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Author Topic: What is the best SUV for car camping (and just overall)?  (Read 2486 times)

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Re: What is the best SUV for car camping (and just overall)?
« Reply #15 on: June 15, 2021, 10:49:25 AM »
Crew cab pickup with 8’ bed and openable rear window.

Then get a topper with connective rubber boot and openable window so you can pump heat into truck bed from cab.

You can get 2 military cots side x side and still have 2’ at the end (and under cots) for storage/supplies.  

The truck bed should also have led lights inside, and an electrical outlet.

This setup has way more capability, room, and comfort that an suv.

Re: What is the best SUV for car camping (and just overall)?
« Reply #16 on: June 15, 2021, 12:15:55 PM »


Re: What is the best SUV for car camping (and just overall)?
« Reply #17 on: June 15, 2021, 12:23:34 PM »
Sean’s suggestion has virtue, and one could built upon that with a slide in camper.  On the other hand, having “been there done that” but not with the slide in, there can be disadvantages.
 
A pickup is great if mostly used for camping in remote areas and occasional utility runs (solid waste transfer station, hardware store / lumber yard), etc., and there is another smaller, more nimble, more economical rig when the behemoth isn’t needed.  A full size pickup will get 15 – 17 mpg on a good day, though I believe the OP lives in the southeast where gas prices are lower than here in the northwest.  My Dodge Ram ½ ton crew cab with only a 6’ box can be a pain maneuvering in town traffic and getting in and out of parking slots.  I so appreciate its now companion Ford Focus (37 mpg average, front wheel drive so not a SUV, but it does well in snow with good tires but it doesn’t have a lot of ground clerance) as the daily ride, and with the back seat down there is an amazing amount of cargo space.
 
For my future planning I’ll look at a smaller SUV because of AWD/4WD and more ground clearance than the Focus has, but much better fuel economy and easier maneuverability in town and parking lots than a full size pickup.  I have a 4 person stand up tent (REI Big Hut 4), a nice cot, folding camp table and chairs, large cooler, which all fit nicely in the Focus now (with back seat down), so cargo area won’t be an issue.