Best Campervan: Suburban or Sienna?

[@acdg7431]

Thanks for this! I’ve had two ‘burbans and loved them. Contemplating a van next.

[@boyink]

An AWD Chevy Express was my plan B - you can find them as conversion vans with raised roofs already installed.

[@HaroldLeeDye]

The Chevy Suburban is the best for what you are going to be doing. Iam currently using a 2001 Dodge Durango R/T with a 6 ft x 8 ft trailer . The middle and back seats are removed in the Durango and sit up to sleep inside for me and my dog. The small trailer is set up with a bathroom, shower, gear storage, cook area, supplies, etc... It works. In the Tennessee area.

[@boyink]

Sounds like a good setup! We're not 100% sure we'll get into a trailer, but my wife will be qualified to be a travel nurse in another year so it's a good possibility. You've got a lot packed into that trailer!

[@Bran_locd]

Better clearance and off-road capabilities than a stock sienna but sienna offers more comfortable inside living and way better fuel economy. Both reliable and easy to maintain.

[@charlesstone4480]

2003 Toyota Sequoia, best of both IMO. More comfortable than our Sienna but similar layout and controls. Very reliable 4.7 V8, and 4WD. I am in Lake Havasu camping on BLM 14 day dispersed right now and going to the RTR next week. The Sienna was a little better on gas mileage, but at 20.1 mpg, I am probably doing better than the Suburban. For a month or two at a time as a solo camper, I don't know if I could find a better compromise rig. Be safe.

[@boyink]

Not sure what RTR is but have fun! :)

[@samwheelock9743]

I'm a touring musician who downsized from an Expedition towing a 16' trailer to a Sienna. I do not use motels rather I sleep with gear. The Expedition has been reliable but towing it gets 9mpg. Loaded the Sienna gets 26mpg. The fall tour was 5,800 miles over seven weeks. The turning radius is challenging and cargo space not much in the Expedition. The Sienna has about 150 cu ft behind the front seats. This includes the under floor storage area for the rear seat which was removed. For me, 150 cu ft of cargo space is tight but at least 25 percent larger than the Expedition. Loading height for the Expedition is an issue as is the stability at interstate speeds when dealing with winds in Wyoming or big rigs at interstate speeds. Both are comfortable. The Sienna wins for my specific needs. Reliability is a matter to be addressed at another time.

[@boyink]

I can see where the Sienna works for that use!

[@samwheelock9743]

@@boyink The towing capacity of a full size SUV is greater than that of a mini van, of course. The Sienna design creates stability. But there's the unspoken topic. That is drivers have become unsafe. Big rigs tailgating at 80mph, driving under the influence, rental trucks renting to folks without the skills to drive the vehicle. Well you get the picture. My solution for staying safe is to drive during the day and avoid highly traveled periods like holidays. Holidays are great but a lot more fun at home than in an ER. Maybe that's just me.

[@boyink]

No I get you. We fulltime RV'd for eight years so have lots of experiences driving in different areas of the country. My solution then (with a truck/fifth wheel) was to set the cruise at 60MPH and let the world go by. We go faster in the Sienna and will in the Suburban as well, but we tend to avoid the Interstates and stay off the roads during commute hours.

[@samwheelock9743]

@@boyink Rush hours. Agreed. I route being mindful of weather, holidays, daylight and rush hours. Recently, I drove in southern CA. When mapping AI advises, "Move to the center five lanes", statics are not favorable. It took five hours to drive 125 miles on a sunny week day. I'm undecided regarding interstate travel although there's a pattern of rental truck accidents the last weekend of the month. Gotta wonder if U-Haul upside down is some sort of code.

[@longdogt6724]

Thanks for this comparison…you gave us good information that would be useful on my next vehicle!

[@boyink]

Glad it helped!

[@MN2_Kevin_Hill_1970]

I own a 2004 Z71 Tahoe and use it for camping and absolutely love it. Just wish it got better fuel efficiency. But it's so worth it because I can camp anywhere I can reach.

[@boyink]

Good to hear (the camping bit anyway!)

[@jasonmoore6494]

Great video! We love our 1999 Suburban!! We've had a minivan and a full size van and the suburban is our favorite for all the reasons you said. They're super well made and capable vehicles. Very versatile! I'm a bigger guy too and the suburban is like driving a lazy boy recliner LOL. The BougeRV CR28 fridge fits perfectly between the front seats of a Suburban. I'm currently building a set of 4 drawer box platforms for ours. Each box will be 24wX27dX8t. creating a 48X54 platform. Drawers with box toppers will create table top space and bed extension. The idea is to be able to easily remove fully stocked boxes when I need to.

[@boyink]

The 4 drawer box idea sounds interesting! I'm also thinking of the drawer-with-box-topper as bed extension on the passenger side. What do you do for cupholders with the fridge between the seats? That's a point I should have made in this video - the Sienna is rife with cupholders (13 by my count) whereas the Suburban has 6.

[@jasonmoore6494]

@boyink I think I'll make something out of an old wooden coca cola crate. I think that'd be cool. Otherwise I'll see what aftermarket options I can find on Amazon ect.

[@jonthebru]

That Suburban is in amazing shape! You scored when you bought it.

[@boyink]

It really is. It's exactly what I was hoping to find - something not perfect (there are dings and scratches), but someone loved this thing, kept the paint up, and stored it inside. All the rubber seals are perfect yet.

[@el0cios0]

With the Burb you can go off roading,,,,nuff said (I owe two, a 1500 and a 2500)

[@boyink]

I seem to keep meeting people that have more than one...