Please recommend an all-season travel trailer with bunk bed?

[whitebear80]

Hi, all, We finally decided to get a travel trailer for our family:C
We have an 4X4 expedition EL with tow package and is stated to have 8700 tow capability.
Normally we would go out 4 (2 adults and 2 kids), but sometimes would have six persons.
We live at north and all-season would be great.
And we like to go mountains, so the smooth towing would also be important.
The floor plan of Nash 25C is quite good, but the weight is a little bit scary to me, almost 8000... and still need to include the passengers' weight.:h

So one bed and bunk beds and a dinette are required, all season required, better good for towing. The shorter the better.
Please give us some suggestions, can't wait to pull the family out!:B

And one more question is that, if we use trailer and we need to check out before 12:00pm, where do you guys park the trailer if you still want to play a while before heading home?
We are new to the RV world, only tent, so any advice/suggestion is highly appreciated!

Thank you so much!

[kodiakcanuck]

Here is another option for you that should fit your limits. Kodiak 240KSSL, plus you can get it with the arctic package with heated tanks for cool weather camping. Happy with ours so far...

http://www.kodiak-rv-travel-trailer.com/rv/detail.cfm?id=569

[Campsask]

Check out the Tracer AIR travel trailers made by primetime manufacturing. We are looking at getting the 250. 28ft including tong, 4900 lbs 2 double bunks in back,queen up front, outside entrance to bathroom. When we were in it and looking it looked and felt like a really well built trailer.

[whitebear80]

Hello APT, thanks for asking, we normally go with 4 (two adults, two small kids) would be around 800?
bumpdaddy , that trailer looks impressive, especially for the really large bunk bed. I will definitely check that out.
I have been to Nash dealer today, Nash 23B lacks space to us, Nash 25C has such small bunk beds! It will not be comfortable when kids grow up (they do grow fast).
Gosh, hard to decide.
I have been looking at the creek side 27 bhs which has bigger bunk bed, with dry weight 6935, the dealer was stating that adding 500 pounds water the most, and we could also add our stuff, would be under the limit.
Please do give me more suggestions...
More spacious floor plan, good quality.
Thanks

Is there any good brands except for Nash/outdoorRv lines?

[bumpdaddy]

We looked for an ultra light bunkhouse with a small slide - did tons of research. Ended up purchasing this one, although have not taken delivery yet. Outdoor kitchen was a plus. Build quality seemed above average. Weight is lighter than some other competitive models.

http://www.cruiserrv.com/products/fun-finder/floorplans/item/f-242bds

[APT]

So how much does the family weigh? Take your 1363, subtract your family's weight, then multiply by 7.7 for a loaded TT weight.

[whitebear80]

Thanks for the information.
I searched around and find some models with bunks/queens and might be within my limit:
So I have a tow limit of 8700 and sticker listed as 1363 for tongue weight and people.
here is a list of travel trailers I found with bunk beds and queen bed:

brand/model dry loaded hitch bunk length slide exsofa people cargo(trailer)
Nash 25C 5378 8000 555 29*74 28'8 1 0 808 700
Nash 23B 4742 7000 430 34*74 27'7 0 0 933 1700
lance2185 3930 6000 500 3 25'8 1 0 863 2700

blackrock 4950 6900 525 36*74 27'8 1 838 1800
22bhs

creakside 5050 6900 550 36*74 27'8 1 0 813 1800
23bhs

crossroad 5075 7482 482 50*74 27'7 1 0 881 1218
sunset240BH

kz spree
e250s 3760 4500 540 48*72 27'3 1 1 823 4200

kz spree 5160 6500 570 32*92 28'3 1 0 793 2200
240BHS

keystone 4570 6500 505 28*74 27'11 1 1 858 2200
241BHS

It looks like Nash 23C is right within the limit and I could not add much stuff there. Nash 23B looks comfortable.
If anyone has good recommendations, please do inform me. Thanks
One more question, does the loaded weight include cargos I put on the trailer or it only includes water/gas the trailer is equipped with?

(I am not responsible for the accuracy of the information...)

[GHCreekside]

1363 will be your max payload which is your tongue weight PLUS the weight of people and cargo in your tow vehicle. The Nash 25c is listed as having a dry (empty) tongue or hitch weight of 555 pounds. So if you load the trailer up to capacity you might be looking at 700-800 pounds of tongue weight. That leaves you with maybe 560 pounds of payload in the tow vehicle which would quickly be taken up if you add in the weight of four people. Basically the Nash will be a full load for your Expedition but possibly doable if you set it up right.

[whitebear80]

Hi my sticker only states 1363 lbs
So what is the limit of the trailer weight I can tow? Hope it is 1363.... Feel so bad

[APT]

You should locate this sticker when you open the driver's door for as equipped payload. Note what yours has where mine is 2051.



From there, subtract estimated weight of your family and some things to keep them occupied when traveling.

You also have a receiver limit of about 900 pounds.

You'll be a lot happier if you start under 6k dry and 700 pounds dry TW. Use a weight distributing hitch with integrated sway control.

Nash 25C looks good.
Lance 2185 is a light BH, available dual pane windows and good insulation too.

[whitebear80]

Thanks a lot. Now I have a few to look.
My ex el does have the rowing package, so its capacity is 8700lbs, the Nash 25c is the one I like most. ...
Anyone tow this with an ex or similar towing vehicle . Do like the slide out!!!

[GHCreekside]

Creekside 23bhs or for lighter weight the Lance 2185 has triple bunks.

[rider997]

You shouldn't have an issue with the weight, although you could be limited in payload. I don't know what the payload capacity of the SUV is, and I don't see it on Ford's site. It does look like you need to have the Optional Heavy-Duty Trailer Towing Package with the EL 4x4 to get the 8700 lb trailering limit. Do you have that option?

[whitebear80]

Thanks, checked out outdoorsrv, there are a few of them with bunk bed!
Creek Side 23BHS/Black Rock 22BHS
Maximum Trailer Weight - Lbs. 6900

I will keep that one on my list.
I noticed that Nash 23B also has Gross Vehicle Weight (GVWR) - Lbs.: 7000

Do you think 8700 tow capacity to tow a trailer 7000 ok, safe?

I also notice kz has some bunk/queen beds, and cross road rv (heavy, 7400)

Nash/outdoorrv/kz/cross road
which one is best?

Thanks

[rider997]

Check out the shorter Creekside or other Outdoors RV models. (http://outdoorsrvmfg.com/). Bunkhouse is available with queen bed. While they're not "lightweight", they're a bit lighter than the Nash and quite well built and insulated.

[whitebear80]

Thanks for the information.
Arctic fox is very good but too heavy for my expedition.
And I do want bunk beds.
That thread is very good but four season /quality is another factor

31kqbs looks very good, but is way heavier than the tow capacity. just curious, what vehicle do you plan to tow that and these many kids?

Do we have the light weight/short/good quality/four season/bunk bed/queen bed....?