailer) have their strengths and weaknesses. Is it possible to go to a dealer and ask to have them mounted to your pick-up for a try-out? Maybe go to a place that rents them and try one out one weekend, and the other the next? That really might be the best way to resolve the dilemma.

To be honest, when traveling with dogs, a camper or trailer really does make a big difference. As long as they aren't barkers, you can leave the comfortably while you go exploring for awhile. That's harder to do when they're stuck in a car.

Oh, just a thought....how about a small teardrop trailer? They are very cool-looking, lightweight, can be towed with even a small 4-cylinder car, and don't have hardly any impact on fuel consumption. I have been yearning for one. It solves both the cold problem (and the rain problem) and gives your dogs a comfy place to hang-out while you go exploring. It might be a great option for you.

i have not heard of teardrop trailers...can you post a link so I can see what it looks like?

Here is an article about tear drop trailers and other types of vintage trailers.

hmmm...those are awfully nice...the only problem is price. I'm seriously in the market for something not more than $700. However, if I had the money, I'd totally go for one of those.

Wow...I think I just figured something out that could have helped me weeks ago...

Until now I've been looking for cabover campers that were 6ft. I have a 1989 Ford Ranger (sure I mentioned that already) extended cab (jump seats) and a 70 inch long bed....


can I use an 8 ft cabover for this??? I just saw a pic of an 8 footer on a dogde dakota!!!


Anyone know cabover campers really well?

Have you ever thought about just getting a cab for the pick-up bed instead of a full-blown cab-over-camper? You could add a porta-potty, make up a nice kitchen box from wood that can easily pull out to the tailgate and you could cook under the propped-up backdoor for rain protection, and you can insulate it and get a portable propane heater for warmth. And it won't be heavy enough or big enough to cost you much in extra fuel consumption. Might be an economical solution to your dilemma.

Not sure what you mean by just a cab...

Again, space is a factor. 2 dogs and maybe even up to 4 kids.

I think Judy was refering to a topper to go over the back of of the pickup bed.

But if you are now talking 4 kids and 2 dogs, obviously a pickup isn't going to work anyway.

Your very limited budget and growing traveling party is going to make it very difficult for you to find anything that will work well.

good luck

Small kids...2 dogs...just need room to sleep.

You guys aren't being very positive about this. I think it will work. I'm not looking for anything special. Just something to keep the rain out and provide a nice little haven.