Family Friendly Overland Vehicle

[RocTrac]

Well, I put my Jeep Rubicon up for sale and the main reason was that we couldn't enjoy it as a family. It is me my beautiful wife Letty, 2 sons (17 and 13) 2 daughters (3 and 1.5). I want to go off the beaten path with out leaving to much of the comforts of home behind. (Letty demands it) Any ideas?
I am thinking Ford Excursion and support trailer or some other diesel vehicle.

 

[1leglance]

Ford 15 passenger van
Excursion you already named
Suburban

or let me go a bit crazy here but since you have 2 sons and one of them is already driving...
why not travel with 2 rigs?
Then you can keep the Jeep, can room to move people around rigs for fun and be able to self recover if needed

Just trying to think outside the box

 

[OttawaXJ]

If you can afford it, I'd go with the two vehicles idea aswell.

 

[Uncle Roger]

I'm thinking about 2 vehicles as well. My oldest is only 8, but by the time I get my LR 109" restored, he'll be able to drive. 8^( But that way, my wife and I could sleep in the 109", the 2 boys/1 girl could be in RTTs. (We have one on the Disco already.)

The other thing we're more likely to do in the near future is get a trailer (I'm lusting after the XpoTRAIL) that can hold at least three of us.

If you really have your heart set on one vehicle, a long-wheelbase Land Rover (defender or series) can hold 9 or more comfortably. Some of the Discos are set up for 7 people (two jump seats in the back) but you lose your already-small cargo space. If you're okay with tents and a roof rack, that might not be an issue.

 

[RocTrac]

I am not to interested in the 2 vehicle set up, one vehicle and trailer. I also prefer diesel to gas which is why I am looking at the excursion or van. Part of me wants to go with a Deuce 109 but I know that I will never get the wife in it unless there are some serious comfort mods.

 

[BobA]

I'd go with one of those van's converted to 4x4.

 

[Oddballoffroad]

You could try importing a Delica if you can find one 25 years old or older. In a few years, the first ones that were brought into Canada will be old enough to be imported into the States. I love mine, it's as big as any large minivan but the high roof gives it about 6" more height than what you'd find in say a Dodge Caravan. The wheelbase is shorter than an all wheel drive Astro van, and the body itself (since it's a mid engine) is much shorter keeping it from hanging up on things and giving it a really tight turning radius. I regularly pass most pickup trucks that I meet when I'm out in the bush.

This video is from Russia. I would never drive mine like this, but it gives you an idea of what they're capable of with just a 2-3" lift and some 31" tires.

 

[Ford Prefect]

Yeah, sorry, but I personally would never go with two vehicles. If you want self recovery buy a winch.

The OP said he wanted to go as a family. How exactly do you get two older teens to feel part of the family if they are in their own truck the entire time.

The goal, in my opinion, should not be to get everyone out there, somewhere, simultaneously, rather it is to be together in one place at the same time, enjoying and experiencing new things together...

I guess, for me, family is a major issue. If I could not be with my entire family out there, I would not be out there. (barring some small solo trips, but that is not intended as a family trip)

Just my two bits.

There are a lot of vehicles out there that would suit you well. Personally I think that the Ford mega burban is a it large for most trips (that I have been on) however the mileage in the diesel is so good it would be hard for me to ignore and I have even thought about getting one just because it gets better mileage than my Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The Jeep Commander has the third row seating, very nice for the most part, and pleanty of room (again for the most part, ie six adults seem to be more comfortable in a space than are two teen age brothers in the same space, so take it with a grain of salt... )

Also the Mercedes Benz ML, GL, and GLK all have a lot of room and can come with the third row seats. A little tighter in the rear end.

OH and let us not forget the dodge Durango. That is a really fairly nice truck and you can easily fit your family in there. NO room for cargo in any of these smaller "mid-size" SUVs but other than that they are great for your needs I should think. The Durango even has lift kits available for it if you should need one. (then again as do all of them outside of the Benz family)

Good luck with your choices!

 

[Uncle Roger]

The OP said he wanted to go as a family. How exactly do you get two older teens to feel part of the family if they are in their own truck the entire time.

CB Radios. (or FRS or Ham) We've used them (or rather, the kids have) on trips with friends' families. The kids love yakking back and forth.

As for older teens, how are they going to feel part of the family if they don't get a chance to participate (i.e., drive)? Yeah, they can take turns, but why not let them each drive one vehicle?

There are a couple of LR folks hereabouts -- a father and son -- who each have their own Land Rovers. They do trips together, each in their own vehicle.

The goal, in my opinion, should not be to get everyone out there, somewhere, simultaneously, rather it is to be together in one place at the same time, enjoying and experiencing new things together...

I'm just not convinced that cramming 4 big kids plus mom and dad into one vehicle is conducive to family enjoyment. (Actually, having grown up as one of 5 kids in both a full size van and smaller Citroens, I know it's not.)

Sure, there's something to be said for making the journey part of the experience, but there's also something to be said for making the less interesting part as quick and painless as possible.

Now, I wouldn't consider having my wife drive one vehicle and I another and splitting the kids between us while they're young, but once they're old enough to be able to, I can certainly see them wanting to drive.

One more advantage of dual vehicles is that you have room for the kids' friends (or sigothers). We have a 7-passenger minivan -- it only allows for two of my three kids to bring a friend.

Mind you, were it not that I already have a Land Rover 109" and a Disco, I wouldn't consider it, but I also wouldn't completely dismiss the idea of his-and-hers Defender 110s if I won the lottery, either.