Toyota Trucks: 4runner for a family of 5?

"RobV" <rr.com> sez:
 
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Hell, it isn't big enough for a family of 4. My two, Ketchum & Killum, and
all of the stuff we need to haul to go dirtbiking, need a bigger outfit.
We've had a Suburban (ditched it because it was the biggest piece of junk
I've ever owned) and will now be doing it with a Sequoia.

Good wrenchin' to ya,
VLJ
--
If it has tits or tires, its gonna be trouble.

What about a 1998/99 Land Cruser. I was looking at the Sequia as well 2001
model. Damn there still expensive.

"vlj" <v@l.j> wrote in message
news:lOIMb.54241$news.verio.net... 
will 
supplies. 
and 

"RobV" <rr.com> sez:
 

I'm not real up on the Land Cruiser but if that vintage is like the current
models, they have less room inside than the Sequoia ... and cost more. ????
 

They do hold their value. I sold an '84 Toyota SR5 pickup (the last year
for the old stright front axle) in '92 with 85k on the clock for 64% of new
purchase price. I sold my '97 Suburban in '03 for 22% of new purchase price
(after the #&%@!! thing cost me $ix grand in repair$). Choose your poison
....

Good wrenchin' to ya,
VLJ
--
If it has tits or tires, its gonna be trouble.

You know the saying, the smaller the kid, the more junk they have? Well, my
family of 5 consists of hubby and I and two 5 year olds and a 2 year old,
all in car seats. We won't be outgrowing this 4Runner unless we have another
child, and even then I'll opt for installing a third row seat and getting a
gear trailer instead of a larger vehicle. (hopefully that won't be
necessary!)

We've gone on weekend camping trips locally, 3-6 hour road trips in state,
and on 3000+ mile round trip cross country vacations with it. They seem to
do ok with all their toys and with trays on the backs of the front seats to
keep organized. We manage to fit a large cabin tent, one bundle (sometimes
2) of firewood, 4 large and 3 toddler size folding sports chairs, a big ice
chest, clothes, blankets, five sleeping bags, four 1/2 size pillows, a milk
crate (or box, whatever's handy at the time) of other assorted supplies, two
paper grocery sacks of non-refrigerated food (usually go in the rear
floorboard since the kids are short and in car seats) and two lanterns, all
without using the roof rack. Also add in diaper bags, first aid kit, my
beading supplies and my mess of camera gear. Any longer a camping trip than
say 3-4 days, and we'd probably have to utilize the roof rack for extra
clothes and put some gear there to make space for the extra food unless we
shop locally after we set up camp.

We also have a cheesy cheap roof top bag, which we've used on long vacations
in case we need extra space for the things we never expected to buy (came
home with a computer system, all still in boxes, a kid sized basketball
goal, and other purchases crammed into the cargo area, and typical luggage
on the top.) It works well, but I'd rather have a slim sleek case instead.
I've also just tied things to the top with miles of cording and bungees.

Granted, I've made the same sort of long distance vacation as a kid with a
family of five in an 85 Civic wagon, including a small dog (and we still had
room for a second dog, a large collie sized stray which we adopted on the
way home) so my 96 4Runner is quite roomy IMO. Three kids are going to pick
on each other no matter how much space they have, so don't worry about that
too much. It's called 'sibling rivalry', and no amount of space will help
that. Trips in our Econoline 150 conversion van were just as loud, just as
animated. The key is having enough activities and enough stops along the way
(about every 2 hours of driving, or sooner.) Binoculars, cd players, and
handheld games are key items for keeping the peace! All can fit in a seat
organizer with ease.

We've gone sledding and snowshoeing in the winter as well, for the last 3
years, and the truck holds all the sleds and gear in the cargo area with no
trouble. That's a large two-man sled, and two heavy duty plastic youth sleds
(all quite bulky) and the snow boots, snowshoes, bibs, coats, and blankets
for afterward. It's a no brainer loading up to go snowing. (again, add in
snacks, my aforementioned personal gear, and kids toys/diaper bag/first aid,
etc.)

Other things we've hauled in the 4Runner with the kids in place: high
capacity electric dryer in the box, an old futon and mattress, two new
toddler beds AND the mattresses and foundation board (the race car and vw
bug sort, and that was a stretch, we had one in box on top and one
dismantled out of the box inside with the mattresses... not really 100%
"safely" in the legal sense but we made it the 30 miles from the store.) I
can't think of everything, there's been a lot of odd things transported. I
think we hauled the futon in a 90 Corolla clone when we first bought it,
though thinking back it was really crazy how I managed that one. *G*

Learn how to maximize packing space, get one with a roof rack and buy the
cheap $30 roof bag to keep handy in case you need more room (don't pack
there first, or you wind up overpacking!) I always stage things a night or
two in advance so I know just what we need for camping and what we don't,
and I do a trial packing (I leave it if it fits, if it doesn't, I redo.)
Don't bother paying out the wazoo for a superlarge vehicle to prevent
fights, unless you just have some large, long-legged kids and they need the
extra physical space. And also consider your roof and whether you could use
a small trailer or a hitch mounted basket for your extra gear.
--
Dee
~Remove all preflight tags before replying by email.~

"RobV" <rr.com> wrote in message
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