Thanks to everyone who has posted with suggestions so far. As I continue to digest the forum posts about "really" how much we can consider towing with a 1500 Suburban, I'm starting to research LIGHTER quad bunk models for towability and safety, leading me into some (sadly, but expected) higher priced but much lighter models like the Jayco Whitehawk. There is a 2013 quad bunk model being sold locally for 23500 - brand new - that has a dry weight of just over 5000 lbs, knocking close to a 1000 lbs off of the Rockwood that everyone in the family loved. Loaded to go, I figure that would come in at about 6500, plus another 900-1000 for the family and miscellaneous gear in the 'Burban, and we're in for 74-7500 lbs. With a weight distribution hitch, does that sound "do-able" with enough of a safety margin?
Although the idea of the 2004 Outback (quad bunks) with the rear queen slide keeps coming back to mind since it was about 4500 labs, given that our goal is a full summer-long cross country trip to DC after our oldest graduates high school in June, I think we might be at each others' throats before it's over due to the cramped quarters, and no slide in the living space. I say this from experience, having traveled for three weeks in the western US with the family plus the inlaws a few summers ago in their no-slide 36 foot motor home. We might make it through the summer trip in the smaller Outback, but longer term, we're thinking of taking whatever rig we end up with to the coast for longer term summer vacations, since as a teacher I have all summer off, so some more space would be nice since it wouldn't just be for sleepy time.
Thoughts?
