Bunkhouse 5th wheels...suggestions

Brutus Buckeye wrote:

Lantley wrote:
I currently have a 39' Bunkhouse with dual opposing rear slides that creates a great bunk room. However I am intrigued by the mid bunk units that allow for a rear living room area. Avoid models with the additional 1/2 bath. The 2nd black tank is more trouble than its worth unless you are full timing.
Also be sure the bunk room is large enough for the kids to do more than just sleep. Give them a place to call their own and hang out.
Lastly the kids are going to grow be sure the beds are big enough to accommodate them getting bigger. They won't be toddlers forever
As my kids have gotten older my bunkhouse days are winding down.
I look forward to buying a rig that won't be a bunkhouse....LOL

Can you please explain why it is not a good idea to have a second bathroom? It sounds like there is a separate black water tank, which will I was not aware of. I have decided on a fifth wheel of the second bathroom because I have a wife and two daughters and thought it would be a great idea.

You hit the nail on the head. I am adamantly opposed to the 2nd black tank. Maintaining the tank becomes more trouble than it's worth. Instead of having one relatively full tank I end up with 2 relatively empty tanks. There is really no upside. The line to the bathroom is shorter but really there is no line.
If I really have to go I am 1st in line over the kids every time.
As in a stick house having a 2nd bath is convenient. However there is no black tank in a stick house to infringe on that convenience.
The black tank is the deal breaker. Not only is there a 2nd tank there is also a 2nd discharge pipe which mean manipulating the sewer hoses in some fashion. Either using a wye to connect the pipes or moving the sewer hose between connections.
Eliminate the 2nd bath and all the additional work goes away. The space used by the 2nd bath can be put to better use.
My family of 4 can easily survive a week on a 40 gallon black tank. It's the grey tank that fills having additional black tank capacity is generally not beneficial.
I imagine if you have a family of 6 or larger or full time the 2nd bath may be beneficial. If someone else is maintaining/dumping the tanks maybe there is no issue.
However I am the tank dumper/flusher of my crew I get zero additional benefit from having a 2nd black tank except the opportunity to dump it and rinse it.
While we all know tank dumping is one of the necessary evils of the RV life. Why double the duty with a 2nd black tank unless you absolutely have to? Dumping the additional tank quickly eliminates
any advantages/conveniences of having the 2nd 1/2 bath.
Face it the 1/2 bath is a amenity not a necessity. However it is an amenity that can be eliminated without changing the function of the RV at all. I see it as a convenience for the kids not the adults.
I have removed the toilet from my 1/2 bath and created a nice outdoor accessible closet.
In hindsight there are plenty of single bathroom bunkhouse floorplans unless you have a specific need for 2 black tanks do yourself a favor and only purchase 1 ;)