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Inside storage/towing length

Fourkidletts
Explorer
Explorer
Freedom Express Ultra Lite 238BH

Specs here

A local dealer has two of these 238BH's on order. It has SO much I'm looking for. 8CF fridge, 80" murphy, u-shaped dinette and bunks for my boys that I *think* they will fit into, since they are doubles and with one in each, I think they can configure themselves to get comfortable. They've been in tents their whole lives so I think they'll be fine. At only 26 feet.

Problem I'm running into is it seems every time I find something around 25-26 feet with bunks, it just doesn't have much inside storage. We have never had a TT before, so I'm trying to stay as short as possible. Those of you experienced with kids, where do you put all your food? Does it all fit inside storage in the trailer? Or do you still have bins outside? Also, is it only my perception that 26 feet would seem quite a bit easier for a first timer to tow than a 29 foot trailer? Am I squeezing ourselves out of more storage for no reason? Maybe I could throw food bins into the bunks during the day, and put them on the dinette at night? That could work....

We have a 2018 F150/4x4/3.55 axle/3.5 Ecoboost/max tow. About 1000 lbs of payload left after passengers and dog. If anyone is bored and can take a look at these specs I would appreciate it. It's a little heavier than I'd like it to be. I've been very open to used but often comes with regular dinette which I don't want, often don't have bunks and if they do, they also have a sofa and are 30+ feet. oh, and 6cf fridge.

ONE more thing...anyone have this brand of trailer? What have been your experiences with it?

Thank you for reading!!!
15 REPLIES 15

Fourkidletts
Explorer
Explorer
Thank you Badercubed, that was very helpful!!

Bumpyroad
Explorer
Explorer
one thing I want that is lacking in these shorter units, is a degree of privacy. If I want to go to bed while others are at the table with board games, etc. I don't want to be lying next to the stove, etc.out in the open.
but whatever floats your boat.
bumpy

badercubed
Explorer
Explorer
I disagree with Bumpy and prefer the smaller setups.

We downsized from a 30BHDS and Crew F-250 to the setup in my signature and in the pics below. It is a smaller trailer with a very similar floorplan, and we manage wonderfully with two kids (8 and 5) for trips up to a week. I love it over the large camper and it gives us much more flexibility in where we can camp. We are finishing up Year 2 with this setup.

INSIDE
- Adults clothes are all overhead, the kids get each of the closets next to our bed.
- Pantry next to the bathroom fits all the dry food, fruit and veggies on the table.
- Kitchen cabinets keep enough plates and kitchen style stuff.
- Cabinets in the table benches hold towels, extra drinks, extra large dry food things, blankets and such.
- Under the bed is bonus storage
- Laundry basket in the shower that gets moved the off chance we need to wash one of the kids. Usually they just get hosed down outside.
- Kids get their bunks for anything they want special and there is even storage under the bottom bunk for games, chairs and other things.
- Bi-Fold table next to the bed that comes out when we get there. This is the only inside stored thing that comes out when we get to the campsite. Zero-gravity chairs if we decide to bring them as well here.
- Shoes next to the bed by the door. Except mine, I pretty much only wear flip flops that stay outside.

OUTSIDE
- Tie downs, hoses, cords, tiki torches, and all of those type of things on the drivers side of the front pass through.
- Multiple rugs, large flag, camp chairs, hammock and outside toys in the passenger side of the front pass through.
- Outdoor kitchen has outside food-esque items like table cloths, hand wipes, cleaner, oven gloves, and then things like citronella candles, bug spray and coozies.

BABY TRUCK
- Wood, when allowed by law. Actually, all the time.
- One large bin I throw in the back of my truck that has all misc. outside items like camp stove, two scooters and some squirt guns. If we are loading up all the wood, then I use my truck bed mounted basket for stuff.
- Beat up 10x10 I use to go over the grill and the flat top grill in the bed.





2019 Apex Nano 208BHS
2016 F-150 Crew Cab (it's my wife's ride)

Been camping for 37 of my 38 years!

Fourkidletts
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks all. I know we won't really know until we get one, so I'm going to try to stick to my plan and buy used to discover what we really want. The inventory is really low right now because of Covid. We saw a new trailer similar to the ones they have on order in person yesterday and they just kept talking about how people are ordering and paying before even seeing them, and if we didn't buy this one it would be gone. I believed them, but I don't want to buy a brand new trailer because I have to hurry before someone else buys it. I don't have that much money to play around with!!! I really wish I had bought a trailer last year! Everyone is feeling stuck at home like we are. I told my husband if we can just wait until Covid is over, there should be an influx of 1-2 year old trailers on the market lol....

Fourkidletts
Explorer
Explorer
JRscooby wrote:
Bumpyroad wrote:


in about two years after you get sick and tired of fooling with that bed morning and night and feeling a little cramped, come back and tell us what you want to trade up to.
bumpy


But then again, if they are coming from a tent, normally spend most of the day outside, might only need to fool with the bed on bad weather days.
For towing, the extra 3 feet of length will only mean a few inches on corners. The long trailer does need more room, but a short one is harder to control backing.
Does the trailer have place to store clothes? Use a duffel, so each person moves bag off bed at night, put food in drawers. A lot of the average household food storage space is used for packaging. Unless you are growing your own, stores are everywhere.


Thank you. That is a good option to just leave the bed down unless we want to use the sofa. And coming from tent camping for 20 years, taking 10 seconds to put a bed down and up doesn't sound that difficult to me.

Sjm9911
Explorer
Explorer
Ok , i have something simmiler with out the slide out or exterior kitchen. For 2 adults ( sleeping together) and 2 kids you will be fine. Your cabinite space will handle the food. Out door kitchen will handle the drinks. Inside fridge will hold a ton of stuff especially with a freezer your not used to. The pass through will hold chairs for all. Biggest problem will be the first year orginizing and making use of every available space for storage of clothing, and jackets etc. But it has 2 wardrobes up front. Your used to tents so you are used to taking less stuff. You will be fine. I went smaller with mine because i can go some places where the bigger campers can't. So some state parks etc. So size is all about how you look at it. Ots a nice camper and should be fine. It has plenty of weight capacity to load it up. If you plan meals etc , you can go for a while withlut having to stop to get food. We did 18 days in disney, and made all but like 6 meals in the camper. Never had to go buy food once. Good luck!
2012 kz spree 220 ks
2020 Silverado 2500
Equalizer ( because i have it)
Formerly a pup owner.

Boomerweps
Explorer
Explorer
Storage is always at a premium. Youโ€™ll learn to use every space. I roll my clothing items to compact them and then can stack them in any cabinet.
Plan your meals. You donโ€™t have the storage to haul a lot of extras, also adds weight. Every trip, we take less food.
Donโ€™t be tempted to haul too much just in case items or stuff for possible guests. My wife initially loaded up my TT literally like a second home. I was overloaded on my then TV drive axle and the TT axle, per CAT scale. I.e., one chair per person, none for guests, similar on dishes, limit to a few pots and pans (2 pots is more than we need, havenโ€™t used the stovetop in two years).
Other than the HDPP, you have the most capable F150s for towing. Without further data to be more specific, if you stay under 9000# GTWR, youโ€™ll likely be fine. Weight is more important than length, if you have a decent weight distributing hitch with sway control.
2019 Wolf Pup 16 BHS Limited, axle flipped
2019 F150 4x4 SCrew SB STX 5.0 3.55 factory tow package, 7000#GVWR, 1990 CC Tow mirrors, ITBC, SumoSprings,

JRscooby
Explorer II
Explorer II
Bumpyroad wrote:


in about two years after you get sick and tired of fooling with that bed morning and night and feeling a little cramped, come back and tell us what you want to trade up to.
bumpy


But then again, if they are coming from a tent, normally spend most of the day outside, might only need to fool with the bed on bad weather days.
For towing, the extra 3 feet of length will only mean a few inches on corners. The long trailer does need more room, but a short one is harder to control backing.
Does the trailer have place to store clothes? Use a duffel, so each person moves bag off bed at night, put food in drawers. A lot of the average household food storage space is used for packaging. Unless you are growing your own, stores are everywhere.

Bumpyroad
Explorer
Explorer
Fourkidletts wrote:
Bumpyroad wrote:
back when I was looking at RVs and would question the length, the salesman would hold his hands 3 ft apart and say that I was fussing about that much extra. and if you don't get a longer rV this time, you will on your next one.
I personally would much prefer the 257 BHS myself.
bumpy


We really like the sofa option of the murphy bed. The 257 does have more storage though. Being new to towing, the length is just intimidating.


in about two years after you get sick and tired of fooling with that bed morning and night and feeling a little cramped, come back and tell us what you want to trade up to.
bumpy

colliehauler
Explorer III
Explorer III
I usually don't take food and stop at Walmart or the local grocery store close to my destination. I also don't haul stuff I might possibly need. After several decades I have learned to take the essentials. Doing this would let you go with the larger trailer.

Two_Hands
Explorer
Explorer
Go for the bigger one. You will most certainly regret it later if you donโ€™t. Just do a little bit more practice towing and backing in your local large parking lot.
2015 Fleetwood Excursion 33D
2016 Grand Cherokee Limited
Retired Law Enforcement
U.S. Army 1965-1973/RVN 1968-'69


I am the frequent recipient of "Get out of the way old man!"

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Explorer II
Length shouldnโ€™t be intimidating in the range you are considering IMO. Yes, fewer campsites are available but not that many. And a longer trailer, within reason, is easier to back up. While Iโ€™m still concerned about your TV payload, rent a longer TT and try it out.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad

Fourkidletts
Explorer
Explorer
Bumpyroad wrote:
back when I was looking at RVs and would question the length, the salesman would hold his hands 3 ft apart and say that I was fussing about that much extra. and if you don't get a longer rV this time, you will on your next one.
I personally would much prefer the 257 BHS myself.
bumpy


We really like the sofa option of the murphy bed. The 257 does have more storage though. Being new to towing, the length is just intimidating.

Bumpyroad
Explorer
Explorer
back when I was looking at RVs and would question the length, the salesman would hold his hands 3 ft apart and say that I was fussing about that much extra. and if you don't get a longer rV this time, you will on your next one.
I personally would much prefer the 257 BHS myself.
bumpy