A Bunkhouse RV might just be exactly what your traveling family needs. Whether you choose a bunkhouse motorhome, fifth wheel or travel trailer, you’ll have all the room you need. Even better, you don’t have to give up your favorite comforts from home to make room for sleeping space — no more converting the dinette to a bed, then trying to work around a sleeping teenage when you’re ready for breakfast. And bunkhouses provide amazing storage opportunities during the day. In this article we’ll share the features of bunkhouse RVs and some great modifications that will help you get even more from the space.
WHY CHOOSE A BUNKHOUSE RV
Obviously the main feature of a bunkhouse RV is the bunk beds. Sometimes the bunks are in a separate room with a door, in other floor plans they are behind a curtain, and especially in motorhomes, they are built into the hallway. The great thing is that there are so many different RV bunkhouse manufacturers, you can choose the right bunkhouse motorhome, fifth wheel, or travel trailer suits your budget and personal preferences.
Our Not So Perfect Life takes you on a tour of their Keystone Cougar 364 BHL Fifth Wheel with separate bunkhouse bedroom.
Here’s a tour of one of our favorite travel trailers with bunks, the Grand Design Transcend Xplor 265BH. Nicole and Daniel of Somewhere Down South travel in one with two teenage boys who are over 6’ tall.
And don’t worry if you don’t find the perfect bunkhouse for your needs. You can always modify it. Check out the video below with a clever mod to take one bunk out and open up the space for an only child.
No matter which type of bunkhouse RV you choose, the initial allure is the bunks that provide enough sleeping space to comfortably bring the whole family on your next RV trip. But bunkhouse RVs are not all about bunk beds! Today’s bunkhouse travel trailers, fifth-wheels, and motorhomes include a variety of amenities that make your RV experience more enjoyable and help you feel like you have a home away from home.
OTHER KEY FEATURES
When it comes to selecting the bunkhouse RV that fits your family’s unique needs, you can choose from many styles and models. From travel trailers and fifth wheels to toy haulers and motorhomes, there is something for everyone.
Consider your RV travel style and how you plan to use the space and what activities you enjoy. Do you have a growing family and need an option that provides space for the whole family on your weekend getaways? Or are you a family that plans to travel full-time and needs separate room for the kids? In these cases, a fifth wheel or travel trailer bunkhouse with slide-outs and a separate room with the bunks may fit the bill. If you’re an adventure loving group and spend your days mountain biking or kayaking, then a toy hauler bunkhouse RV may be the best choice for you.
We’re partial to Northwood Manufacturing — we have their Arctic Fox 27-5L Fifth Wheel. But if you’re looking for a bunk model, they have two: the Nash 24-B Travel Trailer and the Nash 29-S.
Regardless of which type of RV, here are a few other options to consider:
- Outdoor Kitchen – This is one of those features that you either love or hate. We personally don’t cook outside often — we gave away our grill after a year on the road because we never used it. However, there are many RV families really want an outdoor kitchen. It’s a great way to enlarge your space by prepping your meals, cooking, and dining outside. Outdoor kitchens come in many configurations and features including: sink, counter space, refrigerator, and attached grill or cooktop.
- Dual Entry Door – This feature is often overlooked, but if you have children that are going to be playing on the beach or running through the woods, it might be nice to have another door near a bathroom for them to access and get cleaned up without dragging sand or dirt though the living area of your RV.
- Extra bathroom – Depending on the size of your family and the style of camping you do, an extra bathroom may really come in handy. On the other hand, I have a friend who converted her half bath to a storage closet. It all depends on your camping needs and RV travel preferences.
BUNKHOUSE RV STORAGE TIPS
As previously mentioned bunkhouse campers are ideal for family camping adventures because they feature bunk-bed style sleeping which maximizes the space in your camper. Bunkhouse floorpans are often mindful of storage. During the day and on travel days, you can use the bunks themselves for storing your gear and supplies. There are also many simple modifications you can do to make the most of your small space.
Check out these fabulous storage ideas from Someday Down South. They installed drawers in the closet and hanging organizers on the rails.
If you have younger children, you know that keeping all the toys and clothing can be tricky to keep organized. Watch the video below to see how Deziree keeps it all together.
We have many other organization and storage tips for every space in your RV.
We hope this article gave you some ideas for choosing the right RV bunkhouse. Remember, the first step is to consider your needs now and how they might change over time. For example, will your camping family be growing – perhaps with kids, grandkids, or friends? Will it be shrinking as children going off to college? Or will it stay the same over the length of time you plan to own the RV? These are important factors that will have an impact on your RV choice and your budget.
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