Our GMC Safari is getting long in the tooth.We sleep in the Safari, (Nice Double Mattress) and tow a 10' cargo trailer with all our Stuff in it. (Porta potty, Denali Camp Stove, Portable Sink, Pantry, Linen closet, Comfortable lawn chairs, 6' folding tables & Chairs and MUCH more...)We love the V8 Power a truck chassis, but its getting OLD, and they don't make anything like it anymore...We want something that is the size and shape of our Safari, removable Benches (we never use them) that has decent towing capacity) but don't need a MONSTER as we only haul the cargo trailer...if we upgrade THAT it will be to a 6x12 SA w/electric brakes.Suggestions?Ooops...sorry forgot, it is only the two of us, and we are fair weather campers... that's why we don't need a proper camper...

Ford Transit short wheelbase, low roof, is probably the closest you'll get to the size of a Safari. The 3.5L twin-turbo completely smokes any sub-6-liter V8. It has removable captains chairs which recline individually. And, it'll drive way better than the Safari in every way, and still be able to tow 7500 pounds.

Have you considered a truck with a topper? You could rig up a comfortable setup in the bed and have plenty of towing capacity.

V8 power in a Safari??? I thought the Safari was an Astro twin, with a 4.3 V6. The new Transit would me much better in every respect, with the exception of AWD availability. AWD is about a $12K conversion on a Transit. After sleeping in a van there's no way I'd want to sleep in the back of a pickup, just not enough room.

I had a Safari and a Astro both of which were AWD. They were the best hunting vehicles. Nice size and power for towing my boat. Amazing how much mud,snow and logging road they could handle. My next AWD van was a Chrysler T&C. Best slippery road vehicle I have ever owned including 4 Jeeps. The T&C was surprisingly a good tow vehicle for my boats. The new ones can be had with a monster V-6 that isn't your mothers minivan. For pulling a 10 ft cargo trailer they should work great not to mention a really smooth ride and OK gas mileage.

Need a Replacement for GMC Safari | Good Sam Community

marquette
Explorer
May 01, 2016
I had a Safari and a Astro both of which were AWD. They were the best hunting vehicles. Nice size and power for towing my boat. Amazing how much mud,snow and logging road they could handle. My next AWD van was a Chrysler T&C. Best slippery road vehicle I have ever owned including 4 Jeeps. The T&C was surprisingly a good tow vehicle for my boats. The new ones can be had with a monster V-6 that isn't your mothers minivan. For pulling a 10 ft cargo trailer they should work great not to mention a really smooth ride and OK gas mileage.
rjstractor
Nomad
May 01, 2016
V8 power in a Safari??? I thought the Safari was an Astro twin, with a 4.3 V6. The new Transit would me much better in every respect, with the exception of AWD availability. AWD is about a $12K conversion on a Transit. After sleeping in a van there's no way I'd want to sleep in the back of a pickup, just not enough room.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Apr 30, 2016
Chevy Avalanche with a topper.
IdaD
Explorer
Apr 30, 2016
Have you considered a truck with a topper? You could rig up a comfortable setup in the bed and have plenty of towing capacity.
carringb
Explorer
Apr 30, 2016
Ford Transit short wheelbase, low roof, is probably the closest you'll get to the size of a Safari. The 3.5L twin-turbo completely smokes any sub-6-liter V8. It has removable captains chairs which recline individually. And, it'll drive way better than the Safari in every way, and still be able to tow 7500 pounds.

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Need a Replacement for GMC Safari

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