itsjustjer wrote:
Since I posted this yesterday I’ve learned about these Passport 3290BH travel trailers and they’ve got me really excited! Envisioning how we would use it and the people we’d need beds for, this seems like an excellent option. The weight is incredible at 8,000 GVWR. Based on everything I listed previously regarding the Suburban 2500, this combination would be a comfortable towing experience, wouldn’t it?
If so, I think what we’d do is just finance the Suburban and keep the van for my wife. Then I’d need to decide what to do with my old Grand Am. It’s worth like 1500-2000, so it really won’t do much to put a dent in the cost of the Suburban. I could keep it and drive it to and from work for the gas savings. Or sell it and enjoy the 1500-2000 dollars in gas money when the Suburban 2500 becomes my commuter.
Regarding the Passport TT, my neighbour has this model with the 2 slide out bunks in the rear and they love it. They have adult children living at home in addition to a grandchild so this set up works for them, allowing them to put a baby bed in the space between the bunks. Their kiddos (and in law) are late teens to mid 20s. And yes, they still camp together. But they also have a RAM 3500 SRW diesel to pull it with, and they do take a separate car with them, for the caravan.
Another alternative to consider, if you're open to it, is one of the hybrid trailers, with tent ends and solid TT walls and amenities. There are several that have triple and even quad tent fold downs (1 rear/1 front/1 on each side). This would accommodate you and your crew plus the assorted cousins that you mentioned. Mom and Dad up front in that fold out, and the kiddos have the rear of the trailer to themselves. They are actually quite nice for what they are designed to do.
Regarding the tow vehicle question, if it were me, I would keep your current vehicles for the economy of being a daily commuter, and go with the idea of the van. Mentioned prior, we had a Chevy 35 conversion van back in the 90s as well and it was very accommodating for long trips. Had a TV in the center console between the captains chairs up front (they now have ceiling drop down TVs) with 2 captains chairs in the middle and a full electric sofa in the rear that turned into a queen bed. I've seen some Chevy Express vans out here that are conversion vans, so I know they are available. OR...the stock Chevy or GMC vans would probably do the trick for you with the seating configurations they offer.
Not mentioned (I don't recall seeing it in prior responses) is the Nissan NV series van. I've seen several of these at some of the USFS campgrounds we go to, with goodly sized trailers in tow. So they are surely capable of pulling not only a larger trailer, but also at elevation.
Good luck in whatever you decide!
