Forum Discussion

nhshep's avatar
nhshep
Explorer
Feb 28, 2021

3/4 or 1 ton SUV ?

Crazy question. We loved our Travel trailer. Weight 6,100 lbs. Length 28 foot. Towed it with Dodge Durango V8. Never had an issue towing. Recently moved to 5th wheel keeping it as seasonal for now. Do not like the idea buying open bed truck where we have no use for the open bed except to handle the hitch to tow the 5'er.

Would love to gone with a larger TT 10k or 12k lbs 34 ft. But would have to change to a 3/4 or 1 ton truck. We have no use for open bed truck.

Why have they not made a 3/4 or 1 ton SUV. Is it lack of demand or an engineering issue. What is wrong with putting a larger engine inside an SUV to accommodate towing capacity and make it longer for wheel base. Give those who tow larger TT the inside SUV function when not towing (maybe 3 row seating like the Durango).

Putting a cap on a truck is not the same. It would not have doors and seats like a SUV. (No offense to those who have a truck with a cap).

There must be plenty of people who would love to have an SUV with more towing capacity so they are not limited to less than 10,000 lbs and forced to go with a 3/4 OR 1 Ton truck with open bed.
Tow Vehicles
  • valhalla360's avatar
    valhalla360
    Navigator
    Mar 01, 2021
    Suburbans were available but I believe there was little demand. I think the big 4 door pickup cabs killed them.

    3/4 & 1 ton vans are still available. They used to be a common tow vehicle but again, the big 4 door pickups have largely supplanted them.
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Mar 01, 2021
    nhshep, I agree with you. I don’t understand why there are no HD suvs produced anymore.
    Maybe 10-15 years ago when they were going extinct, the oil prices, mfg costs, economy, demand for HD suvs with the popularity and availability of crew cab trucks....may have not been worth it.
    But now, with the supply of used HD suvs being very scarce and nowhere near the luxury capability and power levels of new trucks, I believe if just one of the big 3 put out a 8 lug SUV with gas and diesel options, they would absolutely clean house for a while.
    Sales would be through the roof for a while, at least until the market was saturated with them or another recession.
    Personally, I’d choose a crew cab truck over a suv 11 out of 10 times, but after owning my first suv in 25+ years (if a rusted out 1980 Blazer plow rig counts), last year, I totally see the preference and utility of them.
  • KD4UPL's avatar
    KD4UPL
    Explorer
    Feb 28, 2021
    "They" have made them, Ford and GM both. 2500 series Suburban production lasted until 2013. I'm not sure when it started, 1980's I guess, maybe the '70s.
    Ford made the Excursion from 2000 to 2005.
    The best tow rating for a 2500 Suburban will be a 2001 thru 2007 model with the 8.1L big block, these were rated up to 12,000 pounds. Newer ones (like my 2009) are only rated for a bit over 9,000 pounds. My 2500 Suburban does a great job towing my 6,500 pound boat with up to 7 people and their gear riding inside the vehicle.
  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator II
    Feb 28, 2021
    It's probably all in the economics for the manufacturers. If they don't see a robust market for a product they tend to not offer it.

    There are 3/4 and one ton vans available. I considered one but do not like the front seat foot room especially for the passenger.

    Getting into the SUVs, you can get a 3/4 ton excursion or Suburban, but they haven't made them in many years. On the plus side, they are fairly inexpensive compared to a late model vehicle.

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