Time to get off my duff... ( a protracted what car)

honestly it sounds like you need a 4x4 big van, like a ford transit, nv3500, etc

The local small ford dealer let me take a 2016 F-150 for a two day test drive.  35k miles $26k 4x4 xlt supercrew.  It's got the 2.7.  I gotta see if it will fit in the garage.   
 

The ridge lines are a pain to try and drive. They sell so quick by the time I've found one it'll be gone, have more mileage and cost more.  I guess that says something. 

we shall see how it goes. 
 

pic here. https://imgur.com/a/5tJu9WR

its a orange metallic color, different than all the white ones. 

My buddy lost his job yesterday.   Wife and I gonna hold pat for a month or two to see how things shake out. 

So have you decided on the F150?

In reply to mr2s2000elise :

we've decided on a full size crew cab something.  I brought my kids on every test drive and they hated anything that was not full sized. 

Ridgeline - Best Driver of the group..  Wife said it felt liker he minnivan.   Problem - Kids slid all over the rear seat and hated it.

4 Runner (I didn't get try a GX but will ) - Just too small

Tahoe - Kids liked it, but no room in the back with third row up...  2nd row bench works well.

Suburban - Would work, but dosen't solve the camping and bikes problem.

LX570 - I didn't get to try one, but same issue as suburban

So we think  we will try a full sized crew cab truck.  The F150 has the most interesting power train, I like the Tundra based on my past experiences with Toyotas (Save this latest oil burner).  Wife is already starting to talk about renting a camper and or boats..

Fueled by Caffeine said:

In reply to mr2s2000elise :

 

So we think  we will try a full sized crew cab truck.  The F150 has the most interesting power train, I like the Tundra based on my past experiences with Toyotas (Save this latest oil burner).  Wife is already starting to talk about renting a camper and or boats..

Your wife must be related to my wife!

Good on the full size truck. Makes sense for your needs. I know it does for mine. Good luck hunting

In reply to mr2s2000elise :

thanks.. Garage is 252 inches long.  Full size F150 is 232..  Makes a tight fit.. but works for winter.

No winter here. Our trucks stay outside. Hate it. But oh well. 

In reply to mr2s2000elise :

mine would stay outside in the summer, but inside during the winter.. which means that a super nice truck dosen't make sense.. Save $$$

Update.  Rav4 sold for more than I thought possible.  We're a one car family now.  Guess I really need to get off my duff