Third Row / Storage Options?? Save me from Minivan hell...

[yoda-g3]

Hey all,

Just trying to be preemptive here. I've sworn on my life that I will not ever own a van in any way, shape or form. Well, baby number three didn't fit into my plans.

So, I have a 4 door Subaru and my 80. We have a lake place that we drive up to almost every weekend during the summer so we haul a moderate amount of food, clothes, etc.... I do have a decent amount of tools and recovery gear that I like to have at all times. But I know when the kiddos are older hauling friends is going to be an issue. You can see from my sig pics that the 80 is fairly built so replacing it is out of the question.

I currently have drawers in the back and can sacrifice them for a few years to put the third rows back in but I've never had them installed so I don't know what kind of space to expect. So I'm looking for:

- Pics of how you have your storage space with recovery gear configured in the back with the third row. Maybe with third rows up and down?

- Possible roof rack / container options for gear.

- Advice on practicality and experience with using the third row seats with little ones and the usable space for 'grocery getting'.

Thanks!

 

[cody c]

I built shelving behind the third row, I will try and remember to take some pics tommorrow.

If you want to have your third row and storage too, I would suggest a shelving unit in the back, size the shelving to the boxes/tools so they all fit as snug as possible, then get the tailgate storage and a roof rack.

Also, I built my shelving and bolted to it a toolbox with sliding drawers and a flip open lid. I attached it so it's height is flush to the top of the seats so I can still see out the back. On the other side is enough room for a slim cooler mounted sideways. Store as much fluids and tools as you can fit in the side compartments and under the hood as you can, and dont take anything you dont really need and that should be about good enough...

 

[IdahoDoug]

Not to worry. If you put the 3rd row back in and somehow can't find a way to carry enough crap to move a small infantry unit - you're just not trying hard enough. One clear advantage of a serious SUV over other transportation types for a family is that you can carry more crap hung off it, stacked on it, or towed behind it than you'll ever need.

The roof rack is obvious, but what I've found most useful is a hitch mounted platform. Just a simple expanded mesh metal platform that goes in the Class 3 hitch. So, find a way to carry the stuff you want to have all the time behind the 3rd row on one side so your wife can fold the other side of the 3rd row up and carry a boatload of groceries. Then for those weekend trips, toss the victuals and bulky luggage into a couple of waterproof plastic tubs on the hitch platform. And if you need still more room go to the roofrack.

On the other hand, your rig sounds sweet so if you have to sell it under pressure call me.....heh.

DougM

 

[NLXTACY]

Here ya go:
80Lids

 

[Nay]

I go to Moab with four kids in my 80 packed for several days and get everything in without even putting anything on my roof rack (although we tend to buy groceries on location).

I also don't have a tire/hi-lift bumper, so the hi-lift lies flat behind the 3rd row, spare axles and birfs on top of that, tools on top of that, groceries, clothes, etc. on top of that for what will still fit.

Put the younger kids in the middle row so they are sitting up in car seats, leaving the floor under their feet for storage.

Older kids climb through the sliding rear windows to get into the 3rd row - that's why you have to have an 80

I should note that my experience may not be typical. I don't have drawers full of crap because I don't have OCD, which is atypical for the MUD 80 series

Oh, I also have a completely pimped out 2007 Nissan Quest minivan, and that thing absolutely rocks. Perfect combination to go with the 80. Where I live, the minivan gets driven North, South, and East. The 80 goes West

 

[80t0ylc]

Speaking as a Dad with 4 kids and an 80 series, that traded in the mini-van for the 80 and somehow survived the 's wrath after that. I can talk about it, but if I'm gun shy, you might be able to understand. Actually only had all 4 in it, plus 1 grand child, for one 300 mile round trip.

Most of the time with the 80, only 3 kids at home, oldest was in the Navy. So, being how kids need their space, 3 kids in the middle row just won't work for anything over a "to the mall" trip, we need to get inventive. I was successful in just using half of the 3rd row - one side completely removed. And the back seat was highly prized, while still not fully grown, was either alternated or used as incentive for good behavior. One thing to consider is the older and bigger the kids get, the less attractive the rear seat will be, because of the limited legroom. However, my daughter loved it back there. But she loved curling up, which doesn't require much legroom.

Roof rack was mandatory for us. Doug's rack suggestion is excellent, and actually has easier access, but would also be easier for thieves while parked and unattended, would be my only concern.

But it really boils down to how much you need to carry. And that will vary, depending on the type of trip you're taking. So to me, it would make sense to be flexible. Just because something works for one trip, doesn't mean it will work next time. One nice thing with the 80, its a good base to start from and will, with good maintenance, get you wherever you're headed - come hell or high water!

P.S. I eventually got the wife another mini-van, but she still prefers the heater and A/C in the 80. Go figure!

 

[yoda-g3]

Here ya go:
80Lids

Now that is a pretty cool idea. Not the cheapest do-dad, but worth looking into.

Thanks for the advice from everyone else. You're definitely making me feel better about making this work. Plus its easier to justify a couple grand in mods to the then having to buy another vehicle. No if only I could justify a snorkel for making this work.....

I'd still like to see any pics of how people have theirs setup.

 

[yoda-g3]

....I should note that my experience may not be typical. I don't have drawers full of crap because I don't have OCD, which is atypical for the MUD 80 series ....

Its not OCD it all that crap is NECESSARY right??????

 

[sandcruiser]

small trailer? you can leave it packed with a lot of the junk you need to carry back and forth.
leaving all of the interior space for people

 

[darwink1]

Having no kids and no OCD issues I really shouldnt be commenting but will anyways since I often pack up to go to camp.

If you dont haul toys to and from camp every weekend (boat, seadoo, atv...) Id say a trailer is a great option. We often haul jerry cans full of gas and bulky items such as 24's of beer that you either wouldnt want in the 80 or would take up way too much space. All this crap could be put in said trailer along with anything else you may want to bring leaving the 80 uncluttered.

D

 

[Stone]

I only have one 2 year old and a Golden Retriever...but I still seem to manage to haul a whackload of stuff whenever we go anywhere.

I have the largest cargo box that Thule makes...was meant to haul 8 pairs of skis, I think. It easily takes four large duffels, a playpen, and other misc. gear up there. Out of the way, waterproof, and for the most part very little dust ever gets up there. It's also lockable. When I'm by myself...I used to be able to easily store a dismantled pontoon boat up there together with the paddles!

This is similar to mine, but mine is older and is black in colour...

Bad part...increases the height of the truck a lot, and if you choose to leave it on it creates a bit of drag (more fuel consumption...but not much wind noise, surprisingly). If you choose to store it, it's a bulky item that takes up a lot of room. I chose to leave it on because it's a PITA to install and remove by myself.

If you go this route, I'd suggest using three cross bars because you can load a bunch of stuff out there and easily exceed the limit of two bars...I can see mine bend sometimes.

 

[bugsnbikes]

Just trying to be preemptive here.

Sounds like you need a Troopy and some condoms...........

 

[d0ubledown]

ill chime in as ive got 3 kids and have gone through a couple different storage solutions. before the 3rd was born, the wife sold the GLX, and bought an '04 sienna. at first we were completely anti minivan, but it was the only practical solution for us. ability to get kids in & out very easily, you can hop in and buckle them up out of the pouring rain, the 3rd row was a flat stow away, so it was always there should the need arise. 3 wide is perfect in the 2nd row. we --er she now loves the silver bullet (the sienna is the ultra rare silver colour). with daycare kids in tow as well, there is no compromise. well except for a dodge sprinter..but we're not jon & kate. the sienna also was used for outings where there was just dirt/gravel road. usually to a provincial rec site. get the awd sienna, and im sure you could probably tackle a bit tougher terrain.

also before the 3rd was born, i sold my runner and got into the cruiser. the 3rd row is nice, but we mainly got into it as it can accomodate 3 wide (in car/booster seats) in the 2nd row much easier than the runner. 3rd row is nice but i havent stuffed kids in there + full gear yet. we've done some trips 4 kids with a single seat in the 3rd row. however, we had the roof basket full and were towing our tent trailer. the roof basket is great. i had a load warrior + extension. would have been nice to get full width, but that was more $$. before that i had a yakima skybox like stone has posted. it was the largest one. swallowed alot of bigger bulkier stuff like sleeping bags, duffle bags camp chairs etc. sold that to get the basket, but the pod was nice because it was sealed & locked as stone mentioned. i opted for the basket as it was more robust.

now..we sold our tent trailer as it was too old & wide to get us to through the trails we often traversed en route to a nice lake. got a kodiak canvas 10X10 tent and we rock the cdn M101 trailer. its lifted and running 34" BFG's on 80 wheels. it hauls alot (we pack alot), and with the thule racks on the lid, we can also bring along bikes..etc. i much prefer towing a trailer than being top heavy. can easily haul 4-5 kids plus & i for extended outings. going to 488s would definitely help it not feel so weighted down though...

3rd row seats are nice in the 80. however, getting the kids in & out can be a pain. they can be like nay's kids and hop out the 3rd row window. but if theres more than 1 baby/booster seat in the 2nd row, it can become a pain to get kids in & out of the 3rd. if theres only 1 in the 3rd row, you can let them out via the tail gate. 3rd row'ers should be able to do their own seatbelts though..as thats a bit of a pain to do it for them. my kids are 20mos, 5 & 7.

dont underestimate the minivan. our sienna is great. get the awd, and throw in some 235 AT's in there, and it would make a nice replacement for the suby...

hope this helps some

 

[IdahoDoug]

Man, if we're bringing roof boxes into the discussion, be sure to check out the Sears Xcargo model. It's a far more usable shape than the skinny/long ski boxes. I've put a 24" old style computer monitor up there and large (tall) duffle bags, grocery bags standing up, etc in it. Thousands of miles of use and no leaks, locks automatically. Far better for getting bulky items out of the truck than the smaller boxes. Of course there's a fuel penalty for being taller. I remember measuring it and discovering I could actually mount TWO of them nose to tail on the roof for absolutely massive luggage capacity. Best of all, it's less than half the price of a single Thule ski box at $170. They're on sale every spring for about $150 to capture the college kids going home for summer. 2 sizes and we have the larger one. I keep it clamped to my Thule rack (get the 6 foot crossbars and you'll have room for 2 bikes on each side of the Sears box), so I can just pick up the entire rack/box and slap it on the roof. Tighten and go.

The 80 doesn't lack for cargo carrying capability. One memorable summer we carried this box, 4 bikes, a double bike trailer and some lumber (long story) across country. On the way back, we bought 4 winter tires in Indiana (Tire Rack) and the trailer hitch tray to carry them on. Whatever you can hang off of this rig - it will carry safely.

 

[kidglove13]

I only have 2 kids but still manage to carry alot of crap. It is amazing that with only 2 kids at how much crap you take with you.
I use the large thule cascade (I think) it can carry alot of stuff it has been great.

 

[yoda-g3]

I've toyed with the box tops. How do you guys usually access it? Fairly accessible from the side using the door jambs? Stand on tailgate? Use a ladder? The couple times I used my OEM rack it was a PITA to get to....

 

[d0ubledown]

the cargo pods can hinge either side. i got to mine standing on the sliders. just as you would regular rooftop cargo. step on the rear tire and hold on to the gutter for more rearward access. of course being lifted on big tires doesnt make things easier..especially with heavy things. hence my decision to not do rooftop storage. i also used thule bars on my skybox, as i didnt think the oem rack would have withstood the rigors of off road...

 

[1973Guppie]

I have a baja rack on my 80 and love it, I can put a ton of stuff up there and the stuff that needs to stay dry I put in one of those collapsable rubber bags, works great and leaves a ton of room inside the 80.

Noah

 

[Nay]

I've toyed with the box tops. How do you guys usually access it?

I stand on my 37's to access the roof

 

[Enigma]

I still want to drop our Sienna body onto an 80 series chassis, would be perfect

I scored a free Motomaster car topper last summer, thinking it would solve some storage problems for mild wheeling/camping trips. I just bring more s*** it seems, the inside of the 80 was still full. And i just stand on the sliders/tires to access it, works alright.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/ca-bc-coastal-cruisers/298747-chehalis-august-2009-a.html