Light weight bunk house manufacturers?

[doabbs]

Hi, I've been doing a ton of research into what light weigh travel trailers are currently being manufactured that meet my requirements and budget. I've hit a bit of a wall in that I can't seem to find many manufacturers that make something that is affordable and decently built. Below is the research to date and requirements. If anyone has any suggestions of brands I've overlooked please let me know. Also, if any of my wants/needs are wrong let me know.

Background and Budget

Budget $10,000-$20,000

I'm looking for something light weight that is under 5,000 GVWR. I'll be towing with a Toyota Tacoma Automatic V6 4x4 with Towing Package. This will be towed in the mountains and probably 2/3 of the way across the country so wanted to not push the towing limit. I'll be monitoring transmission temperature with a ODB2 scanner just in case.

We are currently a family of 3 and while there are plenty of campers out there with a queen bed plus other convertible beds/couches, I'd really like to go for a bunk house so as the kid(s) grow they have there own bunks/space.

We will be using this camper primarily to dry camp for 2 week chunks from Spring-Fall. I'd also like to take it on a long haul across country to Yellowstone where fall temperatures are a bit chilly at night, so LP consumption is a minor concern.

Nice to haves:
6cu ft fridge/freezer - Need the space for long periods of dry camping
Oven - Would be great to have the option to cook stuff not just on the stove top
Dual 20lb Propane tanks - Dry camping plus cool fall and spring weather means we will eat through the propane when heating coach.
Dual axels - Just would be a bit of piece of mind for both towing stability or if there ever was a single tire failure.

What we've found:

I've found that there are a large number of manufacturers who have this configuration today, queen up front, kitchen area in the middle, then bunks and bathroom in the back. However, most of the ones I've seen from the large manufacturers are just built as entry level models with the cheapest of appliances and features.

High End:

The Lance 2185 is an absolutely gorgeous camper, it even exceeds all requirements in that it has a slide out and is 4 season rated. However, the price point over $30,000 is a deal breaker.

Camplite 21BHS - Another amazing camper but at $29,000 it's over budget and also am nervous about the aluminum floor transferring cold too easily into the coach.

Meets most requirements:
Pacific Coachworks: 16BB floor plans are available in almost all of there product lines, Tango, Econ, and Mightylight. 2016 models have almost an updated construction. They include full 6cu ft fridge and full cooktop and oven. They only feature a single axle and one propane tank but they fall right within the budget. Also, small tank capacities, Fresh Water - 25 gal, Grey Water - 15 gal, Black Water - 10 gal However, I cannot find a dealer outside of the west coast and we are all the way on the opposite side of the country.

Jayco Feather 7 19bh: New model in 2016. No stove, small fridge, single propane tank plenty of dealers available in our region. Vacuum bonded fiberglass walls. If we can't find a Pacific Coachworks and no one suggests anything else, we'd probably buy this one.

Coachman Apex Nano 193BHS- Looks great, similar to Jayco above. Vacuum bonded panels like the Jayco and Pacific. However, bathroom sink is used to operate shower, just seems like a cheap move. Maybe if a super deal came up we'd consider it.

Low end
These all suffer from the same short comings, just cheap bare bones components included.
Starcraft - AR-ONE
Forest River - Multiple Models, Wolf Pup, etc
KZ-Spree
Coleman

So what brands/models have I missed?

[Airborn805]

We went with the 2015 Starcraft 19bhs . Absolutely love it and pull it with the same vehicle as yours with no problem. The slide in the back really adds some space and makes the trailer feel bigger than it is. We chosed not to go with a trailer without an oven due to the fact I don't like cooking in the trailer and it added extra storage. We paid $19,500 for it brand new in California.

[JiminDenver]

Look at Ameri-lite. Our 25bh is 4200 lbs dry and has most of what you are asking. The tanks are a bit small at 30/27/27.

[GrandpaKip]

Skyline Dart or Nomad. skylinerv.com

[doabbs]

eDUBz wrote:
I was going to suggest the Econ 16BB, we have a power lite toy hauler same manufacture pacific coach works and it's been a nice rig with out any issues. At one point I was really thinking hard of pulling the trigger and buying another trailer, a travel trailer and it was going to be the newer Econ that you had mentioned. There's a dealer half mile from our house and I pass by them daily and the Econ is screaming my name :). It is really a nice unit.

I was also getting super excited about these guys, however I confirmed today that they have tiny water/grey/black tanks, 25/15/10 😞

[doabbs]

BillyW wrote:
As to the oven, I store a toaster oven on a bunk that we can take out and use if we have shore power. The microwave handles most of that kind of work though.

Most, if not all of our camping spots have no power or hookups so propane and water/grey/black capacities are somewhat important to us.

[doabbs]

lgarcia wrote:
I am quite happy with my Shasta.

It is perfect for our needs. We tow with a Ram with a Hemi engine, so I can't address if your tow vehicle is a good match, but it is below your specs with a GVWR of 3849 lbs. Paid 10k for mine. The construction sold me.

.024 Aluminum Exterior Skin
R-7 Fiberglass Insulation in Sidewall, Floor and Roof
Radius Wood Rafters
Aerodynamic Radius Front Profile
16"-On-Center Wood Wall Studs
One-Piece Rubber Roof with 12-Yr. Warranty
8ft Exterior Width
Cambered Steel I-Beam Frame

No oven and is a single axle, though.

Thanks, this is the floorplan that I really like, but just can't seem to find with an oven and 6 cu ft fridge. Seems like the perfect use of space but weird that it's either entry basic appliances or super high end build.

[TurnThePage]

As to the oven, I store a toaster oven on a bunk that we can take out and use if we have shore power. The microwave handles most of that kind of work though.

[lgarcia]

I am quite happy with my Shasta.

It is perfect for our needs. We tow with a Ram with a Hemi engine, so I can't address if your tow vehicle is a good match, but it is below your specs with a GVWR of 3849 lbs. Paid 10k for mine. The construction sold me.

.024 Aluminum Exterior Skin
R-7 Fiberglass Insulation in Sidewall, Floor and Roof
Radius Wood Rafters
Aerodynamic Radius Front Profile
16"-On-Center Wood Wall Studs
One-Piece Rubber Roof with 12-Yr. Warranty
8ft Exterior Width
Cambered Steel I-Beam Frame

http://www.shastarving.com/Oasis/?page=floorplandetails&floorplanid=6063



No oven and is a single axle, though.

[bud121156]

We have a Freedom Express 230BH model. Sticker says 4200 lbs. Dual axle. No slide.

[eDUBz]

I was going to suggest the Econ 16BB, we have a power lite toy hauler same manufacture pacific coach works and it's been a nice rig with out any issues. At one point I was really thinking hard of pulling the trigger and buying another trailer, a travel trailer and it was going to be the newer Econ that you had mentioned. There's a dealer half mile from our house and I pass by them daily and the Econ is screaming my name :). It is really a nice unit.

[doabbs]

djsamuel wrote:

We have the ***Link Removed*** and love it. It is an extremely solid camper. We've had it over 2 years and have been from Florida out to Arizona and Utah, as well as up into Tennessee. Also, many nights camping here in Florida.

We haven't had an issue with the aluminum floor. We like the durability and ease of cleaning. They now add a floor covering over the aluminum for appearance, and I guess some degree of insulation. Some people have added interlocking foam blocks to insulate the floor.

The 21BHS tows great with our Ram 1500; very stable and no problems pulling, even in the mountains. perhaps you can locate a used 21BHS to better meet your budget. In any case, I wouldn't let the floor be an issue. We have no issue with it, and others have easily covered it.

Sorry, I meant to say the 21BHS. I absolutely love that camper, the all aluminum construction plus the slide out is great. The best price I've found here in New England is around $29,000 for the 2015 model.

[djsamuel]

doabbs wrote:


Camplite 21RBS - Another amazing camper but at $29,000 it's over budget and also am nervous about the aluminum floor transferring cold too easily into the coach.

We have the Camplite 21BHS and love it. It is an extremely solid camper. We've had it over 2 years and have been from Florida out to Arizona and Utah, as well as up into Tennessee. Also, many nights camping here in Florida.

We haven't had an issue with the aluminum floor. We like the durability and ease of cleaning. They now add a floor covering over the aluminum for appearance, and I guess some degree of insulation. Some people have added interlocking foam blocks to insulate the floor.

The 21BHS tows great with our Ram 1500; very stable and no problems pulling, even in the mountains. perhaps you can locate a used 21BHS to better meet your budget. In any case, I wouldn't let the floor be an issue. We have no issue with it, and others have easily covered it.

[doabbs]

WNYBob wrote:
Here is a link to a Thor line.

They all have AL frames.

I looked at the Shadow Cruisers but did not include them in my write up because they all exceed the towing capacity, or come dangerously close, to my truck. The lightest model bunk house I could find is the S-240BHS, and it looks like it's close to 5,000 lbs, dry weight. Let me know if I am missing something.

[WNYBob]

Here is a link to a Thor line.

Shadow Cruiser floor plans

They all have AL frames.

[ChooChooMan74]

Thor has a few operating entities.

http://www2.thorindustries.com/operating-entities