Recommendations on a +/- 30 footer for a family?

Hi all,

Little background. Have gone from truck camper to travel trailer. Have three dogs on the small size, biggest one being the size of a small border collie. A 19 month old, and we’ve recently learned another one on the way.

Looking to get into a fifth wheel possibly for our next camper and have a bunch of time to figure it out, but hopefully getting something this year, pending all the other things going on around us.

Tow vehicle is a 2018 Ram 3500 SRW long bed diesel, so not limited in that way as far as I’m concerned given the size I’m looking at.

I have RV parking on the side of our house. Travel trailer currently sits there and is 28 feet from ball to back of spare tire and sits a couple feet back from the gate. I have no problem with squeezing something back there. Not sure exactly on what I could get away with at this time. But 31 feet shouldn’t be a problem and I’m pretty sure that 35 feet would be too long.

Couple things I’ve been looking at and liking just tonight are the Sprinter line that keystone has. Would like to keep the out the door price at around a “family friendly” $35,000. Am open to looking at and for older stuff too. Doesn’t have to be new. But would like something that’s known for quality as far as looking at older stuff.

Looking at all RVs and YouTube videos of walkthroughs is kind of a hobby of mine so I’m aware of a lot as far as brands and reliability of certain things. Something from Grand Design would be nice but might be a little more expense than I am willing to incur in the next year.

So, as far as personal experience with a family of four plus dogs, does anyone have suggestions of what I should look into?

Few quick notes, slides are fine anywhere as long as I can get to the fridge and preferably the pantry also when they are in. Not a lot of room to open up, load up, then close up and go. Has to be a two way fridge, lot of boondocking so residential won’t work. Bathroom should be accessible with slides in. Main bed should be usable with slides in. Would prefer a couch and dinette over theatre seats and a table. Lastly, if it’s doable in others’ experience, I know it’s difficult to find a bunk model in the lengths I’m looking at, so I’m not sure it’s necessary to have those dedicated beds. Still new to being a parent and the one still sleeps in a pack and play type crib when camping, so maybe it’s possible to just let the kids have the floor or the couch that makes into a bed in the main living area???

Suggestions for models I should check out? Hopefully if nothing else this is an interesting topic for people to think on and give their opinions.

Thermoguy
Explorer II
Sep 10, 2020
I have a bunk house that is 32' long. Older, but lots of models with a similar design. I would definitely look at a bunk house or toy hauler as your kids will not get smaller, only bigger. Lately I really like the mid bunk, which might work great with a crib, but I think they are longer than what you are looking for, as are many toy haulers with a separate garage. All I can say, as is the kids get older, they need their separate space. So, unless you plan to upgrade again in a couple years, get what you need now.
Lexx
Explorer
Sep 10, 2020
We have triplet 8 y.o. boys and a dog, and we really love our Grand Design Reflection 28 bh with the double bunk beds. The 2021 models have a different 3 bunk design that might work out better for you. Another nice thing about this design is the kitchen is fully accessible with the main slide in. This is very convenient when we need to stop for lunch.
JAC1982
Explorer
Jul 15, 2020
theoldwizard1 wrote:
getpower1 wrote:

Has to be a two way fridge, lot of boondocking so residential won’t work.

I suggest you rethink this ! Solar, especially DIY is MUCH more affordable and the benefits of a residential refrigerator are HUGE as your family grows.

Unless you camp in area that have a lot of shade, or camp during the time of year where a furnace needs to run more than just an hour in the AM to knock the chill off, forget propane !

With a 2500W-3000W portable generator, FOUR golf cart batteries and a quality combination inverter, charger, automatic transfer switch and a DC-DC charge for on-the-road charging. Probably have to charge the batteries for an hour or so in the AM and another hour or so before dark.

What exactly are the benefits of a residential fridge when you just use the trailer for vacations? Like I could understand having one if you full time, but otherwise, I don't see the benefit. Someone before has mentioned space... I fit enough food for an 8 day vacation in our RV fridge, with room left over. It also sure would stink to run out of power with a residential fridge with no option to switch to another method (ie propane).
getpower1
Explorer
Jul 15, 2020
Njmurvin wrote:
Try to find a used Arctic Fox 27.5L. It's the length you want (mine is 28'). The newer ones might be slightly longer. Fridge, sink, bathroom and bed are all accessible with slides in. Dinette might be hard to find because everyone seems to order with table/chairs but I'm with you on that one. It's built like a tank but you have the truck for it. Good luck!

Any north woods products are always on my short list. I’ll look into it, thanks
Njmurvin
Explorer
Jul 15, 2020
Try to find a used Arctic Fox 27.5L. It's the length you want (mine is 28'). The newer ones might be slightly longer. Fridge, sink, bathroom and bed are all accessible with slides in. Dinette might be hard to find because everyone seems to order with table/chairs but I'm with you on that one. It's built like a tank but you have the truck for it. Good luck!
getpower1
Explorer
Jul 14, 2020
theoldwizard1 wrote:
getpower1 wrote:

Has to be a two way fridge, lot of boondocking so residential won’t work.

I suggest you rethink this ! Solar, especially DIY is MUCH more affordable and the benefits of a residential refrigerator are HUGE as your family grows.

Unless you camp in area that have a lot of shade, or camp during the time of year where a furnace needs to run more than just an hour in the AM to knock the chill off, forget propane !

With a 2500W-3000W portable generator, FOUR golf cart batteries and a quality combination inverter, charger, automatic transfer switch and a DC-DC charge for on-the-road charging. Probably have to charge the batteries for an hour or so in the AM and another hour or so before dark.

I appreciate that, however I don’t think solar is something I’m interested in at this time. Not that there isn’t a place for it. We use our rv mainly on weekends only but for one week of vacation a year and the rest of the time it’s unplugged. Not to mention where we go camping, the generator is on 90% of the time to run the air conditioning...if not for us, for the dogs. I don’t think it’s something I want to invest money into at this time.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Jul 13, 2020
getpower1 wrote:

Has to be a two way fridge, lot of boondocking so residential won’t work.

I suggest you rethink this ! Solar, especially DIY is MUCH more affordable and the benefits of a residential refrigerator are HUGE as your family grows.

Unless you camp in area that have a lot of shade, or camp during the time of year where a furnace needs to run more than just an hour in the AM to knock the chill off, forget propane !

With a 2500W-3000W portable generator, FOUR golf cart batteries and a quality combination inverter, charger, automatic transfer switch and a DC-DC charge for on-the-road charging. Probably have to charge the batteries for an hour or so in the AM and another hour or so before dark.
JAC1982
Explorer
Jul 13, 2020
A few of the Jayco Eagle HT models are shorter. They're probably a bit over your price range for brand new, but you may find a decent used one that's just a couple years old.

We ended up with the smallest Montana High Country because of the gen prep option, but I really liked the Grand Design Reflection 150 series. The layouts seemed efficient, but still short in length. We probably would have gotten one if they offered Gen Prep as an option. We had similar requirements to you for the slides... accessing the bathroom/bedroom and being able to get to the fridge. We can't get to the pantry but that's OK most of the time.
getpower1
Explorer
Jul 13, 2020
ACZL wrote:
CONGRATS on upcoming arrival !!!!!!

Thank you, we appreciate it!

To all, a toy hauler is definitely an option. Though I haven’t seen a lot of units in our size range. I still have to look into the Carbon model to see if it would fit the bill. Attitude has one I’m interested in but I have concerns about quality, especially in a used one...not to mention it’s a little out of my price range.
jdc1
Explorer II
Jul 13, 2020
1. Kids: Bathroom layout is a priority. Tub needed.
2. Kitchen layout. Does it suit the cook?
3. Children's beds. @ 19 months and a newborn, bunks might not be suitable.
4. Parents bed. Corner beds SUCK, especially with having to get up and feed an
infant at 3AM. Crawling over someone in an electric toyhauler bed sucks too.
5. I'm sold on the quality of aluminum framed, aluminum exterior smooth sided
units. No wood to rot. Not filon to delaminate.
6. Heated tanks. Can save a winter outing. Three season units are built more
robustly.