So the dealer called the other day (I dropped it off for a wheel bearing re-pack), they said I had hit something so hard it bent the frame and cracked it in half.I called insurance company and sounds like its going to be totaled out. Which is fine but my wife and I are not sure what to get. Our two youngest kids are 15 and 17 and in a few years probably wont want to go camping with us anymore. We need a camper (we want a 5er now) that will meet our needs of the two kids but yet will meet our needs when they stop coming with us. Any ideas what floor plans might work? I dont really want a bunkhouse but need somewhere for them to sleep and keep clothes. HELP !!!!!!!Tim

Not sure about 5th wheels, but our Class A has a sofa with storage underneath and makes into a double bed.The dinette folds down and makes another double bed although a little shorter.Have used both for company and when they no longer want to camp with you, more space for you two at night.

Too bad about your trailer, good thing they caught it before a major mishap. The truck is going to be the limiting factor here for a fiver, you should stick to a max GVW of 10,000 lb. A 26'-28' with a slide or 28'-30' without should fill the bill. Enough room for four and not too much for two later on. Our 24 1/2' is big enough for the two of us but more would be nice. Remember you will lose a lot of storage space in the box. Just remember, this my experience only you will likely get conflicting opinions.

When we bought our 5'er we had the same thoughts. Our children are now 17 & 19. They crash on the sofa or a tent when they do join us. We basically looked at a 5'er that works for us 2 since they do not join us to much. Their clothe goes on the top shelf of the closet or in the corner cabinet. Our problem was more were do we put the 2 large dog crates.

From about age 12 both of our girls much preferred a tent. So we sized the RV for us.

I don't have a 5er, but purchased an Outback 298RE TT just 2 months ago. When the dealer "interviewed" us, and really sat down and asked us about our camping needs, it became apparent TO HIM we were NOT looking for another bunk-house style. He didn't tell us aything, he just said, "Come here, let me show you a model that I think you are really wanting" (Really? um, OK, but we really were considering this specif Outback bunkhouse model.) "Trust me on this, just come and look." So we did and WOW! He was right!In the discussion when we stood inside the camper, he asked "So you want a bunkhouse style so the grandkids can go camping with you. But you only see the grandkids once a year or less since they live in Iowa and you live in Indiana. (Um... right! -- very difficult swallow at that point.) "So why not get something that is comfortable for just the 2 of you, since you'll be alone 99.999% of the time." (Another very hard swallow). (Well, could we still see that bunkhouse we originally came her to see?) "Sure, but I think you'll be back here again in a few minutes." And you know what? He was right! (Look at my signature block and you'll see what we got). Why this whole story? In your selection of camper, get something that will work for the 2 of you. Your kids are old enough they probably won't go with you much more. (Ours quite camping with us when they turned 16, started driving and got their first job. That was it....over...kids no more).I'm not saying get a TT, you're a 5er family so stick with that, but in your search, get a 5er that fits you too and leave the kids out of the picture. Like the dealer told us, the grandkids can sleep on the floor in the living room in sleeping bags and they'll be tickled pink! (actually, they are still little enough, they'll be sleeping with us, no matter how many beds we've got).And ... since you're here ... take at look at the Keystone Outback 5ers. They are pretty nice. The 5er comparable floor plan to our TT floor plane is really NICE! (Double living room slides with television pop-up along the back window! Really sweet and VERY comfortable.

Help me, I need a new camper | Good Sam Community

Tom_Diane
Explorer
Oct 25, 2013
I believe your kids are at the age where it is not cool to be seen with mom and dad. As soon as the 17 year old goes, the 15 year old will lose interest also. Are you going to have this new RV 2 or more years? they will be adults in just a short succession of time. I think you should get something for yourselves. We have young grandkids and as we shopped for RV's, the DW argued for a bunkhouse for when the g-kids stayed. I contended that they wouldn't be staying enough to justify losing the space that a bunk house took. She finally saw the rational in my side and we ended up with a 5er with a dinette table and the air mattress and we are happy with our choice. If they cant all sleep on that then there is the floor but we have only had all 7 of them in the 5er only once and it was a scramble to see who got to sleep on the floor in the sleeping bags. As you were told in another post, to paraphrase, what I like in an RV might not appeal to you and vica versa.
Vulcaneer
Explorer
Oct 25, 2013
Rob_Fla wrote:
Tim_W wrote:
2oldman wrote:
I'm curious.. what DID you hit that hard that you wouldn't notice??

Don't know

The frame is bent near the axles and the frame is cracked at the weld points, the estimate came in at $18,099.99

Good thing for FULL coverage insurance

Wow, that must have been quite a hit :E

You have a 2010 KZ Spree. Cracks at weld points are an easy fix. And I would wonder what is exactly bent on the frame. Spring hangers? Frames are easily straightened. No cracked body panels? I would be suspicious with that dealer. Might get a second opinion? Don't be surprised if the insurance company suggests that.

If you hit something bad enough to cause that much damage,you would know it.

Maybe buy it back after the insurance company totals it. Take it to a good trailer and truck repair shop.
texasclarks
Explorer
Oct 25, 2013
There is always the option of converting the bunk house to a study or other area if not a bedroom. There are also the front lounge models that could easily be used for mattresses or beds.
fikkellin
Explorer
Oct 25, 2013
we have a 5th wheel...one bedroom and a fold out couch...we thought we would be going to Florida for the winter with the two of us... more than enough living space for two....seems the 2 grown kids are always coming to visit for a week or two and we wish we had better sleeping for them....can't complain... love that they still like to hang out and fish with old man...happy hour much more fun when they are there...good luck no perfect answer
MO_Trout_Bum
Explorer
Oct 24, 2013
Somewhat opposing viewpoint here. We have a daughter who is sixteen and still goes with us all the time. Probably will for another year or two. We have also taken other adults with us occasionally. We find the fold-out airbed couch a total pain, as well as all the clutter that goes with it (clothes, bedding, etc). Wife and I both agree that we would much rather give up some living room for a place that kept all this stuff separate. We actually only spend an hour or two inside on any one day camping. However, when we are there, we don't want clutter. And, we would definitely never get another fiver with an airbed. What a pain. If I had it to do over again, I would have gotten a bunkhouse of some sort, even if I had to go back to a Travel trailer.
Parrothead_Mike
Explorer
Oct 21, 2013
I would opt for a tent for the boys. Another alternative would be a queen inflatable mattress for the living room floor.

We started 20 years ago with a 20' travel trailer and the 3 kids & their friends stayed in tents. The kids were about 12-16 at the time we originally purchased the 20 footer. They had a good time camping without sleeping inside and the handful of times any of them slept in the camper we just used the dinette. We've had two occasions since owning the 5th wheel (2003) where one of the kids came with us and he and his girlfriend stayed inside. They slept on the floor because it beat their tent that had a ripped rain fly. They didn't complain.
C_Schomer
Explorer
Oct 20, 2013
I would just advise not to use a booth dinette for the kids bed. My kids always slept in and kept the dining out of commission til they put it back together. After 6 RVs and the last 2 being free standing dinette, I would never go back to a booth, anyway. I don't think any rv carries enough water for kids so I always carried extra. Craig
Rob_Fla
Explorer
Oct 20, 2013
Tim_W wrote:
2oldman wrote:
I'm curious.. what DID you hit that hard that you wouldn't notice??

Don't know

The frame is bent near the axles and the frame is cracked at the weld points, the estimate came in at $18,099.99

Good thing for FULL coverage insurance

Wow, that must have been quite a hit :E
Tim_W
Explorer
Oct 20, 2013
mark5w wrote:
Trailer Life's Tow Ratings for 2008 list tow ratings for the Quad Cab 6.7L TD at

Manual transmission

3.42:1 rear end 12,300 lbs
3.73:1 rear end 13,300 lbs

Automatic transmission,

3.73 or 4.10:1 rear end 12,900 lbs

Either I will try and stay around 11,000 Lbs or maybe trade for a 1 ton

Dunno yet
Tim_W
Explorer
Oct 20, 2013
2oldman wrote:
I'm curious.. what DID you hit that hard that you wouldn't notice??

Don't know

The frame is bent near the axles and the frame is cracked at the weld points, the estimate came in at $18,099.99

Good thing for FULL coverage insurance

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