Trucks have long been associated with rugged work and hauling, but modern pickups are increasingly appealing to families. If you’re considering a truck as your next family vehicle, one of the most crucial decisions you’ll make is choosing the right cab size. The cab size directly impacts passenger space, car seat accommodation, and overall family comfort. Not all truck cabs are created equal when it comes to family needs. Let’s break down the different cab options to determine the Best Family Truck for your precious cargo.
Standard Cabs: Not Family-Friendly
Standard cabs, also known as regular cabs, are the most basic configuration. They feature a single row of seats and are primarily designed for work purposes where passenger capacity is minimal.
- Single Row Seating: Limited to just one row, standard cabs only accommodate the driver and possibly one or two passengers at most.
- Zero Backseat Space: There is no backseat in a standard cab, making them completely unsuitable for families with children.
- Not a Family Vehicle: Due to the lack of rear seating, standard cabs are definitively not designed or recommended as a family vehicle.
For families, a standard cab truck is simply not a practical option. The lack of rear seating and passenger space makes it impossible to safely and comfortably transport children. When considering the best family truck, standard cabs should be immediately ruled out.
Extended / Quad Cabs: Okay for Occasional Use
Extended cabs, sometimes referred to as Quad Cabs or Access Cabs depending on the manufacturer, offer a slight increase in passenger capacity compared to standard cabs. They include a small backseat area, typically accessed via rear-hinged doors or smaller conventional doors.
- Small Back Seat: Extended cabs feature a compact back seat, often with limited legroom and headroom.
- Suitable for Occasional Passengers or Older Children: This backseat space can work in a pinch for short trips with older children or occasional adult passengers.
- Tight for Multiple Car Seats: Fitting three car seats across in an extended cab is highly unlikely and generally not recommended. Even installing two car seats can be a challenge depending on their size and the truck model.
- Not Ideal for Three Car Seats: Due to the limited width and depth of the backseat, extended cabs are not ideal for families needing to install multiple car seats, especially three across.
While an extended cab offers more flexibility than a standard cab, it still falls short of being a truly family-friendly truck. For families with more than one child or those who frequently transport passengers, an extended cab may prove too cramped. It’s a step up, but not the best family truck solution for most.
Double Cabs: Better, But Still Limited
Double cabs provide a further improvement in rear passenger space compared to extended cabs. They feature a larger back seat area and typically come with four conventionally hinged doors, making rear access easier.
- Larger Back Seat (than Extended Cabs): Double cabs offer a more spacious backseat compared to extended cabs, providing more legroom and shoulder room.
- Better for Families (than Extended Cabs): The increased rear space makes double cabs a more viable option for families than extended cabs, especially for families with older children or those who need to occasionally transport adult passengers.
- Potentially Tight for Three Car Seats: While better than extended cabs, double cabs can still be tight when attempting to fit three car seats across. It may be possible with slim car seats in certain models, but it’s not guaranteed and can be a squeeze.
- Smaller than Crew Cabs: It’s important to note that double cab backseats are generally smaller than those found in crew cabs, meaning less overall space and potentially less comfort for rear passengers on longer journeys.
Double cabs represent a significant improvement for families compared to extended cabs and standard cabs. They can work for smaller families or those who prioritize bed length over maximum rear passenger space. However, for families needing to regularly transport three children or prioritize maximum rear seat comfort, a double cab might still feel limiting. It’s getting closer, but not quite the best family truck in terms of family practicality.
Crew Cabs: The Ideal Family Truck Cab
Crew cabs are widely considered the best family truck cab size due to their focus on maximizing rear passenger space. They feature a full-size second-row bench seat and four full-size doors, offering comparable rear passenger room to many SUVs.
- Full-Size Second Row Bench: Crew cabs boast a spacious second-row bench seat that comfortably accommodates three adults or multiple car seats.
- Necessary Width and Depth for Three Car Seats: The generous width and depth of a crew cab backseat make fitting three car seats across a much more achievable and comfortable task.
- Four Full-Size Doors for Easy Access: Crew cabs come standard with four full-size doors, providing easy access to both the front and rear seats – a huge convenience for families loading children and car seats.
- Family-Focused Design: Crew cabs are specifically designed to cater to families, offering a blend of truck utility and passenger comfort.
For families seeking a truck that can truly function as a family vehicle, the crew cab is the clear frontrunner. The ample rear space, ease of access, and car seat compatibility make crew cabs the best family truck option for most. They strike a balance between truck capability and family practicality.
Mega Cabs / CrewMax / SuperCrew Cabs: Ultimate Family Space
Taking family-friendliness a step further are the mega cab (Ram), CrewMax (Toyota), and SuperCrew (Ford) configurations. These are essentially extended crew cabs, offering even more interior space, especially in the rear seat area.
- Extra Interior Space: These cab types provide even more rear legroom and overall interior volume than standard crew cabs.
- Ample Room for Three Car Seats and Cargo: Mega, CrewMax, and SuperCrew cabs offer exceptional space for fitting three car seats with room to spare. The extra legroom also translates to more space for diaper bags, backpacks, and other family essentials.
- Superior Rear Passenger Comfort: The increased rear space makes these cabs incredibly comfortable for rear passengers, even on long road trips.
- The Top Choice for the Best Family Truck: For families who prioritize maximum space and comfort, and who want the absolute best family truck in terms of passenger capacity, these extended crew cab options are the ultimate choice.
When it comes to the best family truck for maximum family comfort and space, Mega Cabs, CrewMax, and SuperCrew cabs stand out. They offer limousine-like rear legroom in a pickup truck format, making them ideal for larger families or those who simply want the most spacious truck cabin available.
Which Cab Size is Truly the Best for Families?
While double cabs can work for some smaller families, and extended cabs are suitable only for very occasional rear passengers, crew cabs are undeniably the best cab size for families. Specifically, if you are serious about maximizing family space and comfort in a truck, the Mega Cabs, CrewMax, and SuperCrew Cabs are what we wholeheartedly recommend when you are truck shopping.
These cab types offer a genuinely full-size second-row bench with generous width and depth, making it significantly easier to comfortably fit three car seats across. While slim car seats can be helpful in any three-across situation, the sheer size of these benches often means you might not even need them. They truly are that family-friendly.
Furthermore, these cabs universally come equipped with four full-size doors. This seemingly simple feature is a game-changer for families, making school pickup lines and everyday errands much less of a hassle. The abundant back row space also provides ample legroom, creating a far more pleasant ride for passengers of all ages, especially on longer journeys.
If you’re considering a truck as a primary or secondary family vehicle, opting for a crew cab is not just recommended – it’s essential. While it may result in a slightly larger vehicle overall, the immense benefits in rear passenger space and family practicality are well worth it. You will never regret having the extra room of a crew cab when you need it. For families, the crew cab is without question the best family truck configuration.
Car Seat Recommendations for Your Family Truck
Even with the spaciousness of crew cabs, especially Mega/CrewMax/SuperCrew models, choosing the right car seats can further optimize space and ensure proper installation. While the wider bench seats in these trucks simplify car seat installation, we still advise considering slim car seats, particularly when fitting three across. Using slim car seats provides valuable extra inches, which can be beneficial for accessing tether anchors and ensuring secure LATCH installations.
If you’re looking for recommendations on slim car seats that work well in trucks and other vehicles, resources are available to guide you. For a reliable and versatile slim car seat, the Graco SlimFit 3LX is consistently a top choice. It’s a go-to option for many car seat experts when evaluating vehicle backseats due to its relatively compact footprint and ease of installation. If a truck’s second row can comfortably accommodate the Graco SlimFit 3LX, fitting three car seats across is highly likely to be successful.
Regardless of the car seats you choose, safety is paramount. We strongly recommend bringing your chosen car seats with you when test driving any truck you are considering. Install the car seats exactly as you would in your own vehicle to ensure a proper fit and secure installation in the specific truck model. This hands-on approach is the only foolproof method to guarantee that the truck and your car seats will work seamlessly for your family’s needs. Prioritize safety and practical testing when selecting the best family truck for your crew.
Trucks Can Be Fantastic Family Haulers
While trucks might not be the first vehicle type that comes to mind when thinking about family vehicles, they can indeed be outstanding family haulers. The key lies in aligning the vehicle’s capabilities with your family’s lifestyle and needs. A truck, especially a crew cab model, offers a unique blend of utility and flexibility that is unmatched by most SUVs or minivans. For families who require hauling capacity for boats, trailers, camping gear, or work-related equipment, a truck can be an ideal choice.
While prioritizing children’s needs is essential when choosing a family vehicle, it’s also important to consider the entire family’s lifestyle and requirements. A crew cab truck can be the perfect solution, meeting both passenger space needs and hauling demands. This makes a well-chosen truck a genuinely solid option as a primary or secondary family vehicle. When you need both passenger space and serious capability, a crew cab truck truly can be the best family truck for your family adventures and everyday life.
