2104 Keystone Terrain 250TRS

gaffer, the DW and I love our 2011 Keystone 250RS which has exactly the same floor plan as shown in your post. To address your concerns:

#1. Agreed, very little outside storage, but it works for us, and may very well not for your needs.

#2. Yes, Keystone and some other manufacturers went with a ventless system...not a good idea IMO. A fan in the ceiling hatch just above our kitchen area works.

#3. Can't testify to the construction, ours seems quality and solid BUT an interesting observation...our 250 is rated at 5,980 dry, this new one is 500 lbs. LESS...less what? Also, ours has a one-piece fiberglass front cap, MUCH preferred as I've read of many problems of leaky/delaminated front "wraps" like this one.

#4. No lower bunk window...yep, it's dark, stuffy and confined. I wouldn't like sleeping there either. Ours is used only as storage, so it doesn't matter to us.

#5. Dump valve location...not a problem, occasionally I have to use a second 10' section to make the 20', both carried in a plastic tube under the rear bumper.

#6. Towed in salt...would NOT even consider it! We towed ours 12 miles home from the dealer new in slushy/salty snow, it infiltrated one of the brake wiring connections causing a real headache with braking problems until we discovered it.

Considering what you've indicated, I'd pass on it. The design has to fit YOU.

I currently have a trailer similar to this without the dinette slide. It works well for us. Something to think of with the rear slide is that there is no wardrobe for the adults. We keep our suitcase under the lower bunk in the front and live out of that. For exterior storage we use the pack and play door and load our things under the bunk. It surprising how much space there is under there. If you fold up the lower bunk you can put bikes in there. I try to keep the bunk down so it's ready if we need to stop overnight, we don't have to take anything out to use the lower bunk.

n8wgb wrote:
the bicycle storage door and the lower bunk area could hold a lot of things too.

However, I have not made a trip with it yet, so maybe things will change... :S :B

but with two DDs would need both bunks.
bumpy

I just bought a 210TRS (last week). I had the same concerns about the storage. I plan to put a pipe under the bumper for the black hose. And then use the rest of the outside storage for power cords and leveling stuff. I have a fairly large area under the kitchenette seats that I can also use for things I would not be using a lot. And as mentioned, the bicycle storage door and the lower bunk area could hold a lot of things too.

However, I have not made a trip with it yet, so maybe things will change... :S :B

I just purchased an Outback Terrain 260trs, so I can't comment specifically on the 250...I looked into one, but the 260 fit our needs better.

1. Outside storage is an issue on my unit as well, although I have a small pass thru storage in the front of my unit, the opening is small though so it won't fit much. With the bicycle storage on your unit however that opens up a huge area for storage while traveling. Another option is to install a rear bumper rack for coolers ect, or a roof mounted storage container for the tow vehicle. This was possibly the biggest downside of my unit as well.

2. The vent outside isn't a huge deal for me, as I do almost all my cooking outside. The charcoal filter will work fairly well, and as with your unit, mine also has an outside vent near the kitchen. I wouldn't worry too much myself.

3.I have no issues with the construction of my unit so far, but as with most ultra lites, there are some corners cut. I notice then on my unit as well, but overall I would rate the Terrains better than most other ultra Lite units I've been in.

4. The no window in the bunk, nothing you can do there unless you cut a hole in the door and put your own window in.

5. My dump is near the rear, but I think realistically every campsite is different and some will be better than others. Have an extension ready if need be.

Another unit we considered with a Passport 2400bh. With the optional upgraded exterior (Grey as opposed to white fiberglass) it was a great unit, but the Outback had so much more seating, and features it was no brainer for me. What really sold us was the uniqueness of the Outback Terrains. Every other unit we looked at has bunks in the rear, a dinette and couch in the slide, and a queen bed up front. Every. Single. One. Seeing something different was refreshing.

Another forum member "Cotay" (he has a 250trs) helped me decide on mine, and I hope I can do the same for you. Outbackers.com has some useful insight as well.

All your concerns are valid, but I think every TT is somewhat of a rolling compromise... All will have their pros and cons. For us, the Outback Terrain just had the most pros. If you do get it, I promise you'll be happy with one.

Looked at this unit awhile back, liked the beds but did not pass the bathroom test, it was too small for me once the door was closed. Dump values are bot a big deal, I use 20 feet at most sites sometimes 30 but you can park differently to deal with that. You can install a tube of those storage. Some outside things can be placed on the floor just inside the door so the come out first and go in last. Many Keystones don't vent outside not an issue for us as we cook outside. Good luck with whatever your choice is.