Small Truck (Tacoma)
Big Truck (full size)
Small SUV (Jeep/FJ)
Mid-size SUV (Land Cruiser/Land Rover/4Runner)
Massive SUV (Suburban/Camper Van)
Minivan (kill me now!)
A car and good hiking and camping gear. Don't be a wuss!
OTHER
Our WJ has been great so far for my wife, 4 year old daughter, and I. We have not been on any cross country multi night adventures yet but it has been comfortable for my daily commute and weekend adventures. I still have a lot in mind for it!
f2dd9d9a.jpg
0864a83e.jpg
2nd vote for modified Astro van to carry the family and all the toys camping. (OK, all the toys are mine except one of the white water boats is my wife's and the Radio Flyer is my 8 month old daughter's.)
The girls sleep downstairs, I get the loft all to my self.
IMG_7424.jpg
Life is short, Paddle often
'03 Chevy Astro w/ NP233C 4x4 electronic shift transfer case, 4-5" Overlandvans lift kit, 4:10's w/ Detroit Locker, Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks w/ in-dash remote & onboard air compressor, 255 70R16 AT's or 245/75 16 MT/Rs depending, GTRV pop top w/ sleeper, Carefree Awning, Gaucho couch, Coleman Fridge, and tons of Thule
2010 Gas Gas EC 450, 2005 Gas Gas FSE 450, plated
I guess it depends on how many kids, dogs, cats, moose, rhinos, etc you are trying to stuff in your vehicle and where you want to go. For us, with three kids, on most road trips, it is hard to beat our diesel Excursion. Great fuel mileage and plenty of room for the hoard and all of the junk we tend to pack.
Having said that, we are shopping for a Disco 1 for a little more off road oriented adventure. With my grown kids and x-wife, we had a few Land Cruisers over the years, an FJ80 is hard to beat.
Originally, I had a 1998 Toyota 4runner. It was fine for the flat states of Midwest, however, it struggled immensely on hills towing my Outlander Sherpa II.
My wife's DD is a 04 Sequoia with a V8. Much more power didn't even know the Sherpa II was back there. I considered buying her a new vehicle and ExPo'ing (is this a word?...) it, however, I decided to get a new DD for myself. My wife was still content with this vehicle...
Due to the changing needs of my family, I decided to go bigger. I considered a 100 / 200 Land Cruiser, however, I liked the utility of a pickup. So, I pulled the trigger on a 2011 Toyota Tundra. Mileage is better than my 4runner with / without my Sherpa II.
Plenty of room / power ~ bring on the hills now...
Regards,
BWJ
2011 Tundra 5.7L V8 / TRD CAI / Toytec Ultimate kit / OME leafs / 295s / TRD forged alloys / SnugTOP / Baja Rack / Atomic Fabworks sliders / IBS - Diehard Platinums / EXO front and rear bumper / Rigid Dually D2s (2x) / 40" + 30" LED light bar / Warn VR 10,000 / Masterpull / ARB twin air compressor / ...IT'S FINISHED...
2010 Outlander Sherpa II with OZtent RV-5 (Master suite...)
We've been very happy with our 2002 Mitsubishi Montero.
Whether overlanding, backcountry exploring, or daily driving, this rig has met all our needs.
P1011137cropped.jpg
'02 Montero: OME suspension, ARB front bumper, sliders, homemade 4mm skid plates and spare tire Blitz can mount, extended breathers,
K&N air filter, Optima Yellow Top, BajaRack, IPF lights, Goodyear Duratrac 265/75/16's, RUD 4x4 Grip Chains
Do you have a shell on your truck? I have a boxer as well and have my first kid on the way. I am thinking that wife, kid, and dog in the backseat of my quad-cab dodge 2500 might be a big tight. I normally let my dog stay in the cab as he is spoiled but a shell might not be a bad idea.