2DHoop wrote:
I will let the experts here talk to the numbers and technical aspects. I will add the human interest piece.
You mentioned that you wanted to travel and enjoy your summers. This requirement will be best satisfied with a 3/4 ton crew can pickup truck and thus a happy and safe family looking forward to the destination and not worried about being stingy with cargo weights and such.
I have a crew cab pick up. It does a lot of things well but it does not compare to the passenger space of a Excursion or Suburban.
A pick up is no substitute for a 3/4 ton SUV when it come to passenger space. My prior tow vehicle was a 7.3 PSD Excursion. I still miss the passenger space.