Ray,
You seem to be on the right track.
Since you are committed to your Suburban as a tow vehicle, trailer weight is
going to be a significant factor. The older trailers (up to about 1980 or
so) were lighter and designed to be towed by sturdy automobiles. These tow
vehicles were a body on frame design, so you had a strong undercarriage to
attach the trailer hitch to. In those days, convertibles, hardtop
convertibles (no center post, and station wagons had a heavier, reinforced
frame and were the preferred car for towing. Suburbans and International
Travelalls were also popular tow vehicles for their strength.
Now, we have "unit body"- construction (primarily to save weight and improve
fuel economy), in which there is essentially no frame. Rather, the formed
body sheet metal is the key structural member, which spreads the load over a
larger area, vs. the chassis frame. Bottom line, today, one must go to a
light truck (which has a body on a substantial conventional frame) and heavy
duty components and drive train, to haul much more than its own weight.
Today's pickups are quite luxurious (leather interiors, AC, good sound
systems, and comfortable, etc.). They also ride quite well (unlike the
proverbial truck of yester year, bouncing along) especially the Chevrolet
and GMC models.
If you are shopping for a pickup, note that a 3/4 ton is far more
substantial than a 1/2 ton version
For one or two adults (and, optionally two children, max) a 25 footer is the
smallest practical size from a living space standpoint. The 25 foot trailer
is the shortest length that can separate (not overlap) the living area
(sofa, table, galley) from the sleeping and bath area. Hunter owns a 25
foot Tradewind.
Also, a 25 footer is small enough to maneuver in most any RV park. This is
important if you go to state and county parks (many of which were laid our
years ago and have length limits on trailers).
I hope this helps.
Good luck,
Oliver Filippi
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