question for you dads

[Keywest18]

Well i i sold my 98z71 when my youngest was born. Right now our main transportation is our minivan. Anytime we go some anywhere we use it to haul our two kids around, ages 2 1/2 and 18 months. My truck i only use to tow my boat. I wanna sell it and get a single cab 96-98 z71. Ive always loved the body style . My question is would you feel comfortable putting a child in a single cab truck.(airbags off of course). Personally i feel its safe, safer than a small car anyways. My wife kinda feels the same way about it. The only time i wpuld need to have them in my truck is if something happens to our van.im gonna get one with a bench so theyre not by the door. I know.its.not the "ideal" family vehicle but ive read where alot of people.have done it. I know as a kid 4-6 my dad had single cabs and we never had a problem.

[southern151]

I've got a 95 z71 that I'll make you a heckuva deal on! I need to move it. It's an extended cab.

[jchief]

Man, get a double or extended cab. That way if something does happen to the van, you have transport for all of you and you have room to haul all the kids stuff in.

[scott craft]

An extended cab is the way to go. My son just turned six and he rides in the front on a booster seat a lot, but sometimes the whole family rides so he gets bumped to the back. It's also handy for groceries and stuff.

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[latravcha]

Originally Posted by jchief

Man, get a double or extended cab. That way if something does happen to the van, you have transport for all of you and you have room to haul all the kids stuff in.

X2
The problem comes with the things you have to bring along with the kids. I have a f250 and we take it to the Deere lease with two girls. And have plenty of room.

[bjhooper82]

I know this isnt what you were asking but IMO the 98 body style z71's are the best looking one's ever made.

[Keywest18]

Originally Posted by bjhooper82

I know this isnt what you were asking but IMO the 98 body style z71's are the best looking one's ever made.

EXACTLY, i had a 98 ext cab z71 but sold it and a bought blazer (thought it was the responsible thing to do) now i never use my blazer...but just something about the single cabs though they look amazing

[Finfeatherfur]

Trying to be "politically correct" on the safety of a vehicle to transport your kids is a mute point in my opinion. Get what you want, and what is practical for your situation. I know people that by Volvo's and Range Rovers to keep them "safe". Well, they can get killed just as easy as me!

Good luck in your search and I can remember riding w/o seatbelts in the front seat not that long ago!

[weedeater]

I wouldn't feel unsafe, I grew up with my dad having an early 80's single cab Toyota and him, my mom, my sister and me riding around in it with no air bags or seat belts but then again there wasn't as many bigger vehicles on the road 30yrs ago...... check out Southerns truck or another extra cab and you may decide it would be even more ideal for all your needs

[fun w son]

we did it for about a year, then bought a crew cab.... kinda cramped!

[Sea-Trac Offshore]

We had a a Titan 4door that my wife had to have and I had an expedition. With the kids the 4 door was not always enough. You run out of room quick. We ended up trading it on a suburban. Funny thing is the suburban gets better gas mileage!

[jdm4x43732]

We grew up riding in a regular cab Chevy. Early 80s model, passenger door didn't latch one time and I fell out in a curve at 4 yrs old. Not going fast but I was skinned up pretty good from what I remember. We still rode in that old truck after that, even in the bed of it. Things were different then though. You would go to prison if they caught you today with a bed full of kids going down the road.

[PBJ]

I think you will regret buying a single cab truck and having two kids. You could never take your family anywhere cause you don't have enough room for the carseats. When your kids get a little older I'm sure you will want to take them places in the outdoors that will require a truck.

[Harley123]

Get a extended cab or 4 Door if you can swing it. The extra room in the back will always come in handy.

[Catcher'sMitt]

if you make decisions on what might happen, especially when they are very small statistically speaking, you are going to miss out on a lot of life. but I would go for something the whole family could ride in if the van died. I don't know how big your boat is but I pulled a bass boat all over the place with a minivan.

I did get a crew cab with a front bench seat so all 6 of us could ride though when I got a new truck.