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Why the Chevrolet Suburban is the best SUV for a camping!
The number one reason a Chevrolet Suburban is the best SUV for camping is the space created when you remove the rear seats and fold down the middle seats, which results in a flat and lengthy platform for sleeping comfortably and plenty of space for transporting all the camping gear you need to go anywhere and camp for free.
Over the years, the Suburban has consistently been the longest SUV in its class and it is a very versatile vehicle. You can transport several people, haul a lot of stuff inside, and on top, and it has plenty of power to tow something fun behind it (my Suburban has the 5.3 L engine). With the four-wheel drive option, which I highly recommend, it is enables you to go just about anywhere for SUV camping.
It is also a reliable vehicle with a very reasonable cost to maintain. It ranks high on longevity lists for both years in service and total miles driven. Given the fact that it is built on the same or similar platform as the Chevy Tahoe and Silverado along with the GMC Yukon and Sierra means parts are plentiful and affordable. The engine design is simple, so there are plenty of people who know how to perform repairs, and they are fairly easy to work on yourself, if you choose. It is also important to note it is the longest continuously used automobile nameplate in production. To learn more facts like this check out the Wikipedia page.
Also, for some good perspective, here is a comparison of the Suburban vs. its competition in 2000.
And here is a nice article about all the generations of the Suburban. Speaking of generations….
Why the 9th Generation?
This generation was introduced in 2000 and was produced through the 2006 model year. There were two beneficial changes in this generation. First, was the re-location of the spare tire from the cargo area to underneath the vehicle, which frees up more space for sleeping and camping supplies. Second, was the utilization of a lift-gate rear door versus barn doors. There is much debate on which is better, and I am squarely in the lift-gate camp. It provides a quick shelter from sun and rain, frees up movement around the vehicle, and helps reinforce a canopy. The exception would be if you are 6’ 2’’ or taller as that is the clearance level under the liftgate.
The biggest reason to buy the 9th generation is they are affordable. You can get a great rig for $3,000 to $6,000 dollars. I paid $3,350 for my 2000 Chevrolet Suburban LT with 167,000 miles. If you utilize the no build approach to convert a Suburban to a camper, then you can outfit it for $1,500 to $2,500, so at the top end you are looking at a total investment of $8,500, which makes it a very affordable outdoor adventure camper, especially when compared to a RV, conversion van, or a truck bed camper.
What about the 10th generation?
The 10th generation was produced from 2007 to 2014, and thanks to YouTube Creator MtnWandererTiedye, who provided the pictures featured in this section, I know the second row seats do not fold flat, so it requires modifications to create a flat sleeping surface for SUV camping. MtnWandererTiedye built a platform that connects with the folded down 2nd row seats. You can view a video of their setup here. Be sure to watch the entire video, so you can also check out the cool custom shelving and their dual battery setup.
What about other vehicles?
Much of the information on this site can be applied to SUV camping in other vehicles. Most of the information applies directly to SUV camping in the GMC Yukon XL. In fact, when I began my search, I ended up buying a GMC Yukon XL Denali, but the dealer was unable to get it registered, so I returned it, and ended up in my Suburban.
Watch this YouTube video to learn more about utilizing a Chevrolet Suburban as a camper…
Ready to buy a Suburban?
First, check out the Used Car Buying Guide