chris199
03-14-2012, 02:14 AM
Well we did it. We started out last year with a desire to stop using B&B's for our trips (who wants to sit in someone else's living room anyway) and decided to do the camping thing again. We had a Coleman popup back in the day when the kids were little. We became empty nesters last year and purchased a Keystone Passport 199ML. Also upgraded our vehicle from a Chevy Astro van to a Toyota Tundra 4.6 L Double Cab. (The 180,000 miles on the van just didn't seem to be a good foundation for towing again.) So much fun last year with that setup. Mount our bikes in the back of the truck, hitch up and go.
Over the winter we were looking at some TT's that had more living space. (Our daughter camped with us once last year and just had to stay out of the way while we made breakfast and cleaned up....not enough room really for a 3rd or 4th person in a 199ML.) We also wanted to be out and not have to setup/put away for every meal (bring table in, setup, break down, take table out..). Would also be nice on cold or damp nights to sit inside and play games a little more comfortably or watch a movie and not have to lay in bed.
The BIG MISTAKE :) was going to the RV show a couple of weeks ago. We walked miles that day and saw many things we liked but most we could not tow. Then we saw the Passport 3180 and 3100RKS. Nice... Then our sales person said....you could tow this with your truck. That got my attn. It was all downhill from there. For a variety of reasons the 3180 and 3100 were great but the Cougar was just appointed that much better. Then we got a great deal and upgraded the Tundra to the 5.7 L DC. Same truck as before...same color....just the badge on the side indicating the 5.7L engine under the hood.
We decided on the Cougar 32SAB and hopefully take delivery in April. The new TT is a MONSTER (35') compared to the 21'-22' 199ML. I'm a little overwhelmed about towing something that long. Slow, safe, and easy I guess......
I'm failry certain that the next RV show (if we dare again) will not tempt us as much. I don't see us going to a 5th wheel.....esp not wanting to spend the $$$$$$ (Tundra = $$) to get the truck that it will take to haul one.
I guess it's not uncommon....start small and move up once you get a feel for what you like/don't like. I think the 32SAB will be it for a while.....nothing not to like (I hope).
Over the winter we were looking at some TT's that had more living space. (Our daughter camped with us once last year and just had to stay out of the way while we made breakfast and cleaned up....not enough room really for a 3rd or 4th person in a 199ML.) We also wanted to be out and not have to setup/put away for every meal (bring table in, setup, break down, take table out..). Would also be nice on cold or damp nights to sit inside and play games a little more comfortably or watch a movie and not have to lay in bed.
The BIG MISTAKE :) was going to the RV show a couple of weeks ago. We walked miles that day and saw many things we liked but most we could not tow. Then we saw the Passport 3180 and 3100RKS. Nice... Then our sales person said....you could tow this with your truck. That got my attn. It was all downhill from there. For a variety of reasons the 3180 and 3100 were great but the Cougar was just appointed that much better. Then we got a great deal and upgraded the Tundra to the 5.7 L DC. Same truck as before...same color....just the badge on the side indicating the 5.7L engine under the hood.
We decided on the Cougar 32SAB and hopefully take delivery in April. The new TT is a MONSTER (35') compared to the 21'-22' 199ML. I'm a little overwhelmed about towing something that long. Slow, safe, and easy I guess......
I'm failry certain that the next RV show (if we dare again) will not tempt us as much. I don't see us going to a 5th wheel.....esp not wanting to spend the $$$$$$ (Tundra = $$) to get the truck that it will take to haul one.
I guess it's not uncommon....start small and move up once you get a feel for what you like/don't like. I think the 32SAB will be it for a while.....nothing not to like (I hope).