Thinking of buying a Non-bunkhouse TT for Family of 4

[jerem0621]

Anyone else like the non bunkhouse models with open floor plans for families of four?

Our last was a non bunkhouse no slide and we really enjoyed it.

Looking at a super slide model now like the Puma 26rlss

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[doxiluvr]

I don't have kids to worry about anymore, but I like the double over double bunks, rather than having to make up the dinette and sofa every night.

[Doug33]

Our previous 24' TT had single bunk over bunk, which worked okay until my 2 daughters got to be older. Last year we bought a 28' TT with the double wide bunks that are in the back corner (next to bathroom), as opposed to being on the side. The kids really enjoy the wider bunks that are out of the way, and provide plenty of storage and room for them to just hang out and read or play on tablets/ computers. We just close the curtain and you can't see any of their stuff.

At my age, I have no interest in setting up tents or converting tables/couches to beds each day. I like getting to the site and being set up and relaxing within an hour. But that's me - everyone's situation is different.

[AH64ID]

Wishin wrote:
We have 3 kids and really like our trailer, although our priorities may be a bit different.

Why we bought the trailer we did, Wildwood 26TBSS

Essentially the same floor-plan as our 26BKS, but we have double bunks and storage underneath. The couch is turned to a bed nightly and it's linen lives on the top bunk during the day. It's very nice not having to take down the dinet as people can sit and eat while others sleep.

[patdrury]

We just traded our bunkhouse in. The kids could not stand the low ceiling height in the bunks. Went with a rear living room model. Kids love it and only takes a few minutes to make up the couch. Now we have more livable space to use during the day.

[Wishin]

We have 3 kids and really like our trailer, although our priorities may be a bit different.

Why we bought the trailer we did, Wildwood 26TBSS

1. Each kid has their own bed, they are fine with the smaller single beds, no complaints after having larger beds before.
2. Trailer length less than 29' from ball to spare tire
3. Very open floor plan
4. We get our own bed and private bedroom
5. The bunk beds give the kids a place to put their stuff during the day if we happen to be inside when raining.

Our last trailer had double over double beds and our neither of the older two wanted the youngest in their bed anymore. He had moved to sleeping in the cabinet/bunk over our bed. Having their own bed was more important than anything. It is easily a bigger bed than a sleeping bag they would be in out in the tent. If they get big enough to want more padding, that is easy to add. Kids are flexible, they get in and out of the bunks easily. I can see they might not work great for some adults if they are not flexible. Sleeping would be fine, getting in and out would be tougher. If we ever have an adult with us (not likely often) then we'd make the dinette into a bed as it would be a nice sized bed.

We would have gone with a bigger bunk house model as it would have given us much more storage, which would be nice, but I don't want to haul 32-33' of trailer around. Where we go the 29' trailer seems too big at times.

WILDWOOD 26TBSS

[Jwmoehrle]

oughtsix wrote:
The reason we upgraded from a tent to a travel trailer was for a good night sleep. People in my family that do not get a good night sleep tend to be a pain in the rear... me included! Good comfortable beds for everyone and a place one person can sleep in longer if they care to make camping much more fun.

My next trailer will probably be a toy hauler. I have seen a few toy haulers with a queen in the front and dual powered queens in the garage. We don't have quads or motorcycles but the garage will be great for bicycles and kayaks. I love the idea of a built in generator and the much larger tank capacities of toy haulers.

This is exactly what my toy hauler turned into.The garage is very versatile.

[oughtsix]

The reason we upgraded from a tent to a travel trailer was for a good night sleep. People in my family that do not get a good night sleep tend to be a pain in the rear... me included! Good comfortable beds for everyone and a place one person can sleep in longer if they care to make camping much more fun.

My next trailer will probably be a toy hauler. I have seen a few toy haulers with a queen in the front and dual powered queens in the garage. We don't have quads or motorcycles but the garage will be great for bicycles and kayaks. I love the idea of a built in generator and the much larger tank capacities of toy haulers.

[dadmomh]

Not a fan of BH models and it's a good thing since we don't need one. But IF we did, the double over double or the variation shown would be the only thing we'd consider. IIRC, the width of the single bunks is only 27" and that's just not enough for a child even nearing their teens. Another benefit of the double over double is that if you have guests, the kids can have the tent and the guests can have much more comfy beds. Happy shopping.

[AH64ID]

As a kid that was well over 6' at an early age and riding 15hrs to go elk hunting in the back of a '92 extra cab chevy, and sleeping on small cots and air mattresses I am not sure the kids won't like it argument is all that valid.. they are still kids.

By that age I also expect them to want to sleep outside more than inside, so the small bunks give you more room.

Just my .02

[APT]

What about this variation of double over double?

[Speedogomer]

What about a Cherokee 254q? They have drop down bunks over the dinette and couch. My good friend has one, we camp with them all the time. The bunks are big enough for me to sleep in even. Leaves lots of extra space for a huge bathroom. It's a really nice TT,and alot of features for the money.

[time2roll]

Bunk is also a good place to put their stuff out of the way during the day.

[jerem0621]

Thanks for all the suggestions and comments.

When we had our TT I never felt like the dinette and the sofa were major chores. One movement and the sofa was from bed to couch and the dinette was a swing up table design so it converted in just a few seconds too. Bedding in the cabinent and the pillows generally stayed on the couch. Less than five minutes tops. I imagine the dinette would be slightly more aggravating if it was a pedestal design.

The double over double is a viable option as it does leave you with a lot of floor space.

Like the poster above I am not sure my kids would be comfy on narrow bunks of a quad bunkhouse l...they are kids but they are adult sized.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[vjstangelo]

We have an older BH model with a rear slide. The unit is 25' long. When looking at Hershey, we saw most BH models were 34' and longer! That's a long beast.

As empty nesters, we mainly use the BH portion for storage, and it comes in quite handy for that.

I may be swerving off topic, so I'll get back on track. With 2 kids, the 4 bunk model was very handy as many a time that baby was packed with our 2 and friends. Expect that when they are young, friends will come along and they will need a place to sleep.