2013 Outback Vs. 3-row SUVs

[2013OB]

SOLUTION:

And room for growth when the kids start riding bikes.

Kids in the back seat, dogs in the rear, the rest in the trailer.

Now that I think of it, I may be able to extend my trailer and add a bike rack.

[subiesailor]

Originally Posted by mdelzer

One thing I've seen on other vehicles but I'm not sure about with the factory crossbar is to have a slim long roofbox, then a bike or two beside it. Thule also makes a hitch box that could be added to this combo and probably leave more than enough space in the back for both dogs. Shorter trips the 20 pound dog would probably lap it.

Realistically I can only see the 'worst case scenario' happening once or twice a year and for longer trips (Michigan to Montana) the dogs may not always go. Also on the longer trips a lot of the camping gear would not go as well in most cases.

I have a 30inch wide - Thule box which will fit a pair of 190- snow ski's its probably longer than the new boxes I see around today which look to be nearly as wide as they are long.

When we haul the bikes I run 54inch wide bars which gives me just enough room for the 30inch wide box and two bikes. I use my old rail grabs on the stock OB bars in the stowed position. Works fine I've done countless trips with this set up. I have also run 66inch wide bars to haul my 12ft 135lb racing sailboat on the roof rack also.

[subiesailor]

Originally Posted by 2013OB

SOLUTION:

And room for growth when the kids start riding bikes.

Kids in the back seat, dogs in the rear, the rest in the trailer.

Now that I think of it, I may be able to extend my trailer and add a bike rack.

This was one of the ideas I had for our 12foot long tent trailer rig - add about 2ft to the tongue and set of rack which would hold the bikes across the front of the trailer width wise. Would also make the trailer tow a little nicer longer run between the hitch and the axle on the trailer.

[tdelker]

We have two kids, a large sky box on top, and a hitch mounted bike rack to haul everything camping. But we don't have any dogs, and we couldn't fit them if we wanted to.

Our next car will mostly likely be a minivan. Sad, I know. But for the space plus the ability to bring friends around (there is no way to even get three car seats in the back seat) we are forced that way, although the Pilot and Hylander are also of interest.

We got our outback 1 year before our first son was born, a daughter 2.5 years later, and we expect to outgrow the outback in 3 more years (10 years of ownership). The only complaint thus far is the inability to bring friends with us, but otherwise we've never not been able to fit. But we don't have the dogs...

Tom

[subiesailor]

Originally Posted by tdelker

We have two kids, a large sky box on top, and a hitch mounted bike rack to haul everything camping. But we don't have any dogs, and we couldn't fit them if we wanted to.

Our next car will mostly likely be a minivan. Sad, I know. But for the space plus the ability to bring friends around (there is no way to even get three car seats in the back seat) we are forced that way, although the Pilot and Hylander are also of interest.

We got our outback 1 year before our first son was born, a daughter 2.5 years later, and we expect to outgrow the outback in 3 more years (10 years of ownership). The only complaint thus far is the inability to bring friends with us, but otherwise we've never not been able to fit. But we don't have the dogs...

Tom

Check out the 07 through 09 Sequoia - I'm not kidding when I say the seats are nearly identical to the toyota sienna. Daycare buddy just bought the new Sienna about a month after I picked up the 07 Sequoia. He paid just shy of 50K - I paid 22K for a cherry single owner all records v8 powered Sequoia with the same seating it had 64,000 miles on it.

We run about 18mpg on road trips packed to the gills roof box + 16foot canoe etc. My buddy did a similar trip with a similar load he got 19mpg in the mini van. He didn't have the very nice 4.7L V8 though nor did he have 4x4 if he ever needed it.

The second row doors on the Sequoia are big very wide. I can lift my 3yr old into her car seat sitting in the 3rd row from the 2nd row door. Something I can't do in my Father inlaws 3rd row Suburban given the second row door is about half as wide as the door on the Sequoia.

[tdelker]

Thanks, I'll add it to the list. I always buy used, although usually looking for lower mileage if I can. I only have 3 years to look

[fatabbot]

I still wish the '06 Sequoia I found with less than 60k miles I found for $16k didn't sell so quickly.... The Veracruz is much nicer inside and handles better, but doesn't get much better mileage than than the Toyota and lacks the V8 grunt. A big vehicle with 3 rows of seating is great to have if you have an extra car to drive when you don't need it. If you're trying to get one car that serves all purposes, you're going to pay at the gas pump whether it's a minivan or SUV.

[subiesailor]

Originally Posted by fatabbot

I still wish the '06 Sequoia I found with less than 60k miles I found for $16k didn't sell so quickly.... The Veracruz is much nicer inside and handles better, but doesn't get much better mileage than than the Toyota and lacks the V8 grunt. A big vehicle with 3 rows of seating is great to have if you have an extra car to drive when you don't need it. If you're trying to get one car that serves all purposes, you're going to pay at the gas pump whether it's a minivan or SUV.

Yes we have the Subaru OB which is our primary every day family car - wife has the old VW she uses during the week for work - weekends if she needs to haul kids and I'm going some place I either take the VW or the Sequoia. We have had three cars one being large since 2004. The larger car sees about 4000-8000 miles a year pending road trips with added family members.

99.9% of the longer road trips are just wife + 2 kids the dog is 14yrs old now and Grandpa is 2 minutes away so the old Guys often hang out when we leave town in the Subaru.

Paid $8000 for a 93 Land Cruiser in 2004 - sold it this past April for $7000 - bought the Sequoia needed more space ie proper 3rd row for 22K. Similar 07's first year for the full head air bags were selling for around 26K at the dealers if you could find one. Limited 4x4 trim

[there4igraham]

I'd say your best bet is to go with a trailer to haul all that extra gear. Don't make the exception the rule otherwise you'll end up with a vehicle too large and thirsty for your day to day activities.

If you're anything like me, you start hitting the delete key when it's time to pack up the car for a trip. As much as I'd like to take everything I'd rather have the least amount of stuff to deal with.

Any costs Kenneling the dog would probably be less than fuel and operating costs for a land barge.

Plenty to consider.

[subiesailor]

By the way rough numbers for you regarding my towing experience with the 2.5

Our 4x6 trailer in the photo we run between 21mpg in the hills 60-65mph speeds limited to the roads not the cars ability - flat ground hauling we run 23-26mpg 65-70mph.

The 21ft 1700lb boat I ran between 16-21mpg pending wind - car speeds etc. Sticking with a 5ft wide type trailer and having it low behind the car will keep the mileage pretty good for the long trips.