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I've camped extensively with dogs. Camping is no fun without them.
I've got 2 small dogs and I have small kennels permanently installed over the dinette. The Australian Shepherd is the first dog I've ever owned who isn't allowed on the furniture (for good reason) and he sleeps on the floor on a a nice cushy dog bed.
Even when I had big dogs allowed on the furniture, they had to sleep on the floor in the travel trailer.
I take exercise pens for the little guys for outdoors and the big dog has an overhead trolley plus a large crate for times when attention can't be focused 100% On where he is and what he is doing.
The last trip I did was just me and my boy Schnitzel. He sits in the front to get the best view...
My roof is electric. Just unlatch the 4 corners and hit the switch. Water is no worry- the material does not rot like canvas. I've put it down wet before- just put it up and let it air dry as soon after as you can. The roof is also carbon fiber- no rubber to deal with. No leaks, no issues. It's an awesome camper.
New campers come with a hefty dose of sticker shock. I got this one used from their lot for a lot less. I got to tour the facility and it is very well run. A family run business, long time employees and they make a great product (and stand-by their products).
Very innovative with real advances such as the carbon fiber roof, useful storage space and one piece fiberglass counters. They also used various framing materials from Coosa, aluminum and pine. During my second trip to Westby I was accompanied by a friend that owns a restored Airstream (one of the smaller ones). He came inside my camper a few times and he was amazed at the storage I had. Under the bed, over the counter cabinets, under the counter cabinets and a larger cabinet behind the sitting/table area. Way more than his 18' Airstream. Plus I have a bigger bed (real queen size)..
Although he has more floor space and a slightly larger dining area, mine has enough to be comfortable and enough places to store my stuff.
Under bed storage
Storage above sink (I use the microwave to store bread, lol)
There are two cabinet units on the opposite wall with wood roll up doors.
Rear cabinet (tall)
And then there are all the cabinets below the sink. Three large doors where I store pots/pans, cutting board and cleaning supplies, then three smaller drawers under that. One for eating utensils, one for misc utensils and the third under the fridge for duct tape, tools and other various sundries. Plus there is storage under the seats (one drawer and one cabinet). I keep hunting knives, maps, flashlight and other 'things in the drawer) and paper towels, towels, T.P. and a "It's too cold to go pee outside big plastic jug", lol.
Wow, those are nice campers. I found the website. The floor plan for your model on their website shows a toilet, but maybe your earlier model didn't have one? A porta potty is a must for me. All their campers are for full-size pickups and are still too heavy for my little 4 cylinder truck. They sure are nice, though. I'm jealous :-)
No- toilets are optional on the Guanella. Frankly I would not want a toilet in a truck camper. It's not that much bigger than a small wall tent, and I would not want a toilet in my wall tent. I'm very comfortable going outside. Been doing that all my life when camping, lol.
They make campers for smaller bed trucks, but they really don't recommend Tacoma sized trucks too much. Too light duty.
The way I see a truck camper- it is a tent with heat, a table, a stove, a nice bed and some storage. A comfortable refuge for the night or really nasty weather, but not large enough where you might want to 'lounge' in it. I hunt, fish, hike- so it serves a very nice purpose as a base 'tent'- just on the back of my truck. With a thermostat!
No- toilets are optional on the Guanella. Frankly I would not want a toilet in a truck camper. It's not that much bigger than a small wall tent, and I would not want a toilet in my wall tent. I'm very comfortable going outside. Been doing that all my life when camping, lol.
They make campers for smaller bed trucks, but they really don't recommend Tacoma sized trucks too much. Too light duty.
The way I see a truck camper- it is a tent with heat, a table, a stove, a nice bed and some storage. A comfortable refuge for the night or really nasty weather, but not large enough where you might want to 'lounge' in it. I hunt, fish, hike- so it serves a very nice purpose as a base 'tent'- just on the back of my truck. With a thermostat!
Good point on the toilet. I agree that it's basically a place to sleep and get out of the weather and keep things dry. I'm going to have to do an even more basic version than you have, at least for now. If I find it's not enough for what I want to do, I'll have to save up for something bigger.
Anyway, thanks for sharing the photos. Beautiful dogs, by the way. I used to be married to a hunter. I never liked duck or venison, but I loved the pheasant and elk!
Going out next week for another round of bird hunting. It was -5 this morning (and no- I did not sleep in my camper last night, lol). Will be gone 12/2-12/8..
Going out next week for another round of bird hunting. It was -5 this morning (and no- I did not sleep in my camper last night, lol). Will be gone 12/2-12/8..
Man I love living in Montana..
Montana would be the next place I'd live. I have it good here. But the mountains resonate with me. The plaines suit me well, too.
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