Sports utility vehicles (SUVs) are ideal for towing small campers. A full-sized SUV, such as a Chevrolet Suburban or Ford Expedition, will be more than sufficient, and is ideal for large families or those who need to tow a larger object, such as a boat, in addition to a small camper. However, gas mileage is not optimal with many full-sized SUVs, and a small or midsized SUV, such as a Jeep Grand Cherokee or Honda CR-V will also do the trick with better gas mileage and less wasted space for small families or couples.
A pickup truck provides ample storage space, with the disadvantage that there is less seating. However, some trucks have roomy cabs that can seat three people with plenty of room. A small truck such as a Ford Ranger or Toyota Tacoma may be appropriate for compact campers. However, a larger truck, such as a Ford F-150 or Chevrolet Silverado can generally tow with much less stress on the engine, as noted at Edmunds online. You might also consider purchasing a diesel truck, particularly if you have or plan on buying a bigger camper in the future. Although diesel fuel is more expensive than regular fuel and purchase prices tend to be higher, a diesel engine will pull virtually any load with ease and run for more miles than a gas vehicle.
Like large SUVs, a van is ideal for families who also need adequate towing capabilities. A minivan such as a Dodge Grand Caravan or Honda Odyssey is usually equipped to handle a small camper, and they often offer better gas mileage than SUVs. They also tend to have very high safety ratings, according to Edmunds. A full-sized van can seat up to 12 passengers, and is ideal for large families and groups who also need towing performance.
