Camping with a 5th Gen

[WaySlowWhitey]

I'm getting close to pulling the trigger on a '12 but am hesitant as we like to tent camp and I'm wondering how much room there is inside. At 6'6" there's no room behind my seat to fold down the back seat, gotta leave space for the dog and with our mountainbikes on the hitch I'm wondering if I'll have enough room. Anyone have pics of their's packed for a weekend camping? Issues with enough space?

 

[Davemon]

Get a roof box or rack. Should have plenty of room then.

 

[1engineer]

I'm getting close to pulling the trigger on a '12 but am hesitant as we like to tent camp and I'm wondering how much room there is inside. At 6'6" there's no room behind my seat to fold down the back seat, gotta leave space for the dog and with our mountainbikes on the hitch I'm wondering if I'll have enough room. Anyone have pics of their's packed for a weekend camping? Issues with enough space?

You are wrong. You can fold down the back seat with the driver seat in the farthest back position. All you have to do is move the driver's seat up, fold down the back seat and then move the driver's seat back. Also the 4Runner has one of the largest cargo areas out there for a SUV. I use a big dry bag on the top when I am hauling luggage for 4 and the bikes out back. Maybe you need to get a Sienna as they have a lot of room. BTW I am 6'4".

 

[fifthcircle]

Sorry, no pics....but....Roof rack! You can get a weatherproof box or bag and haul all the extra stuff on top and outta the way. The passenger side back seat folded down will net more than the drivers side anyway.

I laid down in the back of mine on the pass side last night to see if I could sleep inside like I used to in the back of my Tacoma with a topper. Juuust barely. I am 6', and with my head against the folded down seat, and feet against the rear hatch, I sorta fit. Diagonal, no problem. I think a roof top tent would be the way to go!

What vehicle are you coming from?

I'm getting close to pulling the trigger on a '12 but am hesitant as we like to tent camp and I'm wondering how much room there is inside. At 6'6" there's no room behind my seat to fold down the back seat, gotta leave space for the dog and with our mountainbikes on the hitch I'm wondering if I'll have enough room. Anyone have pics of their's packed for a weekend camping? Issues with enough space?

 

[scanny]

I think I had the picture of pre-hunged door in the trunk, I was amazed that I could close the liftgate so I took the picture.

I think best picture with loaded 4runner is here, although it's not for camping:
Week 2, 2010 4Runner | Canada.com
Week 6, 2010 4Runner | Canada.com

I'd say that 4Runner has enough space for camping gear, but it of course depends on how much stuff you take with you on camping.

 

[WaySlowWhitey]

What vehicle are you coming from?

A 2011 RAM1500 so not a fair comparison.

 

[fifthcircle]

A 2011 RAM1500 so not a fair comparison.

Not to compare, vehicles. Just for space. If you take some time to configure a roof rack for your gear, you will have the same room as a truck bed. It won't be a "just toss it all in" affair like a truck though.

 

[Ukie]

I laid down in the back of mine on the pass side last night to see if I could sleep inside like I used to in the back of my Tacoma with a topper. Juuust barely. I am 6', and with my head against the folded down seat, and feet against the rear hatch, I sorta fit. Diagonal, no problem. I think a roof top tent would be the way to go!

Keep in mind that 4Runners with 3rd row seats have different folding system. Here's some pictures 4 u http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/104090-folding-2nd-row-seats-flat.html

 

[kingpin748]

I don't have a dog but I have a kid. Not a perfect comparison but they do take up room.

I have a few Rubbermaid Roughnecks I keep the camping gear in that are on the other side of the rack. I can bring way more **** that I actually need using the rough rack.

 

[TX - Longhorns]

Here we are loaded and headed to the cabin in Broken Bow, OK. Loaded down with gear, 2 adults (I'm 6'2" and have plenty of room), 2 kids and plenty of things for the week. The roof rack on top has since been upgraded to a Thule Atlantis 1800 (no pic's yet, plan on taking ski trip next month with it though) - the hitch is a Rola Hitch.

Amazon.com: Rola 59502 2" Steel Cargo Carrier - 2 Piece: Automotive

The hitch is very heavy duty - it'll hold a deer, a ton of mulch from Lowe's or whatever else I can throw on there. I'll be setting it up soon like this (except for 2 bikes): http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/64871-roof-rack-hitch-setups-here-10.html

 

[Davemon]

Here we are loaded and headed to the cabin in Broken Bow, OK. Loaded down with gear, 2 adults (I'm 6'2" and have plenty of room), 2 kids and plenty of things for the week. The roof rack on top has since been upgraded to a Thule Atlantis 1800 (no pic's yet, plan on taking ski trip next month with it though) - the hitch is a Rola Hitch.

Amazon.com: Rola 59502 2" Steel Cargo Carrier - 2 Piece: Automotive

The hitch is very heavy duty - it'll hold a deer, a ton of mulch from Lowe's or whatever else I can throw on there. I'll be setting it up soon like this (except for 2 bikes): http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/64871-roof-rack-hitch-setups-here-10.html

Nice setup! Mine will be looking very similar to yours after the tax return comes in.

 

[TX - Longhorns]

Nice setup! Mine will be looking very similar to yours after the tax return comes in.

Thanks, I appreciate it. I added the Stubby Antenna here recently and have Weathertech floor mats throughout, it's a must with the kids, hunting and dogs.

 

[pawzitiv]

Driver, passenger, 2 dogs, a 50lb Springbar canvas tent, outfitter sleeping bags, cooler, camp kitchen, PETT toilet, self-recovery gear, onboard air, tools plus 8 gallons of reserve fuel .. all set for a week of camping/backroad/offroad exploring and it all fits fine.

.. and for those who feel the need to bring EVERYTHING, there's always the option of an offroad trailer.

 

[Dlak]

Or if you really want to get nutty get one of these...

 

[Ramzey28]

I bought a Yakima load warrior after I went camping in vt....truck was loaded to the Gil's...it all fit but load warrior will make it easier...

 

[CmdrCody]

Naah, go for the trailer. The teardrop can hold a bunch-o-stuff, and is uber comfy when camping.
Sorry I couldn't find a good pic with the new T4R, so that's the Rhino it's hitched to.

 

[fifthcircle]

Those teardrops look cool, but I dunno if I'd want to pull it through a serious trail. 90% of the time, it'll probably work great though!

 

[CmdrCody]

Agreed, as I won't take it rock crawling. Those are the daily adventures out of base camp!

But I don't hesitate on most of the trails in Southern Utah. That pic was taken outside of Canyonlands NP (Moab area) before we hit the trails. That is the monitor and the merrimac in the background for reference.

We have drug it through the San Rafael Swell, and over various backroads in the Grand Staircase. It's been a great trailer.

 

[joneseyyy]

As has been said repeatedly, A roof rack is a tremendous help for the bulky stuff.

 

[Titanpat57]

I'm a trailer guy too.

Throw the bikes on the roof, or I also have a reciever on the back of the trailer.

Use the trailer as a base camp and go explore from there....leaving the truck to do what it's supposed to do.