When you should have bought a max

[ColoradoJon]

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.

 

[victorb3]

I got a 2021 Max this year and for this past summer's vacation with wife, 2 kids and a dog we still used rear hitch and roof top cargo carriers. I wish I had picture.

... and BTW, I had just 1 duffel bag for my myself .

 

[4CHN8]

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]

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]

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.

 

[ColoradoJon]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[Anerbe]

Wish on the 5% of it's annual use I'd have a Max, otherwise, feels better to not have it sit outside year round with Michigan winters.

 

[F150 Pat]

Didn't get the max and not sorry. I can always put the rack on the back or the roof. I much prefer the garage space. And I have no kids anymore either.

 

[balthisar]

I had a 2019 Max, and have a 2004 from when there was no Max/EL. Wished I’d had the Max on a 2019 cross-country road trip with an emphasis on camping with the 2029. Just fine on a current cross-country non-camping trip with the ‘04.

Have the ocasional need for three rows plus storage, though, so the Max is what I ordered.

 

[sjwhiteley]

If you need a big SUV because you think you need the room (kids, pets, travelling) then you need the MAX. I almost fell into that trap when buying my first full size SUV many moons ago. Granted, don't 'need' it every day, but not having to worry about it when you do: priceless.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

I originally got the EL for our pack of dogs only to have them all curl up in a corner together. I had some buyer's remorse for a bit as the standard length handled so much better in my test drives. Once I replaced my rear shocks with Bilsteins and my Pirellis w/ Michelins though, the handling gap shrunk quite a bit. I also started hauling things that were 8' L (or a hair more) that I never would have fit in a standard length. Now I can't picture my life without something this big.

 

[MxRacer965]

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

I just don’t go anywhere I’d need to parallel park. I have no desire to park any of my vehicles on a street regardless of what they cost me. Just asking for stupid to happen and mess up my car. Yeah, it can happen in a parking lot as well, but in a parking lot there also aren’t cars driving past constantly along with people walking by constantly. Not to mention the people that intentionally park using braille.

 

[2020MaxStealth]

We had 2 kayaks and 4 extra tubs on top of a fun call for a family vacation. Even the Max isn't enough sometimes!

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

View attachment 71366

We had 2 kayaks and 4 extra tubs on top of a fun call for a family vacation. Even the Max isn't enough sometimes!

I picked up 7 boxed miter saws today. I managed to fit 6 in the back of my EL. #7 had to get strapped to the roof rack.

 

[wannabeMtb]

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. View attachment 71129

Can I ask what was the roof rack crossbars you had in this? Was it the factory installed crossbars or an aftermarket one ? I am planning a similar setup; but had heard that the factory installed crossbars are flimsy. Love to hear your experience.

 

[ColoradoJon]

@wannabeMtb the rack is factory. I had to put the bars in the closest position to get my topper on. I am curious what is out there aftermarket. Haven't done enough digging though. I probably won't put the same box up to there without doing something different. Just didn't stay put.