looking to buy a bunk style TT... where to start?

[y2knole]

to start, my TV is a 2013 Expedition EL, 2wd... this will be my first travel trailer, and Im going to be camping with my wife and 2 kids (3 and 6 now). Want to do state park type camping and stay in the SE region most likely. not taking it to cali or anything crazy like that... Sometimes parking it at my parents in south ga for a week or two to visit (their home isnt really condusive to staying there for a visit and they live out in the country, so no nearby hotels).

I use this "truck" regularly to haul my jeep on a car hauler, which has alot of frontal area, and is reasonably about 5500lbs total with fuel, tools, etc in the jeep.. Im in the SE, so rolling hills and smoky/appalacian mtns will be in play. the truck handles (east coast) big grades with the weight of the jeep admirably! I dont use a WD hitch with the jeep trailer, but certainly will be using proper tow gear for a new tt...

ive looked at a few new and used travel trailers, and it looks like the value is better in new trailers, as used ones arent discounted enough to accept any problems, lack of warranty, and other peoples left over smells and/or problems....

I think I want a stick and Tin style vs FRP or fiberglass composite material. Ive seen what happens with the fiberglass stuff when water gets into it, and its not something reasonably repairable... I just dont wanna go there. and its more $$$ that I want to spend at this phase...

The ones Ive considered thus far are:
Avenger ATI 27BBS
http://www.primetimerv.com/default.asp?page=products&model=avenger&choice=floorviewer&name=5250&series=ATI
Pros: I like it and its layout, its at a dealer close to home for service, a friend has a same brand/line trailer (diff model though) and is happy with it. The dealer support seems to be great here, they include some intro training and such and WD/Sway hitch in the purchase, and all the hoses, plugs, and stuff i need to go camping the next day if I want. As well as lifetime warranty on the whole thing, appliances, axles, roof, etc (as long as I have them service it annually at a price Im not sure of just yet)
Cons: weight. at a listed 5766lbs (dry), and at the very tip-top end of what Id be comfortable with.

Gulf Stream Conquest LIte 255BH
http://gulfstreamrvtrailers.com/conquest-lite/floorplans/255BH.php
Havent seen this one in person, but like the layout and price...
initial impression pros: weight, its 1000lbs less than the Avenger
cons: dealer is an hour away, and I dont wanna deal with going hours away round trip if I need service. and I read some dicy reviews of gulf-stream online (even though they are a long established brand)

so my questions are somewhat numerous.. Im a newb at this after all!

1) Based on these, something else in the perhaps lighter/smaller range of a bunk with a slideout and front bedroom I should look for?
2) are there any brands, models, manufacturers that I should be LOOKING FOR or AVOIDING?
3) are there any features I should absolutly get or not bother with? (obviously will have a spare tire, dont consider that a feature or option!) things like beefier AC/Heat, electric awnings/jacks, etc?

Thank you all if you've made it this far into my giant wall of text, and I really appreciate any feedback or insights you more experienced folks can offer!

[sir-campalot]

xteacher wrote:
Welcome from a fellow Georgian! We have a handicapped son who lives in Valdosta, and we keep a tiny TT down there for when we visit him monthly.

Because you'll be using the TT in S. GA and the deep south in general, I'd recommend making sure that it comes with a 15k a/c. The summer heat can be brutal, as you know, and being a bunk house with several people in it, you want to make sure you have enough juice to cool down the TT.

A couple of other makes available that won't break the bank that you may want to look at: Forrest River Salem Cruise Lite and Starcraft AR-One (Starcraft is a less expensive division of Jayco and comes with a 2-year warranty.) Here's a dealer in the ATL area that carrries both brands: ***Link Removed***

Happy shopping!

Please note that Peco Campers of Atlanta was recently purchased by a new outfit, Campers Inn. Although Peco Campers had a great reputation in the Atlanta area, Campers Inn reviews reflect a decline in service standards. We purchased a camper from them recently based upon the historical good reputation. We have been very disappointed in the service we have received.

[Blue_Hill]

We bought a new TT in 2010, from a dealer in Fargo ND, which is over 500 miles from where we live and in a whole other country. Saved a ton of money over what we would have paid in Canada for the same trailer, so we went into it with the mindset that we could afford to do a few repairs on our own if it ever came to that. It hasn't.
Our TT is a Gulf Stream, Streamlite and the quality is very good. It doesn't really matter what make or model you buy as far as the components are concerned, because they are all the same. Most fridges are Dometic, most axels are made by one of a few different companies, doors, windows etc. etc. so your dealer can likely arrange for local service if it should be required.
We did all of our research on the Internet keeping our parameters in mind, budget, floor plan and weight, you can start with the company websites, find a few you like and then search for a dealer within a range you are comfortable with.
We had ours picked out before we left home, contacted the dealer etc. etc. We weren't locked in to taking the trailer of course, but we were pretty confident that it was what we wanted and we were right. We took the trailer for a test tow, to make sure we would be able to haul it with our tow vehicle. All in all, a great experience.
I would caution you to not push the limit of your tow vehicle too tightly. There's nothing worse than being under powered and you need to keep in mind, that you will add a whole lot of weight with everything you have to take along when you go camping. More than you might think, so leave yourself a significant cushion.

[silverfz]

I have a 2014 Avenger 28BHS the model is now changed a bit and called DBS I think. they added the ladder and opened it .
We towed it 1000 miles and had it for over a year and camped 30 days or so with it. No issues, we like it as the dealer is 2 miles from my house and has been great to deal with.

satz

[dadmomh]

Since we've never had a bunkhouse, can only comment on a couple of areas. Absolutely agree on the 15K A/C. Also, strongly suggest that you insist on ducted A/C. The center blast tends to be noisier and is fine if you're right near the duct, but very far away, you lose the cool and especially so if you have the bunkhouse door closed.

In the interest of saving time and gas, suggest you start online with RVWholesalers and/or RVDirect. Both are huge volume dealers and do have prices that are hard to beat...we bought both our HTT and TT from RVW and saved about $4000+ on the HTT and more on the TT. Even if you're not interested in a drive to pick up a trailer, you can view a zillion different makes and models online, most have specs, layouts, pictures and some include videos. Don't know for sure about RVD, but RVW does not post prices but will email them to you ASAP. You can guesstimate about 30% off their posted MSRP. Don't take the MSRP as Gospel since it really depends on what dealer you're talking to....it is a very flexible number. Whatever price you're given is a handy negotiating tool with a local dealer. Once you find a make and model you might be interested in, then you can narrow your search for a dealer near you.

[heckufaguy]

We just picked up our Ameri-lite259BH Monday. It and Conquest are both made by gulfstream and I know I've seen our 259BH in the conquest line.
We LOVE it. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask, this is our second in the Ameri-lite line and we loved our first also.

quick edit as I looked up the conquest you were talking about.

Almost identical to mine except the bed layout. With the layout in your model, someone will be climbing over someone to get in/out of bed. As we've just moved away from one like this, it does matter.

The wall separating the bedroom from the camper is TIGHT to the end of the bed. That , and being the head of the bed is between the wardrobe storage, I myself felt too boxed in. We don't have young kid, but a grandchild and two dogs, so closing ourselves off would never work anyways. It moves the tV location to the wall behind the door.

We love ours, have MANY pictures if you need them. Only real difference I saw was the bed layout.

[goatrancher]

I have one I will sell you, but I am in Texas. It is a 2014 Cherokee Grey Wolf 26BH. The wife and I bought it thinking of grand kids, but now we are looking for something more to old folks liking. We could be persuaded to travel east with it. My phone is 817 517-3098.

[M_A_S_H]

Sorry I'm in a rush and didn't read too well through everthing but my only suggestion with looking for a new camper with young ones is to think about the positioning of the dinette. We insist on camp side dinette because we will often want to sit down and relax with coffee at the dinette and want to be able to watch the kids in our camp. So many floorplans have next to no windows on the camp side. They are all on the service side....

[PAThwacker]

At first glance I check quickly for the number of steps.

2 steps, I cringe, 14" tired, 3500lb axles, and built to the limits of tires and driveline component.

3 steps, I smile, 5200lb axles or more 15" tires and heavy duty running gear.

I go inside and next look a bunkbed ratings Kid only or 150lb are junk.

[Whitehawkmn]

I have to say, we researched the heck out of campers that have the double over double bunks and found that the Jayco Whitehawk 28DSBH fit our needs with two growing kids also. We've done some longer trips and it tows like a dream. The quality is wonderful. It all comes down to what is best for YOUR family, good luck.

[y2knole]

thanks for the tips, keep em coming!

I dont think something with a full bunk room is gonna be in our price/weight budget, but I'll definately make sure to have them hook up and run something before I sign for it!

[spoon059]

My biggest concern was air conditioning in the bunks. When I was a kid we had a 26 bunkhouse and the roof mounted ac (non ducted). It got VERY hot in the bunks without ducted air.

Most bunkhouses have central ducted air, but I would encourage you to make sure that there is sufficient air flow to the ducts. We bought a model with a bunkroom so we can close the door to the bunks and they will still have sufficient AC. Models that don't have a separate bunk room will often have curtains that provide some privacy and darkness for sleeping. Its surprising, but the curtains don't allow much airflow and will make it HOT.

[Bobj616]

The upgrade to 15000 AC is a good one and usually not very expensive , $100 to $200 . I am going through the same thing you are with overload . I only know I don't want another Hybrid , not that I don't like mine but I am tired of the setup just like I got tired of setting up a pop up . As I get older I get lazier 😉 . Good Luck and enjoy the hunt.

[xteacher]

Welcome from a fellow Georgian! We have a handicapped son who lives in Valdosta, and we keep a tiny TT down there for when we visit him monthly.

Because you'll be using the TT in S. GA and the deep south in general, I'd recommend making sure that it comes with a 15k a/c. The summer heat can be brutal, as you know, and being a bunk house with several people in it, you want to make sure you have enough juice to cool down the TT.

A couple of other makes available that won't break the bank that you may want to look at: Forrest River Salem Cruise Lite and Starcraft AR-One (Starcraft is a less expensive division of Jayco and comes with a 2-year warranty.) Here's a dealer in the ATL area that carrries both brands: Peco Campers - Tucker, GA

Happy shopping!

[michigansandzil]

y2knole wrote:

When inspecting and looking at new construction TT's what are the things to look for, red flags, marks of good craftsmanship, and well thought out designs that I want to keep an eye out for?

The volume of models can be overwhelming if you let it.

I bought mine based on floor plan (bunkhouse), price and weight. When you get down to it, you don't have to make it complicated.

I knew I wanted a bunkhouse with an outside kitchen and a U-shaped dinette (this is now something I wouldn't fight for if I was looking to buy a new unit). I found those items on a model that was light enough and in my price range.......there really weren't many to choose from.