Top 3-4 Travel Trailer Bunkhouses
Subject line says it.. Top 3-4 Bunkhouse less then 30ft Travel Trailers out there. Wanna do some research before considering the trade.. Lite Weight/Realiability,etc...
Forum Discussion
About a year ago we bought a Prime Time Avenger 28bhs and are very happy with it. I also like the Jayco Whitehawk bunkhouse of similar size and the Prime Time Lacrosse 292 bunkhouse.
Reputation for customer service was critical and both Jayco and Prime Time do well in that regard. If a manufacturer has a reputation for good customer service, that's an indication of ( 1 ) a good product (though not necessarily the best), and ( 2 ) you'll be happy with the outcome if there is a problem with your purchase.
You might write down the things critical to you and use that list to narrow the search. As I indicated, for me reputation for customer service was #1. I also wanted to stay in the "average" pricing range, which ruled out Nash/Arctic Fox. For bunk house models, the important issues I considered (not necessarily in order):
1. Two full size bunks. We previously had a full bottom bunk and a 1/2 top bunk. The kids didn't like it at all and I saw no benefit.
2. Deep slide. We previously had a relatively shallow slide (like the Jayco 28bhs). The difference between a deep slide and a shallow slide is similar to the difference between a shallow slide and no slide.
3. Cargo carrying capacity...this is a reflection of the strength of the frame and suspension components. I wanted something relatively beefy as I bent the frame on a previous (ultralite) trailer...my fault, but it was totaled. That trailer had CCC +/-1000lbs and was at the limit with respect to the tire load rating. My current trailer CCC is +/-2700lbs and has room to spare on the tire rating.
4. Laminate v. tin...personal preference. I wanted tin because of potential delamination problems otherwise. There are a few manufacturers who use better materials to avoid delamination, but most do not.
5. Tank size. I compromised here, but recently installed a grey water recycling system that almost doubles our boondocking ability.
6. Make sure it's not too heavy especially relative to the payload capacity of your vehicle if you have a 1/2 ton. Do not fall into the trap of looking at GVWR of the trailer to determine if you can tow it...that unnecessarily penalizes the strongest trailers. Look at the unloaded weight and add a reasonable estimate for your gear (e.g. 1000-1500lbs).
Since buying my current trailer, I'd also pay attention to efficient storage (the Avenger is very efficient but it makes me realize how inefficient my last one was...and I just got lucky this time).
Good luck!
Reputation for customer service was critical and both Jayco and Prime Time do well in that regard. If a manufacturer has a reputation for good customer service, that's an indication of ( 1 ) a good product (though not necessarily the best), and ( 2 ) you'll be happy with the outcome if there is a problem with your purchase.
You might write down the things critical to you and use that list to narrow the search. As I indicated, for me reputation for customer service was #1. I also wanted to stay in the "average" pricing range, which ruled out Nash/Arctic Fox. For bunk house models, the important issues I considered (not necessarily in order):
1. Two full size bunks. We previously had a full bottom bunk and a 1/2 top bunk. The kids didn't like it at all and I saw no benefit.
2. Deep slide. We previously had a relatively shallow slide (like the Jayco 28bhs). The difference between a deep slide and a shallow slide is similar to the difference between a shallow slide and no slide.
3. Cargo carrying capacity...this is a reflection of the strength of the frame and suspension components. I wanted something relatively beefy as I bent the frame on a previous (ultralite) trailer...my fault, but it was totaled. That trailer had CCC +/-1000lbs and was at the limit with respect to the tire load rating. My current trailer CCC is +/-2700lbs and has room to spare on the tire rating.
4. Laminate v. tin...personal preference. I wanted tin because of potential delamination problems otherwise. There are a few manufacturers who use better materials to avoid delamination, but most do not.
5. Tank size. I compromised here, but recently installed a grey water recycling system that almost doubles our boondocking ability.
6. Make sure it's not too heavy especially relative to the payload capacity of your vehicle if you have a 1/2 ton. Do not fall into the trap of looking at GVWR of the trailer to determine if you can tow it...that unnecessarily penalizes the strongest trailers. Look at the unloaded weight and add a reasonable estimate for your gear (e.g. 1000-1500lbs).
Since buying my current trailer, I'd also pay attention to efficient storage (the Avenger is very efficient but it makes me realize how inefficient my last one was...and I just got lucky this time).
Good luck!
