Why a pickup?

burningman wrote:
You just have to pay attention to what you're talking about when you say "SUV".
That tag gets slapped on everything from unibody econobox compacts to Excursions that are 3/4 trucks with a roof over the bed.
If you specifically mean towing with a truck-chassis "SUV", they're fine.
I wouldn't use an SUV based on car drivetrain parts.

I also don't like towing trailers (other than 5th wheel or gooseneck) that are bigger and heavier than the truck pulling them. Some rainy day in a curve some screwy thing will happen and you'll see why.

Excursions are a LOT MORE than a "3/4 with a roof over the bed".

That roof also includes a lot of HEAVY glass windows, extra carpet, extra seats along with the extra steel weight of the roof..

All of that "extra roof" adds considerable amount of weight to the curb weight of the vehicle.. Every bit of that extra weight takes away from the available CARGO weight.

SUVs WILL have LESS available cargo weight no matter if it is based off of a "car" chassis or a "truck" chassis when compared to a open bed truck..

The reason?

Vehicles are broken down into weight classes, based off the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating).

1/2ton or less will have a class of 1 or 2 meaning the max GVWR will be 8K lbs or less.

3/4 ton trucks can be class 2 or 3 with a max GVWR of 9900 lbs..

1 ton trucks can be class 3 or 4 with GVWR of 9900 lbs up to 14,000 lbs or so..

Curb weight is subtracted from the GVWR to give you the available cargo weight rating (although the new yellow stickers take into account the driver and fuel).. The more curb weight you have the less cargo weight you will have to use.

That IS the main problem with ANY modern "station wagon" which now days is called a "SUV"..

Nothing wrong with them, if you like them and they have the capacity that you NEED..

But, it is more about the "right tool for the job", if you need more cargo weight, the only way to go is move up to a heavier class vehicle.. Be it a 1/2 ton truck, 3/4 ton truck or 1 ton and above, selecting one that gives you the needed payload is always best..