The Family Daily Driver ExPo Rig Thread!

[shortbus4x4]

Thats funny, Firefly is the one scifi show of mine that my wife really liked. She would actually watch it even if I was't home, now she is a big Castle fan.

[eric1115]

Thats funny, Firefly is the one scifi show of mine that my wife really liked. She would actually watch it even if I was't home, now she is a big Castle fan.

You sure she's not just a huge Nathan Fillion fan? I know my wife likes the show for the show's sake, but I know a couple OTHER guys' wives like the show for the sake of oogling Captain Reynolds. Women can be so shallow.

[Cards81fan]

I voted mid-size SUV.

I have a smaller SUV (KJ Liberty), and for me and my wife and 2 kids, it works well enough but is pretty tight inside. We can load the cargo area, the roof rack pretty full. On the rack I use under bed storage totes to keep the weight and height down, and pack them full of lighter items. If I bought a hitch mounted cargo carrier, I could add a good amount more. But the internal space is cramped, from leg room to the cargo area.

I can carry tons of gear in the bed of my short bed Dakota, but again passenger space is limited. As mentioned, try keeping a cooler or bag of toys to entertain a child and it can get pretty tough in the cab of a truck. For a party of 2, a truck rules. But for any more than that, their utility is limited. Trucks are good for hauling cargo but not so much people.


So if I were buying anew and had the choice of something with more leg room and cargo space, I would do a larger SUV in a heartbeat. An 80 or 100 series would be a behemoth compared to the KJ, in a good way. Fuel mileage is not that much worse either honestly. For comfort and space alone, it would be worth it for a family that does any amount of semi-lengthy travel. If one is only on highway, something like the Highlander or 2010 Explorer would be perfect. But like most here, I get off road so I like a touch more capability.

[nwoods]

Whoa, talk about thread drift.... Where did this SUV talk come from :-)

[fifthcircle]

Whoa, talk about thread drift.... Where did this SUV talk come from :-)

I am glad someone could get it back ON TOPIC....

So far, the mid size SUV is (not surprisingly) pulling way ahead. It will be at least another year before I even think about a new vehicle. Only problem with that is the owners of the 80 series TLC's will just keep putting miles on them. I would really love to just snag the next 80 in great condition with about 75k on it and "make it mine". Who knows, maybe my Tacoma will be ok for another 5yrs, and something really great will be produced.

[Colorado Jeeper]

Do you have photos of the jump seats

Little Passenger Third Row Seats

[Scoutman]

The rig you pick probably has to do a lot with the way you camp. Truck camper, RTT, tent, etc all drive what you drive.

For us my truck was bought to be first a good daily driver, second a hauler, and last a camping/exploring rig. It has to work best for that priority of the list. We have 2 kids ages 3 and 6 months and our truck camper with my 1 ton Dodge Ram 4x4 works nice. We have plenty of cab space and with the camper in the long bed we have sufficient camper space. The nice part is when I get home after a trip, I pull out from under the camper and drive to work the next day with all my gear still loaded up waiting for the next trip. Fuel econ is pretty good (~18-22) for an 8k# truck and I like the security and power it provides. We have a JK unlimited and an XJ rockcrawler so if we're doing day trips or 4 wheeling trips, I can always take one of them. Of course the other nice thing about such a big truck is I can trailer one of those rigs WITH the camper if I want to combine hobbies.

[EricM]

Cherokee Sport (1993) Got us to the Arctic Circle and back

We also did some Gold Mining :-)



there were Five of Us in the Jeep, along with all our crap. It spent most of the time behind the RV though....

[Greggk]

i personally prefer my 1999 f250 with the powerstroke. endless torque ( can get almost an extra 150 hp and 300ft pounds of torque for under a grand), great fuel milage enough room for the kids and my boxer, plenty of cargo room, and it takes us wherever we want to go. fit 35's with just a leveling kit, diesels will keep running even if the body rotted off the frame around it, and well diesels are just cool! lol

[fifthcircle]

there were Five of Us in the Jeep, along with all our crap. It spent most of the time behind the RV though....

This is CHEATING!