Frustration trying to choose / what about a Suburban!

I tell ya, this RV'ing thing is hugely frustrating. Even trying to figure out what to buy! I had decided I would just buy a (likely a 1-ton) pickup and a truck camper. New is really expensive! So, used. Each time I have looked at one that caught my eye, something got me. The last TC I looked at, I don't think the seller is shooting me straight, plus, it seems overpriced. And even if I bought it, then I have to find a truck that is not worn out. Buying a new 1-ton again provides sticker shock.

A Pleasure Way Plateau something or another model caught my eye as I viewed some Youtube videos. I watched the entire thing and, my, I was impressed. I guess it's a Class C. I wondered if you could even pull a boat with that thing, but it sure was nice. And then I googled around and found out it's $150k! Sheesh.

So, back to thinking of simply a topper or cap or whatever you want to call it for a pickup (even a 3/4 ton), and a portable A/C somehow rigged up to pipe in cold air to the back. Problems, always problems here and there. The top priority here is a cool place to sleep. A bathroom and interior space would be great but not entirely necessary.

I got to thinking... what about a Suburban? Main issue here is to be able to haul gear plus have a place to sleep for me and sometimes my g/f; but I am 6'2" tall, so, I need 74" or so of length. Compounding that problem is it has to be able to be cooled. It is terribly hot in the south. I suppose I cannot run the Suburban engine for fear of carbon monoxide. I have two portable generators. One might be sufficient or I could run them in parallel. Maybe it would be possible to make a rig to pipe in cold air from a window A/C. Or what about installing a roof A/C on top the Suburban; could you run that off a generator? Might even be able to rig the generator off the rear bumper?

If a Suburban type vehicle would work, it could be had for a 'reasonable' amount (just say $20k to $30k used or $50k to $60k new), and then customize it. You could get/modify one to be stout enough to pull a boat. The whole idea seems so much simpler than other options, plus, not making the mistake of buying an uber expensive RV and then find out you regret it. Anyone ever done this? Now, I gotta figure out if a Suburban has enough floor space for us to sleep, lol.

Truck Campers

KD4UPL
Explorer
Jun 09, 2017
Do you have to camp in off grid locations? I like an off grid spot from time to time but if I must have AC then I camp in a campground with electric hook-ups. There's no way I'd want to run a generator all night. In most campgrounds that's not even allowed.
You can buy a brand new 4wd 3500 truck for less than $40,000 if you really want a new one. They do hold their value well, that's why used ones are so expensive.
There are a lot of nice truck campers available for well under $20,000. There's plenty of nice Class C's available for under $50,000.
Where are you looking? Have you tried RV Trader?
Fisher_Bill
Explorer
Jun 08, 2017
SO from what I'm reading it sounds like AC is close to the top of your list, I'd go with a used unit that already has the amenities you want, more hassle to add stuff to a rig that never had it, as Reddog pointed out, they're 100's of used rigs that can work for you and some good deals if you don't mind a 10-15 year old unit.

I think a short class B might be a good option other than a pick up camper.

We just changed to a 5er and I'm either thinking a Portabote or I have a front receiver that I can plug in a tall T bar and add a rack to the cab for either a car topper or a couple of Kayaks but I have not made a decision on either.

Bill
Reddog1
Explorer II
Jun 08, 2017
livemusic, what is your intended use for a RV? What is your intended frequency of use, where do you want to camp? How many people will occupy your RV?

More information would be helpful.

Wayne
languiduck
Explorer
Jun 08, 2017
If you want to tow a boat, but don't want to spend the $ on a slide in and a truck...but also don't want a self powered RV, but need A/C at night then perhaps you could consider that those thousands of dollars can buy a lot of hotel rooms nights. Guess I'm not exactly sure what you're asking. Most folks here use a TC because of the off hwy capabilities, towing ability, and the ability to still have a functioning pickup truck after unloading the camper. If you don't like or want any of that, they why are you considering a TC? You can tow a bass boat behind a car so towing capability isn't really a factor for you.
livemusic
Explorer
Jun 08, 2017
Thanks for the posts, helpful info. A Suburban or van could work. As for a boat, my boat is a small bassboat, 40hp, 17' aluminum. A Class B could work if it could pull a boat. But for general use, might be more practical (and cheaper) to find a used Suburban or the like, or a van. Pondering...

Whatever it is, gotta be able to have A/C during the night. We have had brutal summers around here and I fish. I am talking 105 to 110 degree days, but the most important thing is the hot nights. If it's a 78 degree low and muggy at night, I can't sleep.
Reddog1
Explorer II
Jun 08, 2017
I'm thinking maybe you are in shopping overload. You have looked at many options, and my bet is they are starting to run together. My approach to this RV thing is very different than most. I suggest you give serious thought to how much money you are willing to spend on the total package.

Used Truck camper prices are all over the place, I think $6,000 to $15,000 would be a good spread to consider. A 4 year old TC can have as many issues as a 15 year old TC. Typically their issues are the same. A TC is rarely an investment, they go down in value every year.

You can get a real nice used truck for $10,000 to $20,000. From what I have seen, Texas has some good buys one trucks. I suggest a 4x4 DRW Diesel, preferably a 8' bed Dodge. There are very few TCs it cannot handle. I would avoid the 2007 and newer trucks due to the EPA required stuff they have.

Personally I am not, and never have been, a big fan of buying new vehicles. I purchased my 2004 Dodge DRW 4x4 Quad Cab last year for $19,000. I have spent another $3,000 on tires, brakes and minor modifications. I am very pleased with my truck.

I purchased my 11.5 foot 4,000 pound Bigfoot TC in 2004. It was 16 years old. I paid $1,000. Over the following three years I spent over $8000 on upgrades. I hauled my 4,000 lb TC on my 2500 SRW 1996 Dodge.

I also pulled my 3,000 lb Samurai behind each of the trucks.

2004 truck and 1988 Camper
burningman
Explorer II
Jun 08, 2017
Ok first of all there's not enough info here to even answer.
When you say you want it to pull a "boat", how big of a boat?
Without that info, no one can give you a meaningful suggestion.
cewillis
Explorer
Jun 08, 2017
My wife and I camped in a Suburban for several years. Plenty of sleeping room (I'm 6-3). The only problem was moving all the stuff in and out to make room to sleep.
I must mention that we lived in N. California at the time, so excessive heat / humidity wasn't a problem.
coolmom42
Explorer II
Jun 08, 2017
Look at Ford Transit high tops if you just want to do a conversion. Much better than a SUV.
RedRocket204
Explorer
Jun 08, 2017
OP,

Seems you are now finding out there is no perfect RV solution that handles 100% of the situations RV'rs want to deal with. Although your initial post in this thread didn't state towing a boat is a priority, it kind of sounds like it might be.

So, if having a boat is a priority, what kind of boat is sufficient? There are plenty of smaller boat options one could roof mount on many tow vehicles or one could even go with something like a Porta Bote and small outboard.

If the boat you're referencing is too large and must be trailered, honestly, your best option really is a truck and TC. Using a motorhome (A, B or C) to tow a boat is fine but there are also considerations there as well. Will that motorhome sufficiently put in/out a larger boat on a steep and possibly slick ramp? Will you want to break camp each time you need to trailer the boat?

A TC manages those issues better as you can drop your TC and setup camp, leave camp setup and go use your boat with really, a proper tow vehicle for a larger boat. Just a FYI that I do see from time to time people on craigslist selling a combo TV/TC setup that seems reasonable. They are usually older units but also carry a more reasonable price. You are correct though, trying to buy a modern TC is usually a lot more expensive that it seems it should be. The bigger TCs with a slide(s) also weigh a lot and require a very stout TV... which is good money too. Try and be patient and look for a combo deal someone is listing for sale. You may also need to travel from your local area to find something suitable.