HD Trucks for Large Family?

[Country_Mouse]

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?

[ctbailey]

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?

[spoon059]

GM still makes a 3/4 Suburban. That might be your best bet.

[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.

[NVGun40]

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.

[need-a-vacation]

Originally Posted by spoon059

GM still makes a 3/4 Suburban. That might be your best bet.

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!

[3'senough]

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.

[tjpolsin]

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.

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

[Country_Mouse]

Thanks for the suggestions! I just looked up the Chevy Suburban. Wow, the payload is something like 2900#? That solves that problem. Although the towing capacity is around 9600# I think it is not that much more than my Expedition but still plenty. Found a couple used ones not too far away. Now just to convince my husband to think about it. Maybe if we sell the Expedition it won't be such a financial hit. How do these look? 2004 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 LS in Corona, CA | Used Cars for Sale on EasyAutoSales.com
Used 2008 Chevrolet Suburban SUV in Fontana, CA near 92335 | 3GNGC26K08G129784 | Auto.com

[need-a-vacation]

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.

[tjpolsin]

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.

[outofhere]

Also try to find a Ford Excursion I believe they were a bit larger than a suburban. Some came with a 6.8 v10

[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.

[ctbailey]

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.

[TWP723]

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.

Yes. Last year for the Excursion was 2006.

[Hattie]

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!

[jasoncw]

Originally Posted by TWP723

Yes. Last year for the Excursion was 2006.

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!

[TWP723]

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!

06 was the last year of the Excursion. Although, not for long. They should've never stopped making them.

[djtho1]

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.

[jasoncw]

Originally Posted by TWP723

06 was the last year of the Excursion. Although, not for long. They should've never stopped making them.

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!