We are a family of 7. Myself, wife and 5 children (15, 12, 6, 2, 2mths). We currently own a 25' Rockwood with quad bunks. It's getting old breaking down the dining room table for us to sleep and it gets real small on rainy days. Our TV is a 2006 Chevy Tahoe that is rated for 7400lbs. We've been considering the Passport 290bh but the general thought in the TV forum is that the passport may be at my tow limit. I'm looking for ideas. I'm not sure how much longer my 15 year old will be camping with us but for now he's still interested so I need something to sleep 8. Unfortunately a new TV is not an option. Any ideas?
Look at the Rockwood 8317SS - it has quad bunks, queen bed, plus the dining taable and a couch that makes into a bed. It's 33' and has lots of room (maybe not if there is 7, but we have slept 8 on many occasions).
THe Passport 29BH should be light enough for your TV. My Chevy Silverado 1500 tows my 7,000 lb Springdale fine. The forum will advise you to tow a pop-up with a 2500 pickup.
3 married children, 2 gr ch
Electrical engineer married to mom/homemaker
New Log Home on lake lot to retire in 8 years
Not golfer, fisherman or hunter but Let's go camping!!
2006 Silverado Crew Cab 5.3L 3.23(Transm temp gauge)w/2005 Springdale 281 RKS
stephend wrote: THe Passport 29BH should be light enough for your TV. My Chevy Silverado 1500 tows my 7,000 lb Springdale fine. The forum will advise you to tow a pop-up with a 2500 pickup.
i would have to agree with you on this one my k1500 suburban tows my 8k tt with no problems even through pa mountains
TV 1997 GMC SUBURBAN, 92 Mustang Rag Top
1986 34ft Nomad
Eric 33,Tammi 39,Anthony 14,Julia 12,Jason 11,Briana 8,Ashley 6,Robert 4
I don't know about trailer options, but I can vouch for the Flair air hide-a-bed. Very comfy full size bed sleeps two and sofa during the day. Beats a jack knife every time. You'll probably have to disassemble to get it in, but it isn't that bad. They'll be fighting to see who sleeps in it.
"It`s not important that you know all the answers, it`s only important to know where to get all the answers" Arone Kleamyck
"...An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it." Col. Jeff Cooper
Sunset Creek 298 BH
stephend wrote: THe Passport 29BH should be light enough for your TV. My Chevy Silverado 1500 tows my 7,000 lb Springdale fine. The forum will advise you to tow a pop-up with a 2500 pickup.
I'm inclined to agree. I don't know what the rear axle is like on your Tahoe, but my Avalanche tows our Keystone 281RL just fine with the 3.73 rear end and towing package. I wouldn't put my family's safety in jeopardy with an ill-fitting TV/TT combination, and am very comfortable in believing that with an appropriate setup hitch and anti-sway setup you'd be okay with the Passport 290bh. Good luck with your search!
My Tahoe is rated for 7400lbs and have the 3.42 gears. As far as WD and sway I'm seriously considering the Propride system. We plan on camping for many years and it's nice to know I can swap it from trailer to trailer and it has a lifetime warranty. I know it's expensive but if I'm spending 20k on a trailer and my tv is worth close to that much it's worth if to me, especially for what the system does. As far as the TT is concearned, I'm also considering the Kodiak 27QSBH-SL.
We have the KZ Spree 324BHS which is a fairly standard floor plan available from several other makers. We've been really pleased with our Spree thus far. The quad bunk house will provide enough room for 4 of your kids. The 2 month old is still likely sleeping in a play pen or something that can go anywhere in the trailer. Make sure you get a slide because with 7 people, you'll love the space.
Maybe you and your wife should sleep separate or you'll be back here next year looking for a new trailer .
My family is smaller (4 of us) and we tow the 7000 lb. GVWR Spree with a 8650 lb. rated Expedition. To get the floor plan you'll need and tow it with a full Tahoe, you'll be at capacity no doubt in my mind. Remember your 7400 lb. rating is based on a driver and no cargo. Weight you add beyond that, comes off your tow rating.
We tow with a Hensley Arrow which is the same projected pivot point technology used with the ProPride. Although both systems add a bit of tongue weight over a traditional WDH with friction sway control, it's well worth the added weight IMHO. You'll be towing a lengthy TT behind a short wheel base SUV - investing in quality sway control is money well spent.
A 29' TT will exceed your tow limit period. I'm not here as the weight police but after you add all the gear and 7 people there isn't any way you'll be w/ in your tow limits. My TT unloaded is w/ in my tow limits but once loaded w/ the family and gear/food etc I'm way over. I'm using a friends 3/4 truck to bring it back home, as towing w/ my 1/2 even on flat roads wasn't fun. If I had to do it over I would have just purchased a 3/4 or more.
01' GMC Sierra ex cab 4x4 1500 5.3L
'06 Keystone Cougar 304BH
1 Honda eu2000i generator
Drawtight Activator
Huskey Weight Distribution System
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