van vs truck

Crew cab with "4" kids, 2 alaskan malamutes......dogs rode in bed generally speaking, altho they did like the crates in the trailer in some weather conditions.

I have to admit, a van would have been prefered.....but, alas, no or should I say no reasonably priced 4wd versions in 35 series applications.

Marty

Crew cab works great as a family vehicle for us, and we have three kids. Dog rides in a kennel strapped down in the bed unless it's very hot or cold, in which case we flip up the center console on the front bench and let her sit up front with us.

stew47 wrote:
ok were heading to florida for couple weeks this july. we have an extended cab f350 and fifthwheel. not really looking forward to ride down with wife, 2 kids and 2 dogs in the cab. strangely im thinking of trading both in on diesel chevy van and pull behind camper. anyone else made the switch? happy?

Well I didn't make a complete switch since I kept the truck and 5er. I bought a Excursion and a TT for the Collies and I. I use the X and TT more because I can get into more places.

If you're happy with the 5er I would get a crew cab truck.

Send kids to grandma's and spend the money you save, by not buying a new vehicle, on the trip.

How about a "cab extender" with a pass through boot?

I agree get a crew cab. You are up against your limits with the extended cab.

I was looking at a 2011. Wow it is detuned. " 260hp and 525-lb-ft trim level gives up 137 hp and 240 lb-ft of torque to its high-powered big bother"

lol I can't stay away from pound. I like dogs better than most people!

Oh I should just get a crew cab. I do like my crossroad cruiser.

Get a crew cab truck.

So you have a good known and you want to go to a couple unknowns??? Put the two dogs in the camper...even in crates as you will not scar them for life. Don't get me wrong, we loved our retrievers but deciding to not replace them made traveling much easier. Before I'd get a van I'd get a crew cab and stop going to the pound.

What kind of diesel Chevy van? Older 6.5? Newer DuraMax? Brand new baby DuraMax?

Just beware the diesel vans are detuned from their pickup counterparts, and the DuraMax vans get a pretty substantial reduction in Combined Weight Ratings. The newest 250 HP 6.6L DuraMax vans (2015) were rated at 17,000 pounds combined. The new 2017 DuraMax vans have almost the same combined weight rating, but are down to 180 horsepower, since they shrank it to the 2.8L. Gonna be some SLOW going with a full profile trailer behind that motor....