schuess wrote: I too am considering buying a 2009 Freedomlite 279TB which is the same as a Passport 280BH. I intend to pull it with a Toyota Tacoma which is rated to pull up to 6,500 lbs. Anyone know of any issues I need to be aware of? What about tow vehicle?
I have been quoted $18,450. I thought that was a pretty good deal considering they had it on sale for $25,499. Does anyone know any better?
Just brought home a 2008 280BH. We love it. Been in it for 3 nights so far.
schuess wrote: I too am considering buying a 2009 Freedomlite 279TB which is the same as a Passport 280BH. I intend to pull it with a Toyota Tacoma which is rated to pull up to 6,500 lbs. Anyone know of any issues I need to be aware of? What about tow vehicle?
I have been quoted $18,450. I thought that was a pretty good deal considering they had it on sale for $25,499. Does anyone know any better?
I appreciate any help.
Thanks
I own that TT and tow it with my Seq. and love everthing about it... Just because I love doing mods doesn't mean there is any thing wrong with it. Seach the posts on Kaymann and you will see the mods I have done and the initial problems I had with it.
2003 Toyota Sequoia
2001 Coleman Sun Valley CT - sold
2004 Fleetwood Redwood Highlander - sold
2008 Freedom Lite 279TB
We got to enjoy ours over Labor Day weekend. We enjoy it. Of course we came from a 19 footer to a 28 footer and we enjoyed every bit of the additional room.
I am amazed as to how well it towed. It tows better than the luttle one I think. It's only 500 pound heavier, but it must be the balance of the trailer, the smooth sides and enclosed underbelly that makes it tow better.
I still averaged 10 mpg towing it on 75 going from Lexington to Pigeon Forge.
The only issue we have found so far is the gray tank gauge always reads empty. Will have to look into that.
We are scheduled to spend the first week of October in it at Pigeon Forge again. Looking forward to it.
I think we got a good deal on it. Under 14,500.
I too am considering buying a 2009 Freedomlite 279TB which is the same as a Passport 280BH. I intend to pull it with a Toyota Tacoma which is rated to pull up to 6,500 lbs. Anyone know of any issues I need to be aware of? What about tow vehicle?
Schuess: Do you have the long-bed Tacoma? Our camper, with all the stuff, as weighed is around 4800 pounds. Don't think I would want to tow more. The 80% rule I think comes in around 5200 pounds.
Biggest issue you might have is the length. That trailer looks to be 31 feet long. I believe I am right at the max with our setup at 26 feet (Standard Double-Cab). With the Equalizer hitch system we do not have sway but add another 5 feet is a tremendous difference.
Bob, Kim, Gabby, & Matt
2007 Coachmen Captiva 269 QBH
2006 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 4X4
Okay, I USED to be an owner of a 2007 Passport 280BH! After many leaking issues (the slide was in each time) and some other issues we fought with Keystone and the dealer and finally made a deal to upgrade to a 2009 280 BH (not free of charge of course!). So far we have found no leaking issues. I can tell you that I have noticed the slides in the 09 that we have and the 08 that we looked at are different then the slide that was in my 07.
I love the layout of the campers, both the 07 and 09 are exactly the same layout. We spent almost 52 nights in our 07 camper in one season and minus the water leaking and some other small issues we loved the camper. If it weren't for the leak we wouldn't of switched to the 2009.
In all honesty, take it from someone who has had their fair share of fights with Keystone, I do enjoy our new camper (we haven't used it much though since I am pregnant and we are working on getting our house ready for the new arrival). For the money, weight, size and layout you will be very happy with it!
The only changes we made in this camper right away was the steps and we also added shocks to the bed so I could lift it easier since we have a real queen matress on ours (we purchased) instead of the foam******they give you.
So to make a long story short, if you have looked at everything closely and are happy with it, I would go for it. You know what to look out for, so it will make your job easier. You could very easily have the same issues with another manufacturers camper!
Best of luck and many well wishes in your travels and hunt for a new camper!
09' Keystone Passport 280BH
05' GMC Yukon XL
Brian (the driver), Jenn* (navigator and trip planner) and a little dog named Killer (who does not like being left behind AT ALL)
[URL=http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2694091970101355635GCZNtI]
Hello! We purchased a 2008 Keystone Passport 300BH in March and absolutely love it! We have had one issue, the black and grey tank indicator lights were switched. Took it to the dealer and they fixed it! We have been out on 5 trips this year, the latest 5 days up in Gettysburg and wanted to stay longer! We aren't scheduled to go again until October and I'm trying to find a way to go before then!
We ended up buying the Passport 280BH (actually the Camping World Freedom Lite 279TB). As I indicated earlier, I wanted to pull it with a Toyota Tacoma 6-cylinder crewcab, since I owned a 4-cylinder Access cab. Before I committed, the Toyota dealer actually let me bring a new Tacoma to Camping World who also let me hook up the trailer I wanted to buy and drive it around for about 10 miles. I didn't have an obligation with either vehicle.
The Tacoma was able to pull the 280BH with some strain, but once I got up to speed it was fine. Keep in mind that I was pulling it with no supplemental brakes installed, or sway control / weight distribution system. When I was finished, I had some concern as to the safety of maneuvering the trailer in an emergency. I felt the Tacoma would be overwhelmed. Not something I wanted to chance with my wife and kids inside.
I then brought a Tundra back to test drive with the trailer and it was a match made in heaven. The 2 draw backs on this were, the gas mileage hit I was going to take with todays gas price issues. Especially considering the truck is what I drive to work everyday, and I only plan to drive it with the trailer about once a month. The second issue I had was I REALLY liked my Tacoma. But safety overruled and I am the proud owner of a 2008 Toyota Tundra with a 2009 Keystone Freedom Lite 279TB (Passport 280BH).
Thanks for all the input. We are excited about getting it out camping. Soccer season has us on hold for a couple of weekends though.
* This post was
edited 09/28/08 07:59pm by schuess *
schuess wrote: We ended up buying the Passport 280BH (actually the Camping World Freedom Lite 279TB).
Congrats on the TT and the wisdom to get a properly sized TV! We have camped in our 2008 Freedom Lite 281RL (same as the Passport 285RL) over 90 nights so far this season without any major incidents (including a 5000+ mile trip out West and back). Enjoy!
I have the 2008 279TB, love it. I did have a small leak in the slide (mostly when the slide was in) and only when we had a very heavy rain. Hmmm.. Got some time one day and decided to finally figure this out.
I found the leak.. sort of. I put the hose full blast on the roof in a position to have the water flow over the gutters and over the slide (slide is in). From the insode of the trailer, I found where the water was coming in.
I will try to describe as best I can. On the bottom horizontal edge of the slide (where the slide wall meets the floor of the slide) there is a metal 90 degree moulding. The water was coming out from where that moulding ended. The moulding comes from the outside of the slide toward the inside of the trailer. Some how, water was getting inside the moulding, on both sides of the slide. (meaning the end where the couch is and the end under the oven).
To test this, I drilled a small hole in the underside of the moulding where the bottom moulding meets the OUTSIDE verticle edge of the slide (slide open). Lots of water came out. So this was the issue!
I sealed up every bolt/screw etc that went into the slide (where the cables are attached for the slide etc.) removed the screws one by one and filled in with some RTV sealant. Problem solved. (did this on both sides of the slide.
I write this book in hopes is helps another!
Other than this issue, we LOVE our rig, pull it with a 5.9 ltr Durango, awesome!
Camp on!
Tim, Cathy, Alex and Connor
2008 Tundra SR5 Dbl Cab
Prodigy/Equal-i-zer
Freedom Lite 279TB
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