Opinions on Keystone Passport Elite 23RB

[LetsGeaux]

I am new to this forum, so apologies up front if this subject has already been discussed!

I am about to enter retirement and looking for a good couples coach to spend some time seeing the National Parks across the U.S. (Two to four weeks at a time.) My wife and I have spent some time at the dealerships and like the layout in the Passport Elite 23RB. We have a Yukon XL with the 6.0 liter engine and think the weight would be a good match. So...we spent 15 minutes in the trailer and would like to hear some wisdom from those who own one to see if they would make the same choice, different choice and why?

I am also interested in hearing feedback from those who considered this layout, but made a different choice.

Thank you in advance for your feedback!

[LetsGeaux]

Lynnmor makes a good point about being able to get through the trailer with the slide in. I have not seen the 23RB with the slide in. It looks to me that the only tight spot might be to get between the sofa and the bar, making access to the bed more difficult. I am thinking that the bathroom and kitchen should have full access. For those that own one, how is it?

[Lynnmor]

My criteria was to have a trailer that is completely accessible with the slide in. For a quick stop, you would have to find a rather level place to operate a slide. Try walking thru and opening all storage.

I also want the bath next to the bedroom so that there is some privacy. How do you walk thru with the windows open? Who wants to see that?

I also wanted two doors for safety and ease of loading.

You have the right idea about keeping the size to the minimum that works for you. Never a day goes by, on this forum, that folks aren't asking about limitations on roads and campgrounds.

[bill-e]

Maybe a little bigger than what you want but my wife and I love this Cougar 26RBI, 6030lbs dry.

Full bath, kitchen island, huge amount of living and storage space for two people. The only possible downside is that you will need to extend one of the slides a bit to get to the bathroom and fridge while on the road but that is easy enough, even from the cab of the truck.

[scbwr]

It's a nice floorplan and I can really see the pros and cons of a sofa vs. a dinette.

Our Winnebago Minnie 2201DS may be of interest to you if you want an outdoor kitchen, and a little more storage space. It has a dinette, and I ended up replacing the foam in the seat cushions to make it more comfortable. When watching tv, I use a folding chair and my DW stretches out on the dinette.
We take 6 week trips without a problem and if you really like to camp, i.e. spend time outside, you don't need a big trailer

[LetsGeaux]

Thanks everyone for great feedback so far.

Dutchman, it took a little while to soak in, but I get the fact that I will not be able to look out the back of the trailer where I think the best view will be most of the time.(Bummer!)

ZeeLet, I am glad that you are happy with your 23RB and that it tows well. That gives me comfort.

Bumpy, we picked this floor plan because it has a sofa instead of a dinette. We think that is what we want, but I understand that it did not work for you.

Steven, congrats on the new trailer. Sounds like you are happy with your choice, but would have liked to go bigger(27RB). The larger trailers are a plus when you arrive, but thinking the 1000 lbs less while towing will make the journey getting there a more pleasant experience.

Again, I thank each of you for your advice!

[Steven68502]

My wife and I bought a new 2015 23RB last Sept. We've had it out twice before putting it away for the winter. So far, we love it. It's perfect for just the wife and I. It would be small if you had any others with you. We don't miss the dinette as we eat outside. But if the weather is bad the two included stools made it very easy to eat inside. I wouldn't enjoy it if I had to eat inside all the time. Hope to get it out next weekend. It tows great behind my 2015 Nissan Titan. Of course I have the weight distribution hitch and brake controller all set up correctly. That makes all the difference. Gotta have that set up right. For a couple's coach we love it. We had to have a walk around bed. No way wife or I would have put up with having to crawl over one another to get out of bed. Although I must say I really like the layout of the 27RB too. That has an outdoor kitchen. And you can get a free standing table and chairs. But it's longer and heavier. Good luck with your decision.

[Bumpyroad]

on my first motorhome I had the choice of a sofa or a dinette. got the sofa on my BILs recommendation. never again. miss a table. had those removable ones on a stand , never again. but be sure that a dinette has comfortable seating.
if only used by a couple, no problem, but if you have guests sleeping on the sofa/dinette you will be making midnight trips by them to the bathroom.

I prefer the Ascend 19 or 23 ft myself.
bumpy

[ZeeLet50]

I own one of these and have been very happy with it. As for the dinning arrangement, how often do you eat inside the trailer? We only have breakfast there occasionally and sitting on the stools is fine for the 10 min we are there. Most meals are outside(that's why you are camping outdoors). it is just the DW and I so the room inside is generous.The bath is adequate and being 6 foot ,the knee problem is OK. I would wish for a larger bath on next TT as 2 people in there is a tight fit. This unit has over 2200lbs of storage capability with plenty of places to put it. The '16 model has increased the fresh water tank which was one of my gripes. I will be installing a larger tank before the season starts this year.The deciding factor for us was the couch in place of a dinette. Most dinettes are uncomfortable and hard to get in and out of. You could get a set of those swing in TV trays if you wanted to sit and eat while on the sofa. BTW I heard for the new year Keystone has switched to the flip out sofa bed as opposed to the air mattress that we have. It works when we have guests but have heard the latter style is more comfortable. The unit tows nicely with my 1/2 ton GMC pickup and I have the 5.3 motor with 3:73 gears. The interior is very homely feeling and we get many compliments on it appearance.No major problems in the last 3 years beyond some loose blinds and broken drape holders. We also liked the layout of not having a door right next to the bed.

[LetsGeaux]

Thank you Dutchmen for your comments. I agree with the dinette comment which is why we are considering this floor plan. (It has a sofa in place of the dinette.)

[DutchmenSport]

Keystone Passport Elite 23RB

For 2 people, this is not a bad floor plan at all. It depends upon your style of camping. We all select our campers and floor plans based on our own wants and likes-dislikes. Personally, I'd never take this model. We prefer a self-standing table and chairs, not a dinette. We've had 2 previous campers with dinettes and we never used them. They are uncomfortable. If we are going to sit, we want something with a high back so we can rest our heads. It's awful siting up holding your head, and there's no good way to slouch into the couch or chair or recliner.

We also enjoy the full double slide rear living room, with windows on all sides. We've had campers in the past with no window on the back and living area in the middle. We always felt like we were in a cave. The rear living room, double slide, all windows is amazing! We'll never go back to a middle living room style.

Make sure in the bathroom the "Mr" of the family has adequate "knee" room when sitting on the royal throne. If you're a man, you know what I'm saying here. If you can't spread those knees with the door closed, you're in for a very uncomfortable "retirement!" Get it right the first time! We prefer the royal throne at an angle so there's lots of knee room. My wife also agrees.

Walk around bed is best! You don't want to crawl over each other. Been there, done that, and will never do it again.

There again, it all depends upon your own wants though.






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