Is a 100 series the right vehicle for me?
- Thread starter ATL Jack
- Start date
Philthyphil
Observer
7 - 2 front, 3 middle, 2 rear
Seat belts make a vehicle bigger, they do not. Yoda version.
Yuman Desert Rat
Expedition Leader
The 200 series might....?
spressomon
Expedition Leader
Just to resonate what others here have stated: 80/100/200 is not going to be adequate space for 5 plus camping gear; no way. And know, from my, et al, experiences, a SO that doesn't have camping in her/his blood is generally going to need more in the bulky creature comfort all things camping gear related dept.
The way I see it, based upon your stated objectives, you're either going to need to include a trailer in the mix or move up to a 4WD van...Sportsmobile or maybe a new AWD 2015 Sprinter...decked out of course
Or a third thought, and this worked for a husband, wife and kid team we met in Death Valley a couple years ago: Two off-road capable rigs!
The way I see it, based upon your stated objectives, you're either going to need to include a trailer in the mix or move up to a 4WD van...Sportsmobile or maybe a new AWD 2015 Sprinter...decked out of course
Or a third thought, and this worked for a husband, wife and kid team we met in Death Valley a couple years ago: Two off-road capable rigs!
There are 3 seats in back. Just had 8 in my 100 last week.
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JFarris
Wanderer
I didn't read through all the posts, but thought I would share my thoughts. We are a family of 6. It works for us perfect under 1 condition. Have to have a roof rack & trailer. When we go on a trip as a family, we definitely do not pack like were hiking Whitney. It fits every thing needed, and even the unneeded(I'm the only one who thinks this).
By a trailer, doesn't mean you have to spend $18-$20K. You can get by on something simple and cheap.
By a trailer, doesn't mean you have to spend $18-$20K. You can get by on something simple and cheap.
REDrum
Aventurero de la Selva
The big variable is how much, (or how little), stuff the OP's family of 5 needs for a weekend of camping and wilderness exploring. I have two friends who wheel and camp with 4 and 6 family members in FJ40s. Its tight and slow but they both do it.
FWIW....our UZJ100 has carried a lot of gear and people for near a decade now. Have used for both wheeling/camping adventures all over New England and as our Stage Rally service truck (which also towed our rally car) all over the Northeast. Other than the reliability and V8 power, the one feature that made it so successful for us is the Front Runner full length roof rack we installed; it pretty much doubles if not triples the cargo volume. Tents, ex-ups, spare wheel set, spare parts (in pelican cases), grill, camp bedding (again in peli cases) all goes up on the roof. Roof rack could be a good option.
The above is all shared with a sense that the OP has a strong interest in the UZJ100 platform over a Sequoia or Suburban; which have significantly more cargo space perhaps better option if space is more more of a priority to Land Cruiser marquee.
FWIW....our UZJ100 has carried a lot of gear and people for near a decade now. Have used for both wheeling/camping adventures all over New England and as our Stage Rally service truck (which also towed our rally car) all over the Northeast. Other than the reliability and V8 power, the one feature that made it so successful for us is the Front Runner full length roof rack we installed; it pretty much doubles if not triples the cargo volume. Tents, ex-ups, spare wheel set, spare parts (in pelican cases), grill, camp bedding (again in peli cases) all goes up on the roof. Roof rack could be a good option.
The above is all shared with a sense that the OP has a strong interest in the UZJ100 platform over a Sequoia or Suburban; which have significantly more cargo space perhaps better option if space is more more of a priority to Land Cruiser marquee.
Dake21
Adventurer
In my humble opinion I think a lot of people like to have more space than what they need. It would be feasable to sit 5 in a 5 seater, it all depends if you are willing to sacrifice some comfort. Personally, I'm fit, my wife is too and she is expecting a 3rd boys (Oh yeah!) and my Grand Vitara is just enough spacious. Any extra could be placed in a roof rack or maybe a trailer, it depends how much stuff we want to pack but normally we travel light (well, as light as you could be with 2 boys under 3).
IMO...The LC100 just won't cut with a family of 4. I wish I could say something different because I love mine...However, I just don't see how you could get everything in with a family of 5. Yes, you could pull a trailer. But, IMO you my as well get a bigger truck than pull a trailer. Roof rack? Might be your saving grace...But, three kids in the second row and then all the gear in the back? Hmmm...Think of 2-3 years from now. The kids are older, bigger, etc.
Good luck with your search. Nice to see that you are trying to get the family out
Good luck with your search. Nice to see that you are trying to get the family out
BirchHill
goat farmer
I think The 100 series is plenty big. I see this same mindset all the time when it comes to space, its a modern concept that everyone needs their own room. I think this can really be traced back to the much smaller modern family, familys are smaller then ever while houses and cars are bigger then ever. Half my friends went and bought a minivan for their one kid. We fit our 5 kids in our discovery which is smaller then the land cruiser, its a bit snug and you have to be creative with packing. It may mean a carefully loaded roof rack and a rear hitch basket. Its better then the alternative which by others measurements would require a yellow short bus to fit everyone. Sure departure angles may be compromised with a rear basket but its not like the rubicon was in your plans.
SmoothLC
Explorer
There is a lot of good practical advice in this thread, so I don't know that I can add a whole lot, other than our own experience.
With kids ages 2, 5 & 6 in the second row a 100 for trips is certainly "doable". Just throw all your stuff in the back and away you go. Especially if you start out doing 1 - 3 day trips. That should give you enough experience as to what else you may want to pack as you contemplate longer and perhaps more involved trips.
As you already noted, a rack is a good first consideration. A full-length roof rack is good for everything from RTTs and awnings as well as a place to store gear you don't need access to as often as that stored in the vehicle itself. A smaller rack is just as useful but will carry less gear, etc.
A trailer is probably the next best consideration. Depending on the creature comforts wanted/needed, a trailer could range from a military trailer to a hard side camper. It just depends.
It might be practical to get a Cruiser and see how it works for a couple years while your kids are still young before determining what's best in the long term.
2 cents.
With kids ages 2, 5 & 6 in the second row a 100 for trips is certainly "doable". Just throw all your stuff in the back and away you go. Especially if you start out doing 1 - 3 day trips. That should give you enough experience as to what else you may want to pack as you contemplate longer and perhaps more involved trips.
As you already noted, a rack is a good first consideration. A full-length roof rack is good for everything from RTTs and awnings as well as a place to store gear you don't need access to as often as that stored in the vehicle itself. A smaller rack is just as useful but will carry less gear, etc.
A trailer is probably the next best consideration. Depending on the creature comforts wanted/needed, a trailer could range from a military trailer to a hard side camper. It just depends.
It might be practical to get a Cruiser and see how it works for a couple years while your kids are still young before determining what's best in the long term.
2 cents.
tacogrande
New member
Just get one of these. http://www.race-dezert.com/classifieds/index.php?ct=orcar&md=details&id=85529
