[thedern]

I have been lurking on this forum for around a week as I am researching minivan alternatives. Anyone with 3+ kids and a dog want to share their experiences using a Durango as a family hauler? I would be interested to hear from anyone with rear-facing car seats as well. I currently drive a full size pickup so I am not overly concerned about gas mileage, only the utility of the vehicle. Thanks in advance.

 

[Mirage85]

I only have 1 kid, but If I were hauling 2 adults, 3 kids, a dog, and luggage.... I'd be looking at something the next size up (Tahoe, Yukon, QX60, Etc..), or a minivan.

As for the rear facing seat. There is a thread about that you should check out:

http://www.dodgedurango.net/forums/durango-discussions-2014/16751-child-seat-rant.html

It seems it depends on the brand and model of the seat that fits well or doesn't fit well. Regardless, if I were in your shoes, as much as I love my Durango, I'm not sure I'd buy it. Unless its just a secondary vehicle and only hauls everyone on occasion for short local trips.

 

[ufokillerz]

if all 3 kids are in the 2nd row, its doable i would think. I've had my 2 car seats, one front and 1 rear facing, and my wife in the middle before. That worked ok, but not the most comfortable.
I haul them around in a ford expedition currently, but used the durango for that on a few occaisions. No dog though.

 

[thedern]

The new expedition is the other truck I am researching. Good to know.

 

[Mirage85]

if all 3 kids are in the 2nd row, its doable i would think.

That's the key. Growing up, I was always sitting my with my 2 brothers in the second row of my parents S10 blazer. The Durango is a bit larger than that, but adding a dog to the situation wouldn't have worked out, not with luggage.

 

[hdad2]

Limited experience myself (just got SXT Plus this weekend), but we put a rear facing seat in right away. Works out great. To my opinion it is actually easier to get the little guy in and out of it than our minivan. Just has to do with the way the doors open in comparison to the 2nd row. One note, ours has the 2nd row buckets. Much more practical if you have 3 kids and childs seats in their regularly. They can head straight down the middle to the back row just like the minivan. It means our seating capacity is 6 not 7, but for us it is worth the trade.

 

[trifecta]

Welcome to the forum! I am in your exact situation and will give you the good and the bad. I have 3 kids, ages 5, 2, <1. a rear facing carrier and front facing 5 point harness seat in the 2nd row captains, booster seat in the 3rd row. The roominess of the cabin for seating, getting in and out, etc. is fantastic, better than any other SUV out there (I tried them all) in this size and class. +1 on the last post talking about the ease of captains chairs, assuming your 3rd row user can climb in and buckle on their own! You get all that functionality in a sweet ride that is not the minivan!

Now the bad.....

Anytime we go anywhere that requires taking anything with us or buying anything to bring home (groceries for example) we take the other car, a minivan. There is just frankly no cargo space at all with 3 rows in use. Vacation? Forget about it.

GREAT daily driver for the family, not practical for vacations or anything else involving cargo! You would need another option IMO!

Good Luck!
Mike

 

[yillbs]

I too am in the same boat as you, I've got me, wife, two kids ( 2 - 4, and one 15mo in a rear facing seat ), and a dog ( who would never be allowed in my durago anyways ).

If you don't get the 2nd row captains chairs, then forget about it, it's just to much work, however.. if you have them, then utilize them like I do, the two bigger kids get the captains chairs, and the little one gets in the back right side ( that's nor normal, sometimes she's behind me in the captain chair ), you can lay down on row of seats in the back ( passenger side )and use the cubby space. It gives you ample room to stack up full of things you need. ours works out well, and I'm still getting 20~ miles to the gallon. I managed to fit three suitcases, filledup the bin below with some snacks, and other various things, and I got skies on the roof, as well as blankets etc. I've got each kid their own ipad with ipad head rests, and lap pads with keyboards. The smallest one is easier to get to because of the captains chairs, and i can have the 5 year old check on her from time to time ( during longer rides ). All in all i've gotten the entire family to michigan and back with 2 adults, three children, and a car seat, not only was it okay comfort wise, but it's was cheaper than taking the trip in lets say, a yukon, or expedition. Not to mention if you have the roof racks, you can get a whole 'nother stage of cargo room.
good luck!

 

[Old fart]

I am retired with a Durango Hemi. My son has wife and three kids and tows a boat with a '12 Expedition EL. The Expedition V8 is not as powerful as mine but you don't notice it. The Expedition is a great road trip vehicle. The Durango is smooth and refined on the road, but not nearly as much cargo capacity

 

[upstatedoc]

Gots both. Minivan is much more versatile if you can stand driving it as a daily driver. Wifey loves it, me, not so much. Expedition is kind of boat-ish, even with the ecoboost..

 

[QuantizedKi]

I have two kids with a third on the way. I ordered a Limited Durango with captains chairs and NO center console. NO CENTER CONSOLE IS A MUST. We plan to have the oldest (will be 4 and a half) scoot to the back seat into his child seat (soon to be booster) with the middle child (forward facing) and new baby (rear facing) in the two captains chairs. Since you can choose to have only one seat up in the third row we plan on using the other side for cargo when we need it.

 

[klasango]

We like to travel and i have to say that D is a bit small even with two kids. If I was expecting a 3rd one I would never gotten it unless my other car was already a minivan. Also, D is bit difficult for little kids to get in and out. The rear seat is not adjustable another pain to deal with when the little ones are kicking in the back. However , I got this car for my pleasure and not for kids comfort so I am dealing with this.

 

[Rake]

I'm in the same boat, 4 kids (1 in a car seat), wife and dog... We use a luggage rack on overnight trips. Without it, it would be way to tight, even without the dog. A luggage rack is almost a must with that many people, unless your in the stretched suburban. I don't see a minivan being able to accommodate you either, without a rack.

I actually like having the rack up top, being able to throw stuff up there is very useful.

 

[boomer775]

I'm glad this thread is here. Have twins on the way and have a 2-year old now. Was debating another D, or a minivan ( God help me) and this is good info. Although I'll feel nutless when driving it, the minivan conveniences can't be denied. Suburban is just too big - I could see my wife pin-balling that in parking lots...

 

[SLAINTE06]

As much as we didnt want one, we bought the swagger wagon when kids were born and in rear facing seats, I think they did a good job on it and not as soccer mom ish. there was plenty of space for two rear facing at once, 8 yo in back row , luggage, groceries , you name it. Once they grew out of it though, she upgraded to the Seqoia Platinum and that thing too has a ton of space, but for little ones under 2, Id go wth the mini van option.
Toyota Sienna 2015 | 8-Passenger AWD Family Minivan

Ps...twins on way and a 2 y/o, GOOD LUCK BUDDY!!!!!

 

[RangoLimited]

I've got 4 kids ages 7-13 and am very happy with the D. No dog though. We've stopped taking my wife's mini van because I simply hate driving them. Hers does have a little more room than my D. Overnight/weekend trips we've just used the D. A week trip and the car top carrier is going on. But, that's exactly what we did with hers, so not much difference. I was disgusted by the price of a new Toyota Sienna, which is what she had been looking at to replace her van. Before I bought my D, she wouldn't even consider it to replace her van, but now that I've had mine for 6 months, her opinion has changed and is seriously considering going back to an suv. Good luck in your decision.

 

[Mirage85]

I'm in the same boat, 4 kids (1 in a car seat), wife and dog... We use a luggage rack on overnight trips. Without it, it would be way to tight, even without the dog. A luggage rack is almost a must with that many people, unless your in the stretched suburban. I don't see a minivan being able to accommodate you either, without a rack.

I actually like having the rack up top, being able to throw stuff up there is very useful.

That's a good point, and you can add to your storage with a hitch mounted cargo carrier as well.

 

[boomer775]

As much as we didnt want one, we bought the swagger wagon when kids were born and in rear facing seats, I think they did a good job on it and not as soccer mom ish. there was plenty of space for two rear facing at once, 8 yo in back row , luggage, groceries , you name it. Once they grew out of it though, she upgraded to the Seqoia Platinum and that thing too has a ton of space, but for little ones under 2, Id go wth the mini van option.
Toyota Sienna 2015 | 8-Passenger AWD Family Minivan

Ps...twins on way and a 2 y/o, GOOD LUCK BUDDY!!!!!

Yeah - you ain't kidding. Due Date is Superbowl Sunday! The twins aren't even here yet, and they are already in trouble

 

[Ksuwyldcat]

And now Dodge knows that they need to build a bigger SUV! I have to give it to the family guys out there! You all are amazing! And Boomer...Superbowl Sunday, TWINS? WOW! They are in trouble. :wink:

 

[fredansandy]

Our 4 kids are grown and have flown the coop. While raising them, we drove everything from minivans, Suburbans, and full size vans. Now that we are empty nesters, we decided NO MORE VANS. The DD fits our needs now but I admit with a growing family, it would have been tight. For the holidays, we are heading home to Indiana with 4 adults and 3 dogs. The dogs will be confined behind the 2nd row captains chairs with a barrier and a trunk liner. Lots of room to move around but still out of the way of the human passengers. We will pull a trailer to haul Christmas gifts and luggage which will minimize the amount of "stuff" we have to contend with inside the vehicle.

Looking forward to some quality time with family during the trip! Lots of football and Christmas music to keep us occupied on the way.

Merry Christmas All!!