Tom, why do you need such a big truck when you don’t need it for work and don’t do a lot of DIY?
Answer -
My wife’s Amazon haul to bring to the shore -
Ideally if we had brains we would try and order everything for Friday delivery down there but that’s not always possible
I know the feeling. We fill up our largest vehicle every time we go to the lake and I just don’t understand it.
Way back, I knew the Crosstrek was a goner when jr had to make the ride up there with a box on his lap. Back was full, dog in one seat and it was pouring so using the roof rack was not an option.
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Limited Velvet Red over Wicker Beige
2024 Audi Q5 Premium Plus Daytona Gray over Beige
2017 BMW X1 Jet Black over Mocha
We used to go shopping Saturday morning when we arrived for our week at the shore. But my wife got tired of that so now buys everything she can think of for the week and expects me to pack it somehow. Plus way too many clothes and too much bedding and random stuff we have never used. Kids can move to college (or their first apartment!) with less stuff.
Even with just the 2 of us the Acura would be jammed to the roof. Forget about any chance of a rear seat passenger. So we take the truck instead.
I don’t blame anyone for not wanting to shop at the island Acme stores on a Saturday afternoon. The Rio Grande and Marmora Shop Rites are also a total zoo.
When we used to go for a week our car was always jammed too.
My SIL and family have been experiencing 'vacation packing' creep for years. When it was just the 2 of them and a dog or 2, everything could fit inside his Explorer. Then a couple of kids came along, although 1 dog went away. Somewhere during that time period I gave them my 20 cu/ft rooftop Thule(25 years old now). Last year, he added a hitch mounted cargo box, too. He really wants something bigger.
2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
@stickguy said:
We used to go shopping Saturday morning when we arrived for our week at the shore. But my wife got tired of that so now buys everything she can think of for the week and expects me to pack it somehow. Plus way too many clothes and too much bedding and random stuff we have never used. Kids can move to college (or their first apartment!) with less stuff.
Even with just the 2 of us the Acura would be jammed to the roof. Forget about any chance of a rear seat passenger. So we take the truck instead.
We take the C43 and we can usually still carry one or two passengers in the back. If I absolutely had to I’d take the Wrangler but the C43 is such a great cruiser that it would be a shame to leave it at home.
In 1992 we took the E24 M6 to Orlando for the BMW CCA Oktoberfest and then spent another week traveling up the east coast to visit Colonial Williamsburg. In that case the car was definitely maxed out with regards to cargo capacity.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
My SIL and family have been experiencing 'vacation packing' creep for years. When it was just the 2 of them and a dog or 2, everything could fit inside his Explorer. Then a couple of kids came along, although 1 dog went away. Somewhere during that time period I gave them my 20 cu/ft rooftop Thule(25 years old now). Last year, he added a hitch mounted cargo box, too. He really wants something bigger.
When we did the "Griswold" road trip in Dec '23 I had the entire bed of my truck filled. Not sure how we would have done it in anything smaller. I know our XC90 wouldn't have handled it... maybe the Enclave if we cut back a bit.
We definitely overpacked for that trip, but to be fair it was nearly two weeks.
My SIL and family have been experiencing 'vacation packing' creep for years. When it was just the 2 of them and a dog or 2, everything could fit inside his Explorer. Then a couple of kids came along, although 1 dog went away. Somewhere during that time period I gave them my 20 cu/ft rooftop Thule(25 years old now). Last year, he added a hitch mounted cargo box, too. He really wants something bigger.
I think one reason some people love minivans is because they don't have to think about packing efficiently- they just throw half of their home's contents into the thing and hit the road.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Speaking of Amazon, the brainpower over there astonishes me sometimes. I got 4 boxes today with 1 roll of vinyl wrap in each, while each box could easily fit 6 or 8 rolls.
Since someone will ask: this is for the Suzuki. I chose a red copper metallic.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
The minivan was a problem. Wife got so used to it that she couldn’t recalibrate to something smaller.
I had no problem transitioning at all. Once the last kid left the house, my minivan days were done. Terrific vehicle for those years, AND time to be adults again. That said, now that we have grandchildren, I traded in the Volt for the Blazer EV. Gotta have somewhere to put those car seats when they visit!
@qbrozen said:
Speaking of Amazon, the brainpower over there astonishes me sometimes. I got 4 boxes today with 1 roll of vinyl wrap in each, while each box could easily fit 6 or 8 rolls.
Since someone will ask: this is for the Suzuki. I chose a red copper metallic.
Let me rephrase. She was happy to downsize to driving an RDX. she just never accepted the fact that she couldn’t just pile up everything imaginable to pack like when I had the minivan to stuff it into. Our system is she piles up everything to bring in a staging area. I have to somehow fit it all into whatever vehicle we are taking. Some fun conversations have come out of that!
Speaking of Amazon, the brainpower over there astonishes me sometimes. I got 4 boxes today with 1 roll of vinyl wrap in each, while each box could easily fit 6 or 8 rolls.
Since someone will ask: this is for the Suzuki. I chose a red copper metallic.
———————————————— I’ll bet there is a cardboard box salesman somewhere who vacations at the beach several times a year.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's. '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
Speaking of Amazon, the brainpower over there astonishes me sometimes. I got 4 boxes today with 1 roll of vinyl wrap in each, while each box could easily fit 6 or 8 rolls.
Since someone will ask: this is for the Suzuki. I chose a red copper metallic.
UPS Charges a small fortune as well. I have a few local vendors I buy from. For the most part, they will have the salesman bring it to me in his own personal vehicle. Sometimes things get back ordered. This one company I buy from usually has some kind of t-shirt or hat or other swag to give away. It gets printed on the packing list. I got an order driven by the salesman once. They ZEROd the t-shirt (or whatever it was). I got the t-shirt the next day. It shipped out UPS. I called the guys who own the company and could see the smoke from their ears from here. Their place is out on Long Island.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD, 2025 Toyota Camry SE AWD
My SIL and family have been experiencing 'vacation packing' creep for years. When it was just the 2 of them and a dog or 2, everything could fit inside his Explorer. Then a couple of kids came along, although 1 dog went away. Somewhere during that time period I gave them my 20 cu/ft rooftop Thule(25 years old now). Last year, he added a hitch mounted cargo box, too. He really wants something bigger.
But, we often don't have the interior too overloaded. The hatch typically has just the daily camping gear, and the rear seat contains a person or quick/protected access stuff like the food box, rain gear, pillow, etc.
2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
Not flaunting anything … I’d doubt that is more than $200 worth of stuff.
Wife is “stocking up” for summer.
———————————————— What I meant by flaunting was you have a truck that can haul a lot of cargo, so why not use it. I assume you’ll have no problems with its capacity.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's. '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
With kids home from college (at least sporadically), we are taking full advantage of the garage space. There's a Kia K5 hiding there behind the Tiguan.
Kudos to my wife for moving her Genesis over to allow me to pull into her spot last night!
@breld said:
With kids home from college (at least sporadically), we are taking full advantage of the garage space. There's a Kia K5 hiding there behind the Tiguan.
Kudos to my wife for moving her Genesis over to allow me to pull into her spot last night!
With kids home from college (at least sporadically), we are taking full advantage of the garage space. There's a Kia K5 hiding there behind the Tiguan.
Kudos to my wife for moving her Genesis over to allow me to pull into her spot last night!
My eyes never made in past that mower. Mercy!
I'm at the point in my life where I would take the completely empty garage over the 7 cars inside it. Believe me, I LOVE the 911, The Cayman, & the BRZ.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD, 2025 Toyota Camry SE AWD
@breld said:
With kids home from college (at least sporadically), we are taking full advantage of the garage space. There's a Kia K5 hiding there behind the Tiguan.
Kudos to my wife for moving her Genesis over to allow me to pull into her spot last night!
I am at about 11 months with the JGC. At 13,500 miles so over the allowance. That’s 25 months from now me’s problem.
Good: Very comfortable, quiet and roomy. Averaged 19.2 mpg so far, which I think is good. Nice features, love the pano roof and the infotainment is easy to use and wireless Carplay has been flawless. Power train is fine. Not super quick off the line but it moves about just fine and has plenty of power to pass when needed. It is noisy when it does that.
Bad: There’s a rattle. I tried a little tape on door jambs as this was a known fix on Wranglers, nope. Took it in and they diagnosed back headrests and replaced but its back. Very frustrating because I hate a rattling vehicle. There’s a funny blind spot due to the A pillar position. I’m used to it but I can see why a few reviews have complained. Lastly the fuel door is plastic and it obviously took the paint differently than the body because it’s a good shade lighter.
I’m pleased but am going to make an issue of the rattle, it’s that bad.
I’ve got 25 months to consider my next ride!
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Limited Velvet Red over Wicker Beige
2024 Audi Q5 Premium Plus Daytona Gray over Beige
2017 BMW X1 Jet Black over Mocha
With kids home from college (at least sporadically), we are taking full advantage of the garage space. There's a Kia K5 hiding there behind the Tiguan.
Kudos to my wife for moving her Genesis over to allow me to pull into her spot last night!
My eyes never made in past that mower. Mercy!
———————————————— Now that’s a problem!!
jmonroe
'15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's. '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
We leave for London tonight so today was spent getting foreign currencies, some snacks for the plane ride, and fretting over our own Amazon deliveries for some necessities for the trip. It's been an extremely hectic few weeks work wise so I am definitely looking forward to unplugging completely for 2 weeks.
1997 Honda Prelude Base - 2022 Acura MDX Type S Advance - 2021 Honda Passport Sport - 2006 BMW 330Ci ZHP
We leave for London tonight so today was spent getting foreign currencies, some snacks for the plane ride, and fretting over our own Amazon deliveries for some necessities for the trip. It's been an extremely hectic few weeks work wise so I am definitely looking forward to unplugging completely for 2 weeks.
Awesome! Enjoy your trip!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD, 2025 Toyota Camry SE AWD
Unexpectedly, my car (and everything else) budget went up again. Got notified this afternoon that my company is giving everyone in my department a significant non-merit pay bump, out of the normal annual review cycle (which won't be affected), to keep us competitive. Happy Friday, everyone!
With kids home from college (at least sporadically), we are taking full advantage of the garage space. There's a Kia K5 hiding there behind the Tiguan.
Kudos to my wife for moving her Genesis over to allow me to pull into her spot last night!
That looks like Jay Leno’s garage except with newer cars.👌
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Comments
https://www.hagerty.com/media/automotive-history/mitsubishi-had-the-perfect-lineup-in-1992/?aff=f_us_p&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=med&utm_content=image_Mitsubishi_June25_MED_Social_dsp&utm_term=med_3p&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0BMABhZGlkAAAGMMkyJScBHiKXqLXndc-67F071tNNIBA17TftIfWoiyPY3wSw7cb-vuZWglgeIKl4_de-_aem_bgG69uguVFv8ztWgeVyepw&utm_id=6661807325191
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
My friends all call my Laramie a “lifted Town Car”
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Question -
Tom, why do you need such a big truck when you don’t need it for work and don’t do a lot of DIY?
Answer -
My wife’s Amazon haul to bring to the shore -
Ideally if we had brains we would try and order everything for Friday delivery down there but that’s not always possible
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
I know the feeling. We fill up our largest vehicle every time we go to the lake and I just don’t understand it.
Way back, I knew the Crosstrek was a goner when jr had to make the ride up there with a box on his lap. Back was full, dog in one seat and it was pouring so using the roof rack was not an option.
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Limited Velvet Red over Wicker Beige
2024 Audi Q5 Premium Plus Daytona Gray over Beige
2017 BMW X1 Jet Black over Mocha
We used to go shopping Saturday morning when we arrived for our week at the shore. But my wife got tired of that so now buys everything she can think of for the week and expects me to pack it somehow. Plus way too many clothes and too much bedding and random stuff we have never used. Kids can move to college (or their first apartment!) with less stuff.
Even with just the 2 of us the Acura would be jammed to the roof. Forget about any chance of a rear seat passenger. So we take the truck instead.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I don’t blame anyone for not wanting to shop at the island Acme stores on a Saturday afternoon. The Rio Grande and Marmora Shop Rites are also a total zoo.
When we used to go for a week our car was always jammed too.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
This was moving into the campground during Covid.
Enclave was at max capacity.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
This hits too close to home…
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0 / 03 Montero Ltd
When it was just the 2 of them and a dog or 2, everything could fit inside his Explorer.
Then a couple of kids came along, although 1 dog went away.
Somewhere during that time period I gave them my 20 cu/ft rooftop Thule(25 years old now).
Last year, he added a hitch mounted cargo box, too.
He really wants something bigger.
We take the C43 and we can usually still carry one or two passengers in the back. If I absolutely had to I’d take the Wrangler but the C43 is such a great cruiser that it would be a shame to leave it at home.
In 1992 we took the E24 M6 to Orlando for the BMW CCA Oktoberfest and then spent another week traveling up the east coast to visit Colonial Williamsburg. In that case the car was definitely maxed out with regards to cargo capacity.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Are you now threatening us with snippets every day?
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
We definitely overpacked for that trip, but to be fair it was nearly two weeks.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
As the saying goes, “if you’ve got it flaunt it”.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
The minivan was a problem. Wife got so used to it that she couldn’t recalibrate to something smaller.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Interesting article on the Subaru. If they came out with a manual trans crosstrek WRX I would have to seriously consider that.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
If this was @breld posting that would be in his garage by sunset today.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
Speaking of Amazon, the brainpower over there astonishes me sometimes. I got 4 boxes today with 1 roll of vinyl wrap in each, while each box could easily fit 6 or 8 rolls.
Since someone will ask: this is for the Suzuki. I chose a red copper metallic.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
Can’t wait to see how that turns out!
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Let me rephrase. She was happy to downsize to driving an RDX. she just never accepted the fact that she couldn’t just pile up everything imaginable to pack like when I had the minivan to stuff it into. Our system is she piles up everything to bring in a staging area. I have to somehow fit it all into whatever vehicle we are taking. Some fun conversations have come out of that!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Not flaunting anything … I’d doubt that is more than $200 worth of stuff.
Wife is “stocking up” for summer.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
I’ll bet there is a cardboard box salesman somewhere who vacations at the beach several times a year.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD, 2025 Toyota Camry SE AWD
But, we often don't have the interior too overloaded. The hatch typically has just the daily camping gear, and the rear seat contains a person or quick/protected access stuff like the food box, rain gear, pillow, etc.
Not flaunting anything … I’d doubt that is more than $200 worth of stuff.
Wife is “stocking up” for summer.
————————————————What I meant by flaunting was you have a truck that can haul a lot of cargo, so why not use it. I assume you’ll have no problems with its capacity.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
One for @roadburner near my local watering hole.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Kudos to my wife for moving her Genesis over to allow me to pull into her spot last night!
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
My eyes never made in past that mower. Mercy!
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0 / 03 Montero Ltd
My eyes never made in past that mower. Mercy!
I'm at the point in my life where I would take the completely empty garage over the 7 cars inside it. Believe me, I LOVE the 911, The Cayman, & the BRZ.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD, 2025 Toyota Camry SE AWD
Looks fantastic…. Although it’s missing a Mini
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
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Sold the A/T wheel set from the Model Y this morning. My basement thanks me.

25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0 / 03 Montero Ltd
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Limited Velvet Red over Wicker Beige
2024 Audi Q5 Premium Plus Daytona Gray over Beige
2017 BMW X1 Jet Black over Mocha
Good: Very comfortable, quiet and roomy. Averaged 19.2 mpg so far, which I think is good. Nice features, love the pano roof and the infotainment is easy to use and wireless Carplay has been flawless. Power train is fine. Not super quick off the line but it moves about just fine and has plenty of power to pass when needed. It is noisy when it does that.
Bad: There’s a rattle. I tried a little tape on door jambs as this was a known fix on Wranglers, nope. Took it in and they diagnosed back headrests and replaced but its back. Very frustrating because I hate a rattling vehicle. There’s a funny blind spot due to the A pillar position. I’m used to it but I can see why a few reviews have complained. Lastly the fuel door is plastic and it obviously took the paint differently than the body because it’s a good shade lighter.
I’m pleased but am going to make an issue of the rattle, it’s that bad.
I’ve got 25 months to consider my next ride!
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Limited Velvet Red over Wicker Beige
2024 Audi Q5 Premium Plus Daytona Gray over Beige
2017 BMW X1 Jet Black over Mocha
My eyes never made in past that mower. Mercy!
————————————————Now that’s a problem!!
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD, 2025 Toyota Camry SE AWD
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I remember stories of cars with rattles back in the 60s and when they removed the door panel found beer cans inside.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible