Need some advice for our first trailer. Family of four (boy and girl, early teens), so we need a bunkhouse, or separate beds for them. TV is a 2013 ML350 diesel (7200lb tow weight, 1400lb payload, 576 hitch). We're looking to keeping at 25ft or under,so that we can camp easily in state and national campgrounds, and not pay a fortune for storage. Needs to have good capacity for dry camping. Used trailers work well, but my concern is over build quality and durability. From what I've seen so far, lots of trailers still use wood?

You'll be hard pressed to find a bunkhouse under 25' ball to bumper.Are you open to a hybrid? The Roo 233 or other 3-bed model?

Lance will have what you are looking for or Funfinder.

I have a trail cruiser 26ft with quad bunks in the front and a rear slide bed that might work for you. Gvwr is 5500. I havent seen too many around however. The model is 26sb. My year os 2005. Good luck in your search.

On length, we are assuming 25 ft is for the box length. The extra few feet for hitch doesn't matter at campgrounds (or so I was told?) just stick it in the trees?

My concern with a hybrid is that some national parks, like Yellowstone limit to hard sides due to bears? Also we live in the NW, so drying it out would be an issue. As I said, I'm new, so please correct me!

Looking for our first trailer - Need bunkhouse, <25ft

pnwsnow
Explorer
Jun 26, 2013
We bought a Skyline Eco Camp 21bh. We looked at the Alumilite too, but the tongue weight was heavier than we wanted. The bunk beds are longer than average. Also we love the enclosed shower. The dry yellow tag weight is 3400 lbs. It is narrower 7.5 feet instead of 8 feet wide, making it better to tow with a mid sized SUV. Less wind drag. It measures just shy of 25 feet from tip to tail. The 2012 models were sold as Skyline Koala's.
mike_t
Explorer
Jun 26, 2013
I have a 27' and also looked at this.Good price if you go through Camping World.
JMO
Sorry link did not work. Call camping world and ask the about a Pioneer 25' bunk. You will like the 27' more however. We did.

Luke. The 5 is just wonderful isn't It ;o)
wapitichaser
Explorer
Jun 27, 2013
I have a Northtrail FX235 with triple bunk and queen bed for my family of five. Each kid has their own bunk and we do not have to make the dinette into a bed. The FX235 is 23.5 feet long minus the tongue, so it is right at 26.5 feet total length. We boondock in the high country of colorado all year long and spend about 45 days a year camping.
LukeS
Explorer
Jun 27, 2013
To be honest Mike the 50# not really sure what it means. I guess I should look it up all I know is the girls liked the Bunks. Or they enjoyed hiding from the parents. Have we met somewhere sure sounds like it.
APT
Explorer
Jun 28, 2013
The diesel has lots of torque. That hitch rating will be your issue. 600-ish pounds loaded means about 400 pounds dry. something under 4k dry/400 pounds dry TW would be good. KZ Spree Escape and Sportsmen have a few models. Rockwood Mini-lite 2306, Lance 2185, although I hear the loaded TW is more like 750 pounds.
Jetta03
Explorer
Jun 28, 2013
We've been eyeing the Lance 2185 as our next camper. 25 feet (and change) bumper to hitch, 3 bunks, slideout, seems close to what you are looking for.
Proteus
Explorer
Jun 28, 2013
The Lance looks good, with one problem. We saw one at a show, and the bathroom was unusable, as there was no shoulder room. No way to close the door while in use, even for kids.
Elite130
Explorer
Jun 28, 2013
We have a GulfStream AmeriLite 25BH. It has a 25' box, 27.5ft ball to bumper, has the rear bunks, sofa, and front queen. GVR is 7200lbs, but weighs in loaded (clothes, water, battery, propane, etc) at 5100lbs. Tongue weight is right around 600lbs +/- though.
Goldstalker
Explorer
Jun 28, 2013
Look into these.

http://www.crossroadsrv.com/sunset-trail/super-lite/floorplans/travel-trailers/item/st240bh

http://www.cruiserrv.com/shadow-cruiser/s_260bhs/specifications.html
Opie431
Explorer
Jun 28, 2013
Our 03 Keystone Outback has four bunks. It is one foot over your 25 foot limit. I do not know if they make them anymore.