As you can see from the previous posts there are as many pros as there are cons for either the C/C truck or 7 passenger SUV. I am in the same category as you and my TV is a 5.3L Tahoe. It works great for towing my 6000lb GVW Kodiak and also gives me a 7 passenger ski vehicle for the winter with the Thule box up top. My 2 kids always have a minimum of 1 friend tagging along on any of our adventures, be it camping or heading to our local ski hill. I don't haul wood, I use my gas fireplaces, if I need a load of dirt I have a utility trailer, my bikes all fit on or in my TT (toppoprails.com) and there's no need for a noisy generator and fossil fuel as we dry camp with solar power. That's just my 2 bits worth, hope you enjoy whatever you choose.
Like already said, you'll get lots of opinions and pros/cons both ways on this. Might as well throw in mine:
We have two kids as well, chose the SUV route, and very glad we did. With 2 kids, its really nice having 2 separate rows of seats back there, so you can 'divide and conquer', if you know what I mean. Makes for much less bickering, etc. on long trips. When they can't see each other, are not on same seat row...Much less likely to have problems. That, and my Mom frequently comes with us on trips as well, with the Excursion we have plenty of room for her.
If we were going to do a lot of boondocking, and had to bring things like a portable generator, gasoline for it, etc., *THEN* I would rather have a pickup for the obvious reasons. But, we rarely if ever camp like that, and when we do, we do it such that a genny isn't needed.
Anyway, thats 'bout all the advice I can offer, that hasn't already been said. Good luck with it.
Will & Angela
2 wonderful children that love camping, Stephen & Allison
2003 Ford Excursion V10 4x4
2003 Thor Citation 33M, Hensley Arrow hitch, Brakesmart Brake Control
(wanna see? Here is a picture of it )
We have a 2004 Durango Hemi 4x4 and love it. It seats 7 comfortably and I believe the newer models can seat 8. The Hemi is a strong engine and pulls our 5000lb trailer with ease even through the steep mountain grades we have in the west.
I chose the Durango because it was the only SUV in its class that had a solid live axle. I feel that greatly adds to stability and handling when towing. I also didn't want a huge SUV such as a Suburban or Expedition.
Wouldn't have anything other than what I have. No kids at our age, but travel with 4 dogs. They get the benefit of climate control in the back (I lay both rows of seats down) and plenty of room. When we want to go to lunch (or other activity) and really hot out, just leave the A/C on and the PSD idling...great for the dogs.
For hauling stuff, I bought a utility trailer for $300 (with real tires) and can haul up to a ton.....furniture, gravel, sand etc.
When guests on the ride, I just pop the seats up and away we go. 7 passengers and myself...and still room for the dogs in the back (a little cramped).
We've towed our 25' trailer over 20,000 miles with a van (5.4L/3.55). The van is less expensive than an SUV, has more space for people and stuff, and has enough wheelbase and mass to control the trailer (we use a Reese Dual-Cam hitch). We get about 10 mpg towing.
We have a 2008 Expedition Limited with HD tow and 3.73 axle and rear air leveler suspension and love it. Seating for 7 and third row seats that fold into the floor! We pull a VR1 299RLS(33 ft ball to bumper) 6800 lbs dry (about 7500 loaded (only 10 gallons of water for trips) (tongue weight about 850 lbs). Equalizer brand hitch. Tows great and the Expy is so comfy. The 6 speed auto is great and the low end torque of the engine is great also and we get around 10 mpg towing in normal conditions (just got back from 5 hour trip and averaged 9.8). Happy Trails. Greg
* This post was
edited 09/28/08 07:53am by gbs2320 *
2008, 33' VR1 299RLS Travel Trailer, 6800lbs dry
2008 Ford Expedition Limited, 4x4, HD tow, 3.73 axles, 6spd auto
I wound up getting an 05 Expedition. Almost 9000lbs towing and room to take the friends and dogs and all. We tried to figure out a way to make a truck work out for us, but we just couldn't get the room for people to jive.
-c
2006 Jeep Liberty CRD - sold
2005 Ford Expedition NBX
2002 Keystone Cabana
3 Dogs 1 DW
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