Family of 5 - ski, road trip, camp needs

[whatdude17]

Currently researching our next vehicle and am seriously considering a LC200/LX570. Family of 5, kids are 12,9,9 plus a 60 lb dog.

Coming from a Subaru Ascent with captains seats that we keep one 3rd row seat up. This is problematic on ski trips and road trips. I am of the belief that a 2nd row bench is better for our needs, sitting 3 across, utilizing the cargo space behind the 2nd row for our trips. We also have a roof top box that we use. The dog doesn’t always come with us on trips.

We need a daily driver and vehicle that can handle road trips. We are a ski/snowboard family, mostly to Lake Tahoe, camp 2-3 times a year and take family vacations in the car. I’m also concerned about the Subaru CVT reliability and failing us while on a trip.

I’ve been researching thoroughly and would like anyone’s experiences similar to our situation (3 kids, road tips and skiing). We likely won’t off-road but need reliability, the ability to drive in snow, camp trips, and handle our daily needs. Bonus will be taking our camp needs further with the LC/LX capability.

My idea is to either remove 3rd row completely, or remove 1 3rd seat for daily and both seats for road trips. Can folks share pics of your packed cargo areas with 3rd row removed or 1 seat removed? How have you managed 3 kids plus gear (camping, luggage or ski)?

Other considerations were / are: Suburban, Yukon XL, Expedition Max, F150, Silverado, Tundra, Sienna and Pacifica. I’m not liking the recalls and lack of reliability in the Ford / GM lineups and feel the Sienna or Pacific AWD won’t suit our needs long term, plus they don’t offer second row bench with AWD.

Thanks for reading and sharing your experiences and or pictures.

 

[TeCKis300]

It's already going to be tight and your kids are growing fast at that age. IMO, you'll need the space. And since you don't really need the deep off-road talents, I would recommend looking at a Tundra or equivalent.

 

[JZelnick]

My 100 and 200 have been excellent ski rigs with 30-50 days/year in the mountains, but it is just my wife and I. We have camped in the back of the 200 in negative temps in Vermont and drove the 100 through Yellowstone to get engaged at Jackson in the middle of the winter. They have both been reliable and capable in remote locations with challenging weather.

The roof box will help with the skis, but interior storage will be tight with 3 second row passengers and a dog. If you got the largest Thule box and were able to put skis and soft luggage up there it might work.

 

[Air Down Gear Up]

While your 'littles' are bigger than mine, we have our crew of 5 doing exactly what you describe. (side note we also have twins!). Setting aside the conversation about physical shoulder-room for your crew, it's logistically possible to bring along an appropirate amount of gear for all those activities.

As a shameless plug, a big part of our success is utilizing the ADGU drawer system to facilitate cooking/refregiration while being packed super tight. We put our cooking equipment and food in the drawer/fridge, vehicle emergency supplies under the side-cubby wings (tow straps, jumper boxes, tire repair kit, etc etc), stuff the 'gear' above the drawers and utilize our roof-box for as much as possible.

The cooking/food being accessible makes it really simple to pull over on road trips for picnic lunches (we look for parks/playgrounds in towns for the littles to play on) and meals on the go. You can do this without having to dig through the heavily packed items above.

I typically put things like camp chairs, ground tents, other 'hard gear' in the roof box, and try to keep the soft goods in the vehicle. Bonus with contending with the LC/LX size, as you have the *option* to 'wheel and it's generally manueverable enough for even major city downtowns.

 

[MRego]

With a full house like that and the volume of ski gear plus camping, if I were you, I would risk with an LR Defender 130. I know, I know...LR, but honestly the Defenders have been getting pretty reliable ratings after the initial years of sorting kinks. The stretched booty is not a particular beautiful design IMO, but practicality and capability are very compelling. Especially if you need some off-road capability. Sure, people make the 200 platform work (cramped) with that amount of people/gear in the past, but the way these SUVs get bigger every year, there are definitely more practical options these days. If you are hellbent Toyota, I would look at the new Sequoia and try to make that poor shelf situation somehow work.

 

[Sandroad]

@whatdude17 , My son’s family started using my LC when his 3 kids were about the age of yours. All 3 in the second row lasted only 2 years and the second year was not fun. The second row is simply too small in the 200s for 3 teen/preteen people on a longer trip (fine for local jaunts to ball games). Also, the middle seat of the second row is not all that comfortable. My son now uses the LC for vacations with one 3rd row seat and a huge Thule box on top. And, he does so instead of using his Ascent!

 

[bloc]

I can't remember whether some trims of 5.7L sequoias were AWD.. If so, that would be a much better fit for a family that size.

 

[sedole]

I'd think Sequoia might be the better move for you. Loads more space and can be driven in 4wd w/ center diff unlocked on roads with variable/adverse conditions, if desired. Great reliability and still plenty capable off road.

 

[whatdude17]

Thanks for all the replies. I don’t believe there is a perfect vehicle out there and tradeoffs or compromises will need to be made. Whether that’s comfort vs reliability and peace of mind.

Sounds like it is doable but it could get tight as they get older.

For the Sequoia recs. Assuming that is the 2nd gen folks are recommending as the cargo area in the 3rd gen is quite limited.

The hunt continues, I’ll find a 200 I can drive and test out for our needs.

 

[clrussell]

Family of 6 here and 200 owner.

It’s all about packing needs. We have done a 5,000 camp trip with 5 of us (pre youngest). We did a 4500 mile trip with 4 adults and 2 youngens a year later. 10 day camp trips.

We run one 3rd row seat 100% of the time with a single drawer.

Kids are 11-1. Two car seats in second row on outside, middle seat is open and one third row.

Roof box would be key for ski gear.

Coming from a Subaru ( you not me)
You will hate the fuel mileage/ range on stock fuel tank. It’s going to be half of what you are used to. It’s also 5x the Rig. Subaru is cheaper to work on. 200 is infinitely more comfortable and will take you anywhere in the world.

 

[clrussell]

Also we have a Gen 2 Sequioa. It has terrible room behind the 3rd row and personally I hate how it drives.

If I am in the vehicle we take the 200. The wife gets the Sequoia and is happy. I can’t stand it. It’s a great vehicle but the 200 series ruined me on it.

 

[slipkid13]

Sounds like you really need a Sienna with good set of snow tires for ski trips. If you not doing any type of actual off-roading then the Sienna is 150% better.

It will hold much more than a 200. Only downside is (at least previous gen) they can transmit quite a bit of road noise compared to an LX.

With the new hybrid-only Sienna you will get 35MPG. You don't need AWD in the Sienna, I had a FWD that I drove all over Europe and Colorado in winter, you just need a good set of snow tires. I never had an issue. FWD 8 passenger is the way to go.

Bring on the minivan hate.

 

[AZLX570]

Tundra/Suburban/F150 is my vote. Plenty of offroad chops if you need them it sounds like (for what you're going for). Realistically won't leave you stranded and there are dealers everywhere.

I'm not a truck owner but I'm always amazed at how much legroom is in a crew cab when I get in a modern one. It's pretty great. And if you go American full size SUV, they have WAY more interior room/organization than a 200 series.

Minivan will probably get the job done but sounds like you're wanting something more "truck-ish" than that. And honestly, rolling up to the campsite in a minivan (especially if not on a paved road) just doesn't feel as right.

 

[Supra Turbo]

Sounds like you really need a Sienna with good set of snow tires for ski trips. If you not doing any type of actual off-roading then the Sienna is 150% better.

It will hold much more than a 200. Only downside is (at least previous gen) they can transmit quite a bit of road noise compared to an LX.

With the new hybrid only Sienna you will like 30MPG. You don't need AWD in the Sienna, I had a FWD that I drove all over Europe and Colorado in winter, you jst need a good set of snow tire. I never had an isssue. FWD 8 passenger is the way to go.

Bring on the minivan hate.

I'll get my tinfoil hat on... Get a 200LC, reasons:

- the last real Land Cruiser stateside
- much cooler than 2G Sequoia (Sienna lol )
- has much longer heritage
- name known around the world
- big baller status, iykyk
- in a higher luxury class
- rarer than any of the others suggested
- more capable offroad
- not a pickup (gross), but BOF
- solid rear axle
- split tailgate
- holds its value

 

[slipkid13]

much cooler than 2G Sequoia (Sienna lol )

There it is. "I'd rather look cool then have a vehicle that fits my needs" Sorry, married guys with 3 kids will never be "cool"

 

[grinchy]

Minivan is best solution. It also makes an appropriately responsible car for teens to drive. Not sporty, but it holds all the friends. I’d say get an older one, like a 2007, but it’s hard now as delivery contractors are buying them all. Minivans have all the airbags and if you look around there are v6 options with tire spinning power.

My 3 kids abandoned the LX570 3rd row on the 2nd trip, and have rolled with the middle row three across for the last 8 years. That was their choice as they liked to sit together. I have one seat in storage and the other went to the dump long ago. They are now two regular size 5ft 5 and one 5 ft 11. All fit just fine. There was a couple in booster when we got the truck.

As far as fitting it all, dedicated pack out boxes like Front Runner Wolfpacks can really speed up the process and reduce space needs. Leaving your kit in a dedicated box which just gets put in for the trip is a huge time and ‘forgot that thing’ saver. They strap down easy if you do get off road, and are small enough they don’t get too heavy to move. I’ve got a roof rack and very rarely use it. I did use a roof box for a couple snow trips, worked good, for putting wet clothes and toys in if for nothing else.

 

[Boston Mangler]

3 kids seems excessive, 2 is sufficient

Give one up for adoption, or drop them off at a fire station forever, then you can live your best life, nice and comfy in an LC with one less greedy little mouth to feed

With money saved on giving away one of the kids, you’ll have leftover funds for mods and travel.

 

[jasonshiwoo]

family of 6 here with a 2013 lc200. Came from a 2019 tundra crew cab. Gave it up after getting pregnant with the 4th. I’d say the tundra has ample space for anything and everything, but nothing drives like the LC. We live in snow 3 months out of the year and even with the bed weighed down, the LC handles so much better than the tundra ever did (and I had the trd pro! ). Especially if you’re coming from a Subaru, the LC with auto 4x4 will feel more similar than a truck. That being said, I’m constantly trying to find better ways to fit everything.

I'd get the biggest roof box you can and store most of your ski stuff up there if you could.
with the 3rd row seats down or removed, you'd have plenty of space in the back (depending on how much you normally pack).
With one 3rd row up, still would be enough (at least it is for us).

our kids are 7, 4, 2, 3 months.. and the only issue we have is the 7 or 4 year old have to sit in the 3rd row by themselves.. which sometimes they like and sometimes they don't.

Currently trying to figure out how to pack (maybe a rear hitch carrier and a roof box) so we can keep both 3rd row seats up and have the 7 and 4 yr old in the 3rd row seats.

 

[jasonshiwoo]

Family of 6 here and 200 owner.

It’s all about packing needs. We have done a 5,000 camp trip with 5 of us (pre youngest). We did a 4500 mile trip with 4 adults and 2 youngens a year later. 10 day camp trips.

We run one 3rd row seat 100% of the time with a single drawer.

Kids are 11-1. Two car seats in second row on outside, middle seat is open and one third row.

Roof box would be key for ski gear.

Coming from a Subaru ( you not me)
You will hate the fuel mileage/ range on stock fuel tank. It’s going to be half of what you are used to. It’s also 5x the Rig. Subaru is cheaper to work on. 200 is infinitely more comfortable and will take you anywhere in the world.

View attachment 4170150

View attachment 4170151

what cooler is that? do you have dimensions for that? I've been trying to find an electric cooler that fits behind the 3rd row seat.

 

[Supra Turbo]

much cooler than 2G Sequoia (Sienna lol )

There it is. "I'd rather look cool then have a vehicle that fits my needs" Sorry, married guys with 3 kids will never be "cool"

1. Dont get married
2. Dont have 3 kids
3. Buy an LC and be cool
4. Profit

Got it.