7 passanger TV recommendations?

[mikev]

Suburban or Gmc Yukon XL will tow 8-9k lots of room behind the third row and run forever. I got my 2000 Yukon with 98k miles 4 years ago for 10k and have had zero issues with it. It now has 180k still running strong. Everyone I know that has one wouldnt trade it for anything else.

[gtstricky]

Well just to update everyone we have been looking around lately. We thought we were sticky with my Xterra but our van has given us a few headaches so we are shopping again. Today we saw teh Chevy Traverse and were very impressed. We went to the dealer to look at the Tahoe and Suburban and the dealer asked "why not the Traverse?" We told him we needed more cargo space than the crossovers give you and he said the Traverse had more than the Tahoe. Well we looked at both and he (of course) was right. There is noticeably more space behind the third row in the traverse. It can tow 5200lbs (has a tow/haul button to lower shift points, hitch, and extra engine cooler).

We liked it a lot and now are looking for the one with the options we want. The 2010's are done and the 2011's are slow to arrive.

[bols2Dawall]

yup - we were lookin at them also. nice vehicle & good on fuel to boot .

[HokieHiVPI]

I owned an 04 GMC Denali XL that was huge and great but my 08 Expedition EL is much more comfortable. Namely because with the GMC you had to physically remove the 3d row seating and with the Expy, you push two buttons. Also the third row is much more comfortable in the Expedition. For reference, I'm 6'1 and 200lbs and I was comfortable in the third row.

[wavery]

I'm 6'1 and 200lbs and I was comfortable in the third row.

What's the matter.....wouldn't you play nice with the other kids......


sorry..........I just couldn't resist....

[HokieHiVPI]

Ha!! MAYYYY have been relegated to it one particular bachelor party night.

[wavery]

Ha!! MAYYYY have been relegated to it one particular bachelor party night.

AH.....HAAAAA!!!!!!!! That explains how you fit "comfortably" in the 3rd row seating......you were lying down, passed out....

[On The Lam]

A lightly-used, 2003 Ford Excursion 7.3 diesel.  Decent gas mileage, tons of room, good creature comforts and features, and can pull anything out there.  The venerable 7.3 International diesel is bulletproof and will run forever.  Granted, it's a bit much for running around town, but for long distance travel with large families, it would be an excellent choice.   Good luck, Tim.

[HokieHiVPI]

you were lying down, passed out....

All I'm saying is that if you had to pick a truck with a third row seat to sleep in one night while your buddies went out and had a great time, the 08 Ford Expedition EL Limited is a good fit. Infer what you will from that 

[beeshell]

I agree with those who have said that anything smaller than a Suburban will be too tight. Children grow...they don't shrink. We have a Mercury Mountaineer. 7-passenger, but I can't fit much more than 3 bags of groceries or a pillow behind the 3rd row. And now that our kids are 11, 10, 10, 8, and 5....we aren't going to fit much longer. Other than that I love the car. But soon it will be back to a Suburban, Excursion, or??? Expedition doesn't seem like much more cargo space. I'd love enough cargo space and possibly a full size 3rd row seat for some breathing room or even a friend!

[HokieHiVPI]

I had the Yukon XL Denali which is the same as the Suburban and my Expedition EL is as big as the Denali, just more comfortable with more options for the third row. Maybe they've changed the GM third row, but you had to physically remove it in the one I had and it was a one piece design.

The Expy has a 60/40 split on the third row, automatic seat folders (can't stress the importance of this enough) and a three piece second row that all fold flat for a full sheet of plywood with the hatch closed.

[flash82]

Does the traverese come with a spare tire?

[phil-l]

It depends. Read more here:

http://chevytraverseforum.com/index.php?/topic/583-spare-tire-kitpackage/

[jls02]

Two words, used Suburban. I got one for less than $3000 after the money went into fixing it up. Well worth it! Tows like a dream. Just throw everything in and go.

[InTheDirt]

I'm going to be in the same boat much sooner than I'd hope for.  My 3 kids are all in the 99th percentile for height, and my oldest is only 11.  We grow them big in my family.  I'm 6'3" and on the shorter side, compared to my uncles.  As for now, we can fit "ok" in the 4dr Dodge Ram.  The family fits good in the Kia Sedona for now, but I don't.  Its only a matter of time until they can no longer fit well.  I'm not a Chebby guy whatsoever, so there will never be a Yukon or Suburban in my driveway.  Hopefully, Ford will still have something available in the years to come.  I'd love to be able to get my hands on a 7.3PS Excursion.