After extensive truck shopping i've narrowed down my choices to 92-96 (87-91 if its a good deal) full size ford. i'm looking for something I can haul supplies for renovating my house, parts for my f100, occasionally tow another project home, as well as camping (real camping with a tent way up there) and light offroading. it has to fit me, my wife, our son, two dogs, camping gear and planning,on another child. my last ford was a 92 f150 rcsb, beastly offroad, towed what I asked, rode like it had steel beams in place of the springs. i'm worried this was partially due to the short wheelbase, which makes me nervous about a bronco, but I dragged the bumper on everything offroad which will only get worse with a longer wheelbase supercab... So i'm stuck. What do you all think.

 

I'd go for the super cab if I were you.

 

A bronco is far from an ideal tow rig, but is pretty capable off road.

But as for the tail dragging, there is 4" difference between a pickup and bronco(behind the rear axle) a longer wheel base will actually HELP with tail drag because it divides the hill angle. But if you remove the rear bumper and make your own lo profile bumper with a built in skid plate, that will also do wonders.

As for a wife, 2 kids, dog and planned other kid, NEITHER the bronco of super cab will be good. I would be looking at a crewcab short bed. Or expedition. It will give you room for 2 adults , 3 kids(car seats) and a dog with gear. The supercab will NOT give you enough seating, no will the bronco

 

i agree with brad, a f250 crew short box is in order here

 

Ive had both and it was a pain to fit the wife, our daughter and one dog in the supercab. At least with the bronco the hounds can stay in the cargo area, but a crew cab would be a much better choice.

 

Where are you going to put your camping gear in a bronco? And where are you going to put a 3rd kid?

 

1 kid, 1 more planned. I hate expeditions, can't afford a crew cab. Either has to beat my current jeep.

 

The extended cab would be much better suited to this task........

 

I will tell you my experiance I have a 95 f250 extra cab long bed 4x4 and went camping 3 weeks ago 5 poeple fit in the cab fine with the ability of 1 more in between my wife and I in the front seat. Our camping gear in the back. properly backed could put a animal or two with a cargo seperator from behind wheel well to tailgate. we even sslept in the bed of the truck and cab. so my choise would be a f250 extra cab,I also use the truck for my job as a apartment maintenance manager of 86 units.

 

Between the two choices: Bronco with a hitch and roof rack. Having little ones myself, I think about the room you need for a car seat and all the kiddy gear you need.
An expedition or short wheel base super crew (like we have), would also work very well. The Screw is also quite capable off road, at least on the jeep/quad trails here in MT.

 

I don't have kids but I imagine getting a kid in and out of a car seat isn't fun in either a bronco or supercab. That's why extended cabs have the suicide doors now and I think it's partly to explain for why the bronco was discontinued.

If you can find a base-model F350 CC with a 351 they shouldn't be all the expensive and you'll love the 4 doors and all the room. You'll hate the turning radius though. The rubber floors are great for a work/woods truck and if you have kids, you can let them eat in the truck and not worry about stains.

I've had two ford supercabs and my dad has had many SC and two bronocos. The broncos have more legroom in the back but the cargo room leaves a lot to be desired. The supercabs don't have very much legroom so you're kids will outgrow the supercab.

If you must get one of the above get the supercab pickup but keep in mind you'll need something with a bigger backseat down the road depending on how tall your kid(s) get.

 

My mom had a super cab and I fit fine, when my boy gets older if he doesn't like it he buy his own truck.

 

Love it!!!!

 

I was 13 and I had to sit sideways in the back of my dad's F150, but within 2 years I hit 6'...

 

At the minimum get a supercab but a crewcab shorbed would be ideal. They're pretty capable trail rigs until you have to make a tight turn.

Since you're getting a 3/4 ton or bigger, you can always tow a jeep to beat up on the trails.