Hello all--Looking for a 5er (prefer towing characteristics over TT) and can't decide on which floor plan. Here is my situation....1. DW, DS 10yo, DS 15yo. My 10yo is Autistic and, at times, does not want to sleep alone. So I will probably need to sleep in bunk or dinette/couch leaving he and my DW to take the queen bed2. Travel mainly in CA, NV, AZ state parks, beaches, lakes, rivers3. stays are approx. 3-5 days in length4. 5er GVWR not to exceed 10,500# (probably a superlite model) Length preferred 28'-32'My height 6' DS 15yo: 5'-10"Thoughts:Bunk models.....PROS: dedicated sleeping locations.CONS: Many bunks are like coffins....narrow and claustrophobiconly sleep in them at night (loss of living area)takes up living areaRear living room.....PROS: great living arealarge open spacemany with 2 recliners chairslarge rear windowGreat open space for lounging throughout the day if needed or at night prior to bedtime.CONS: Must sleep on dinette and couchHow comfortable is sleeping on a dinette or couch? Any better/worse than bunk? must take down dinette each nightcouch is used for sleepingboth would be unavailable in the AM when adults wake for coffeeNot sure if I left anything out, but I think you'll understand my perspective.I am really torn between these two models and DW and I can't seem to make up our minds. Brands, models that you believe may work for us?Thanks!!

We have a similar situation with four of us, my kids are 13 year old daughter, 7 year old son. I had a 34' bunkhouse before we bought our RL we have now, I have no regrets with our decision. We love the big living room and recliners, my kids could care less where they sleep. Sometimes one will sleep on the recliner, other sleeping bag in the floor, then maybe one will use the sofa bed. The comfort of the living area was the most important decision, my kids and wife made the decision to go with the rear living. I will never buy another Bunkhouse, I am not ruling out a Toyhauler though.

For me the advantage of the bunkhouse is the kids and adults can have a dedicated separate space. THe kids have the bunkhouse area they can call their own leaving the adults an area they can call their own. Sleeping is not only about the beds. The bunkhouse gives the kids a dedicated area to store their stuff as well. They have a dedicated area for clothes,games,toiletries etc..I agree the rear lounge area is nice,but it requires too many things to be in flux. No permanent beds, no dedicated storage for kids. The net result is more work for the adults keeping things in order vs. everything in its place and a place for everything.We use are RV as a rolling condo,it is always loaded with our stuff and ready to go. For me it is not a difficult decision . Would you buy a 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom condo? More work translates into less time to relax. There are lots of camping chores setting up beds does not have to be one of them. Relaxing is the ultimate goal for everyone.

Lantley wrote:For me the advantage of the bunkhouse is the kids and adults can have a dedicated separate space. THe kids have the bunkhouse area they can call their own leaving the adults an area they can call their own. Sleeping is not only about the beds. The bunkhouse gives the kids a dedicated area to store their stuff as well. They have a dedicated area for clothes,games,toiletries etc..I agree the rear lounge area is nice,but it requires too many things to be in flux. No permanent beds, no dedicated storage for kids. The net result is more work for the adults keeping things in order vs. everything in its place and a place for everything.We use are RV as a rolling condo,it is always loaded with our stuff and ready to go. For me it is not a difficult decision . Would you buy a 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom condo? More work translates into less time to relax. There are lots of camping chores setting up beds does not have to be one of them. Relaxing is the ultimate goal for everyone.Thank you for your insight and experience on this issue. This decision is something that we have been struggling with as well and your post makes perfect sense to me. As parents of a 4 year old who seem to be constantly picking up and cleaning up I can really relate to your comment about having a place for everything.

Two years ago we were in the same boat as you are, bunk house or rear living room. We settled on a front livingroom for these reasons, bunk beds all to short, if kids need privacy go outside and the FL bath had a ton of storage for the kids clothes and personal items.This coming Saturday we pick up our new Sierra 360 PDEK, a rear living room with a back deck. The kids always slept on the couch or floor as they did not like the blow beds in the couches and we all did not like the confined feeling of the front living room.When shopping for the rear living the kids came along and checked out the couch, recliners and everything else and said the recliners would be their new beds. Having the rear deck will be easier on my knees and back, not having to go up and down the stairs all of the time to sit outside.We can't wait until Saturday to pick up our new new COW (condo on wheels)//Happy camping

We are in our third 5th wheel. This third is a bunkhouse and it works well for us as we’re raising our three grandkids. It’s a quad bunk so there is an extra bed, and we usually have one of the kids friends along like we had this past weekend.The advantages I see is their stuff can be closed off and it is out of sight. Also I get up a lot earlier than anyone else, and with the separate bed area, I do not have to step over beds, I can use the dinette, sit on the couch, make my breakfast and coffee and not disturb anyone.The other grandparents have a rear living 5th and when the kids camp with them, they use the floor, the couch and the dinette for beds and the kids prefer the bunks. It also gives a place for them to dress with privacy, and they can go to bed earlier and sleep later than if their beds are in the living space.Jim

Bunkhouse or Rear living room? | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

Lantley
Nomad
Oct 14, 2014
lpxguy wrote:
if you get a bunkhouse with slide(s) it makes for a lot of room for the kids & a door to close for noise.

I do think the slide is important. A bunk room without a slide can get cramped fast. Not so bad with younger kids, but teenagers outgrow the bunks in a hurry. Our unit has fold out sofas in the bunkhouse that are large enough to hold adults.
I have found if you give the kids ample space they will enjoy and hangout in their space. However if their space is cramped they will hang out in your (adult)space.
I do not like waking up in the morning and not be able to use the sofa or turn on the TV because there are sleeping kids everywhere!
rb71
Explorer
Oct 14, 2014
I had a silverback bunkhouse and it was nice. But nobody would use the bunks.

We then switched to a toy hauler. It's great the kids have there on 1/2 bath and room. Then at night time we lower the beds. Which gives us 1king 2 queens and a twin bunk to sleep in. Only draw back is its heavy. Mine is 16 k empty be the specs on the door.

If you decide on a bunk house. I would recommend jackknife couches for the lower bunks. They have a lot more space to sleep on.

Good luck with your choice.
lpxguy
Explorer
Oct 14, 2014
if you get a bunkhouse with slide(s) it makes for a lot of room for the kids & a door to close for noise.
DavinD
Explorer
Oct 14, 2014
We're regretting a bunk house now. My kids feel it's stuffy and too small. So they end up sleeping on the couch and dinette. So much wasted space.

I've thought about tearing down the wall myself and re-arranging things.
Sturgeon-Phish
Explorer
Oct 14, 2014
We are in our third 5th wheel. This third is a bunkhouse and it works well for us as we’re raising our three grandkids. It’s a quad bunk so there is an extra bed, and we usually have one of the kids friends along like we had this past weekend.
The advantages I see is their stuff can be closed off and it is out of sight. Also I get up a lot earlier than anyone else, and with the separate bed area, I do not have to step over beds, I can use the dinette, sit on the couch, make my breakfast and coffee and not disturb anyone.
The other grandparents have a rear living 5th and when the kids camp with them, they use the floor, the couch and the dinette for beds and the kids prefer the bunks.
It also gives a place for them to dress with privacy, and they can go to bed earlier and sleep later than if their beds are in the living space.
Jim
Halmfamily
Explorer
Oct 14, 2014
Two years ago we were in the same boat as you are, bunk house or rear living room. We settled on a front livingroom for these reasons, bunk beds all to short, if kids need privacy go outside and the FL bath had a ton of storage for the kids clothes and personal items.
This coming Saturday we pick up our new Sierra 360 PDEK, a rear living room with a back deck. The kids always slept on the couch or floor as they did not like the blow beds in the couches and we all did not like the confined feeling of the front living room.
When shopping for the rear living the kids came along and checked out the couch, recliners and everything else and said the recliners would be their new beds. Having the rear deck will be easier on my knees and back, not having to go up and down the stairs all of the time to sit outside.
We can't wait until Saturday to pick up our new new COW (condo on wheels)//Happy camping
blofgren
Explorer
Oct 14, 2014
Lantley wrote:
For me the advantage of the bunkhouse is the kids and adults can have a dedicated separate space. THe kids have the bunkhouse area they can call their own leaving the adults an area they can call their own.
Sleeping is not only about the beds.
The bunkhouse gives the kids a dedicated area to store their stuff as well. They have a dedicated area for clothes,games,toiletries etc..
I agree the rear lounge area is nice,but it requires too many things to be in flux. No permanent beds, no dedicated storage for kids.
The net result is more work for the adults keeping things in order vs. everything in its place and a place for everything.
We use are RV as a rolling condo,it is always loaded with our stuff and ready to go. For me it is not a difficult decision . Would you buy a 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom condo?
More work translates into less time to relax. There are lots of camping chores setting up beds does not have to be one of them. Relaxing is the ultimate goal for everyone.

Thank you for your insight and experience on this issue. This decision is something that we have been struggling with as well and your post makes perfect sense to me. As parents of a 4 year old who seem to be constantly picking up and cleaning up I can really relate to your comment about having a place for everything.
Lantley
Nomad
Oct 14, 2014
For me the advantage of the bunkhouse is the kids and adults can have a dedicated separate space. THe kids have the bunkhouse area they can call their own leaving the adults an area they can call their own.
Sleeping is not only about the beds.
The bunkhouse gives the kids a dedicated area to store their stuff as well. They have a dedicated area for clothes,games,toiletries etc..
I agree the rear lounge area is nice,but it requires too many things to be in flux. No permanent beds, no dedicated storage for kids.
The net result is more work for the adults keeping things in order vs. everything in its place and a place for everything.
We use are RV as a rolling condo,it is always loaded with our stuff and ready to go. For me it is not a difficult decision . Would you buy a 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom condo?
More work translates into less time to relax. There are lots of camping chores setting up beds does not have to be one of them. Relaxing is the ultimate goal for everyone.
glazier
Explorer II
Oct 14, 2014
We have a similar situation with four of us, my kids are 13 year old daughter, 7 year old son. I had a 34' bunkhouse before we bought our RL we have now, I have no regrets with our decision. We love the big living room and recliners, my kids could care less where they sleep. Sometimes one will sleep on the recliner, other sleeping bag in the floor, then maybe one will use the sofa bed. The comfort of the living area was the most important decision, my kids and wife made the decision to go with the rear living. I will never buy another Bunkhouse, I am not ruling out a Toyhauler though.

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Bunkhouse or Rear living room?

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