Forum Discussion

LIKE2BUILD's avatar
LIKE2BUILD
Explorer
Nov 30, 2015

Front Bunkhouse fifth wheel

We're considering moving up to a 5er. We've had a quad bunk TT for 12 years but we're thinking it's time to upgrade a bit and move to a fifth wheel. I have plenty of truck (just need to watch pin weight due to SRW) so the options should be pretty open.

We definitely want to stay with a bunkhouse RV. Our 2 younger boys (10 and 8) will be in the house for quite a while and the convenience of bunks is wonderful. In the past I've seen several models that put the bunks in the front, after all, why not have the kids climb the stairs. But in my recent searches I haven't found all that many options.

The Jayco Eagle HT 29.5FBDS seems like a pretty good option. Although it might be a little bit on the small side, it looks like a nice layout.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a FRONT BUNK 5er? Rear bunks might be okay, but I'm kind of stuck on the front bunk idea....that is unless there is another bunk layout that is just phenomenal.

Thanks, I appreciate any suggestions.

KJ
  • ACZL's avatar
    ACZL
    Explorer
    Dec 01, 2015
    Saw a front BH model a few years ago and if I recall right, bathroom was up the stairs. So with that being said, kinda throws the "make the kids climb the stairs" option out the window. Plus too, I want to say that the bottom bunk was on floor.

    We are at the point we'd like to upgrade to a rear LR as we only have 1 kid left at 16yo, so need for a BH is not necessary. Like AP said, just need to plant a new $$$ tree.
  • rblake39's avatar
    rblake39
    Explorer
    Dec 01, 2015
    Look at the Columbus 377MB. Its a mid bunk. I like the mid bunks better as the living room is in the rear which is usually where the nicer view is. Check out all the mid bunks. A lot of manufacturers making them now.
  • Lantley's avatar
    Lantley
    Nomad
    Dec 01, 2015
    While I have no plans to purchase another bunkhouse RV I am intrigued by the mid bunkhouse floor plans as shown below. There are a few others with this layout

  • leggy's avatar
    leggy
    Explorer
    Dec 01, 2015
    We walked through an open range that had a den in front that was similar to bunk house, but it was big 5er. There are also the mid bunk 5ers that are good layout, but again 40' long. We ended up going with a grand design 323bh rear bunk and love it.
  • RWalt's avatar
    RWalt
    Explorer
    Dec 01, 2015
    Our sons used to ask for the bunk beds but after seeing the amount of these take up we choice the rear bed rm with the front living rm. The boys like having the fireplace and flat screen in their space.
  • Cdash's avatar
    Cdash
    Explorer
    Nov 30, 2015
    We looked at the Eagle HT front bunk model. The deal killer for us was no basement. You get the compartment in the front between the landing legs, but the floor step down is closer to the front which prevents the large pass through storage accessible from both sides that is really nice to have. That was a deal killer for us.

    Will be going with the 29.5 bhds if the year end bonus meets expectations.
  • LIKE2BUILD's avatar
    LIKE2BUILD
    Explorer
    Nov 30, 2015
    ford truck guy wrote:
    Forrest River 337FB

    Wildcat 33FB

    Keystone Springdale 320FWFB

    Thank you for digging those up. Maybe I've just used the wrong search terms, but none of those three turned up in the searches I've done so far. Mostly I've been kicked over to the Forrest River or Keystone web sites where they have about 10 different brands listed on each web site. Then I seem to keep getting lost in the images of floorplans.

    KJ
  • CampingN_C_'s avatar
    CampingN_C_
    Explorer
    Nov 30, 2015
    I've been kind of looking around at those too. There aren't many models out there. Look for a 2015 Jayco 31.5 FBHS. They've discontinued that model in the 2016 lineup and only make the HT version you've listed in the OP. Maybe you can find a left over model. I (think) Jayco only makes this model every few years. I've been meaning to call and see if it'll be back in 2017. You can still view the specs on Jaycos website if you look at the archive section.
    I agree the HT 29ft version would be a little small and not worth the switch. Also when I was comparing the two models there were lots of smaller upgrades with the full Eagle model.

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