TV recommendations for a large family
I need some help choosing a TV for a family of 7. I know there are lots of posts related to choosing a TV and I have been reading them for weeks. But everyone's circumstances are different. This is...
Forum Discussion
Thanks again for all the advice. Especially on where to look for vans. I was actually leaning toward the SUV mostly because of availability. Haven't ruled them out by any means but now that I know that vans can be found with a little more digging, it will be good to compare.
Some edits: I rechecked the weight of the family and I missed someone (probably me) so the total giving everyone a small bag is closer to 1200 pounds. I think I read that 150 lbs of the driver is taken into account in the cargo ratings so I am not that far off in the end.
No car seats and no pets. Car seats are in the rear view mirror now. No comment on future pets.
A single vehicle is the goal. We have had to go to 2 vehicles for camping and it is not the way we would like to camp or travel.
I liked the post with the converted Excursions even though they are completely outside the price range. A nice idea, just not gonna happen.
Followup question on the vans: it seems that even the 2500 or 3500 (350) vans have seemingly smaller engines compared to 3/4 ton SUVs. Are the engines/transmission combinations used in SUVs the same as vans or are they different but with the same volume/ratios?
Also, can anyone comment on handling and safety with vans? We get some nasty ice in the winters in Indiana and although we wont be towing through the winter, if we want to just go somewhere how will this handle? We used to have an Astro many moons ago and it was no fun in the snow (with very little kids). This was one reason we were initially considering a SUV as many have 4WD or AWD. Just asking.
Thanks again. This has been some of the most constructive, helpful and positive information regarding vans that I have read.
Some edits: I rechecked the weight of the family and I missed someone (probably me) so the total giving everyone a small bag is closer to 1200 pounds. I think I read that 150 lbs of the driver is taken into account in the cargo ratings so I am not that far off in the end.
No car seats and no pets. Car seats are in the rear view mirror now. No comment on future pets.
A single vehicle is the goal. We have had to go to 2 vehicles for camping and it is not the way we would like to camp or travel.
I liked the post with the converted Excursions even though they are completely outside the price range. A nice idea, just not gonna happen.
Followup question on the vans: it seems that even the 2500 or 3500 (350) vans have seemingly smaller engines compared to 3/4 ton SUVs. Are the engines/transmission combinations used in SUVs the same as vans or are they different but with the same volume/ratios?
Also, can anyone comment on handling and safety with vans? We get some nasty ice in the winters in Indiana and although we wont be towing through the winter, if we want to just go somewhere how will this handle? We used to have an Astro many moons ago and it was no fun in the snow (with very little kids). This was one reason we were initially considering a SUV as many have 4WD or AWD. Just asking.
Thanks again. This has been some of the most constructive, helpful and positive information regarding vans that I have read.
