In reply to Ian F:
It does fair, as long as you aren't in a hurry or in the mountains. I usually keep it off the interstate because at 55-60 it gets 11mpg. At 70+ it gets down in the 7s. The 5.4 Triton engines aren't renowned for their torque and what they have in in the top of the rpm range. If I had it to do again, I would go with the E350 chassis and the V10 or the Powerstroke.
With the trailer coming in at 7000# and the van weighing in at 6800# that puts me at almost 14000# when I leave the yard. 
It's a good thing it has outstanding brakes.
My ultimate plan is an open aluminum trailer behind the Roadmaster. I just haven't taken the time to build the trailer.
Damn, now you got me thinking of an all aluminum enclosed with bunks behind the Roadmaster with a 6.5 diesel. 
Back to the drawing board. 
Ian F
SuperDork
10/27/11 6:18 p.m.
In reply to Ian F:
Wow! This is similar to what I'm drawing up now.
I'll post it up when I get the plans done.
Strizzo
SuperDork
10/27/11 10:35 p.m.
iv'e done a bit of camping lately out of my xterra. not 5 people, but two of us and the dog. the xterra gets packed pretty full, but i've got a home depot rubbermaid style container for all the kitchen/cooking stuff and another for the tent, ground cover, sleeping pads and sleeping bags. these stack on one side in the back of the truck, and the cooler goes on the other side. the camp chairs and canopy fit behind the bins and cooler in the space created by the tilt on the back of the seat in front. mostly its been an igloo 60qt roller but i've got a yeti on the way soon. in the back seat usually has been duffels with clothes, whatever food and water we're bringing, folding table, and propane tank for lantern and cooking.
some photos from a trip to padre last year, my tent is the yellow and silver one, REI half dome 2:
I've been tempted by the offroad trailers with rooftop tent idea, but for the most part they are a lot of money for what you get. I've been kicking around finding a truck bed trailer that someone has made out of a nissan or toyota truck along with an out of production wildernest (can be found time-to-time for around 500 bucks) which gives storage and a fold out bed.
