Looking for a Toad. Motorhome content.

No, not that kind of toad. This kind. 

My original plan was to tow the above Cherokee. Unfortunately, I sold it the other day. It's about due for an engine and I'm not going to be the one to do that. I'm also tired of I6. I want V8 power and torque. I considered sending it off to David Autosports but after talking to them and getting some prices and looking at their reviews I decided to move on to something else. 

The first requirement is 4wd. Capable of actually going off-road. Most people answer with Wrangler, but they don't have V8 power or torque. And honestly, I'd hate to be another motorhome towing a Wrangler just like all the rest of them. Then there is the Tahoe, Suburban, Silverado, and F150. V8 power and torque but at 5800 + pounds, they are pretty heavy for flat towing and big for off-roading as well. 

Looking at mid-size vehicles, there isn't much out there. Many of them can't be flat towed or are AWD instead of 4WD and most don't come with V8 power and torque. 

Then the googles pulled up the Hummer H3. They can be flat towed. The Alpha came with the 5.3 V8. It was available as a truck and an SUV. The adventure pack comes with locking diffs in the rear pre-2009 and front and rear 2009 and later. They are apparently very capable off-road so should go anywhere I want to. That said, I've never seen one up close and personal. 

Have any of you gents owned one? Love it? Hate it?

Tell me why I don't want one. Tell me why I do want one. 

Any known issues?

H3T Alpha. They are not very cheap due to their rarity but there are a few for sale. Kind of like a Gladiator with a V8 on steroids. 

H3 Alpha

So impart your knowledge about all things Hummer H3. 

Thanks!

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, full stop.  Can be flat towed (real dual range xfer case), real off-road chops, available with V8.

Compared to the H3, the JGC has 3" more wheelbase, but is 22"(!) shorter overall, so much better approach and departure angles for off road.  JGC turning circle is 37' to the H3's 44'.  JGC with V8 is rated to tow 7200, the H3 4400.  They have about the same curb weight.  Finding a tow bar mount will also probably be easier for the JGC.

We looked at a lot of potential toads, and settled on the JGC.  We went with the V6 because I don't tow with it, and the V6 has plenty of power for everything but towing and is easier on gas.  It's comfortable at 80mph down the highway, and can do just about anything off road except the kind of rock crawling you'd want a Wrangler Rubicon for.

Edited to add - I had a 90's Cherokee like the one you sold as a work vehicle back in the day, and the new JGCs are a completely different animal.  The older Cherokee's were great off road, but on the road they were like driving a coffee can full of marbles.

I have a guilty lust for the H3T alpha. It looks atrocious and the platform is nigh nonexistent but they're just cool to me. And I imagine a 6.2 is a mere drop-in replacement...

In reply to Rodan :

Thanks! I forgot about those. I'll have to add them to the list.

I do like the H3 just because it's different so I might still lean that way. We will have to see what is available and what the prices are running.

The H3T are pretty awesome looking... More pedestrian, but GM dropped the same V8 drivetrain in Colorado and Canyons from 2009-2012 if you are gathering everything with your search. Look for the fender badge. 

If on a budget.... 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara

4WD, has low range, and full all 4 locking capability.   A/C, heated seats, can run 80+ all day on highway in comfort.

Lightweight behind the RV.   Ours has been following us for many years/thousands of miles.  Did well around Moab, etc.

Old enough that when we bash a boulder (North Rim), you just say "Oh well" and scramble on.

H3? Can you even get parts for those?