Table of Contents
Introduction
Most people choose camping as a way to be as far away from the modern world as possible. Some even take it as far as getting rid of all their phones and electronics throughout the whole holiday. But a lot of people agree that the best way to camp is to also have some of your home comforts with you. This means getting a camper with a comfy bed and various convenient appliances. You can go hiking and have a day full of adventures but in the end, you’ll feel better in a bed than in a sleeping bag.
But to move your camper around you need a vehicle that can handle the weight of your camper without causing any problems. Some of the most popular vehicles for towing a camper are the SUVs. They’re designed for families and some of them can handle some pretty heavy campers. This makes them an excellent choice for various vacations.
Best SUV to Tow a Camper – How to Choose
View Accessories on Amazon!
There are various things you should keep in mind when buying an SUV that can tow a camper. But the main thing you should consider is the SUVs’ towing capacity. That’s the amount your car will be able to tow safely for long journeys. Its capacity must always be more than the weight of your camper, the weight of all the luggage, and the weight of all the people that join this vacation. The higher the towing capacity the better the SUV can tow a camper.
Another very important thing you should keep in mind is that not all vehicles are designed to tow a camper, even if their towing capabilities are very high. The vehicle you choose must be specifically designed to tow something. This is because while most vehicles are capable of getting campers of certain weights going, they can get severely damaged in the process. The SUV you have in mind must be capable of resisting towing your camper.
An SUVs’ towing capability is defined by its engine. This means that you should pay attention to your car’s engine as well. Gas engines do a pretty good job when it comes to towing, but they’re not reliable for heavier loads. If you have a big camper, you should consider a diesel engine as it has more torque. And if you’re looking for an environmentally-friendly way to tow your camper, you will have to wait a few years until an electric or hybrid vehicle is capable of towing.
You should also keep in mind that SUVs with rear-wheel drive are the best for towing. All-wheel drive SUVs are also good.
In this article, we’ll talk about Our Top SUVs that can tow a camper.
Best SUV to Tow a Camper – Comparison Table
Product Name | Towing Capacity |
Lincoln Navigator | 8,700 lbs |
Chevrolet Tahoe | 8,600 lbs |
Ford Expedition Max | 6,600 lbs |
Land Rover Discovery | 7,716 lbs |
Dodge Durango | 6,200 lbs |
Ford Edge | 3,500 lbs |
Jaguar F-PACE | 5,291 lbs |
Porsche Macan | 4,409 lbs |
Ford Escape | 3,500 lbs |
Best SUV to Tow a Camper – Our Top 3 Full-Size SUV
View Accessories on Amazon!
The Lincoln Navigator is the best SUV model on the market when it comes to towing. You can use it to tow anything from very light to very heavy loads. Lincoln incorporated the best technology so you can benefit from an extraordinary performance. You will be able to enjoy any type of adventure as this SUV features a best-in-class tow rating of 8,700lbs. This allows you to move around even the heaviest campers while you’re on a vacation.
This SUV is also known for being capable of handling various types of roads. It doesn’t matter if you want to go to the beach or camping in the mountains, Lincoln Navigator can help you reach your destination effortlessly. However, while the roads don’t reduce the SUVs’ performance very much, the wind resistance can be a bit of a problem. It’s important to have a trailer frontal area of around 55 sq. ft without a heavy-duty trailer tow package. And 60 sq. ft with heavy-duty trailer tow package.
Thanks to the available driver-assist towing technologies, this SUV can help you tow your camper, your boat, or other road-trip essentials. The Lincoln Navigator was specifically designed to help you tow various things with the utmost ease and confidence. If you’re looking for other Lincoln SUVs that can help you with towing, you can opt for the Aviator, Nautilus, Corsair, Continental, and MKZ models.
2 Chevrolet Tahoe – 8,600 lbs
View Accessories on Amazon!
Not far behind we have Chevrolet Tahoe, which is powerful enough to help you two up to 8,600lbs. Besides a very powerful engine, this vehicle is also designed to transport up to 8 passengers. More than that, it also comes with great cargo space. It offers a smooth ride, superior technology, and a very comfortable and luxurious interior. This SUV is a must for any heavy camping lover that goes on several vacations a year.
Regardless of your destination and what you want to bring with you, Chevrolet Tahoe is designed to deliver superior performance. It has a standard 355-horsepower, 5.3L V8 engine, and a six-speed automatic transmission. Compared to other SUVs of its size and class, the Chevrolet Tahoe offers best-in-class fuel-efficiency on both city roads and highways.
Despite being a full-size SUV, the 2020 Chevy Tahoe is extremely easy to maneuver and manage. You will benefit from precise steering and excellent handling capabilities. Regardless of the roads you take, this SUV delivers a drive that is refined and peaceful.
Its standard engine provides 383 lb.-ft. of torque, which allows for quicker acceleration and even smoother turns. Every time you’re towing, the trailer sway control monitors the steering input and can apply trailer breaks when they’re needed. No matter which path you take, your camper will stay on the same track as you.
3 Ford Expedition Max – 6,600 lbs
View Accessories on Amazon!
Ford Expedition Max is capable of towing up to 6,600lbs and is an excellent choice for active drivers that demand high hauling capabilities. You won’t find its towing capabilities on many passenger vehicles. Depending on the model and drivetrain, the For Expedition lineup has a towing capability ranging from 6,500lbs to 6,600lbs. But this two-wheel-drive SUV has the highest hauling capability at 6,600lbs.
With the Ford Expedition Max, all you have to do is prepare for camping as you can leave the towing worries to your SUV. It’s also capable of withstanding a wide range of roads and offers a pretty fuel-efficient experience on highways and on city roads. You can replay on this SUV to take your family and your camper anywhere you want.
More than that, you can also benefit from a heavy-duty trailer towing package that is sold separately. When you’re equipping this package on the Ford Expedition Max you will benefit from a towing capacity of 9,300lbs. However, the package is very expensive.
The package adds a heavy-duty radiator, a 3.73 electronic limited-slip differential, class-exclusive Pro Trailer Backup Assist, an integrated trailer brake controller, and two-speed automatic 4WD with neutral towing capability. You can use the Ford Expedition Max to tow a camper, boat, and a wide range of other vehicles. Its job is to get you, your family, and your camper to your destination as fast and as smoothly as possible.
Best SUV to Tow a Camper – Our top 3 Mid-Size SUV
1 Land Rover Discovery – 7,716 lbs
View Accessories on Amazon!
You don’t always have to use a full-size SUV to move your camper around. Land Rover Discovery has a towing capacity of up to 7,716lbs. This is more than enough to haul a family-size camper to the beach or anywhere you want to go. This SUV can transport up to 7 passengers and it also offers 83.7 cubic feet of cargo space. No matter what your destination is, Land Rover Discovery can handle various types of roads. You will be able to enjoy your camper wherever you want to take a vacation.
The 3.0L 6-cylinder turbodiesel engine with 254 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque offers 7,716 towing capacity. It also offers 275lbs max roof load (including roof rails), 4,900lbs curb weight, 16/21 city/highway mpg, and 23.5-gallon fuel tank, 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds and 130 mph top speed. This means you will benefit from an excellent performance on both highways and on city roads.
However, this is not your only choice. You can also pick the 3.0L supercharged 6-cylinder gas engine with 340 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. It offers 8,201lbs towing capacity, 275lbs max roof load (including roof rails), 4,735lbs curb weight, 21/26 city/highway mpg, and 22.5-gallon fuel tank, 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds and 130 mph top speed. It’s not an extremely big difference but if 500lbs of towing capacity is a deciding fact for you, this engine might be the better choice.
2 Dodge Durango – 6,200 lbs
View Accessories on Amazon!
Another excellent mid-size SUV is the Dodge Durango that can haul up to 6,200lbs in its standard towing form. A great towing experience is much more than having a lot of horsepower and torque. You also need a lot of modern features that can make your towing experience as safe and controlled as possible. Dodge Durango offers three engine options and they all come with 8-speed automatic transmission for a smooth drive.
The standard 3.6L V6 Engine (SXT, GT, and Citadel trims) offers 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, and its towing capacity is 6,200lbs. You also have the 5.7L V8 Hemi Engine (R/T trim and optional on others) providing 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. Its hauling capacity grows to up to 7,400lbs. And the third option is a 6.4L V8 Hemi Engine (SRT trim and optional on others) which provides 475 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. This means your Dodge Durango will be capable of towing up to 8,700 lbs.
You can also expect a wide range of towing features with your new Dodge Durango. This includes Trailer Sway Damping, ParkView and Rear Back-Up Camera, Traction Control, Lane Departure Warning Plus, Hill Start Assist. It also has 4-wheel traction control, advanced brake assist, blind-spot and cross-path detection, electronic stability control, ready-alert braking. All these features offer you a superior driving and towing experience.
3 Ford Edge – 3,500 lbs
View Accessories on Amazon!
If you’re not looking for extreme towing capacities, Ford Edge is the perfect mid-size SUV for you. It can haul up to 3,500lbs and it offers an excellent driving experience on highways, city roads, and other types of mild roads. You will be able to get a lot of convenient appliances with you regardless of where you plan on camping. This will allow you to enjoy nature during the day but have a good night’s sleep on a comfy bed. Sleeping in a sleeping bag after a day of hiking is not for everyone.
You can choose the direct-injection, twin-scroll turbocharged 2.0L EcoBoost inline-4 engine. It offers 245 hp, 275 lb-ft of torque, and a towing capacity of 1,500 lbs. But we recommend you get the twin-turbocharged, direct-injection 2.7L EcoBoost V6 engine. It provides 335 hp, 380 lb-ft of torque, and its hauling capacity reaches 3,500lbs. Regardless of the choice you make, your Ford Edge will offer a smooth and controllable towing experience.
Ford Edge SUVs have various helpful features. And these features make towing safer and easier. This includes AdvanceTrac with RSC (Roll Stability Control) and Curve Control, Traction Control, Torque Vectoring Control, Cargo Net, Cargo Management System, Lane-Keeping System, Available Intelligent All-Wheel Drive. All those features can improve your towing experiences for long distances. Their job is to ensure you won’t face any towing problems in your journey.
Best SUV to Tow a Camper – Our Top 3 Small-Size SUV
1 Jaguar F-PACE – 5,291 lbs
View Accessories on Amazon!
Small-Size SUVs are capable of various towing applications. Jaguar F-PACE is capable of hauling up to 5,291lbs with its standard engine. All the extra configurations include a standard eight-speed automatic transmission along with an all-wheel drive. This will offer you all the traction and control you need to benefit from a smooth drive. You can use Jaguar F-PACE to tow a camper, a boat, or other things you might need on your vacation.
The 247 hp 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 269 lb-ft of torque offers 5,420lbs towing capacity. You can also choose the 296 hp 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 295 lb-ft of torque which can also deliver 5,420lbs of towing capacity. There’s also a 380 hp 3.0L supercharged V6 engine with 332 lb-ft of torque that can tow up to 5,510lbs. And the last choice is a 550 hp 5.0L supercharged V8 engine with 502 lb-ft of torque which can deliver a hauling capacity of up to 5,620lbs.
Jaguar F-PACE can also offer various towing features that can improve your experience. This includes Standard Torque Vectoring by Braking, Standard Trailer Stability Assist, Tow Assist and Hitch Assist, Intelligent Driveline Dynamics, Adaptive Dynamics, and All Surface Progress Control. All these features are designed to deliver a smooth and safe towing experience. Blind-spot assist, adaptive cruise control with steering assist, high-speed emergency braking, and a 360-degree surround camera are also available.
2 Porsche Macan – 4,409 lbs
View Accessories on Amazon!
Porsche Macan is an excellent small-size SUV that can also be used for towing. And it doesn’t matter if you have the base model Porsche Macan or a Porsche Macan Turbo, the towing capability remains the same, which is 4,409lbs. You can use Porsche Macan to haul a camper, a boat, a jetski, an ATV, various dirtbikes, and various other types of vehicles. This SUV offers you the chance of enjoying the quintessential Porsche motorsports heritage.
While the towing capacity remains the same here’s how all the three available engines differ from one another. The 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 engine offers 248 hp, 273 lb-ft of torque, 141 mph top speed, and 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The second choice you have is the 3.0L turbocharged V6 that provides 348 hp, 352 lb-ft of torque, 167 mph top speed, and 0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds. And the last option is the twin-turbocharged 2.9L V6 engine that offers 434 hp, 406 lb-ft of torque, 168 mph top speed, and 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds.
The Porsche Macan is also designed with a 7-speed PDK (Porsche DoppelKupplung) transmission, Power Steering Plus system, Porsche Traction Management, Dual Exhaust, and Double-Wishbone Suspension. These features have been designed with the help of Porsche motorsports tradition and heritage. And more than that, you can benefit from these features to greatly improve your towing experience.
3 Ford Escape – 3,500 lbs
View Accessories on Amazon!
The Ford Escape is a very good SUV that can be used for towing various types of recreational vehicles. It also offers a great driving performance and all the space you need to take your small family on a road trip. Despite its small-size design, this SUV is capable of towing up to 3,500lbs. You will also benefit from a lot of new features that are specifically designed to make your towing experience as smooth and simple as possible.
You have two engine options that can determine your Ford Escapes’ towing capacity. With its base engine and the 8-speed automatic transmission, this SUV can haul up to 2,000lbs. The towing capacity will be increased to 3,500lbs if you choose the 2.0L engine. You can use it for a wide range of towing applications from towing a boat to a trailer full of equipment. It also makes an excellent towing vehicle for campers.
Conclusion
Campers can be very heavy and this means you will need a vehicle that is capable of towing it safely. Since campers are used for family vacations, the best type of vehicle to tow it is a family car. This will give you all the storage space you need to bring anything you need and want to spend a week in the middle of nowhere.
View Accessories on Amazon!
