5er brands/models

[familyfive]

I have been researching fifth wheels for about 18 months now and as our family has walked various models, attended RV shows and taken a few camping trips in rented units, our needs/desires seem to have changed. I'm looking for some opinions on a few manufacturers and models as what I "thought" we were set on has now completely changed. My top manufacturers are Highland Ridge Open Range 3X, Heartland Elkridge, Keystone Montana I'm having a real struggle with deciding what exactly our family's needs truly are. WE have three kids 11, 14, 16 and I don't know if a separate room (bunkhouse type) is a necessity or if that space is better used in a family room that has couches that turn into beds. We loved the front/rear family room models found in the Durango Gold, Open Range 3X and Montana as they really allowed for some good family time/gathering during inclement weather. The bunkhouse style seems to be nice for the kids but the reality is they will be grown and gone before we are ready to trade-in for a new fiver. Does anyone have any experience camping in either of these circumstances with nearly 3 teenagers? My must have is a kitchen with a good amount of countertop to include an island if possible. I cook. Oh, and a W/D hookup.
Currently, I'm looking at the Heartland Elkridge ER 33RBR (new model) as it is the smallest of my selection and will accommodate my three kids 11, 14, 16, without having a huge bunk room that will be wasted after they leave the nest, but a room, none-the-less. Hubby is really wanting to stay 39' or smaller. My other current best choices are the front or rear family room options that turn into beds large enough to sleep all three kids. I can't find any other models that might be an option for us. I am open to options, suggestions, opinions......I'm exhausted with my searching and hope by asking others there might be something I haven't considered. Your responses are truly appreciated! Thanks!

[Bamaman11]

I have the Grand Design Reflection 323BHS--35' with 4 slides. It's a bunkhouse, and I ordered it with the SuperSofa option--12' of heavenly wallhugger recliners/love seat in lieu of a dinette.

I do use the bunkhouse when the grandkids are not with us as my man cave. My wife and i watch different television shows and we keep different hours. I'm 6'3" tall and find the bunkhouse okay.

Our bunkhouse has one leather J couch on the right with a fold down single bed above that. On the left is a lower and upper bunk. On the back wall is a 32" flat screen television built in. It's nice to have a slide in the bunkhouse too.

[ACZL]

We started off w/ a BH and now that the kids are grown and 1 is married, other will be leaving soon. So we are looking at a rear LR and just need to sell ours as dealer will kill us on trade.

[ljl]

Something like the Grand Design Reflection 367BHS might be worth looking at. Separate bunk room, usable as a den/office or man cave down the road, rear living, and W/D hookups.

Grand Design Reflection 367BHS

[IBcarguy]

I have grand kids and I need the bunk arrangement on my next 5th wheel but I would much rather have a rear living area layout. 8 of 10 rigs on display at the RV show last weekend were rear living, it's much more popular and is a lot more spacious.

[familyfive]

Great insight!~ Thanks for your candor. I do think my kids need a dedicated space to sleep and watch tv or play their xbox on rainy days. I just struggle with the maintaining the family space that disappears with the traditional bunkhouses. I'm not a fan of the 2 person couch and dinette lining one wall with no other seating. I've seen a few models will do a party couch and that might be an option. I had not given much consideration to the mid bunkhouse options and I'm glad you brought that up Lantley. My kids are too tall to be able to use the loft space (dear sweet daughter got herself stuck up in one this past weekend at the RV show). I fear that type of mid bunk would be a disaster. I did take a look at two that have slideouts and true bunk beds, however, and I'm liking those. With the turn of the beds, they seem to keep the overall length of the rig to 37' or so and that is definitely doable!

Jayco Eagle HT 30.5MBOK looks pretty nice although I'll miss my King bed and w/d hookups. The fridge is pretty small as well but I know I'll have to make sacrifices to keep the length down.

Coachmen Chaparral 360IBL is another mid bunkhouse that looks pretty nice. It's a little longer at 39' but the kitchen seems a bit larger and has the option of a 12 cu fu fridge (something I think we would need).

Anyone out there have either one of these or know of another mid bunk rig (sans the overhead loft). Thanks so much everyone! Your challenging me to think and consider how we would really live and I appreciate the feedback.

[Lantley]

I feel your pain. I have a 2012 -39' Open Range bunkhouse. My kids were much younger when we purchased. My bunk house days are winding down, however I will adjust my floorplan accordingly. Maybe the bunk house becomes an office or den. The real caveat is how much will my kids camp during their college years?
My youngest still has a few years before college, but we will be empty nesters
while still owning my current bunk house.
I imagine the kids will still camp some especially during summer months (we'll see). My point is I figure I have another 5 years or so with part time kids camping.
In your case consider how long you generally keep your RV's. I see the next 5 years as solid bunk house time since you have an 11 year old. From there things are not as clear but kids may still be in the picture part time. How long will you keep this future rig? 5 years 10 years 15 years? How soon do you anticipate traveling with zero kids?
If I were buying a bunkhouse today it would most likely be a mid bunk like the Heartland ER 39 MBHS, Kids can have a dedicated space, Adults get a real rear lounge area.
While I believe RV'ing is great for family time. I also like the idea of the adults and kids having their own space that they can retreat to.
In the end having kids along without having a bedroom for them would be a deal breaker for me. Sort of like buying a one bedroom condo when you have kids.
Each family is different but having a dedicated room comes with dedicated storage space for the kids stuff. Otherwise there is a future of makeshift beds and piles of stuff stashed around.
My next rig will not be a bunkhouse, however as long as kids are in the picture (even on a part time basis) I prefer a bunkhouse and the dedicated space vs. the alternatives.

[wing_zealot]

We have a bunkhouse and our youngest is 18. It never has been wasted space. When not needed for sleeping it has been a great space for easy storage. The biggest plus has been while travelling, perfect spot for our bikes while we're going down the road.

[BB_TX]

The Montana 3730FL / 3731FL seems to have what you want. And just under 40'. It has two sofas that make into two beds. That would certainly be better than 3 kids that big in one bed. But I don't think you will find it for under $65k. Most new Montanas go for $65k and up. Googling than model number will show you dealer's web prices nation wide. That price will vary significantly dealer to dealer. But you can use the lowest you find as a bargaining tool at a nearby dealer.

And the Montana Owner's Club Forum is a great forum for Montana owners. Great people willing to answer all questions and help solve any problems.

[familyfive]

Thanks Aridon and camp-n-family for your replies. My fam isn't much on tent camping and I'm hoping we have some good glam camping years ahead still. Our little one is only 11. We tend to do longer trips 10+ days when we go. OUr price range is flexible but I figure if we can stay in the range of 50-55K that would be preferable. I've looked at toy haulers. They are just too heavy and tend to be on the longer side, as well. We have a 2016 F350 crew cab and many of those toy haulers need double rear wheels to pull, safely. Our older two kids are on the tall side (6' and 5'7') and still growing. Anything with a loft is just too tight for them now. I'm discouraged. Hubby really wants to stay under 40' and there just doesn't seem to be anything that has jumped out at me with his requirement. If we could go 42', the world would open up a bit! I'm restarting from scratch and now looking at anything that can sleep 3, comfortably, in a main living area. Maybe something in the 35'-39' range will jump out at me. I have to admit I like a little more luxury in the interior and am willing to pay for it. We plan to keep this unit for a good while!

[Aridon]

Bunk room is nice so they can have a place to get away. I'd suggest any of the numerous bunk models, toy haulers and middle bunks to check out.

I never was into tents, neither my child.

We prefer the newer toy haulers now from KZ, Grand Design momentum or Heartland Cyclone. The solitude line is also very nice if you're looking for middle bunks.

You never mention your price range but that is what we are looking at right now. Going to turn the toy part into a bunk room. KZ 4111 or 3911 (we prefer the 4111 for the extra toilet and sink), Momentum 395m, Cyclone 4005 or 4150 is in third place.

Good luck with our search. We are going to the tampa show in 2 weeks to hopefully see these and others.

[camp-n-family]

Bunkhouses are nice so the kids have their own private space and they can get away on their own but at the ages your kids are I would be planning for the future. At 14 and 16 they probably won't want to camp with you much longer and if they did they'd probably prefer to be on their own in a tent. Mine would. I would skip the bunkhouse and make do with pull out sofas for a couple years if needed. A bit of an inconvenience maybe but much cheaper than having to trade up in a couple years.