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 > Bunkhouse Ideas-- Experience

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CampinHappy

Early, Texas (Central Texas)

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Joined: 12/22/2004

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Posted: 07/05/08 04:05am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

You didn't say which suburban (1500 or 2500). We have a 1500 which is the standard 1/2 ton rig. We were about to buy the outback mentioned above, but at over 5,000 empty I took it for a test "tow" and didn't like the performance. We went for the unit in my signature. We only have 3 kids so we didn't need the quads.

Next time I by a vehicle, I'll go with a 3/4 ton so we can get the larger trailer.


CampinHappy

2000 Suburban 4x4
2007 K-Z Spree 240 BH with triple bunks for my 3 amigos
Formerly a 99 Coleman Niagara PUP
wife version 1.0 (so far ) 3 boys (5,7,11),
The former "Rig" at Mueller State Park, Colorado


joang

Georgia

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Posted: 07/06/08 07:45pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I'm reading this thread eagerly. We've decided this season that it's time to trade in our Fun Finder T-160 for something where all 4 kids can have their own bed space. I've also sort of decided I want a dry bath and a door between me and the kids! I'd also like a full time bed for me, no more fiddling with the dinette, but I also want to keep things small. I had been eyeing the 24 foot KZ Frontier with rear queen slide, but it's nice to see there are other, similar floorplans out there!


Pulling an itty bittty TT with a new hulking SUV!
'05 Shadowcruiser T160 / '03 Ford Expedition

WTW

Lakeland

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Joined: 03/13/2006

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Posted: 07/07/08 04:45pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

We have a quad bunk Hybrid, Love it! 25ft/closed open 30+ feet. 4 bunks beds-queen fold out- table and couch come together to make a king! They need to know what weight they can pull, w/ Suburban filled w/people and stuff? Whats left for trailer wieght? Keep it fun.


Work/live Lakeland
Fish/play Port Charlotte
Two little girls and mom + me
Aerolite Hybrid 25QB

wvojak

SW Washington State

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Posted: 07/08/08 02:34pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

One word of caution.

The beds in some of the bunkhouse type trailers are narrower and/or shorter than a normal sleeping area. Great for kids, but not so great for adults/teens. So consider your needs now, but also think about what you will need as your kids grow.

We looked at bunkhouse units, but went with a Hybrid TT instead.


Bill Vojak
SW Washington State

2001 K2500HD Suburban LT w/Autoride - 6.0L/4.10 - Eaz-Lift w/WD
2006 Kodiak 214 Hybrid TT


CampinHappy

Early, Texas (Central Texas)

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Posted: 07/08/08 03:25pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

In our spree 240BH our bunks are plenty wide enough and 2 of them are 7 feet long. I'm 6'2 and 315 and I fit easily in 2 of the 3. I avoid the top one due to "structural" considerations!

CampinHappy

Early, Texas (Central Texas)

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Posted: 07/08/08 03:26pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

In our spree 240BH our bunks are plenty wide enough and 2 of them are 7 feet long. I'm 6'2 and 315 and I fit easily in 2 of the 3. I avoid the top one due to "structural" considerations!

69RoadRunner

VA

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Posted: 07/08/08 07:22pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

It is true that the bunks are shorter. I have a 2 year old and 4 year old, so it's OK for several years. I like putting them to bed and having the living area free.








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bfast54

Traverse City ,Mi.

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Posted: 07/08/08 07:48pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Thanks for the Ideas so far, the living area, MOM,DAD'S separate sleep area appeals to them VERY MUCH !!!


We did see some with a close off-able sleeping area, and saw some weird ideas also ?????????? What were some of these designers thinking --anyway??????


Keep those ideas coming .


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tikkijane

Somewhere Out There

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Posted: 07/13/08 01:59pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

First and *primary* consideration is towing capacity. IMO, it's pointless to look at a ton of rigs that you can't pull- unless TV is flexible and you can get a different one if the one you have can't pull the rig you want.

We have four kids and have had two TTs with quad bunks. The first (Gulfstream) had the shorter bunks, split bathroom and solid door for the bunkhouse. Those features we liked, less the shorter bunks.

When the kids got older, and we had that hail storm, we upgraded to the rig we have now, a Jayco JayFlight 31 BHS, which we *love.* The model we have has the Maxi storage doors on both sides for bikes; the bunks fold up (there is also a table for the back that rides under the top bunk and fastens into the floor when in use), we have the superslide, and while we do miss the door for the bunkhouse, the accordion curtain is ok.

Another perk with this rig is that on the one side, both top and bottom bunks are oversized and are more the size of a twin bed- they are extra wide. This is good, because the kids aren't getting smaller.

I agree that Jayco has several different floor models to choose from. What I really like is that while we can sleep 10, when it's just us out there, we don't have to break down the dinette or anything, which means dh can be watching one thing in the bed room and I can be watching something else in the living area. Or he can be sleeping and me up reading, etc.

Happy hunting!

Tikki





TorivioTribe

Moriarty, NM (yes, USA)

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Posted: 07/14/08 09:42pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Greetings everyone. Noob joining in.

We too, had a lot of decisions to make in looking for our first TT. We've been in an '86 Coachmen PUP for 3 years now. It was like stepping into a candy shop. We finally decided on a Jayco 30U. This gives us the room that we need for our large family. Oh, did I mention that we have 7 kids? From 9 years all the way down to 11 months.

The kids all love camping. The chance to sleep someplace else other than their beds. For now, all the girls sleep on the one side, while the boys sleep on the other. Mom and Dad just fit in wherever possible. Sometimes in the extra tent we always have with us.

I just can't imagine not getting to a campsite and not having to crank up the roof! We can't wait. Our maiden voyage is the same voyage we take to retrieve our new TT. From there, we'll take an Eastern trip. I'll post more on that later.


The Torivio Tribe
Pat (36), Pam (36), Joshua (10), Madison (7), Megan (6), Mackenzie (5), Mary (4), James (2), Molly (1)


1998 Ford E-350 15 Passenger Van
1986 Coachman PUP
2008 Jayco Jay Feather 30U TT


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