Suburban or truck with camper shell

We used suburbans prior to 2008 then switched to trucks. We much prefer the trucks. One major reason we like the truck is we installed a custom rack on top of the camper shell that we use to carry a small boat plus bamboo, long probing rods or any other long objects. The camper shell can open from either side as well as the rear opening.

We were able to attach the rack to the bed of the truck so we can carry heavier objects rather than a rack attached to the fiberglass camper shell.

I have worked out of 6 different Suburbans in the last 30+ years and 1 truck with a camper. I prefer the truck and camper. Will never go back to the suburbans if I have a choice. 237K miles and counting. The right lift door and the rear lift door has a window. The left side does not but I couldn't see out of it anyway. I specifically ordered it that way.

http://www.4are.com/product/dcu/

James

[sarcasm]You obviously do not understand the liability you are getting yourself into by trying to choose a vehicle. You really should let a professional car buyer make the choice. Sure, you can probably get close to the right decision with the help of the internet, but geez I sure wouldn't want to be involved if you end up with the wrong vehicle.[/sarcasm] B-)

I have no opinion on the vehicle but I had been a huge fan of the classic suburban in the past. Not sure if truck and cover aren't more versatile now, tho.

I worked out a Suburban for about a year. Accessing things from the back seat isn't as easy as it may seem, but that all depends on the way you build your box in the back of it. Anything longer than a prism pole is a real pain to carry in the back, you either have to put it over the top of the back seats or do as I did and get a few pieces of PVC with end caps and attach them to the roof rack. Also, another thing I never noticed or notice now with using a pickup, is you don't hear things rattling around in the back of a pickup because the bed is separate from the cab. We heard everything in the Suburban, and having something rolling around or making noise constantly starts to get annoying quick. Just my opinions and observations.

I've always gone with the 4 x 4 truck with a fiberglass matching cap on the back. Looks good too. Always with the side doors for the exact reason you mention - access to stuff in the front. I think my last one was around $1,200 or so.

The advantage I've seen over a suburban or van is 1)you don't have to listen to the stuff rattle around, 2) if things get wet, it doesn't smell up the inside of your vehicle, 3) I think it will hold more stuff with a properly made custom box. Likely cheaper than a suburban type vehicle too.

Lots of room in those big honking 4 door trucks nowadays too. Nowadays I just have an extended cab, so that's where my GPS and/or total station go

Some folks go with a Silver Shield, which perhaps give a bit more security. But they aren't cheap. They work good too, I just like the caps more.

Have fun picking out something

If you buy a Suburban you will need to put up a cage behind the back seat to protect from flying projectiles in a crash. OSHA, not to mention a lawyer, would have your A$$ if someone was injured or worse.

Go with the Truck.

Joe

I second that. Last thing you want in a roll over is a bunch of 4 lb. hammers, spud bars and car batteries flying through the air at your head or anyone else's for that matter. I had this custom made for our latest suburban.

> If you buy a Suburban you will need to put up a cage behind the back seat to protect from flying projectiles in a crash. OSHA, not to mention a lawyer, would have your A$$ if someone was injured or worse.
>
> Go with the Truck.
>
> Joe

Good points.

I like the cage pictured.

I called about 5 different truck accessory and camper places and no one can get me a shell sooner than 3 weeks. I did not think they were that hard to find.

I need to get this vehicle purchased and rigged up next week for a job the following week.

> [sarcasm]You obviously do not understand the liability you are getting yourself into by trying to choose a vehicle. You really should let a professional car buyer make the choice. Sure, you can probably get close to the right decision with the help of the internet, but geez I sure wouldn't want to be involved if you end up with the wrong vehicle.[/sarcasm] B-)
>

😀 Good one.

A crew cab 4WD 3/4 ton pickup with shell (the sides swing open) is my preference. I prefer the tailgate option over the double door option.

I think current Suburbans are more of a glorified car than a work vehicle. They are okay for the trophy wives and soccer moms I see pulling out of the local elite private school but I wouldn't depend on them to be a work truck.

Drilldo, I had that problem a while back. The place let me use one that fit with a bit of retrofitting that they had in stock. Didn't match, but it worked for a bit. Got me through until mine came in.

I don't think the 2 to 3 week wait is all that bad for such a major investment. Maybe a couple sheets of plywood to cover your gear could be rigged up too.

> A crew cab 4WD 3/4 ton pickup with shell (the sides swing open) is my preference. I prefer the tailgate option over the double door option.
>
> I think current Suburbans are more of a glorified car than a work vehicle. They are okay for the trophy wives and soccer moms I see pulling out of the local elite private school but I wouldn't depend on them to be a work truck.

The 4 trucks we have now are 4x4 3/4 tons but not crew cabs. Well one is but that is the one I drive.

This new vehicle will not be pulling any trailers so I was trying to size it down a little to help on gas mileage as it will be going 150 miles a day and it really doesn't need 4x4. I was thinking either a suburban or a half ton crew cab truck, 2WD.

That's a good point, however with a truck and a camper shell there is only two panels of glass, which a hammer or range pole could break thru both of them. I like a truck with a tonneau cover, but I am not sure how much height you need for your equipment. Those roll and locks are nice for the times you need the open bed space.

Watch the tires! I had a crew doing 120 miles a day on the turnpike, Suburban, 4 man crew and gear, lots of blowouts. The party chief clued me in that we needed a higher load range tire for the high speed and weight, we switched and had no more problems.

T.W.

Only you know what will work for your equipment.

What about a 2005 Ford Excursion with the diesel Powerstroke engine and the Highway Products Roller Coaster insert?

You can haul a lot of people and equipment around in one of those.

Dittos on the tires. A couple blow outs, flats, get real costly. Not to mention the hazard to the crew fixing a flat on the highway. Plus you still need a new tire.

I finally broke down on my last set and got 10 ply. Driving around the desert trails, highways, and wherever I need to go - no problems anymore (knock on wood). Nobody out here ever gets more than 30 to 40K miles though, due to heat, sandy covered pavement, etc. So it's a big expense.

> Some folks go with a Silver Shield, which perhaps give a bit more security.

The Silver Shield locks always looked vulnerable to me. It's been awhile since I've seen one, but my recollection is that a crowbar or a hammer is all that would be needed to pop it off.

We are getting too far away from the practical suburban to go that route. I just sold my 14th (and final) Suburban. It was a '91. That was the last year they made a good work truck.
I would say your biggest decisions are 2 or 4wd and gas vs. diesel. Those will be driven by local needs...

'65 Dodge Power Wagon

Get one with the Survey body and 4WD.
That thing could go anywhere it would fit. Of course there were a lot of places it wouldn't fit.

This was circa 1970 in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
The hippie in the middle is the PC. The hippie on the right is a young Prior:-)

Don