Best Bunkhouse Travel Trailer: Top Models & Options!
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Three years ago, my family sold most of our belongings, bought a bunkhouse travel trailer, moved into it, and hit the road full-time. My husband and I chose a Keystone Cougar 29BHS for our family of five, and after three years and thousands of miles, we are still very happy with it.
As we read and researched our options, we came to expect that our first RV would be like a “starter RV” so we could learn from experience what we liked and didn’t like before choosing one that better fit our needs. This seemed to be the common experience of so many families.
My Top Picks
In case you don’t want to read all the way to the end of the article, we put our top bunkhouse travel trailer picks here:
- Coachmen Freedom Express 320BHDS Camper
- Heartland North Trail 31QBS Camper
- Keystone Cougar 29BHS
- Keystone Cougar 34TSB
Living In Our “Starter RV” for Three Years
Why do we still love our bunkhouse after three years? We did so much research before buying the —and specifically the best —that we were pretty sure we had covered all the bases and knew what would best suit the needs of our family.
For the most part, we were right. We have customized it in minor ways along the way, but that research before we launched made all the difference. Switching rigs frequently is a hassle, and it wasn’t financially feasible for us, but a little extra homework can help avoid all of that.
Perhaps that’s what led you to this article. Whether you’re shopping for bunkhouse trailers to live in full-time or you just want the right to take some amazing family vacations, I want to help you to be as happy with your purchase as we are with ours.
And because I remember how confusing it gets to have 30 different tabs open on your browser while researching this, I’ve tried to assemble the most useful information all in one place.
From defining travel trailer and bunkhouse camper to exploring the factors you’ll need to consider, with the advantages and disadvantages of different choices, I hope to help you narrow down the needs and priorities of your family.
Finally, I’ve recommended ten different bunkhouse travel trailer models, all with personal travel trailer recommendations from myself and other full-time families we’ve met in our travels, including floor plans for easy comparison (bunkhouse floorplan). Let me be your guide to this important part of your journey.
Credit: Keystone Bullet – Radford Family
What is a Travel Trailer?
A travel trailer sometimes called a bumper pull or bumper tow is a towable RV that connects to the bumper hitch of a vehicle and is moved that way. They are not motorhomes, and they do not need to be towed with a special hitch in the bed of a pickup truck, like a fifth wheel trailer. They come in a wide variety of sizes and models.
What is Bunkhouse?
A bunkhouse, or bunk room, in an RV, is a sleeping space with bunk beds that is separate from the master bedroom and main living area. Typically, the dedicated sleeping space has a door that can be closed for privacy, making the bunkhouse its own room.
Advantages of Bunkhouse Travel Trailers for Families
Since the bunkhouse travel trailers offer extra sleeping space for children, they are perfect for families (just like a house with bunk bed setups). Once children are in bunk beds, parents can close the door and use the rest of the trailer without disturbing their little ones.
Children usually enjoy having their own bunk bed space and the option to close the door for privacy. Most families can easily imagine circumstances when it is advantageous to have separate rooms. Overall, a trailer with a bunkhouse feels more spacious and more like home.
Bunkhouse travel trailers also tend to be lighter and can be towed with a variety of vehicles. While a fifth wheel trailer can only be towed by a pickup truck, a travel trailer can also be towed by larger SUVs, which can be very helpful for large families, families with young children in car seats, or those who occasionally travel with guests.
Disadvantages of Bunkhouse Travel Trailers for Families
Many families find that a travel trailer feels too small for their needs. They prefer the higher ceilings and increased storage space of a fifth-wheel trailer (including overhead cabinets for storage space). Travel trailer often has less space and weight margins for cargo. Ultralight models are built with weight-saving construction that can be less durable, and it can be hard for children to remember to use the space gently.
A Bunkhouse RV / travel trailer rarely come equipped with conveniences such as washing machines and dishwashers that can come in handy when traveling with children. Finally, freshwater tanks and both black and grey water waste tanks are smaller, and many families find them limiting if they do not always park with full hookups.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Bunkhouse Travel Trailers
New or Used Bunkhouse Travel Trailer Models
In order to find the best bunkhouse travel trailers, you can also consider a used bunkhouse travel trailer brand will save budget-conscious families a lot of money on the purchase price. If purchased from a dealership, they will often come with some kind of limited warranty, but buying them privately is a greater risk.
A disadvantage of buying used is that the rig will likely have some degree of wear and tear from normal use. A bunkhouse model has most likely been used by a family with kids, which often means it has endured a little more use (or abuse) than a trailer that has only been used by adults. Check any used model thoroughly before purchasing.
Cost is not the only disadvantage of buying new. In our experience, many new RVs end up needing multiple repairs before everything is working as it should. Yes, these repairs are all covered by the manufacturer’s warranty at no additional cost, but that is often little consolation if your brand new rig spends weeks or even months in a repair shop, wreaking havoc on your travel plans.
A used rig can actually end up needing fewer repairs if it has been well-maintained, as the previous owners have gone through the hassles and inconveniences of working all the kinks out of it.
Number of Beds
Consider how many permanent bunks your family needs and wants and limit your search to models that provide this many beds. While the specs may assert that the trailer sleeping space allows up to ten people, examine how those bed spaces are counted.
Usually, this involves converting dinettes and jack knife sofa into beds. On our rig, converting the sofa to a bed allows no walkway from the master bedroom to the bathroom. So while we could technically use this as a sleeping space, it is not practical.
Chances are one reason you are looking for bunkhouse travel trailers is to avoid the need to remake the dinette into a bed every night while also making sure that everyone has their own bed to retreat to at any time of day.
So look at models that have enough permanent bunks for everyone in the family. The more beds you need, the fewer options you have available. There is a wide variety of floorplan options available in a wide range of sizes for those who only need two bunks. Three or more bunks are not difficult to find, but the options are more limited.
Number of Slides
More slideouts give you more floor space and storage space without adding significantly to the dimensions of your trailer. Many families prefer to look for a rig with as many slides as possible.
Slideouts add weight and one more moving part that can break and need repairs. They also increase your dimensions when parked, which can limit your ability to park in smaller or more narrow spaces (small camper). Opposing slides give the most spacious and open feeling inside the trailer but are also more likely to make your rig too wide for some campgrounds.
Pay attention to how you are able to use your trailer with one or more slides pulled in. Can the bathroom door or refrigerator be opened? Can you walk through to the bedroom? If all slides must be out in order to use the essentials, then carefully consider how you intend to use it and if you anticipate always being able to park in spacious campsites.
Bunkhouse Travel Trailers Length
Similar to the number of slides, the overall length is often a compromise between how much space you would like to have while inside the trailer and keeping your options open for where you will park it.
For example, if you are planning a road trip to visit national parks, keep in mind that RVs that are under 25 feet in length are welcome in 93% of America’s national park campgrounds while staying under 37 feet still gives you access to 60% of them.
Rigs over 40 feet in length can park in just 7% of campgrounds in national parks. For more information about different RV lengths and restrictions in specific national parks, check out this resource.
Weight / Tow vehicle
If you already have a pickup truck or larger SUV that you want to use to tow your travel trailer, investigate how much weight your vehicle is able to tow and restrict your search to trailers with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) below that limit. It might seem obvious, but it can be very tempting to stretch the limits a little bit in order to add a little bit more length or an extra feature that caught your eye. It truly isn’t worth gambling with your family’s safety on the road.
You may see a trailer listed with dry weight and a cargo weight capacity. The dry weight means that all cabinets and tanks are empty. The gross vehicle weight rating is the sum of these two numbers. Remember that you will not always want or be able to tow with all tanks empty, so it is important to consider the gross weight when pairing your trailer with your tow vehicle.
For a complete guide to tow vehicles, weight ratings, and more, use this resource from Trailer Life.
Kitchen
Consider the size and layout of the kitchen if you are preparing food for a whole family in it. Can the refrigerator reasonably hold enough food for your family, or will you need to shop nearly every day of your trip? Is there enough countertop space or ?
Is it important for you to have an oven or a microwave? Larger rigs, especially those with opposing slides, often have a kitchen island, which gives the kitchen more storage and countertop space.
However, many large families are completely satisfied with a smaller kitchen. Only you can answer what your individual preferences are and if this is likely to be a source of frustration for you. But it is definitely a factor worth considering.
Is an outdoor kitchen a priority for you? Some families love the option of cooking meals outside, while others rarely use their outdoor kitchens. Since many floorplan builds borrow space from the bunkroom to add the great outdoors kitchen or eliminate the outdoor kitchen to increase the size of the bunkhouse, this is another factor to keep in mind.
Dinette seating
For our family, the ability to comfortably gather our family around the table for meals, regardless of the weather, is non-negotiable. Since we are a family of five, a U shaped dinette was a priority for us. This limited the models we were willing to consider when purchasing our rig.
A surprising number of bunkhouse travel trailers offer permanent beds for up to six people but a dinette that only fits four. If this is also a priority for your family, it is a factor to pay attention to.
Credit: Keystone Cougar 29BHS – Lindstrom Family
Recommended Models
As RV travel becomes increasingly popular among families, the number of bunkhouse travel trailer options seems to multiply. While it’s wonderful to have so many models to choose between, it might feel overwhelming trying to find the best bunkhouse travel trailers for your family. We can help.
This list of 10 recommended models represents a variety of sizes and exterior features, so it’s likely at least one or two of them will meet your needs. Most are available new or used with a variety of years to choose between. Note that different years will have slight variations in bunkhouse layouts and specs, but this overview gives you a starting place to narrow down your options.
Best of all, these rigs are road-tested by real families who are not just using them for weekend getaways or summer vacations but living in them full-time as they travel the country. If they’ve stood up to thousands of miles and full-time use by families with kids (e.g. with an area resembling a living room), and the families still recommend them, then they deserve to be on this list.
My full-time family and other like-minded families we’ve met along the way would like to share with you the best and worst features of our bunkhouse travel trailers.
Bunkhouse Travel Trailer Comparison Chart
|
Make/Model(s) |
Length |
Bunks |
Slides |
Weight |
|
37 ft |
3 |
3 |
10,700 lbs |
|
|
Heartland North Trail 31QBS |
34 ft |
3 |
1 |
6,900 lbs |
|
Keystone Cougar 29BHS |
32 ft |
3 |
1 |
7,800 lbs |
|
28 ft |
2 |
1 |
7,000 lbs |
|
|
38 ft |
2 |
3 |
11,400 lbs |
|
|
Keystone Outback 293UBH |
33 ft |
3 |
1 |
7,600 lbs |
|
33 ft |
3 |
1 |
7,600 lbs |
|
|
37 ft |
3 |
4 |
11,500 lbs |
Coachmen Freedom Express 320BHDS Camper
With this travel trailer by Coachmen, you will appreciate the ease of towing behind your family vehicle. All the tanks are located under the floor to lower the center of gravity for increased storage capacity and improved handling down the road.
Advantages: This rig offers plenty of cargo space, including a grand design large pantry in the kitchen. Opposing slides give a spacious feeling in the main living area and allow space for a kitchen island. An additional slide in the bunkhouse gives the kids plenty of space.
Disadvantages: Tank space sometimes feels limited, particularly the freshwater tank. This model is long and heavy for a travel trailer, which limits tow vehicle options.
Floorplan:
Heartland North Trail 31QBS Camper
Advantages: The bunkhouse has a great layout with plenty of floor space. The bathroom includes a bathtub, which families love. This is a lightweight model that saves on towing costs and keeps your options open for tow vehicles.
Disadvantages: This layout places the bathroom right next to the master bedroom, which some families do not prefer. There is very limited countertop space in the kitchen. This model does not have an outdoor kitchen.
Floor Plans:
Keystone Cougar 29BHS
Advantages: This model offers three bunks plus a booth dinette in the bunkhouse. This table is great for crafts, puzzles, Lego building, and coloring. It can also be converted to a bed to give four permanent beds. The U-dinette has a separate bunkhouse room for the whole family, and the bathroom has a bathtub.
Disadvantages: The bathroom can’t be accessed when the slide is in. It would sometimes be convenient if the tanks were larger.
Floor Plans:
Keystone Cougar 34TSB
Advantages: Opposing slides in the main living space gives a spacious feel and a great kitchen layout with a lot of countertop space. The bunkroom slide adds a lot of floor space for playing. The outdoor kitchen includes an extra refrigerator, which can allow families to stock up and avoid frequent shopping trips. The built-in bike rack is a nice perk, as is the king-sized bed in the master bedroom.
Disadvantages: The location of the bathroom may be inconvenient for families. There is no storage anywhere near the entry door, nor wall space for hooks, so there is no convenient place to keep shoes and outerwear.
Floor Plans:
Best Hunkhouse Travel Trailer Under 30 ft: Winnebago Minnie 2455
Don’t let the name mislead you, the Winnebago Minnie packs maximum features into an easy to pull light weight camper. A full 8' wide box provides ample living space and the power slide out creates even more!
Advantages: This Minnie is small and light! Staying under 30 feet opens up a lot of options, and it is light enough to give flexibility in choosing a tow vehicle. U-dinette is great for family meals. The bunk beds are double beds (double bunk), which can be more comfortable for older children.
Disadvantages: This model does not have a bunk area in the sense that the bunk beds are in a room of their own with a door that shuts. It is included as an example of a common floor plan to have bunks in a smaller trailer.
Full-time families who live in this model solve the privacy issue with curtains and other creative solutions. The queen bed is also not in its own room with doors that shut, since there is only a partial wall at the foot of the bed. Parents may not appreciate the lack of privacy, either. The storage space in this model is very limited.
Floor Plans:
Prime Time Avenger 32QBI
This trailer features and design elements that are considered to be “Best In Class” and rarely found on the competitions are used to fully maximize customer enjoyment.
Advantages: Opposing slides in the living area give generous floor space and allow for a kitchen island for added countertop space. The U-dinette is also roomy to accommodate the whole family around the table. The slide in the bunk room gives plenty of floor space there too. The extra refrigerator in the outdoor kitchen is a bonus that many families really appreciate.
Disadvantages: The location of the bathroom so far from the bunkhouse can be seen as a disadvantage. This rig is long and heavy, which limits your options in choosing a tow vehicle and may, at times, limit where you can take it.
Floor Plans:
Keystone Outback 293UBH
Advantages: This model is a great compromise between space and gross vehicle weight rating. It is a very lightweight option for a bunkhouse travel trailer with all the necessary features. It is also a very affordable option. The slide gives extra floor space, and the extra refrigerator in the outdoor kitchen helps families stock up on groceries.
Disadvantages: The master bedroom is very small, without many walkways at the foot of the bed. The booth dinette is on the small side for the whole family to sit together for meals. The kitchen is small and offers limited countertop space.
Floor Plans:
Keystone Outback 31RQS
Advantages: Families that want four bunks without converting a dinette or sofa into a bed in the bunk room; this is your rig. The bathroom is very convenient for kids, and the linen closet is a nice feature. There is good storage space.
Disadvantages: This trailer is heavier than other trailers of a similar size. The kitchen has very limited countertop space. While this camper has permanent beds for six people, the booth dinette can only comfortably seat 4.
Floor Plans:
Keystone Bullet 287QBS
Step into this single-slide Bullet travel trailer to see just how convenient camping with a larger family can be. The private bunkhouse is a wonderful location to house any guests or children that you have traveling along with you.
Advantages: This trailer is relatively light for as much space as it provides. The bunkhouse has great space and storage. The outdoor kitchen is practical, and the extra refrigerator is a feature many families really appreciate.
Disadvantages: The master bedroom is very small and doesn’t have much space to walk around the foot of the bed. The slide is also small. While this trailer has permanent beds for 5, it is difficult to fit five people around the table in the dinette. Countertop space in the kitchen is limited.
Floor Plans:
Highland Ridge Open Range 310BHS
This Open Range model offers a spacious living and kitchen area, plus a private sleeping room that the kids or overnight guests will surely love to call their own.
Advantages: Holy Slides, Batman! This model’s four slides, including opposing slides in the living space and one in each bedroom, give this rig a lot of interior space. The kitchen has a large refrigerator and an island. The bunk room has good floor space to play and plenty of storage.
A coat closet by the door is very practical, and the master bedroom closet is a great feature! This is a travel trailer that might not know it isn’t a fifth wheel.
Disadvantages: The combined sofa/dinette area has plenty of seating, but only two small tables and the seating is in a straight line, all of which is less than ideal for family meals.
Young children, in particular, may struggle to eat at such small tables while seated on a sofa, and the trailer lacks a good place for coloring, crafts, building Legos, or other activities kids do at the kitchen table.
Floor Plans:
I hope this has been a helpful resource in your search for the right bunkhouse travel trailer for your family. While there is no such thing as a perfect RV, if you know your needs and priorities, it is definitely possible to find one that your family loves. See you on the road!
Further Research
- The Ultimate Guide To RV Living: If you have someone in your life who is interested in the RV life, or if you are, and you are trying to understand the lifestyle, read all about it here!
- How to Find the Best RVs for Cold Weather RVing: BRRR, it’s cold outside but you HAVE to RV it! Here is how to find the best RVs for cold weather RVing. Stay warm, my friends…
- New vs Used RV’s: What to Consider and Which to Choose?: You’ve decided to purchase an RV, great! But, now what? Let this guide help you decide if a new or used RV is right for you.
- How to Find the Best 5th Wheel RV: I will help you understand exactly what a 5th wheel RV is and exactly what makes is different. Find out everything here!
- Best Airstream Alternatives
