I have 3 kids (3,4, & 7 yrs old). We currently own a 1997 Mercury villager minivan, but we really want to upgrade to a 2001 0r 2002 F150 or F250 Crew Cab or Explorer Sport Trac. We love camping and biking and want a bed to carry bikes and camping gear and possible tow a small camper. Our other vehicle is a 98 4 door Chevy Tracker, which will only hold four passengers so the truck will be our main family vehicle.

My main question is: Will the kids be too cramped up in the backseat with 3 booster seats?

 

You wont have any problem with 3 seat across, there is plenty of room.

I have a suggestion though that will save you thousands of dollars...buy an Expedition instead. The "bed" on a supercrew is pretty worthless and anything you put back there is subject to the weather, unless you spend another grand on a cap. Bikes are best caried on a bike carrier anyway. Expeditions are typically much, much less expensive than the super crew trucks. They have a better transmission, the same engine options and plenty of room for camping gear in a dry space. I can pack for four of us and fit a long weekends gear in back easily.

 

Thanks for the reply Greenie. My wife and I started looking at the Expeditions now and they look bigger inside than I thought. We are starting to think that this may be a better option for us. I also have a small utility trailer that could take the place of a truck bed.

 

When I started looking, I was also very interested in a supercrew. The stigma of an suv vs a pick-up was initially a concern for me. One comparison found me looking at similar milage and condition 2002's, the price difference was $4000. I'll take the suv stigma for that kind of money.

Be aware that the '02 to '03 change in Expy's is significant. The '02s are closer to the F150 than the '03 with its independant rear suspension. I went with the older version because mine goes camping in the mountains a lot, and I prefer the solid rear axle for trail duty. The newer '03 and up version has a lot going for it though.

Happy shopping