Bunkbeds

[startx]

Ok, we, due to our family size, are a bit more limited in our selections.  We must have either quad bunkbeds, or a unit with three bunks(you know beds like a popup).  This limits our choices, and I'm not sure I even want to consider bunkbeds.

Does anybody know where to find out the manufacturer specs on the bunkbeds?  I have looked at website after website, and if you are lucky you get dimensions(which don't exactly seem generous), other than that nothing.  I have heard some rumor they are designed to support 150lbs.  Sorry, but that doesn't hold my 11 year old now, much less when he hits the teen years.  I'm sure my girls could use them for many years to come, but that strapping boy of ours is a problem.

My concern with the trailers that have three beds is space.  I've been in lots of campsites lately, that we couldn't have even considered with that third bed coming out.

I'm just frustrated I guess, since large families are not exactly common now, its a bit difficult to find a good fit for us.  I definitely know we want to upgrade, although it'll be probably a year and half before it is an option.  Good thing we have lots of time to shop.

[startx]

Well, that was a very non-specific post.

Does anybody know how to get the weight limit, dimensions, head clearance etc for the bunkbeds on the hybrid models that offer them?

Anybody have a "bunkhouse" that could tell me their experience?

Basically our 11 year old is over 150lbs, he's probably about 5'2" and is wearing a size 36 pants, so he's a pretty big kid, and hasn't even entered the puberty growth rate yet.  I'm concerned about his being comfortable, cause our girls are all relatively small and aren't a problem on the bunks.

Sure I could make his bed the sofa or something, but as he gets closer to the teen years he's going to start sleeping later, and being on the sofa or dinette is going to become an issue.

[campingboaters]

I've wondered the same thing about those bunk-house models.  I'm GUESSING you would have to find a model you were interested in, and go to that dealer to see if they have specs on things like that.  Also, sometimes the bottom bunk might be rated at a higher weight since it's usually sitting on cabinets instead of braced on the walls.

[towrod]

Well, that was a very non-specific post.

Does anybody know how to get the weight limit, dimensions, head clearance etc for the bunkbeds on the hybrid models that offer them?

Anybody have a "bunkhouse" that could tell me their experience?

...

I've been looking at bunkhouses for about a year now... generally 72" or 74" is the standard length.  Width may be a concern as well some bunks are less than 30" wide.   I have had "fair" success using email to ask manufacuturers for bunk specifics.    ForestRiver Surveyor makes a TT with 2 BIG (48x74)bunks in the front with a rear slideout bed.  Floorplan = SV-235RS.
FWIW I decided to buy a K-Z Frontier 2405PQSF - the bunks in front are only standard size BUT the wardrobe adjacent could easily be modified to allow up to 7' bunk length. :yikes:

[Camping Coxes]

I have heard some rumor they are designed to support 150lbs. Sorry, but that doesn't hold my 11 year old now, much less when he hits the teen years.

Boy, am I glad you're asking.  I've been trying to find the same thing.  My daughter is a big girl weight-wise and she's tall for her age, too, but my son, who just turned 14, is becoming a giant and is already 6 foot tall.  A regular bunk is not going to do it for him.  Right now we're okay because they share the king bunk in the pop-up, but in looking at hybrids (a girl can dream, can't she?) I'm not finding the same set-up available.  I guess that's why eventually the teenage boys get kicked outside to a tent, huh?

[6Quigs]

We own a Tahoe Hybrid by Thor, and with 4 children, were looking for seperate sleeping space for them.
Ours have the tripple bunk beds in the rear, and the upper 2 bunks are rated for 150 lbs each. No data on the lower one as it is on the floor, and is the easiest to crawl out of.
(I'm 220 lbs, 5'10" and have slept in the bottom bunk a few times).
It is 72" long, and 24" wide.
By adding an extra wooden support, the 2 upper bunks could be strengthened to accomodate more weight, and by eliminating the cubby space made 12" longer.
The couch is only 66" long, but it is wide, so it suits our daughter.
We have the u-dinette, that seats 8 people. What's up with manufacturers claiming their unit sleeps 8 but only have a dinette that seats 4??
A slide out is also a must for a large family, just so we can pass by each other in the trailer.

I was recently in an Outback 28" bunkhouse model, and the upper bunks were slightly shorter than the 72" of the lower bunk, which meant the bigger kids had to sleep on the lower bunks.

I have seen some nice plans on some Travel Trailers I like, but the choice on Hybrids is limited.

Good luck, and have fun in your search.

[Camping Coxes]

After I posted last I remembered seeing a hybrid at a Starcraft dealer that I liked when we were shopping for our pop-up, so I checked out their site.  The Starcraft Travel Star 21SB and the Antigua 215SB are virtually the same trailer and have bunks like a pop-up that go out front and back, as well as a smaller side one.  I know you didn't want a slide out, but this would be an answer to the sleeping arrangements for a large family (or a large child).  Check out the Starcraft site for the floorplans.

[SCCS]

I've been looking at bunkhouses for about a year now...  
FWIW I decided to buy a K-Z Frontier 2405PQSF  :yikes:

Looks like we lost another one to the dark side. CONGRATS on the new trailer ROD. The floorplans looks great, lots of room to bring along even more brew.

[griffsmom]

After I posted last I remembered seeing a hybrid at a Starcraft dealer that I liked when we were shopping for our pop-up, so I checked out their site. The Starcraft Travel Star 21SB and the Antigua 215SB are virtually the same trailer and have bunks like a pop-up that go out front and back, as well as a smaller side one. I know you didn't want a slide out, but this would be an answer to the sleeping arrangements for a large family (or a large child). Check out the Starcraft site for the floorplans.

That is exactly the hybrid I have been drooling over for quite a while now.  The Forest River Coyote 22ct also has the same floor plan and bonus for us...has an interior height of 6'6"--important when your dh is 6'5" and banged his head no less than 3 times when we looking at the Starcrafts.  
 
Of course, we'll still be camping in our PU until our little monkey boy is out of preschool and into marvelous, glorious (and free!) kindergarten!!

[startx]

After I posted last I remembered seeing a hybrid at a Starcraft dealer that I liked when we were shopping for our pop-up, so I checked out their site.  The Starcraft Travel Star 21SB and the Antigua 215SB are virtually the same trailer and have bunks like a pop-up that go out front and back, as well as a smaller side one.  I know you didn't want a slide out, but this would be an answer to the sleeping arrangements for a large family (or a large child).  Check out the Starcraft site for the floorplans.

Yes, we really like that camper too, as a matter of fact it is one I have been drooling over now for well over a year.  Our concern with it, since we've been looking at it so long, is finding spaces wide enough to accomodate that bed in the back.  We'll just have to decide which sacrifices to make.  A bunkhouse would be easier to get better sites with, but would the bunks on the 21SB make it worth having a not quite as favored site?

I really don't want my teens to get kicked out, since it gets pretty darn hot here in Texas, and they don't usually air condition tents.    Right now we have various sleeping configurations, depending on who is with us, but at any rate on every trip somebody has to sleep with someone they don't want to, and/or I have to break the dinette or sofa down into a bed and back every day.    I'm looking for a hybrid to kind of alleviate some of this, and generally make our camping a less labor intensive undertaking.

[towrod]

.... CONGRATS on the new trailer ROD. The floorplans looks great, lots of room to bring along even more brew.

Thanks Scott - Debbie is really looking forward to the new rig.
Having a sofa slide and being able to leave the dinette set up are both things we have been wanting for some time.  
Don't be afraid of the Dark

[towrod]

Here is a link to a new K-Z Coyote 4 bunk hybrid
http://www.rvtraderonline.com/caddetail.html?/ad-cache/3/9/8/74594198.htm

[Dee4j]

That is exactly the hybrid I have been drooling over for quite a while now.  The Forest River Coyote 22ct also has the same floor plan and bonus for us...has an interior height of 6'6"--important when your dh is 6'5" and banged his head no less than 3 times when we looking at the Starcrafts.  
 
Of course, we'll still be camping in our PU until our little monkey boy is out of preschool and into marvelous, glorious (and free!) kindergarten!!

I just got a flyer on the KZ Coyote  the 20c, 22ct, and the 22cp look nice but the 22cp has alot higher GVWR . also got one for the Xtreme lite by Sun Valley. haven't seen them in person yet

I have looked at the trail cruiser by R-vision and was not impressed.

[kimrb266]

We've looked a the Starcrafts and are going tomorrow to look at the Rockwood Roo's.  Finding a hybird with large enough beds is proving to be a challenge.
 
Pros and Cons of hybirds vs PU's seems to be 50/50.  I just saw the 05 Fleetwood PU's, I like some of the features and trim, this has sparked my interest in an 05 Utah.

[dee106]

i have the SC 21sso and Cheryl has the21 ft Roo, the difference we saw in each others hybrids were.
 
SC has bigger and higher closest,
 
behind the couch the SC has a shelf to put things on, and a large outside storage space the ROO has a open area for inside storage,(a well) the back of the couch in the Roo is a bit higher,
 
the dinett table seats four adults comfortable in the SC the Roo is a bit smaller
 
the Roo has a shelf over the wings for smaller stuff, nic-nac's, cd's , SC doesn't have it, we have a narrow (waste) shelf over the dinette table.
 
in the bathroom SC has a deeper tub and a bit bigger area, a large person can sit in comfort!
 
when you bring in the slide you can still get into the bathroom! Roo you couldn't.
 
the wood tones were lighter in the SC golden oak colors, roo more like a maple.
 
remember we have the 03 models!