Big SUV or truck

SilverEscape wrote:

Aren't those even bigger? We want something that can fit in the garage and has at least the gas mileage of our MDX.

If you purchase an older 3/4 ton crew cab, it would not be the primary daily driver and not need to be stored in the garage. They are the same size/length as their half ton with same cab/bed lengths. Half tons have just offered a crew cab 5.5' bed options about 1' shorter than the shortest 3/4 ton crew cab.

As for a bed cover, I don't know how I'd get******out of the bed, especially in a bigger truck. The tailgate is already heavy (I liked how the Tundra didn't allow the tailgate to just drop!) and I'm supposed to climb under the cover with heels and a skirt? Or lift the cover off somehow? I'm a tiny woman, I'd need a step stool to get anything out from the sides.

All of today's pickups offer standard torsion assist tailgates like the Tundra you mentioned. They also all have methods to control the cargo such that smaller items stay nearer the tailgate, perfect for height challenged people (even in skirts). A simple 2"x10' piece of lumber for under $10CAD will do in the factory provided truck bed slots. Something like this:



If you are short, you probably want side entry steps or nerf bars anyway. They can also be used to stand on to access the front of the cab. And Ford also offers the tailgate step and stripper pole...I mean grab handle like this:

And doesn't stuff roll around? I've got an $800 stroller that I don't want scratched up. ;)

I had a pickup with 5.5' bed and rollup bed cover) for 8 years before getting our Suburban. The Suburban offers 3' front to back space behind the 3rd row and 5' behind the 2nd row compared to the 5.5' length of our last pickup. Stuff rolls around in our Suburban the same way except there is no cargo management system available. Pickups are designed today for families. They do it all. Carry 4-5 people while towing or hauling a bed full of stuff in Suburbia, North America. It works when it needs to and provides luxury for occupants too.

I am convinced there are people that will always favor pickups and others people that always favor SUVs. Neither side will convince the other that their way is wrong. I'm a truck person and miss mine despite thoroughly enjoying the 3 rows of or Suburban for kid separation while traveling. But I accepted many other compromises by losing my truck bed for camping and otherwise while paying $8k more!

You're an SUV person. Get your new Expy and enjoy.