Best overland rig with kids

[Corbinb]

I am selling my Jeep TJ and moving to something the kids can ride in. I’ve owned several jeeps in the past and used to do a lot of rock crawling and off roading. Those days are over for now as I have a 1 y/o and more kids to come. Looking for advise on a new family rig. I will mainly be doing car camping and light off roading for the next serval years. Currently looking at these options: Lexus GX 460 (2018), Toyota sequoia (older model), Jeep Grand Cherokee (2023). My main priority is a good daily driver with great safety.

 

[Dave in AZ]

Get the Sequoia or the Lexus.
Another option I like better is a pickup with popup topper camper on back. Best setup for kids IMO. I would get a Tundra and the Tune camper in a perfect world.

 

[Smileyshaun]

The sequoia is nice because the third row can actually be used by a human with legs , it’s comfy and rides well , a good set of coilovers and better rear springs and it will tackle a lot more than you would think

 

[slowcarfast]

Full size pickup with a topper is really hard to beat for what you want. You sacrifice some of the hardcore offroad capability compared to a GX, but can still be quite capable. The crew cabs are spacious and can comfortably fit 3 car seats across the back seat, and the storage with a topper and maybe a platform is huge compared to any of the SUV options (after camping out of mid size SUVs for years I love the space). You will likely see about the same fuel economy as the SUVs in real use. I was debating pickup with topper vs GX with trailer for my family of 4. I went full size and have no regrets. Unless you really need the hardcore offroad capability of a smaller rig, or seating for more than 5, I think full size is the ideal choice for a family. Plus you can do all the truck things, like tow an absurd amount and haul stuff in the bed and if you go heavy duty you can get big time payload capacity too.

 

[lolzhax]

Jeep JK / JL Unlimited if you want the capabilities of a jeep in a 4 door.

Otherwise if capabilities aren't demanding, IFS sure makes for a lot nicer ride on the road. I'd look at a Lexus and go full comfort mode.

 

[bear_den_overland]

we have a 6' bed 4 door Toyota Tacoma. On the rear we have an All-Cab topper and Decked drawers. It works great as the alu-cab is 125 pounds ish and has plenty of lockable storage.

 

[MidOH]

Crew Cab gasoline Ford F250. Fx4 or Tremor.

Plenty of room for 4.

 

[Mike Dubya]

I have two kids and I can relate to how difficult a choice this can be, especially when they are young. Whatever you pick, know that your priorities shift will be for many years before you get back into rock crawling or heavy off-roading. Go with as much space as you can, with as many amenities as possible. When you are changing a diaper roadside with heavy rain and cold, you will be grateful for as much room as possible and leather or marine grade vinyl when they decide they weren't quite done. I can tell you a Jk, JL, or Grand Cherokee will not have enough storage when you NEED to bring the playpen. Make sure it has an inverter outlet for power, boil the desert heat, and air conditioning that will freeze you out with vents everywhere. A crew cab pickup is a good option, but make sure you buy it with a canopy or plan on getting a light camper. A dry, warm, mobile vehicle you can count on is paramount. Best of luck to you and any new parent that chooses to share the out of doors with their kids- You are already on your way to hero parent status!

Be sure to record as much as possible- it's amazing how fast they grow up!Venture Playlist

 

[lolzhax]

leather or marine grade vinyl when they decide they weren't quite done

lol I can relate.

I bought my jeep with some missing interior plastic pieces... Some nasty stuff made it into an electrical wiring loom which ran along the floor on the passenger side, which was zero fun to clean on the side of the road.

Make sure to have a trasharoo.