A comment perhaps based on my misunderstanding re "4WD Vehicle probably VW Transporter 4Motion dual cab...Cant sleep in it - requires paid accommodation ".

You can sleep in any reasonable sized 4x4 vehicle, or at least we have done so on long(ish) trips with no problems.

OP's situation is such that although 4 people can't realistically sleep in such a vehicle, 2 can, and a RTT provides for the other two. Alternatively a ground tent would work, although I suspect that a RTT will be a more attractive option.

Thought #2 - you can buy two 4x4 vehicles for the price of most "Expedition Style Trucks" so you could do this and have the advantage of a back-up vehicle (each for the other) as well as being able to sleep inside each. YOu'd need a 40 ft container and not a 20 ft container, however the marginal cost compared with a container capable or handling the truck is not much.

PS: I don't envisage Lawrence of Arabia in a truck - which brings me to the last thought - 8 camels - four to ride and four for kit...

Speaking as someone who was once a teenage girl I can safely say the best choice of vehicle / travel will be whatever allows private space and access to a shower. Also, having internet access for keeping up with friends would be important.

I was out the door at 16 and subsequently moved around a lot, at that time I dreamed of being able to just live in one place and have stability, though I know not all teenagers are like that.

Hi y’all

So we have decided that the expedition / camper is off the list. The girls are a couple of years older now from when I first posted this in 2019 and will be three or a bit more by the time covid lets us start.

As turbo suggests, teenage girls need space and that would not be likely in such a vehicle unless its one of those giant six wheel things that are too heavy for my liking.

So it is down to a vehicle that is primarily for transport or just backpacking. Either way we intend to use airbnb style places for much of the time, using monthly bookings to force me into staying in one spot and experiencing as much as we can. I have a habit of pushing on and I know that we miss a lot of good stuff.

Staying in airbnb’s will also give the girls some space to retreat to, as well as us. Due to covid we have homeschooled the girls on and off over the past two years, as well as a German international student who was with us for six months at the beginning of the pandemic, and coped with it well. The older girls were finished their school work over about 3-4hrs which left the afternoon for other activities.

I think we will try and replicate this as we go.

I have another 12 months before we can go I think, I have a major surgery to attend to so I am kinda thinking that I might start preparing a 4wd over the next months so that it is set up. Can use it in the meantime now that our country is opening up a bit and as a shakedown. I can always leave it here and head off backpacking first, we do want to visit asia / Japan / S Korea, and then head back and grab it if we want it.

Anyways, thanks for your input.