Forum Discussion

AZmom's avatar
AZmom
Explorer
Jan 25, 2015

torn between 2 TT floor plans - toddler's parents need help!

We have a 2.5 year old, are new to RV'ing and cannot decide which floor plan would be better for our family: 1) bigger rear living/entertaining space or 2) a separate bunkhouse for our daughter. Hoping families with older children and more experience can help us make the best choice for our small family.

We currently own a 2012 Winnebago One "30RE" and love it. The floor plan is a very open living room with lots of windows and space. The problem is sleeping; my 2 year old will fall asleep in our bed at 730 while we're still up but we have not been able to successfully transfer her to the living room to sleep on the fold out bed once we're ready to go to bed. She'll cry her way back to me (loudly), leaving my husband to sleep on the twin alone.

Recently we began considering a bunkhouse (BH) option, the 2015 Dutchmen KODIAK 300BHSL. The bunk house is a totally separate kid's room with 3 beds, a table and lots of storage. Our theory is that a separate room will help keep her fall/stay asleep in her own bed, giving us the living space back and preventing her from crawling in to bed with us (she usually sleeps through the night in her own bed at home).

If we are in the TT during the day (say it's raining) I would rather we all be in one living space and the Winnebago is more conducive to that with its more open floor plan than the compartmentalized bunkhouse floor plan. I worry that with our daughter being an only child she'll feel isolated in the BH. Or that we'll be more squished in the smaller living space. My husband thinks this won't be an issue. That she'll like having her own space. Also I think the extra beds are a waste - I don't plan on bringing her friends along until she is much older nor would I want to have another family stay in our small TT; maybe one grandparent.

Also we got a great deal on the Winnebago so we would be out of pocket more money whether we trade or sell ours privately.

The nicest thing about the bunkhouse is that there is also an outdoor kitchen which pretty much rocks. But I don't know that this alone is worth the amount of money we'll spend should we get a different TT.

Any ideas or suggestions to help us make this decision? Thank you in advance!!

26 Replies

  • We got the bunkhouse for our kids they loved it gave them their own space,plus as they get older seems more and more friends want to go camping
  • Go with the bunkhouse. Let her take ownership of her own space.

    I usually go to sleep much later than my wife or kids. It's nice to have the center of the TT - couch and dinette - to myself to read or just relax.

    PS - we started very young with our kids - no sleeping in our bed whether we were traveling or not. If the kids were really scared - nightmare, lightning/thunder, whatever - they slept on our floor, never our bed. You have to break that habit; sooner rather than later. Otherwise, before you know it, you'll have an eight year-old that still wants to sleep with you.
  • Not sure it is a need right now, but it most likly will be in 5 to 6 years.

    The wife and I just upgraded our floor plan to include a bunkhouse, it was more of a want then a need. We chose a plan that had a small bunkhouse with no slide but two slides in the living area, one on both sides so we have the larger living/kitchen but still a separate spot for our daughter. The plan was in a 5th wheel, sandpiper select 30IOK.

    I share the same comments as above, outdoor kitchen is the best feature on my RV. Last one and my knew one has it, will never own one without it. That feature in my opinion is more worth the upgrade then the bunks at this time lol,
  • Just to throw an option out there...

    Look at something like a Catalina 313RLS. It has a rear entertainment area, and an small slide near the bedroom with 2 bunks. It's separate enough, but not an enclosed bunkhouse. You get a kids area to sleep, and still have a larger rear entertainment space. (Premier also made this exact Floorplan, I was in one at an RV show but cannot find any trace of one online)



    Also, in my opinion, an outdoor kitchen is a must have for me. I would never buy an RV without one. It's the single best feature on my TT and I love it. Some don't like cooking outside, I do. We've never even used the inside kitchen for meals.
  • get her a cute little slumber bag and pillow and tell her she's a big girl now and has her own place to sleep in her own sleeping bag, etc etc. see if you can sell that. :)
  • I personally wouldn't necessarily jump to the BH...yet.

    There is no guarantee that she will like being in the BH alone and could very well end up back with you anyway. It is amazing how much even 6 months can make with a small child and you might find by this summer she loves sleeping on the pull out by herself knowing you are close by.

    Fast forward several years when a friend might tag along for the trip and the BH will probably be the better option.