Twins and a new truck!

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maddogg

Member
So the wife and I are having twins! Two boys is fact. For those that "know" me we've been trying for awhile now. So far mom and babies are doing fine and she is due in March. This means a lot of life changes for us. First, any tips from parents or twins themselves. These are our first kids so we won't know any better on what it is like to just have one baby - thank gosh I think.

It also means a new truck for me - the two wheel drive regular cab Tundra just isn't going to cut it. I've decided on an F150 either extended cab or the crew cab. I'm leaning toward the crew cab but we'll see what happens when I go to the dealer(s). Two questions on this. I plan to keep the truck for at least 10 years. So would you get it underbody coated? I've heard good and bad on doing so. Currently, every spring I break out the grinder, primer and paint and hit any rust spots on the frame now. I'm thinking with twins this may be a problem timewise. Also, I'm thinking of putting on a brush gaurd - for both safety and looks. Any opinions on this also? Again I've heard both good and bad.

Thanks a lot.

Andy
 
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radsrh

New member
Crew cab crew cab crew cab. With a 12 yr old, 5 yr old and 2 yr old trust me you will want a crew cab. Even with just one in a newborn car seat I would not want to try getting the seat in and out of a extended cab. Plus with twins you will need the extra room. As for undercoating I didn't truck is 9 years old with some surface rust but no big problems. Grill protection I think it's personal choice, might give some body protection from a animal hit? I think it would be worse for passengers in a big hit. Takes away from the crush zones built into the truck to absorb the impact. Had one on my last truck manly for deer, had a bear hit me in the driver's side door good news is not one scratch on the brush guard :)
 
E

elf

Well-known member
Absolutely go with the crew cab. When my daughter was born we had a 1998 Extended Cab Dodge Dakota. After one week and one trip with a child seat we went and bought a extended cab F150. That worked OK until we had kid #2. Within about a month of that we bought a F150 Supercrew and now have our second one.

We did not have any underbody coating on either one and we kept the first one for 8 yrs. Did not notice any unusual rust on the frame but never really looked either.
 
mezz

mezz

Well-known member
First, congratulations! This will be a life altering experience for you both. Enjoy the ride! Secondly, I agree with radsrh, Crew Cab, Crew Cab, Crew Cab. Personally, I wouldn't bother with a brush guard bumper for the mere fact that the vehicles now are made to crumple for safety & deploy air bags for occupant protection. In my opinion, just something else to have to replace if you do become a victim of a deer hit. As far as undercoating, most vehicles come with it from the factory (at least my last two trucks did), so this should not be an issue. Again, just my .02, personal preference is all yours. Congrats again & good luck.-Mezz
 
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roundhouse

Member
Congrats!
Another vote for the crew cab. We've got an 8 month old, 6 year old, and when traveling as a family take our Tacoma crew (double in Toyota nomenclature) cab. In fact, when selecting the truck we went across the street to WalMart and purchased a newborn car seat, tested installing it in the truck, then returned it to the store. It doesn't hurt to actually try how it fits for you and the vehicle and avoid regretting anything after the fact. The next baby was still years down the road but we knew the truck would be in the family for 10+ years.
For the first time this fall I've gone under the truck and sprayed light penetrating oil on the frame and select components, there isn't much rust so far but I want to inhibit it as much as I can. I also prefer the idea on stopping it with oil vs. the chance that saltwater would find it's way between a coating and the steel.
I've been tempted to put on brush guards but never have. One thing I never considered until talking with a guy is that a deer impact with a sturdy brush guard can tweak the frame of a truck. I have no first hand experience in that but if true can see where damage to a grill and radiator is preferable to a bent frame.
 
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scott_b

Member
Crew Cab all the way, wouldn't even consider extended cab. For the first 6+ months you will be using the car seat that doubles as an infant carrier. These things are rather large and even in some mid size 4 door cars you can't put the front seats all the way back. As for undercoating, not worth it. The tiny bit of rust you will have on the frame will not have any negative impact on the vehicle and if you think it will help resale value, just wait until you see what 2 kids will do to the interior.

Congrats!
 
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yamahauler

Active member
Congrats. You are in for one heck of a life changing event. Just remember to take a deep breath and enjoy it as they grow fast.
I have an extended an 09 F150 and luckily my oldest was in a booster as they won't fit backwards behind the seat without the seat pushed up quite far.
They would fit no question behind the seat in a crew, so I would definitely get a crew.

Good Luck.
 
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soxfan3

Member
I can speak from experience, CREW CAB. Back in the day, we had a a 4 year old boy & then we got blessed(?) with twin girls. I had an extended cab truck, not easy getting in & out of carseats. As soon as we could afford it we bought a 4 door truck. One of the best moves we ever made, we took it on a lot of trips, I think they ride a little better too.
BTW, enjoy the twins when they are young, our twins are 16 now, NOT a lot of fun anymore, of course they are girls, excuse me, young women now.
 
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maddogg

Member
Thanks a lot everyone for all the input and congrats. I'll post again when I buy the CREW CAB. Won't be for a little while yet. Still working out a "family" budget.
 
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Bradzoo

Active member
Congrats and another vote for the crew cab, all I can is your gonna have your hands full, I have 3 boy's but no twins but my sisters are twins so I have 1st hand experience let me say this you will have your hands full
 
moen_lake

moen_lake

Member
My Dad just picked up a new F150 Crew Cab and he couldn't be happier. He was leaning towards a extended cab like his current 150 but is glad he made the switch.
 
F

freezinbevr

New member
Maddogg,
Crew cab for sure. Even my Dodge quad cab was getting tight once the girls got to 5 & 7. Another thing to look for is the safety features of the back. My 02 Dodge did NOT have a headrest for the rear bench seat. So after the kid seats were done with I never felt comfortable with them in the back in case of a wreck. Side curtain air bags are a good thing to look for as well. Bull bar for the front is something I'm thinking about for the Suburban for those late night/early morning runs up North so if I hit a deer, at least the radiator should still be intact to get somewhere instead of stuck on the side of the road. $.03 from me.

Congats!!! Doesn't change life a bit having kids!! :)
Brad
 
M

maddogg

Member
I just shmucked a deer last week which is why I was thinking about the guard. Took out the front bumper and air conditioner condenser. First one I've hit in 10 years.
 
D

Deleted member 10829

Guest
Congrats to you and your wife maddogg! I would agree with the crew cab and your choice of an F150 is spot on. I don't have much experience with undercoating, but with the warranties they give from the factory, not sure it's necessary. Not sure a brush guard will do enough for a deer hit unless it's exactly dead center head on, plus, I've never really liked the look of them. The front end of an F150 looks awesome, don't cover it up. Good luck and let us know what you get. I have 225k miles on my 2004 crew cab.
 
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Woodtic

Active member
Enjoy those twins while they are young. You will go from feeding and cleaning their butts all night to, waiting up at night to make sure they come home safe. Mine are 17 now. I have brush guards on both of our SUVs . Some hits they will help,but other hits maybe not. That is just a fact. Do your research ,mine are supposed to break away in a major hit.
 
indy_500

indy_500

Well-known member
Congrats! Id go with the crew cab or you will regret it. I love getting in my dads crew cab so much room. As for undercoating, I would pay to have it done if your going to drop that much on a truck, looks better, lasts longer, much easier to work on a non-rusty truck so u dont have rust falling in ur eyes. OR UR TANK WHEN UR CHANGING A FUEL PUMP! LOL Brush guard can save your front end, may be worth it if you live in a deer populated area.
 
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