mid-size suv help

[ssaamm]

I am in the market for a new mid-size suv. I have a durango that's getting up there in miles, and it's time to make a move. I used to have a the old Jeep Cherokee. It was the best and boxiest vehicle around. I have looked at the new Jeep Commander and can't decide if it's cool or ugly. TrailBlazers, Envoys, Explorers, 4Runners, Pathfinders, etc.??? Looking to spend about $30-35,000. Your thoughts would be appreciated. By the way, I have 2 kids under 4yrs old and a 80lb. dog to haul around, too, while pulling a 17ft. Crestliner. Thanks

[prov1900]

We have an Expedition and an F150. Both are great vehicles, your price range may be right around there for both, especially if you can pick up an 06. Lots of great sales out there. IMO, the truck is the way to go, supercrew cab and a topper. The dog has a place in the back and the kids have plenty of room in the cab. Lots of pulling power on both of our vehicles.

[prov1900]

P.S., I also have two kids under 4 and an 80 pound dog as well. We pull a Lund 19 ft'r.

[ssaamm]

Hey prov1900, Thanks for the insight. I grew up in Vermillion. Do you ever fish the Missouri for smallies around Dakota Dunes?

[Powerstroke]

I currently own a NIssan so I can say that the Pathfinder is a very nice vehicle. The motor in that thing is fantastic. Not sure is there would be room enough for an 80lb dog though. Do you ususally get any gear in the vehicle with the dog or do you stuff it in the boat? I have 2 girls , 6 and 4 yrs old and we are buying a bigger dog soon. I know my vehicle isn't gonna be big enough so I'm almost to where you are.

Anyway, 4-runner is about the same size.

Trailblazers are pretty nice. A buddy just bought one and its starting to grow on me. We took a 10hr drive to the BWCA through Ely and I rode in the back the whole trip. I was very comfortable and he got nearly 20mpg with 4 adults,a small dog and camping gear.

I have always been a Ford guy so I think the Explorer is a nice vehicle. The 3rd row seat is great or you can go without. Nice motor and the new ones drive really well.

With that being said I have to agree with the guy above me and say that a nice crewcab pickup with a topper is a great way to go. You won't get the same gas mileage as the newer, powerful v-6's, but you'll have a v-8 with more room than you'll need and can haul the boat lots easier, especially if you get a bigger boat in the future.

[prov1900]

Yeah, here and there. I fished in the (big) tournament once and won the door prize...got our entry money back. We took no fish to the weigh in. I fish Crystal Cove in South Sioux City, though and catch all the largemouths (big) that I want. That keeps me off of the river, even though I know I am missing out. We fish Yankton a lot and catch some nice smallies there as well. July 3, I caught and released without photo/measurement, a 20 plus pound pike out of the same lake.(Crystal Cove...approx 10 acres...the 3rd pike that size or bigger caught out of there this year...interested? Come on down) Vermillion is a great town and I spend a lot of time there for work and also where my Lund dealer is located.

[Jeremy airjer W]

For that kind of money why not go with a full size for door pickup with a topper? Plent of room for the family and the pooch gets his/her own luxury sweet in the back.

The first one that comes to mind is the Toyota Tundra (imagine that). The Nissan Titan would be my next choice folled by the Ford F-150, Dodge Ram 1500, Chevy Silverado K1500

As far as the SUV I think I would start with any of the Toyotas, 4Runner and Sequoia. Next would be any Jeep exept the Liberty (wich isn't a midsize anyway) Then the Trailblazer or Tahoe/Yukon, Followed by the Ford Explorer and Excursion, and last the Dodge Durango.