Hello all. I think posting this is more or less for me to complain as I'm fairly knowledgeable about this but what is everybody using to tow their heavy campers with? By heavy I'm not talking about a 6500lb bumper pull. I mean like my 2015 Heritage Glen 312QBUD that weighs 9400lbs ish loaded. I'm interested in maybe knowing why these rv companies aren't communicating with the auto industry. Rv companies put out large multiple slide campers like mine with bunks that can sleep large families comfortably so they would assume you have a large family but why haven't there been any SUVs built after 2007 (3/4 ton suburban with the 8.1L engine) that can tow more than 9600lbs? What happened to the SUVs in the early to mid 2000s like those suburbans and excursions that towed up to 12,000lbs? Here's why this came up. Having a family of 5 (hoping to be 6 soon) packing a whole family into a pickup (even the largest crew cab) isn't very comfy. Especially with car seats and a dog on the floor. The new body style Suburbans in 3/4ton only tow a maximum of 9600lbs with that power lacking 6.0L engine and that's calculated with one 150lb male and 1/2 tank of gas/NO gear. Load me (well over 150lbs) and the family in plus all the gear and I'm well over the GCVW. I like to also have a good buffer. So what is one to tow with these days that could hold 6 plus tow a heavy camper? Vans are out as my wife hates them plus most are 2wd....won't cut it where we live. Finding an older excursion or suburban with the diesel (excursion) or 8.1l (suburban) that isn't rusted out or high mileage is tough and when you do they want too much for it. Any thoughts? Maybe some RV company lobbying to the auto industry to make them realize many people have larger families and their campers aren't light. We don't want to drive two vehicles everywhere but need to safely tow their heavy campers.

Look at a Class A gasser. Lots of room, plenty of beds in some, and about the price of a truck and trailer.

That's what we do right now. We take two vehicles but can be costly with gas and adds a whole other vehicle to deal with from accidents to break downs. When we go 8 hrs away it sucks especially having a 2 yr old that you have to pass snacks or get something he dropped etc while towing and trying to focus on that. I had a couple of class A rv's, found it to be a bit costly on maintenance and tires and all for how much I used it. It's nice not having to have to maintain a whole other engine/brake/suspensioned vehicle when my camper is always turn key ready to go. Just feels like the auto industry may not be on the same page as these camper companies as they build them really heavy and big but there's no planned SUV to handle them.

Back when I towed a 11K GVW trailer with a diesel Excursion. Those using large SUV's saw this day coming as the X was eliminated and the Suburban was watered down. Now your only option is a passenger van. A van is a very viable option unless you need 4x4 ability

Quigley in Manchester PA will upfit you a 4X4 van. Warranty service was at your local dealer, although they were surprised they had to do it. Don't know about the warranty today, but they are still in business.

Towing options now? | Good Sam Community

TurnThePage
Explorer
Aug 05, 2017
Two vehicles?
azdryheat
Explorer
Aug 05, 2017
Look at a Class A gasser. Lots of room, plenty of beds in some, and about the price of a truck and trailer.
timjame0719
Explorer
Aug 05, 2017
That's what we do right now. We take two vehicles but can be costly with gas and adds a whole other vehicle to deal with from accidents to break downs. When we go 8 hrs away it sucks especially having a 2 yr old that you have to pass snacks or get something he dropped etc while towing and trying to focus on that.

I had a couple of class A rv's, found it to be a bit costly on maintenance and tires and all for how much I used it. It's nice not having to have to maintain a whole other engine/brake/suspensioned vehicle when my camper is always turn key ready to go. Just feels like the auto industry may not be on the same page as these camper companies as they build them really heavy and big but there's no planned SUV to handle them.
Lantley
Nomad
Aug 05, 2017
Back when I towed a 11K GVW trailer with a diesel Excursion. Those using large SUV's saw this day coming as the X was eliminated and the Suburban was watered down. Now your only option is a passenger van. A van is a very viable option unless you need 4x4 ability
thomas201
Explorer
Aug 05, 2017
Quigley in Manchester PA will upfit you a 4X4 van. Warranty service was at your local dealer, although they were surprised they had to do it. Don't know about the warranty today, but they are still in business.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Aug 05, 2017
"What happened to the SUVs in the early to mid 2000s like those suburbans and excursions that towed up to 12,000lbs? "

The hot market now is in midsize SUVs. Sales drive auto manufacturer decisions.
Redwoodcamper
Explorer
Aug 05, 2017
The manufacturers understand that not too many customers have four kids and can afford to go camping like that. They know that to make a nice vehicle capable of what you want it would have to retail at 50k+. There are plenty of excursions out there you could make really nice and reliable for 20k. It seems like what you want is a little optimistic. I agree that making all SUVs unibody, weak, and most fwd is a failure on their part. They have sold our society on stupid crossovers that are worse than cars at most things but cost lots more. People are too vain to buy vans so they buy fwd SUVs that are overpriced and not very nice to drive. But for some reason people love them. I don't get that either.
KD4UPL
Explorer
Aug 05, 2017
4wd full size vans are available and super cool. If your dealer doesn't know about them find a new dealer. 2500 suburbans were made up thru 2013, not 2007. The 6.0 with 6 speed is really no slouch compared to a 8.1 4 speed. Or, get a Duramax suburban, several companies nake them including Duraburb.
timjame0719
Explorer
Aug 05, 2017
I definitely need 4x4. Living in Ohio and going through the snow belt can be challenging and my property isn't accessible without it during the winter. I suppose there wouldn't be much of a market as we maybe some of the few but they sure do sell a lot of bunkhouse model campers suggesting otherwise. Unless people just buy the bunkhouse models for their kid's friends to come along and stop by for a visit some time throughout their camping vacation. Maybe I will just take the body of my 1/2 ton suburban and mount it to a one ton diesel pickup frame. ??
Redwoodcamper
Explorer
Aug 06, 2017
My new diesel world magazine has a newer suburban that someone swapped a compound turbo Duramax in. 1050 hp. Runs low 11s and tows his trailer fine.
I would buy a V10 excursion or a 6.0 version. Pull the motor and put a 12valve in it. Easy 550hp. Dead reliable. Good mileage. Never worry again.