Bunkhouse + Outdoor Kitchen + Short +Storage = Fantasyland
We went from a tent to a tent trailer and now want to go to a hard-sided unit.
We do spend most of our time camping outside of the camper - even cooking. We don't camp many places where rain is common, so, while we want a dinette, it could double as our bed or be a smaller size. Really, all we need inside is sleeping space for four, storage for their stuff and a dinette. It would be nice if we could, in a pinch, squeeze in six folks so the kids could bring friends. We did see a plan for a teardrop that was basically a rolling bunk bed. We don't quite want that cramped! If I had a choice of the kids sharing a bed or having separate, small bunks, I'd pick the small bunks.
Required luxuries are few - a fridge (not an icebox!) and heat. I'd rather have more internal storage - or a shorter RV - than any sort of bathroom. We don't want a TV either. I'd certainly not shun a camper with a TV as we can take it out. We don't generally camp anywhere that it's hot enough that we'd want an air conditioner. In fact, having a unit would probably be more of a nuisance.
You may have noticed that I haven't mentioned a kitchen! I LOVE to cook at camp and I have some great gear to do it. My dream camper would have a awesome outside kitchen with lots of storage for pots, pans, cutlery, cooking utensils, spices, food, etc. A small stove that can store away, leaving me counter space would be ideal. On short trips, I'd use that stove. On longer trips, I'd bring my 3-burner Camp Chef beast and set it up in reach of the built-in chuck box. It's possible that a camper has something that wasn't intended to be an outdoor kitchen that I could turn into one. I could make due with completely setting up an outdoor kitchen away from the camper when we camp for longer times - using an awning, chuck box and the like. But, I'd really like to shave setup time and not have to dig a bunch of items out of the truck. Setup and tear-down time translates into hassle that translates into fewer camping trips! Maybe if I could use the on-board storage to store the chuck-box, that would help, but being able to just shut the door is the quickest possibility!
Our tow vehicle is a full-sized truck, so towing capacity is not our limiting factor. However, we want something small - no more than a 21' box. Smaller yet would be even better.
Price is a concern. Now, we don't have to spend just $1,000, but we sure don't want to spend $20,000 either. Getting something used would suit us fine. Getting something 40+ years old is fine, as is getting something brand-spanking new.
But, I am quite overwhelmed at the options out there. Wow! I can't even wrap my head around all of the NEW options that I can find on manufacturer's web sites - or even all of the manufacturers. And, I can find even less on older models - even from last year. Below are what I've managed to scrounge up so far. What other ideas do you have?
1. Rpod 182g
http://www.forestriverinc.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=173&ShowParent=1&ModelID=976#Main
Win on many fronts. Has bunks and an outside garage kitchen. But, it's outfitted more like a tailgating getup or for people who don't camp for more than one night. Storage inside is lacking and the rear garage is geared for TV-viewing parties, not Dutch Oven cooking.
2. Cruiser RV Fun Finder
http://www.cruiserrv.com/products-2015/fun-finder/floor-plans/item/f-189fds-2015
Fails on the outdoor kitchen front. The "pass-thru" storage could be outfitted with some drawers and such, but it'd be small.
3. Old Camper
Some old camper models have a double bunk in addition to a dinette. In some, there's a large exterior drop-door that accesses the room under the bunk. So, it's possible to build in a chuck-box there and setup the outdoor cooking nearby. The disadvantage of this is that lots of these older RVs are beat up and have an ice box fridge. I'd rather have a 3-way fridge! Now, we could install one, but, the more we have to do to get the camper to fit us, the less appealing it becomes.
4. Viking 17BH
http://www.coachmenrv.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=64&ModelID=307#Main
A win on many fronts. It's got a small permanent dinette that can be made into a bed for visiting guests. It's got a pantry. However, it's a complete failure on the outdoor kitchen front. It's a little light on storage for personal gear, but some of that can be addressed by putting in shelves in the bunks. The side door that accesses the back bunk sure is interesting. I guess I could store my chuck box in there during travel, but, again, that's more fuss.
5. Salem 174BH, 175BH, 195BH
http://www.forestriverinc.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=170&Image=5063&ShowParent=1&ModelID=728#Main
Much like the Viking above. Floor plan suits and meets the optional requirement of sleeping guests. But, again, a complete dud on the outdoor kitchen front.
We do spend most of our time camping outside of the camper - even cooking. We don't camp many places where rain is common, so, while we want a dinette, it could double as our bed or be a smaller size. Really, all we need inside is sleeping space for four, storage for their stuff and a dinette. It would be nice if we could, in a pinch, squeeze in six folks so the kids could bring friends. We did see a plan for a teardrop that was basically a rolling bunk bed. We don't quite want that cramped! If I had a choice of the kids sharing a bed or having separate, small bunks, I'd pick the small bunks.
Required luxuries are few - a fridge (not an icebox!) and heat. I'd rather have more internal storage - or a shorter RV - than any sort of bathroom. We don't want a TV either. I'd certainly not shun a camper with a TV as we can take it out. We don't generally camp anywhere that it's hot enough that we'd want an air conditioner. In fact, having a unit would probably be more of a nuisance.
You may have noticed that I haven't mentioned a kitchen! I LOVE to cook at camp and I have some great gear to do it. My dream camper would have a awesome outside kitchen with lots of storage for pots, pans, cutlery, cooking utensils, spices, food, etc. A small stove that can store away, leaving me counter space would be ideal. On short trips, I'd use that stove. On longer trips, I'd bring my 3-burner Camp Chef beast and set it up in reach of the built-in chuck box. It's possible that a camper has something that wasn't intended to be an outdoor kitchen that I could turn into one. I could make due with completely setting up an outdoor kitchen away from the camper when we camp for longer times - using an awning, chuck box and the like. But, I'd really like to shave setup time and not have to dig a bunch of items out of the truck. Setup and tear-down time translates into hassle that translates into fewer camping trips! Maybe if I could use the on-board storage to store the chuck-box, that would help, but being able to just shut the door is the quickest possibility!
Our tow vehicle is a full-sized truck, so towing capacity is not our limiting factor. However, we want something small - no more than a 21' box. Smaller yet would be even better.
Price is a concern. Now, we don't have to spend just $1,000, but we sure don't want to spend $20,000 either. Getting something used would suit us fine. Getting something 40+ years old is fine, as is getting something brand-spanking new.
But, I am quite overwhelmed at the options out there. Wow! I can't even wrap my head around all of the NEW options that I can find on manufacturer's web sites - or even all of the manufacturers. And, I can find even less on older models - even from last year. Below are what I've managed to scrounge up so far. What other ideas do you have?
1. Rpod 182g
http://www.forestriverinc.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=173&ShowParent=1&ModelID=976#Main
Win on many fronts. Has bunks and an outside garage kitchen. But, it's outfitted more like a tailgating getup or for people who don't camp for more than one night. Storage inside is lacking and the rear garage is geared for TV-viewing parties, not Dutch Oven cooking.
2. Cruiser RV Fun Finder
http://www.cruiserrv.com/products-2015/fun-finder/floor-plans/item/f-189fds-2015
Fails on the outdoor kitchen front. The "pass-thru" storage could be outfitted with some drawers and such, but it'd be small.
3. Old Camper
Some old camper models have a double bunk in addition to a dinette. In some, there's a large exterior drop-door that accesses the room under the bunk. So, it's possible to build in a chuck-box there and setup the outdoor cooking nearby. The disadvantage of this is that lots of these older RVs are beat up and have an ice box fridge. I'd rather have a 3-way fridge! Now, we could install one, but, the more we have to do to get the camper to fit us, the less appealing it becomes.
4. Viking 17BH
http://www.coachmenrv.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=64&ModelID=307#Main
A win on many fronts. It's got a small permanent dinette that can be made into a bed for visiting guests. It's got a pantry. However, it's a complete failure on the outdoor kitchen front. It's a little light on storage for personal gear, but some of that can be addressed by putting in shelves in the bunks. The side door that accesses the back bunk sure is interesting. I guess I could store my chuck box in there during travel, but, again, that's more fuss.
5. Salem 174BH, 175BH, 195BH
http://www.forestriverinc.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=170&Image=5063&ShowParent=1&ModelID=728#Main
Much like the Viking above. Floor plan suits and meets the optional requirement of sleeping guests. But, again, a complete dud on the outdoor kitchen front.
