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08-28-2015, 11:28 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Southern California
Posts: 572
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HD Trucks for Large Family?
I want a big truck. We currently have a Ford Expedition and things are tight both I roominess and in payload. We have 4 kids and I have never seen a truck that would fit all of us plus 2 dogs.
Would prefer to not be piled on top of each other. Having kids all sit like sardines in back and one in the middle of driver and passenger doesn't sound pleasant.
What are our options for the day we'd like to upgrade from our half ton? Or, if we had to stick with a half ton which ones have most passenger seating and payload?
__________________
2016 Jay Feather X254
2001 Ford Excursion 6.8L V10 4.30's
Equal-i-zer 1000/10,000 WDH
Previous TV: 2004 Ford Exedition w/ heavy duty tow package[/COLOR]
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08-29-2015, 02:53 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 609
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Looking at a suburban with third row, or more likely a one ton Transit van are my guess for a family of 6 with big furries.
Trailer life just did an article on the transit. Looks like a nice truck. I think you can. Get a 3/4 ton "wagon" style, but the 1 ton has duals, but no seating. Unless ford will customize it from the factory?
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Craig T. Bailey
Hudson, NH
2015 Jayflight 32BHDS
2018 Chevy 3500HD Crew 4x4 Duramax
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08-29-2015, 05:52 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posts: 1,808
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GM still makes a 3/4 Suburban. That might be your best bet.
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08-29-2015, 07:32 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Central California
Posts: 2,283
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For shorter trips, <3 hour, we squeeze in just like you describe with dogs crated in the back. Most of our trips are shorter.
For a long trip, we take two cars. It actually is pretty nice to have two cars when we get to our destination. If I go fishing with a kid or two, the second car means my wife isn't stranded should she want to run out any where. For us this arrangement is rare and usually on the summertime week+ vacations.
Only other option I could come up was a van -- I have no interest in owning a van or any sort so we went with two cars. Problem with 2500 suburban is with six occupants and two dogs you run out of payload.
__________________
2020 Ram 1500 5.7L
2007 Chevy Duramax LMM/Allison (Sold)
2012 Jay Flight 29QBH (Sold)
2012 Jay Flight 26BH (Sold)
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08-29-2015, 08:50 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Eagle River, AK
Posts: 900
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My good friend has a Chevrolet 3500 4X4 van that seats 15 normally. He takes out the front row seat and still has room for his 4 kids and two dogs, plus pay load. He has gone wood cutting with me and takes out all the seats and easily fits a cord of wood inside.
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We are just a humble drinking couple with a hunting and camping problem.
2018 Jayco Octane 260
2019 Dodge Ram 2500, 6.4 Hemi, 8 spd A/T
2021 Argo Aurora 8x8/2008 Arctic Cat M1000 SnoPro
Previous: Komfort 5er/Jamboree MH/Lance Cabover/Jayco Whitehawk 25BHS TT
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08-29-2015, 09:00 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Mid-Mi
Posts: 1,492
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spoon059
GM still makes a 3/4 Suburban. That might be your best bet.
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GM is indeed producing the 2500 Suburban again, but unless something has changed it is a fleet only vehicle. May be a little tough to get one for a while unless it's used.
Other than a 2500/3500 van, the 2500 'Burb is probably the only option.
If you go the van route, go with a 3500/350 for the extra payload with 4 growing kids!
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08-29-2015, 10:59 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 2,210
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On the truck side the largest cab you can get is a Ram Mega cab that gives you some space for 2 dogs to lay down should that be an option. If there are real big (over 100#'s) then I would also suggest the 2500 series Suburban if you can find one.
Truck crew cabs I would rank like this. Ram Mega, Ford, Ram, Chevy in terms of overall sq ft.
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2014 375 BHFS Eagle Premier
2014 Ram 3500 Longhorn DRW CC
6.7 CTD, Aisin, 4.10's
Yamaha EF3000iSEB
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08-29-2015, 11:13 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Bremerton
Posts: 342
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Quote:
Originally Posted by clubhouse
For shorter trips, <3 hour, we squeeze in just like you describe with dogs crated in the back. Most of our trips are shorter.
For a long trip, we take two cars. It actually is pretty nice to have two cars when we get to our destination. If I go fishing with a kid or two, the second car means my wife isn't stranded should she want to run out any where. For us this arrangement is rare and usually on the summertime week+ vacations.
Only other option I could come up was a van -- I have no interest in owning a van or any sort so we went with two cars. Problem with 2500 suburban is with six occupants and two dogs you run out of payload.
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for 11 years, I put my wife, 5 kids, and a dog in a 3/4 ton suburban. I had a car-top carrier for those trips without the trailer. The suburban wore out, the kids started having their own lives, so I "downsized' to a 3/4 cclb truck. for the past couple of years, even with only 3 kids at home, we have ended up taking two cars camping due to work schedules.
Tim
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08-29-2015, 03:15 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Mid-Mi
Posts: 1,492
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If you get a 4spd trans, s, TRY to find a 8.1L 'Burb unless the 6.0/ 4psd has a 4.10 rear end. The 6.0 with the 6spd trans is a great combo, but I would still suggest a set of 4.10 gears to make pulling a little easier.
Also, on the newer 'Burb ('07-?) they are limited on trailer tw. Find APT over on RV.Net and talk to him about his 'Burb and the limitations. It is due to the hitch being integrated into the bumper as a "crumple zone".
Not sure what motor the '04 has, looks clean though. Onyl other thing to watch on the GMT 800 body (2k-06) is the factory hitch is a round tube model, that there have been some issues with. Between "winding up" (twisting) when used with a wd hitch, to the receiver box having failures. If you buy thi gen 'Burb, replace the hitch with a new class 4 or 5.
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08-29-2015, 04:42 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Bremerton
Posts: 342
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Each gen burb has it's quirks, but don't be shy. Don't settle, get a 3/4 ton burb with a 3.73 rear end minimum. 4.10 rear end is better.
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08-29-2015, 08:45 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Greater Detroit area
Posts: 146
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Also try to find a Ford Excursion I believe they were a bit larger than a suburban. Some came with a 6.8 v10
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Average guy with a great wife and a fantastic son
2008 F150
2006 Jayco Jay-Flight 29 BHS
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08-31-2015, 01:12 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Southern California
Posts: 572
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Thanks, didn't they stop making the Excursion too? Don't mind buying used but seems like these car manufacturers are missing part of the market now.
__________________
2016 Jay Feather X254
2001 Ford Excursion 6.8L V10 4.30's
Equal-i-zer 1000/10,000 WDH
Previous TV: 2004 Ford Exedition w/ heavy duty tow package[/COLOR]
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08-31-2015, 04:37 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 609
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I thought the excursion was done, too.
As to pay load in the 'burban, my method is probably a bit different than 95% of the TT owners: I try to get everything we need in the trailer, and run the truck bed pretty much empty. I gave up hauling firewood. I gave up hauling fresh water in our Gatorade cooler. The only thing in the bed are the kids bikes, my empty black/gray water tote, and the greasy tabletop gas grill.
I know it's sacrilege to not fill the pickup bed to the brim... But it makes for a more enjoyable time when I know all our gear is in the camper, and I don't need to "load" the pickup and unload the pickup. My point is.... A suburban's job is to haul your family, with plenty of room in the "way back" for the pups. Don't be alarmed or angry if the fam plus tongue weight kick all your payload. That's what it is for. You'll be happier once you figure out exactly what gear you need, pack the trailer with it, and leave out all the stuff you don't need.
But I would still look at the transit. I'm going to guess you can buy two for the price of one new 3/4 ton burban... If the dealer will even sell a 3/4 ton to a non fleet user.
__________________
Craig T. Bailey
Hudson, NH
2015 Jayflight 32BHDS
2018 Chevy 3500HD Crew 4x4 Duramax
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08-31-2015, 06:51 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Abingdon
Posts: 6,177
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Country_Mouse
Thanks, didn't they stop making the Excursion too? Don't mind buying used but seems like these car manufacturers are missing part of the market now.
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Yes. Last year for the Excursion was 2006.
__________________
2013 Jayco Eagle 328 RLTS
2021 Keystone Montana 3121RL
2013 F350 6.7L 4x4 CCLB
W/Air Lift air bags (front & rear)
Equal-I-Zer™ WDH & B&W Companion
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08-31-2015, 07:59 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 721
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Check-out the signature as to our new truck. DH can quote all the 'manly' things, but from the female side - LOTS of room, seats 5 comfortably, and is very luxurious. If you get a shell for the bed - it might work for your pets. I LOVE the exhaust brakes and other diesel features, we'll never go back to a gasser!
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Hattie
"I just go where I'm towed to"
Genealogy Community Social Group Moderator
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2015 White Hawk 25BHS w/Outdoor Kitchen
2015 GMC Sierra SLT 2500HD Z71/4x4 Duramax
Son's 2016 Ford F-150 Lariat SuperCrew 4x4 + gifted 1984 Coleman Sequoia Tent Trailer
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08-31-2015, 08:31 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Detroit
Posts: 294
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TWP723
Yes. Last year for the Excursion was 2006.
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Correction, 2005 (which is what I have). Great vehicle for what you are looking. Unfortunately, you will only find ones that are at least 10 years old, which means a lot of mileage.
I know what it is like going on a trip with 3 kids in the back of a pickup, and it is not fun! That's why we got the Excursion, so 2 kids go in the 2nd row captain chairs, and the 3rd goes on the back bench with the dog. No one is touching each other!
__________________
2005 Ford Excursion 6.8L, 4.56
2016 Eagle 324BHTS, P3, PP 3P
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08-31-2015, 09:28 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Abingdon
Posts: 6,177
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jasoncw
Correction, 2005 (which is what I have). Great vehicle for what you are looking. Unfortunately, you will only find ones that are at least 10 years old, which means a lot of mileage.
I know what it is like going on a trip with 3 kids in the back of a pickup, and it is not fun! That's why we got the Excursion, so 2 kids go in the 2nd row captain chairs, and the 3rd goes on the back bench with the dog. No one is touching each other!
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06 was the last year of the Excursion. Although, not for long. They should've never stopped making them.
__________________
2013 Jayco Eagle 328 RLTS
2021 Keystone Montana 3121RL
2013 F350 6.7L 4x4 CCLB
W/Air Lift air bags (front & rear)
Equal-I-Zer™ WDH & B&W Companion
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08-31-2015, 09:35 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: St. Clairsville
Posts: 225
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A Ford 1-ton van is another option. We towed with one for years and loved it. Ours has a 4x4 conversion which I love, but is not needed for most towing. They can also be found with the v-10, which is used in many many motorhomes.
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08-31-2015, 09:50 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Detroit
Posts: 294
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TWP723
06 was the last year of the Excursion. Although, not for long. They should've never stopped making them.
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Your statement piqued my curiosity, so I looked it up. Apparently they did sell a few in Mexico as a 2006 model, although it was produced in Sept 2005. It doesn't appear as though you could buy a 2006 in the U.S.
Back to the topic at hand, Ford needs to make Excursions again!
__________________
2005 Ford Excursion 6.8L, 4.56
2016 Eagle 324BHTS, P3, PP 3P
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