Hey there!

We are assessing our vehicle needs as we have our first child on the way. I currently own a 2007 Dodge Ram Quad Cab 4x4 as our only vehicle between me and my wife. We require a truck as we are avid RVers.

My question is, how have everyone's experience been with your truck as an only true family vehicle? How have you found loading/unloading the children been for the wife? (It's higher than a mini van) Is having a second vehicle worth the $200-500/mnth that its going to cost between insurance, payments, etc?

Any heads ups would be appreciated..

 

We had a full size truck (cheby) when my daugher was born, back then the doors were the 1/2 doors that swung the other direction. It was a PITA to get her in with the car seat. I think now that a quad cab door opens "normally" it wouldn't be too bad. I'd make sure you have step bars or something to help you get up.

we now have a quad cab Dodge and my daugher is 7, she loves climbing into the truck with the step bars and always wants to wear her "cow girl boots" because "cow girls" always ride in trucks

 

I have been doing the kiddie shuffle for a few months now, get a good base designed car seat and make sure you use the hook anchors right and you'll be fine.

The only problem I would see is when the little monster gains some weight.

Keep the one truck and use the 200 - 500 bucks for a night out a couple of times a month so you keep the marriage happy and the bonus, you get a small break from the frustrations of NEW parenthood.

Kids are awesome but you need a break every now and then.

ed

 

I have a car seat in the back of my truck and have never had any problems loading the kid in and out of the truck. The wife doesn't really load her in that often but when she has, she hasn't had a problem either. For what it is, the ram makes a pretty good family vehicle.

 

Ya i got 2 kids no problem at all 5 year old climbs in herself and getting thebabyin car seat is no problem

 

got two nephews and a neice. 5 year old nephew LOVES that middle seat in the back, can see out the window with his booster seat.

no problems fitting baby seat for either of the littles ones either. sister thinks its somewhat easier because you don't have to lean down to it to strap them in.

when you expecting?

 

I got mine because my other dodge ext. cab doors didnt open. this one had just enough room in it. Even adults fit in the back seat on the way to the lake n stuff. My daughter also likes sitting in the middle back there, sees everything and gets more of the A/C that way. Side steps are a big help too.

 

my little brother loves riding in the back of the truck and he plays on the step bars and he also in his words "likes the noise maker" underneather the truck lol but a car seat is no problem for me and it would also be easier to strap in one because no leaning down to buckle them in

 

I have three kids, ages 5 to 8, and it works okay. But my wife drives a Suburban so it is not the only vehicle. We had a mini-van before the 'Burban, and it worked great. The Suburban s a great family vehicle as well. It is a great riding luxury truck.

 

One important thing to note here is, I've unfortunately read several reports of wrecks involving Rams against other vehicles that have either T boned them, or just plain ran them off the road.
ALL without exception have stated that, it was worth the extra per month in fuel to drive the Ram as opposed to getting a smaller second vehicle as a daily driver, as they ALL felt they would not just have "walked away" from these wrecks if they weren't in their Rams.
So, that in my mind underlines why I drive my truck, even here in the UK.

Al.