Hi folks! Been awhile since I posted here but my family will be rejoining the RV community for next summer and I'm starting my research now. In the past we had a Wildcat 5th wheel bunkhouse but this time around I'm leaning toward a TT since the tow vehicle will ultimately be a full size SUV. My Wildcat was a 2005my that was purchased in early '04. It was a great camper that had almost zero issue's in the 3 seasons we used it. A lifestyle change saw the camper sold in favor of a boat but I always missed RV'ing and now it's time to come back to the lifestyle.Family description:2 Adults, 2 children (7&10), 1 dog.Camper wishes:1. Bunkhouse with quad bunks.2. I'm liking the new U-shaped dinettes I see. Worth it?3. $23,000-28,000 price range.4. 60X80 Queen bed.5. Under 7,000lb empty weight.Next year I'll tow the camper with my Ram 2500. However, the following year we'll likely be getting a new Suburban so camper weight will be important. We want to go on some long trips and I can't see 4 of us and the dog in my Crew Cab Ram going cross country.

1. Some quad bunk houses have TINY 28" bunks. Make sure you have ones big enough for your kids2. If you and your family are on the tall side, you may end up knocking knees on the u-benchHappy shopping!

Our first RV had the standard dinette. Our second has the U. We much prefer the U, though the 5 of us are a bit of a tight fit. If I was in the market for a new RV, and it had everything else I wanted except the U, that would not be a dealbreaker for me.If you do go for a Suburban, I'd highly recommend a used 2500 versus a new half-ton. I've towed with both - no comparison. And my 2500 is every bit as civilized on the interior - optioned out like an Escalade.A quad bunk trailer is going to be a stretch for a half-ton Burb.

Eowens wrote:Family description:2 Adults, 2 children (7&10), 1 dog.Camper wishes:1. Bunkhouse with quad bunks.2. I'm liking the new U-shaped dinettes I see. Worth it?3. $23,000-28,000 price range.4. 60X80 Queen bed.5. Under 7,000lb empty weight.Ed,We picked up a 2015 Crossroads Zinger 32QB this past April that meets your wish list.It has quad bunks with a real door to the second bedroom. The TT has a ton of storage. Weighs 6600 lbs dry. We've camped 27 nights so far this year, including a 17 day trip to Yellowstone and back (4200 miles round trip) with the wife and two kids (12 and 9). Camper performed admirably and was within or even under your price range.We are very pleased with the TT. I encourage you to check it out and congrats on coming back to the RV lifestyle.

The only SUV after 2007 that can handle the tongue weight of a 7k dry TT and a family including dog is the 3/4 ton GM twins, and those were discontinued after 2013. Maybe the 2015 Expy will improve payload and receiver limit beyond the 900-1000 pound limitations. Heck, even the tow rating of the 2015 GM half tons is in the 8k range which will be exceeded with a 7k TT loaded for a cross country trip.So if you accept the prices and limited availability of a 3/4 ton SUV (or 1-ton van), then I recommend Keystone Outback 301BQ. It's probably me next TT. Quad bunks, large master bedroom (for a TT - hahahahaha), large tanks, lots of storage. Otherwise, the more popular floorplan is something like this Primetime Tracer 3150:The standard u-dinette are not exactly useful for more than 3 people. Maybe you want something referenced in this thread?

Eowens wrote:Hi folks! Been awhile since I posted here but my family will be rejoining the RV community for next summer and I'm starting my research now. In the past we had a Wildcat 5th wheel bunkhouse but this time around I'm leaning toward a TT since the tow vehicle will ultimately be a full size SUV. My Wildcat was a 2005my that was purchased in early '04. It was a great camper that had almost zero issue's in the 3 seasons we used it. A lifestyle change saw the camper sold in favor of a boat but I always missed RV'ing and now it's time to come back to the lifestyle.Family description:2 Adults, 2 children (7&10), 1 dog.Camper wishes:1. Bunkhouse with quad bunks.2. I'm liking the new U-shaped dinettes I see. Worth it?3. $23,000-28,000 price range.4. 60X80 Queen bed.5. Under 7,000lb empty weight.Next year I'll tow the camper with my Ram 2500. However, the following year we'll likely be getting a new Suburban so camper weight will be important. We want to go on some long trips and I can't see 4 of us and the dog in my Crew Cab Ram going cross country.It is my wife, 2 kids (6 and 8), 2 dogs and myself.I have a 2012 Passort 3220 BH. 2 slides, slide in the bunkhouse with 4 bunks, large side with couch and dinette. It also has a small outdoor kitchen. 35 feet overall. 6280 dry. Was 7450 loaded for 5 days of camping. Tow with a 6.0 Chevy 2500 HD(gasser, 4.10s, 4 speed does just fine). We have the u shape dinette...Eh. I don't care for it but the wife likes it. I think we paid 24,000 out the door brand new. This is our third season with it. We have been really happy with it.

Rentering the RV lifestyle. Questions on Bunkhouse TT's.

Sillybugs2
Explorer
Aug 14, 2014
Just some thoughts from someone with a similar family size.

Your kids are a little younger than mine but they hate the single bunks. Our next trailer will likely have a double over double bunks without a full bunkhouse room for that reason. The are 9 & 13.

How big is your dog? Ours is small but the kids and her ride just fine for room in the back of dh's 3500 crew cab. Gives us more options for trailers when we upgrade eventually.
ls1mike
Explorer II
Aug 14, 2014
Eowens wrote:
Hi folks! Been awhile since I posted here but my family will be rejoining the RV community for next summer and I'm starting my research now. In the past we had a Wildcat 5th wheel bunkhouse but this time around I'm leaning toward a TT since the tow vehicle will ultimately be a full size SUV.

My Wildcat was a 2005my that was purchased in early '04. It was a great camper that had almost zero issue's in the 3 seasons we used it. A lifestyle change saw the camper sold in favor of a boat but I always missed RV'ing and now it's time to come back to the lifestyle.

Family description:
2 Adults, 2 children (7&10), 1 dog.

Camper wishes:
1. Bunkhouse with quad bunks.
2. I'm liking the new U-shaped dinettes I see. Worth it?
3. $23,000-28,000 price range.
4. 60X80 Queen bed.
5. Under 7,000lb empty weight.

Next year I'll tow the camper with my Ram 2500. However, the following year we'll likely be getting a new Suburban so camper weight will be important. We want to go on some long trips and I can't see 4 of us and the dog in my Crew Cab Ram going cross country.

It is my wife, 2 kids (6 and 8), 2 dogs and myself.

I have a 2012 Passort 3220 BH. 2 slides, slide in the bunkhouse with 4 bunks, large side with couch and dinette. It also has a small outdoor kitchen. 35 feet overall. 6280 dry. Was 7450 loaded for 5 days of camping. Tow with a 6.0 Chevy 2500 HD(gasser, 4.10s, 4 speed does just fine).
We have the u shape dinette...Eh. I don't care for it but the wife likes it.
I think we paid 24,000 out the door brand new.
This is our third season with it. We have been really happy with it.
APT
Explorer
Aug 14, 2014
The only SUV after 2007 that can handle the tongue weight of a 7k dry TT and a family including dog is the 3/4 ton GM twins, and those were discontinued after 2013. Maybe the 2015 Expy will improve payload and receiver limit beyond the 900-1000 pound limitations. Heck, even the tow rating of the 2015 GM half tons is in the 8k range which will be exceeded with a 7k TT loaded for a cross country trip.

So if you accept the prices and limited availability of a 3/4 ton SUV (or 1-ton van), then I recommend Keystone Outback 301BQ. It's probably me next TT. Quad bunks, large master bedroom (for a TT - hahahahaha), large tanks, lots of storage. Otherwise, the more popular floorplan is something like this Primetime Tracer 3150:

The standard u-dinette are not exactly useful for more than 3 people. Maybe you want something referenced in this thread?
cubmaster252
Explorer
Aug 14, 2014
Eowens wrote:

Family description:
2 Adults, 2 children (7&10), 1 dog.

Camper wishes:
1. Bunkhouse with quad bunks.
2. I'm liking the new U-shaped dinettes I see. Worth it?
3. $23,000-28,000 price range.
4. 60X80 Queen bed.
5. Under 7,000lb empty weight.

Ed,

We picked up a 2015 Crossroads Zinger 32QB this past April that meets your wish list.

It has quad bunks with a real door to the second bedroom. The TT has a ton of storage. Weighs 6600 lbs dry. We've camped 27 nights so far this year, including a 17 day trip to Yellowstone and back (4200 miles round trip) with the wife and two kids (12 and 9). Camper performed admirably and was within or even under your price range.

We are very pleased with the TT. I encourage you to check it out and congrats on coming back to the RV lifestyle.
intheburbs
Explorer
Aug 14, 2014
Our first RV had the standard dinette. Our second has the U. We much prefer the U, though the 5 of us are a bit of a tight fit. If I was in the market for a new RV, and it had everything else I wanted except the U, that would not be a dealbreaker for me.

If you do go for a Suburban, I'd highly recommend a used 2500 versus a new half-ton. I've towed with both - no comparison. And my 2500 is every bit as civilized on the interior - optioned out like an Escalade.

A quad bunk trailer is going to be a stretch for a half-ton Burb.
mbutts
Explorer
Aug 14, 2014
1. Some quad bunk houses have TINY 28" bunks. Make sure you have ones big enough for your kids
2. If you and your family are on the tall side, you may end up knocking knees on the u-bench

Happy shopping!

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