Hi everyone! We bought a 2006 Jayco 23B hybrid in the summer of 2004 (yes my years are accurate) and we've taken very good care of it. We've had so much fun with her, and now that our daughters are 14 and almost 13, I'm feeling the need for some more space and less set up. The kids have argued about sharing the back bunk for about 3 years, it's time. I want to still enjoy camping!So- I'm looking for advice. We want the following: outdoor kitchen (with fridge)external speakersseperate bedroom for the Parentsat least two bunkslight weight to tow as possible. Maybe we should open our minds to 5th wheel too? We haven't been in the RV shopping mode for a VERY long time. I found one that interests us, it's a 2012 Keystone Hornet Hideout 30BHDS.I'd be super appreciative to hear your thoughts.:)

You might as well get used to having the main bedroom in the front of the rig. Can't think of an exception to that design.For help you could search this Forum for `must haves' either in the TT or 5er sections.One of my `must haves' is the ability to use galley and head at rest stops without opening any slides. Yes I used to be a sailor!

I'm not sure what you are looking for as far as weight, whether new or used, or your budget. But with two teenagers, I'd look for something with a dual "full" size bunk like the MPG 2400BH. It checks all of your boxes, including the outdoor kitchen with a small fridge. https://www.cruiserrv.com/mpg-2400bh

Cant fault your reasoning for a new unit, but you have a good track record with Jayco, why not go back to the well?

What you're looking for sounds heavy. Personally, since it sounds like you're going with a new rig from TV to TT/5er, and you want the things you've mentioned, I'd get a fifth wheel. In a perfect world I'd get a Chevy or Ford 3500/350 crew cab and a fiver. We don't have kids, just little dogs, and we didn't want the commitment of having a big truck. So, we went the travel trailer route, no outdoor kitchen. I have a nice gas grill in the camper and have never had any need for the outside kitchen. They seem pretty cool though. Enjoy the process!!

Jayco has several models that fit your requirements, except they are NOT light weight. They start around 6,000 lbs. empty, and can run up to 9,000 lbs. loaded

Looking to upgrade to a TT after hybrid for 14 years!

Hannibal
Explorer
May 17, 2017
ralph day wrote:
Best outdoor speakers have a cord and fit in your ears. Can't understand why people feel the need to entertain everyone in the campground. I like the "radio free" sites.

It helps them tolerate other peoples' yapping dogs, blowing cigarette smoke and mosquito fogging noisy diesels. :B

I'm partial to Jayco for the features you list. Like any other brand, check that you can get to the fridge and bathroom with the slide in. If you're tall, make sure it has a full 80" queen bed. Check tub to ceiling height. Some tubs are raised and a tall guy can't stand in the tub/shower. I pass on any TT that has a cable driven slide and I'd really have to like it otherwise to settle for hydraulics. Our 2" receiver is a must for carrying our two 26 lb Trek bikes on the rear. Counter space, closet space, storage space, tank capacity, seating, television placement can all add to or subtract from a camping trip. Just a few thoughts.
Drew510
Explorer
May 17, 2017
ralph day wrote:
Best outdoor speakers have a cord and fit in your ears. Can't understand why people feel the need to entertain everyone in the campground. I like the "radio free" sites.

Our trailer has outdoor speakers. On our first trip, we discovered the monkeys at the factory hooked them up wrong when we put a movie on for the kids before bed. They had wired the rear inside and outside speakers together as well as the front inside and outside, so no matter which speaker set you chose (A or B), you got sound inside and outside the trailer. Needless to say, they went without a movie that night and I spent some time the next morning pulling and rewiring the radio.

We haven't used the outside ones much as we don't spend much time hanging outside by the trailer during the day.
falconbrother
Explorer II
May 17, 2017
ralph day wrote:
Best outdoor speakers have a cord and fit in your ears. Can't understand why people feel the need to entertain everyone in the campground. I like the "radio free" sites.

Our new camper has outdoor speakers but, I'm not sure why. They are cool but, I like to be a good neighbor so.. Every Christmas we go to the beach and choose a site off by ourselves. Then perhaps we might use it..or not..
dbdap
Explorer
May 17, 2017
We were in the exact same situation bought a Jayco 23B in 2004 kept it till last year, needed something different as our kids grew. Ended up with a keystone passport 2400BH, has all the features you have listed and a few additional things we appropriate such as larger tanks (fresh and holding), automatic awning ETC. Gave up having a separate couch and dinette, don't miss it as we typically do not spend to much time in the camper during the day.
ata3001
Explorer
May 17, 2017
ralph day wrote:
Best outdoor speakers have a cord and fit in your ears. Can't understand why people feel the need to entertain everyone in the campground. I like the "radio free" sites.

X2
Drew510
Explorer
May 17, 2017
We have a Heartland Mallard M29 with two "full" bunks. Take a look at the floor plan as it is available by many different brands. Ours does not have an outdoor kitchen, but the Jayco 29BHDB does.
jarata1
Explorer
May 17, 2017
Campfire Time wrote:
Since your daughters are used to sleeping under canvas, have you considered getting a trailer for the adults and a cabin tent for the girls? You get your privacy, they get theirs (especially important as they are now teens), and you don't have to get a monster trailer.

the_happiestcamper wrote:
ralph day wrote:
Best outdoor speakers have a cord and fit in your ears. Can't understand why people feel the need to entertain everyone in the campground. I like the "radio free" sites.

We have a bluetooth speaker - I'll hook it to my phone and make sure it's aimed where others can't hear (I do a perimeter walk just to be sure).

I certainly appreciate people like you. In WI state parks the rule is that if it can be heard in the next camp site it's too loud.

I agree it's so rude to have to listen to someone else's music
IdaD
Explorer
May 17, 2017
I would look at both Fifth Wheels and Travel Trailers. You don't jump from camper to camper a lot so it seems to me that you owe it to yourselves to check out all your options. Fifth wheels are shorter going down the road and they tow better, but they tie up bed space, tend to cost more and require more truck. One isn't better than the other, it just depends on your priorities.

Toy haulers are another option as most can be had with a pair of drop down queen bunks in the back and a main bedroom up front. They can be had in TT or fifth wheel form. They tend to run a little heavier than camper trailers but are better suited to non-hookup camping with larger tanks and on-board generators. This is the direction we are planning on taking with our next one.
Campfire_Time
Explorer
May 17, 2017
Since your daughters are used to sleeping under canvas, have you considered getting a trailer for the adults and a cabin tent for the girls? You get your privacy, they get theirs (especially important as they are now teens), and you don't have to get a monster trailer.

the_happiestcamper wrote:
ralph day wrote:
Best outdoor speakers have a cord and fit in your ears. Can't understand why people feel the need to entertain everyone in the campground. I like the "radio free" sites.

We have a bluetooth speaker - I'll hook it to my phone and make sure it's aimed where others can't hear (I do a perimeter walk just to be sure).

I certainly appreciate people like you. In WI state parks the rule is that if it can be heard in the next camp site it's too loud.
the_happiestcam
Explorer
May 17, 2017
ralph day wrote:
Best outdoor speakers have a cord and fit in your ears. Can't understand why people feel the need to entertain everyone in the campground. I like the "radio free" sites.

We have a bluetooth speaker - I'll hook it to my phone and make sure it's aimed where others can't hear (I do a perimeter walk just to be sure).