Light weight bunk house manufacturers?
Hi, I've been doing a ton of research into what light weigh travel trailers are currently being manufactured that meet my requirements and budget. I've hit a bit of a wall in that I can't seem to find many manufacturers that make something that is affordable and decently built. Below is the research to date and requirements. If anyone has any suggestions of brands I've overlooked please let me know. Also, if any of my wants/needs are wrong let me know.
Background and Budget
Budget $10,000-$20,000
I'm looking for something light weight that is under 5,000 GVWR. I'll be towing with a Toyota Tacoma Automatic V6 4x4 with Towing Package. This will be towed in the mountains and probably 2/3 of the way across the country so wanted to not push the towing limit. I'll be monitoring transmission temperature with a ODB2 scanner just in case.
We are currently a family of 3 and while there are plenty of campers out there with a queen bed plus other convertible beds/couches, I'd really like to go for a bunk house so as the kid(s) grow they have there own bunks/space.
We will be using this camper primarily to dry camp for 2 week chunks from Spring-Fall. I'd also like to take it on a long haul across country to Yellowstone where fall temperatures are a bit chilly at night, so LP consumption is a minor concern.
Nice to haves:
6cu ft fridge/freezer - Need the space for long periods of dry camping
Oven - Would be great to have the option to cook stuff not just on the stove top
Dual 20lb Propane tanks - Dry camping plus cool fall and spring weather means we will eat through the propane when heating coach.
Dual axels - Just would be a bit of piece of mind for both towing stability or if there ever was a single tire failure.
What we've found:
I've found that there are a large number of manufacturers who have this configuration today, queen up front, kitchen area in the middle, then bunks and bathroom in the back. However, most of the ones I've seen from the large manufacturers are just built as entry level models with the cheapest of appliances and features.
High End:
The Lance 2185 is an absolutely gorgeous camper, it even exceeds all requirements in that it has a slide out and is 4 season rated. However, the price point over $30,000 is a deal breaker.
Camplite 21BHS - Another amazing camper but at $29,000 it's over budget and also am nervous about the aluminum floor transferring cold too easily into the coach.
Meets most requirements:
Pacific Coachworks: 16BB floor plans are available in almost all of there product lines, Tango, Econ, and Mightylight. 2016 models have almost an updated construction. They include full 6cu ft fridge and full cooktop and oven. They only feature a single axle and one propane tank but they fall right within the budget. Also, small tank capacities, Fresh Water - 25 gal, Grey Water - 15 gal, Black Water - 10 gal However, I cannot find a dealer outside of the west coast and we are all the way on the opposite side of the country.
Jayco Feather 7 19bh: New model in 2016. No stove, small fridge, single propane tank plenty of dealers available in our region. Vacuum bonded fiberglass walls. If we can't find a Pacific Coachworks and no one suggests anything else, we'd probably buy this one.
Coachman Apex Nano 193BHS- Looks great, similar to Jayco above. Vacuum bonded panels like the Jayco and Pacific. However, bathroom sink is used to operate shower, just seems like a cheap move. Maybe if a super deal came up we'd consider it.
Low end
These all suffer from the same short comings, just cheap bare bones components included.
Starcraft - AR-ONE
Forest River - Multiple Models, Wolf Pup, etc
KZ-Spree
Coleman
So what brands/models have I missed?
Background and Budget
Budget $10,000-$20,000
I'm looking for something light weight that is under 5,000 GVWR. I'll be towing with a Toyota Tacoma Automatic V6 4x4 with Towing Package. This will be towed in the mountains and probably 2/3 of the way across the country so wanted to not push the towing limit. I'll be monitoring transmission temperature with a ODB2 scanner just in case.
We are currently a family of 3 and while there are plenty of campers out there with a queen bed plus other convertible beds/couches, I'd really like to go for a bunk house so as the kid(s) grow they have there own bunks/space.
We will be using this camper primarily to dry camp for 2 week chunks from Spring-Fall. I'd also like to take it on a long haul across country to Yellowstone where fall temperatures are a bit chilly at night, so LP consumption is a minor concern.
Nice to haves:
6cu ft fridge/freezer - Need the space for long periods of dry camping
Oven - Would be great to have the option to cook stuff not just on the stove top
Dual 20lb Propane tanks - Dry camping plus cool fall and spring weather means we will eat through the propane when heating coach.
Dual axels - Just would be a bit of piece of mind for both towing stability or if there ever was a single tire failure.
What we've found:
I've found that there are a large number of manufacturers who have this configuration today, queen up front, kitchen area in the middle, then bunks and bathroom in the back. However, most of the ones I've seen from the large manufacturers are just built as entry level models with the cheapest of appliances and features.
High End:
The Lance 2185 is an absolutely gorgeous camper, it even exceeds all requirements in that it has a slide out and is 4 season rated. However, the price point over $30,000 is a deal breaker.
Camplite 21BHS - Another amazing camper but at $29,000 it's over budget and also am nervous about the aluminum floor transferring cold too easily into the coach.
Meets most requirements:
Pacific Coachworks: 16BB floor plans are available in almost all of there product lines, Tango, Econ, and Mightylight. 2016 models have almost an updated construction. They include full 6cu ft fridge and full cooktop and oven. They only feature a single axle and one propane tank but they fall right within the budget. Also, small tank capacities, Fresh Water - 25 gal, Grey Water - 15 gal, Black Water - 10 gal However, I cannot find a dealer outside of the west coast and we are all the way on the opposite side of the country.
Jayco Feather 7 19bh: New model in 2016. No stove, small fridge, single propane tank plenty of dealers available in our region. Vacuum bonded fiberglass walls. If we can't find a Pacific Coachworks and no one suggests anything else, we'd probably buy this one.
Coachman Apex Nano 193BHS- Looks great, similar to Jayco above. Vacuum bonded panels like the Jayco and Pacific. However, bathroom sink is used to operate shower, just seems like a cheap move. Maybe if a super deal came up we'd consider it.
Low end
These all suffer from the same short comings, just cheap bare bones components included.
Starcraft - AR-ONE
Forest River - Multiple Models, Wolf Pup, etc
KZ-Spree
Coleman
So what brands/models have I missed?
