^And he said "nothing too big like a suburban." So your reccomendation is a "smaller"
Van that is only as big as a Sub, rather than your previous reccomendation of one that is larger than a Sub?
Bob, did you lose the thread you started a couple weeks ago? You never replied to the responses in that one and just now asked the same question again as if it is a new question. Me confused.
And if you want actual specific suggestions you need to be more specific with budget, features, fwd/rwd/awd, etc.
Since you obviously don't want a "big" vehicle like a full size van, then with the info you've given, you have answered your own question. Get a minivan or a short wheelbase full size SUV. Those are your only options for 3 row seating. But a minivan won't tow 6k and a car full of people and their "stuff", effectively or within its tow rating.
And 3rd row seats in SUVs aren't convienent for day in day out use unless you step up into the big buck SUVs that have rear captains chairs. I'm envisioning 4-5 kids having to flip the back seat up down up down up down up down about 6 times a day.
Find ya the right minivan for mileage and daily kid hauling and an old SUV for a spare vehicle/ tow rig. $5k or so will get you a very serviceable older V8 SUV capable of hauling the whole herd AND towing 6k.