Re: Hummer H3 - Maximum?
I don't know anything about the Southwind. It probably has a hitch, but how much it can tow will need to be determined. If it is gas, it is possible the H3 would be too much for it. My diesel motorhome will tow 10,000 pounds, which I suspect would be enough for the H3.
But there are other considerations. First, can the H3 be towed? Many cars cannot be towed 'four down'. Some can be if they are modified (some kind of pump to circulate transmission fluid). Some can be if you do wierd things, like pulling fuses or other set up. And some can be towed 'as is'. Of course, you could use some kind of trailer, but then there are the costs of that, and the incoveniance.
If you do set up a vehicle for 'four down' towing, there is then the hookup to the trailer (tow bar) and the auxillary braking system (so when the motorhome brakes, so does the towed vehicle).
A fifth wheel (5ver) is towed by a hitch mounted in the bed of a pickup truck. A travel trailer (TT) is towed behind a vehicle. The 5ver is a more stable towing methodology, so is 'easier' to tow and hook up, but can only be towed by a pickup truck, and takes up most of the truck bed to do so. The TT needs special and complicated hitches to tow safely and comfortably, but can be towed by any vehicle rated to do so. There is a hitch call the 'PullRite' which claims to allow a TT to tow as well as does a 5ver and makes hooking up easier to boot. The 5vers tend to have higher headroom and more storage, TT generally have better aerodynamics and may have more versatile floorplans. The 5vers have a split level floorplan, with steep steps to the upper part (over the truck bed). The 5ver/truck combination is shorter than the equivalent TT/truck combo.
A trailer and truck would probably be cheaper than the equivalent motorhome. I don't know anything about the Quantum, but I had a 24.5' Terry fifth wheel which I got cheap and found to be entirely adequate for a beginning unit.
So what are the advantages of a motorhome? 1) the passangers can go to the bathroom and get you drinks/snacks without having to stop and go back to the trailer. 2) You don't have to get out of the trailer to leave if the weather turns bad or the area becomes unsafe (still have to unhook though) 3) You can get a motorhome with an automatic levelling system. Leveling a trailer can be a royal pain. 4) Backing a motorhome is easier than backing a trailer (although you have to unhook the towed vehicle first, as it is 'impossible' to back a toad) 5) Usually the connections on a motorhome are better protected than those on trailers. 6) if you have pets, you don't need to shuttle them between vehicle and trailer. 6) Almost all motorhomes have generators, so you have the option of running the house air conditioners while travelling, so there is not that temperature shock when you enter the trailer after a period of high heat.
The advantages of the trailer? 1) Easier to replace the 'house' part if that becomes necessary. 2) you don't need to unload your stuff and/or find a hotel if the 'motorized' part needs to go to the shop. 3) Maintenance of the 'vehicle' part may be easier/cheaper. 4) No toad - One set of vehicle insurance and maintenance. 5) Registration may be cheaper.
With the proper tow vehicle and hitch, I don't see any problem towing a trailer. Backing it can be frustrating, but I hear that 'big' trailers are easier to back than small ones. If you are big, it is possible to find a motorhome which is much more comfortable to drive than a pickup truck. In my GMC 2500HD pickup, I can drive for at most 2 hours before my legs go on strike. In the motorhome, I have enough leg room to go 3 or 4 hours.
Which truck has been debated endlessly on this forum. Basically, the choices are diesel (generally better for towing) or gas, Standard cab or extended cab, short bed (may need a special hitch and/or pin box) or long bed, 4X4 or regular, Ford, Chevy/GMC or Dodge. Arguably, Dodge has the best diesel engine and Ford the worst. Again, arguably, GMC seems to have the best choice of transmission.