Rentering the RV lifestyle. Questions on Bunkhouse TT's.

[Eowens]

Hi folks! Been awhile since I posted here but my family will be rejoining the RV community for next summer and I'm starting my research now. In the past we had a Wildcat 5th wheel bunkhouse but this time around I'm leaning toward a TT since the tow vehicle will ultimately be a full size SUV.

My Wildcat was a 2005my that was purchased in early '04. It was a great camper that had almost zero issue's in the 3 seasons we used it. A lifestyle change saw the camper sold in favor of a boat but I always missed RV'ing and now it's time to come back to the lifestyle.

Family description:
2 Adults, 2 children (7&10), 1 dog.

Camper wishes:
1. Bunkhouse with quad bunks.
2. I'm liking the new U-shaped dinettes I see. Worth it?
3. $23,000-28,000 price range.
4. 60X80 Queen bed.
5. Under 7,000lb empty weight.

Next year I'll tow the camper with my Ram 2500. However, the following year we'll likely be getting a new Suburban so camper weight will be important. We want to go on some long trips and I can't see 4 of us and the dog in my Crew Cab Ram going cross country.

[Mike_Up]

wallacemf wrote:
We went with a Jayco Jay Flight 28BHBE, similar floor plan as posted previously. Ours is optioned well, it comes in at 7050# unloaded. Our kids are 12 and 10, and they love the full size bunks. The master bedroom has a door as well for privacy. The other big plus is that it has a huge full-size shower. We tow it fine with an F150 4x4.

If that's too heavy, there is similar floor plan in the Jay Flight Swift line and the lightweight fiberglass line as well.

2015, Swift line is no more, just the Swift SLX. Swift and Standard Jay Flight lines have been merged unfortunately with the Standard line downgraded to Swift build standards but with some luxury Standard line features. 😞 Glad I have my 2012 Jay Flight, the 2015 is a downgrade.

[Mike_Up]

Eowens wrote:

I agree, you must have missed my above post where I stated the Dodge Ram 2500 will be the tow rig. After looking at the situation from many different angles it became obvious the Dodge is the way to go for towing the RV.

This is a good thing thing considering how much a new Suburban is.

Yep, I missed it. The Suburbans cost as much as a 1 ton diesel truck, absolutely ridiculous. I guess only the rich will be driving them from now on. Imagine that, BMW owners, Lexus, and Mercedes owners will think of Suburban driving soccer moms as the wealthy. 🙂

[Eowens]

Mike Up wrote:
With a family and dog, that Suburban 1/2 ton is going to run out of payload very quickly. You really have the right truck right now. Plus a longer trailer and the Suburbans short wheelbase is concerning especially while hauling your wife and KIDS around in it.

Plus, do you know the problems of Direct Injection?? If you do and want the gamble that's your right. Read Here, Here, and Here. There are many more links but this is just a few.

Even the Ford 3.5L Ecoboost in the F150s is not immune to the Carbon Deposits. There have been some cases posted on the forums.

You have the best truck for the job already. Throw a Bedrug in the bed, throw a Cap on the bed, and have a very comfortable area for your dog, and room for gear on top of it.

I agree, you must have missed my above post where I stated the Dodge Ram 2500 will be the tow rig. After looking at the situation from many different angles it became obvious the Dodge is the way to go for towing the RV.

This is a good thing thing considering how much a new Suburban is.

[Mike_Up]

With a family and dog, that Suburban 1/2 ton is going to run out of payload very quickly. You really have the right truck right now. Plus a longer trailer and the Suburbans short wheelbase is concerning especially while hauling your wife and KIDS around in it.

Plus, do you know the problems of Direct Injection?? If you do and want the gamble that's your right. Read Here, Here, and Here. There are many more links but this is just a few.

Even the Ford 3.5L Ecoboost in the F150s is not immune to the Carbon Deposits. There have been some cases posted on the forums.

You have the best truck for the job already. Throw a Bedrug in the bed, throw a Cap on the bed, and have a very comfortable area for your dog, and room for gear on top of it.

[real4u2c]

Partner we have a 2010 Rockwood 8317rkss, the bunks are in the back, 1 full, 2 singles, not to heavy, I don't know what size u r wanting, but I can vouch for what we own. I would down load its floor plan, but I cant figure out how to do it. We pull ours with our 2010 Toyota Tundra.

[Eowens]

Well after looking at at least 8 different RV brands I must say the Cruiser Viewfinder 28BHOB is the front runner by a long stretch. I've decided I won't compromise on the 60X80 queen and solid surface counters are a must. Plus the dealer is about 40 minutes away and they are a well respected outfit that's been around for a long time.

I will likely order one in the early spring and cant' wait to get back on the road. The Ram will get a cap and be the tow rig.

Thanks for all the replies.

[dadmomh]

You can do a lot of legwork on line. Suggest you start with the larger volume dealers such as RVWholesalers and RVDirect + similar. They'll have floorplans, pictures and specs, although some of the specs say N/A, so you'll have to dig a bit deeper. That should give you a good starting point. RVW rarely posts prices and will email them to you. They show MSRP, yes I know it's somewhat fictional, but you can guesstimate about 30% or better off that as their sales price. No negotiating, but it's usually a pleasant surprise. If you want to buy locally, then narrow your search based on your list of possibilities.

We've long been past the need for a bunkhouse, but totally agree that 28" width is pretty darned narrow. I'd be inclined to think single over double instead. It might mean making up the dinette or sofa from time to time, but if it's only occasionally it wouldn't be a huge problem.

The 60 x 80 bed is going to be a challenge in that less than 30' range. We have a 26'+ and have the 60 x 74 and it's very livable. We love the rest of the trailer enough that it's not an issue. Seems tougher to find the true queen these days.

Happy shopping and happy camping. BTW, in your part of the country camping season is winding down quickly....might be a really good time to snag a great deal.

[wallacemf]

Eowens wrote:
I'll have to check out the Jayco. What I like about the cruiser is the 60"X80" Queen bed. I'm 6' 2" so the extra length is important. Does the Jayco have a 60X80 Queen bed?

Nope, the bed in my Jayco 28BHBE seems to be 60x74.

[Eowens]

I'll have to check out the Jayco. What I like about the cruiser is the 60"X80" Queen bed. I'm 6' 2" so the extra length is important. Does the Jayco have a 60X80 Queen bed?

[Sillybugs2]

wallacemf wrote:
We went with a Jayco Jay Flight 28BHBE, similar floor plan as posted previously. Ours is optioned well, it comes in at 7050# unloaded. Our kids are 12 and 10, and they love the full size bunks. The master bedroom has a door as well for privacy. The other big plus is that it has a huge full-size shower. We tow it fine with an F150 4x4.

If that's too heavy, there is similar floor plan in the Jay Flight Swift line and the lightweight fiberglass line as well.

This is one high on a list for our next TT.

[wallacemf]

We went with a Jayco Jay Flight 28BHBE, similar floor plan as posted previously. Ours is optioned well, it comes in at 7050# unloaded. Our kids are 12 and 10, and they love the full size bunks. The master bedroom has a door as well for privacy. The other big plus is that it has a huge full-size shower. We tow it fine with an F150 4x4.

If that's too heavy, there is similar floor plan in the Jay Flight Swift line and the lightweight fiberglass line as well.

[tkoden]

I just purchased a Keystone 32FB. Some things we really liked:

-Separate rooms with real doors for bunk house and rear master
-Large counter top area
-Good size beds for a QBH
-Separate entrance for master bedroom
-Plenty of room to walk around master bed with slides out
-Sleeps 8 comfortable (4 bunks, 2 queen beds)
-6300 lbs

[Doug33]

Sillybugs2 wrote:
Just some thoughts from someone with a similar family size.

Your kids are a little younger than mine but they hate the single bunks. Our next trailer will likely have a double over double bunks without a full bunkhouse room for that reason. The are 9 & 13.

We have the same double over double, and my 20 and 23-year old daughters came to stay with us on the last camping trip. No way would they sleep in the single bunks, which is a big reason we upgraded last year to this TT.

When we were looking at TT models at the dealer, we told the salesman we wanted the U-shaped dinette, but he talked us out of it based on lack of leg room. We all sat at the dinette and agreed with his assessment. Realistically we don't sit four people at the dinette very often - usually only two at a time because it really isn't wide enough to accommodate shoulder room. If 4 people are eating at the same time we're usually out on the picnic table. The dinette table becomes more of a storage counter for food items, reading materials and electronic devices.

[APT]

Eowens wrote:
Well I appreciate all the feedback. I'm 99% on a 1/2 ton Suburban/Yukon. This will be my wife's daily driver so I want the fuel mileage of the new direct injection engine vs. the 6.0's 10mpg.

If you guy's have recommendations or advice on models with the floor plan seen above I'm all ears.

We get 14mpg mixed commuting as our main family vehicle in our 3/4 ton and over 17mpg highway. 10mpg doesn't even happen in the winter with 4WD locked.

The 2015 GM twins have about 1500 pounds of payload. I'd look for something near 6k dry and you should be happy. Make sure to get the HD towing package as it's the only way to get the trans cooler and 3.42 ratio. And check out the 2015 Expedition too. I don't know the real world payloads or receiver limit, but the drive train is IMHO better.