Outdoor Experience: Best Cars For Towing Your Camper
5 min readLast Updated on January 1, 2022 by Journal Fact
Do you like camping, road travel and everything that comes with it? It would be a great idea to pick up a full size SUV rental, attach a spacious camper to it, and go looking for adventure. Yes, it’s an unforgettable experience to stay somewhere in the middle of Yosemite National Park and spend a few days in a comfortable trailer.
However, what kind of car to rent for such a trip? Today you will find many suitable vehicles in the car rental market. If you are going to travel in a camper, your car should have several key features, including four-wheel drive, a large trunk, and excellent towing capacity, of course. Here’re some models that fully meet these criteria…
Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a hard-working SUV that has enough power to tow nearly 3,300 kilograms. The seats are comfortable and offer ample room in both rows. The back seat is large enough to comfortably take two adults or three children to the campsite.
The Grand Cherokee features a 7-inch smartphone-compatible touchscreen and two USB ports for charging while on the go. As for driving equipment, the car comes standard with rear-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is available as an option.
GMC Terrain
The GMC Terrain has a towing capacity of 1,600 kg, which is enough for mid-size campers. If you’re heading to the beach rather than the woods, the SUV has a folding front passenger seat that can accommodate long items like a surfboard. However, if you want to use this space for people, then there is enough space in the cabin to comfortably sit in both rows of seats.
In the salon, you will also find a lot of storage space for small items. The infotainment system is easy to use and has many features including smartphone compatibility, Amazon Alexa support, and four USB ports.
Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 is the best compact SUV for the whole family, especially if you are a fan of long-distance one-way car rental trips. This car can easily take everyone out of the city and then return back. There’s ample space in both rows of seats for both adults and children. The standard infotainment system has a 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa compatibility.
The RAV4’s engine is powerful, but the fuel consumption is one of the best in its class. Also, there’s a long list of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition. Fans of adventuring routes will definitely appreciate this all-wheel-drive car.
Subaru Forester
When your destination is the forest or national park, the Subaru Forester seems like the best choice. It has plenty of cargo and passenger space, and the rear seats fold down if you have extensive cargo needs. However, there’s a lot of leg and headroom in both rows, while the rear doors open wide for easy entry and exit.
The basic infotainment system features a 6.5-inch touchscreen with smartphone connectivity and two USB ports. The car’s fuel economy estimates are below average for its segment, and there are many default driver assistance features as well. The standard Forester is ready for light off-roading, with adaptive all-wheel drive and 8.7-inch ground clearance.
Ford Expedition
If you need a lot on your trip, Ford Expedition can take almost everything and everyone you want. It can tow over 4,200kg and accommodate up to eight people depending on seating configuration. The Expedition is also famous for its 9.8-inch ground clearance, which makes it easy to conquer even difficult off-road conditions.
Standard equipment includes an 8-inch touchscreen, Wi-Fi hotspot, four USB ports, and smartphone connectivity. Certain driver assistance features, such as automatic emergency braking, come by default. There’s an optional FX4 Off-Road package that adds a four-wheel drive and an electronic differential.
Chrysler Pacifica
Minivans are one of the most versatile vehicles for transporting people and equipment. Chrysler Pacifica is among the best light vehicles for camping. Its second and third row of seats fold down to the floor when you need more room for tents and gear, while a power tailgate comes standard for easier loading.
The interior comes with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa support. Many driver assistance features are also included by default.
Chevrolet Trailblazer
The Chevrolet Trailblazer has a very large trunk and the seats are spacious enough for adults in both rows. A 7-inch touchscreen compatible with smartphones is included as standard. Two USB ports and a Wi-Fi hotspot keep you connected as well.
The Trailblazer’s basic equipment offers several advanced driver assistance features including automatic emergency braking and a lane-keeping assistant. All-wheel drive is a great addition to this extensive range of options.
Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride is one of the best full-size crossovers you can rent for your trip. Adults can comfortably seat in all three rows, and the cargo area is large enough to accommodate a lot of camping gear. An 8-inch touchscreen, five USB ports, and smartphone compatibility are included as standard, which a lot more than most similar crossovers.
The Telluride has 8 inches of ground clearance and can tow a small camper. The list of standard driver assistance options is extensive, including adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. Four-wheel drive is also available as an option.
Honda CR-V
Honda CR-V crossover SUV is the best vehicle for camping, recreation, and adventure. You can ride it through the narrow streets of the city and then head to the national park. It has plenty of cargo space, while its front and rear seats are comfortable enough for adults.
During the years of deverlopment, this car has finally become what it was originally intended to be: a modern appearance and spacious interior are now complemented by a turbo engine, a mass of modern equipment, comfortable suspension, great convenience in the daily little things.
Its fold-down rear seats provide ample room for week-long car camping and you can use it as a sleeping shelter if you’re stuck somewhere on a rainy night. It has a long list of standard driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking. Four-wheel drive is available as well.