Forum Discussion

campbikemom's avatar
campbikemom
Explorer
Oct 05, 2019

Murphy Bed vs. Separate Bedroom

I am looking for opinions for those of you that had murphy beds or at least considered them.

We are looking for a new camper and have been going back and forth between the pros and cons of a separate sleeping space that does not convert, versus a couch to murphy bed.

We are looking to keep the trailer at or under 30' and a GVWR of 7000 and less (max - the less the better, of course).

We need bunks for our boys, but am fine with twin sized (actually prefer them as my kids are small and doubles are wasted space for us).

Leaning towards a slide (currently do not have one), but are not set on one quite yet.

I came across this floor plan and it really would be perfect. Alas, it's already archived and very hard to find:
https://www.jayco.com/tools/archive/2019-jay-feather/24bhm/

I am also considering a number of floorplans with:

1. u-shaped dinette and the separate bedroom with a queen
2. u-shaped dinette and the couch/murphy combo
3. standard dinette, couch, separate bedroom, but no slide

The main considerations are:
- How much of a pain is dealing with the murphy bed? There are probably a lot of days it would never get converted to a couch because we are outside all day, but we're in NY so have plenty of awful weather.
- How much of an upgrade can you really get with a murphy mattress? will it ever be as comfortable as a normal bed?

This camper would go to us to a lot of bike races as a "team base" so having a couch is appealing.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Oct 05, 2019
    Second Chance,

    Have you operated your slides at -37 C? I do boondock in that temperature range. That's why I don't think slides are desirable for me.
  • ADK_Camper's avatar
    ADK_Camper
    Explorer
    Oct 05, 2019
    I have no personal experience with a Murphy bed, but I talked to a couple who had one. I was told that it can be folded when completely made up, and deploying it and folding it was very easy. They seemed to like it.

    I do have some experience with sofas and u shaped dinettes. U dinettes don't comfortably sit as many people as you might think. Two people sitting near a corner will be knocking knees. I suggest you sit all the people who will travel with you at any dinettes you are considering before you commit.

    I would give high priority to a sofa. No matter how much time you intend to spend outside, you'll have to deal with an occasional rain day and a comfortable sofa will make a big difference. Dinettes are fine for a meal or playing game, but they're just not comfortable for reading or watching TV.
  • Addy15's avatar
    Addy15
    Explorer
    Oct 05, 2019
    My sister has a Rockwood Mini Lite 2509S which she purchased new one year ago. It has a Murphy bed, u-shaped dinette in a slide, and double bunks at the back, as well as other features such as an outdoor kitchen. She likes it very much so far. The Murphy bed does not fold when it stows, so there is not an issue with it creasing. It goes up vertical and flat. I have slept on it, and it's actually quite comfortable. More comfortable than the bed in my own 5th wheel actually. (It's actually got more water capacity than my 5th wheel too...) There is a front window for more light when the bed is down and even a little window in the bathroom area. Very nice. She doesn't find the Murphy bed a pain to deal with, and there are many days when she doesn't even bother stow it. Because like you said, a lot of the time you are not even in the trailer. But it's not a big deal when she does decide to stow it.

    Not sure the actual dimensions of the "double" bunks, but they are not really the size of a full-sized bed. They are not huge.

    In a trailer of that size, I think you would want a slide; otherwise it can get very cramped very quickly if you need to be inside.

    Might be worth your time taking a look at one of these trailers.

    Rockwood Mini Lite 2509S
  • Second_Chance's avatar
    Second_Chance
    Explorer II
    Oct 05, 2019
    We have three slides and do just fine in cold weather (full-timers). It all depends on how well the RV is built. We just had a conversation with a couple who have a Murphy bed in their TT. The rig was fairly new and the mattress was already developing a crease and breaking down as a result of being folded. I would vote against a Murphy.

    Rob
  • campbikemom's avatar
    campbikemom
    Explorer
    Oct 05, 2019
    pianotuna wrote:
    Hi,

    If you were to full time a Murphy bed might be a bit of a pain.

    I'm not a fan of slides, because I cold weather camp.

    I would buy a used RV over a brand new unit as there are often multiple problems direct from the factory (it's not a bug it's a feature). Five years old is ideal age.


    Definitely not full-timing it - probably 30-40 nights a year.

    Could you elaborate on the slides and cold weather? We've definitely talked about the downsides of slides with added weight and the potential for leaks, but I have not heard anything about limitations on cold weather camping. A friend of mine has a 5th wheel with a slide and uses it a lot in Central NY weather so it's not something I've considered. We don't get as cold as you, but our winters are nothing to scoff at.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Oct 05, 2019
    Hi,

    If you were to full time a Murphy bed might be a bit of a pain.

    I'm not a fan of slides, because I cold weather camp.

    I would buy a used RV over a brand new unit as there are often multiple problems direct from the factory (it's not a bug it's a feature). Five years old is ideal age.

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