When you should have bought a max

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ColoradoJon

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I figured some of you would get a chuckle. Took my four kids, the dog, the cat and my wife of course on a 700 mile road trip. We got great mpg except when the wind was super strong. Saw 23 avg but overall probably at 17. Love this rig. PXL_20211124_161104817.jpg
 

4CHN8

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Last year with COVID and the family working and schooling remotely we took a six week drive across the country. In a Honda Odyssey, with a box up top and a hitch cargo carrier. In Colorado we spent 10 days in the rockies and we rented a Max for that portion of the trip. We still used the hitch rack even with the extra space.

We also sold the Ody when we got home and have a 2020 Max now.
 

Skmcclain

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We do the same kicking myself now for not getting a max. 4 kids and a dog too! I travel to 800 miles and back, every couple of months. We even had to buy a enclosed trailer for when we need more room!
 

MxRacer965

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I always tell anyone that asks to get the bigger vehicle, whatever it is. I’ve never complained about having too much space.

We’ve only got 2 kids, but have 2 large dogs, and routinely haul my parents or others as well. So there was no question or hesitation; Max was it. If there was a larger mass produced SUV we would have bought that instead.

Hauled wife and I plus 2 other couples on an adults only trip from MI to Gatlinburg, TN earlier this year. 11 hours each way, everyone was comfortable and had plenty of space. I did use a hitch mounted carrier though for wood.
 
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ColoradoJon

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Thanks, I know I am not the only one now.... I debated getting the max but found this as a better deal. I figured I would only miss the space on long trips. We only do it very rarely although we are up in the mtns a lot. Camping this year and pulling the TT we had plenty of room and weight. I had thought of having a small trailer just for stuff like this but don't want to store it. This trip went well. I am frustrated the bars aren't more adjustable. The carrier couldn't really settle up there like it would in my 1st gen Sequoia. Wish I had more options. It shook its clamps loose on the front to allow it to slide in the front on the way down and up. Luckily they didn't come off completely. I tried balancing weight to help but we had pretty strong headwinds. Threw a strap on it to keep it cinched.
 

tommyddsr

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I have a 2009 EL (MAX for you newer owners) and it is nice to be able to shove a 4x8 sheet of plywood in the back and close the hatch. Then I just unload whenever I get to it :) I wouldn't ever go back to the shorty.
 

bobvance2005

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I don't know how you non-max guys do it. I just got back from a week-long trip with 3 adults, 2 kids, and 1 small dog, and the Expy was too full. I would buy an even bigger version if I could.
 

timo482

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i can "just" get the non el 2008 in the garage.. 6 more inches and it would be dubious.. a max would have to sit outside all year
 

keny01998

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I took my 2019 short base to Florida with 3 adults, 3 teens, and a 3 years old. Everybody felt comfortable during the 17 hours trip and I had to use the roof rack for coolers, lawn chairs, etc. I was thinking about the Max but extra $2k plus troubles when parallel parking, I decided the short base :)
 
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