TT with Murphy Bed - Forest River and Venture Sonic

[a5t1]

I'm looking at a TT with 1 slide out, bunks and murphy bed, short as possible. These are the only two floor plans that I found; am I missing something? (Forest River has another plan but the TT is 28')

https://www.venture-rv.com/sonic-travel-trailers/SN220VBH.html

http://www.forestriverinc.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=170&Image=5063&ShowParent=1&ModelID=2239#Main

A few questions:

Do the rounded fronts of the TT make that big of a difference towing vs the flat-style? I would think so.

Both have features I like and those I don't. I'm not a fan of the aluminum on the FR, there is less storage in the Sonic by Venture. Just looking for other opinions?

[tnrv_er]

I don't know why more TT manufacturers don't make units with a sofa and fold up table,

I went to the Nashville RV show last weekend and sat in dinnettes in TT from entry level to high end TT. Not a one was anything i'd want to sit in other than to eat a meal.

I personal like a permanent bed and comfortable place to sit when the weather keeps us indoors.

[Rustycamperpant]

Here is a KZ Connect light that is under 27' and has what you are looking for. The U haped dinette is wonderful. Maybe this will help. We love our KZ camper. Have fun looking, the humt is part of the fun....

https://www.kz-rv.com/products/connect-travel-trailers/lite-C211BH.html

[PrairieSchonner]

We own a Sonic with a Murphy bed. The walk-around bed/couch option was one of the things that we wanted in our TT to allow for more floor space on those days when the weather keeps us inside (rain follows us). We still have enough storage under the couch for a folding table and 2 folding chairs plus other small items. The pass through is large enough to carry all the set-up and outside necessities that we 2 need. The bed stays down most of the time weather permitting. The bed has an added foam topper and is comfortable, the length isn't a big issue for us, we make do as it is. To date we still have more storage than we need in the Sonic 220VRB.

[hohenwald48]

We've never had an RV with a Murphy bed. However, we once had one where we had to make up the dinette every night before going to bed and unmake it every morning. The wife said if we ever get one of those again I'll be doing a lot of solo camping.

[a5t1]

Great points, thanks.

Very interested in the Rockwood Micro-lite 2509s.

Heading to a show next weekend, hope to see one there.

[SoundGuy]

a5t1 wrote:
If the rounded front makes no difference, this opens up a few other floor plans. I like the Flagstaff Micro lite 25BHS

Makes no difference at all in terms of towing. I'd just watch those bed sizes ... with many manufacturers now installing full length 80" x 60" queen beds there's little reason to accept a short queen, which that 25BHS has. 😞 30" is a common bunk bed width but is still too narrow compared to the 34" wide bunks we had in our previous KZ Spree.

[a5t1]

If the rounded front makes no difference, this opens up a few other floor plans. I like the Flagstaff Micro lite 25BHS

[GrandpaKip]

Yes, a rounded front is more aerodynamic, just not enough to make any difference in the real world of travel trailers. It is in the world of semis.
We looked at a camper with a Murphy Bed. Less storage overall. Maybe a pain after a while. With us, we spend all our time outside unless the weather is just awful. I like a bed I don't have to mess with.

[SpeakEasy]

We have the Murphy bed (see my sig for make and model). I really, really like the way it permits us efficient use of floor space. I do wish we had more storage space. That's the trade-off.

-Speak

[a5t1]

I was more curious about the rounded front than anything. I prefer it's looks but I'm a function over fashion type of person - hence the murphy bed!

Agreed, it's great to have so many choices.

Appreciate the dialog, keep it coming.

[lazyboy]

SoundGuy wrote:

lazyboy wrote:
I'm no aerodynamic engineer but there is also a reason manufactures are going to the rounded front roof line. You get better airflow over the top, less drag when your towing. I doubt it would make a huge difference in your fuel mileage and wouldn't let it sway my decision if I found a floor plan that worked for me with the billboard front.

You're right, you are no aerodynamic engineer :W ... manufacturers who profile a trailer's front wall do so strictly for esthetics and marketing purposes, not because doing so improves airflow or reduces drag. If that were the case fuel mileage would improve but in reality it makes little difference at all. When towing any full height trailer with a normally aspirated gas engine vehicle we can all count on +/- 10 miles to the US gallon, a bit more if the trailer is particularly light, the roads relatively flat, and with little wind, somewhat less than that for larger, heavier trailers and when upgrades & wind are encountered. Believe otherwise, regardless of what manufacturer advertising may suggest, and you'll be sorely disappointed. :W

LOL;);)

[SoundGuy]

lazyboy wrote:
I'm no aerodynamic engineer but there is also a reason manufactures are going to the rounded front roof line. You get better airflow over the top, less drag when your towing. I doubt it would make a huge difference in your fuel mileage and wouldn't let it sway my decision if I found a floor plan that worked for me with the billboard front.

You're right, you are no aerodynamic engineer :W ... manufacturers who profile a trailer's front wall do so strictly for esthetics and marketing purposes, not because doing so improves airflow or reduces drag. If that were the case fuel mileage would improve but in reality it makes little difference at all. When towing any full height trailer with a normally aspirated gas engine vehicle we can all count on +/- 10 miles to the US gallon, a bit more if the trailer is particularly light, the roads relatively flat, and with little wind, somewhat less than that for larger, heavier trailers and when upgrades & wind are encountered. Believe otherwise, regardless of what manufacturer advertising may suggest, and you'll be sorely disappointed. :W

[lazyboy]

I also like the murphy bed. If we all like the same floor plan we wouldn't have so many choices.
I'm looking at the Sonic 190.

I'm no aerodynamic engineer but there is also a reason manufactures are going to the rounded front roof line. You get better airflow over the top, less drag when your towing. I doubt it would make a huge difference in your fuel mileage and wouldn't let it sway my decision if I found a floor plan that worked for me with the billboard front.

[GWolfe]

Cruise Lite has a couple of models with the murphy bed.

[Rubiranch]

beemerphile1 wrote:
A difference of .5 mpg is meaningless.

LOL Amen. 😉