If you’re looking for a short travel trailer but don’t want to give up the convenience of having a bunkhouse, you’re probably asking yourself: what’s the shortest travel trailer with a bunkhouse? Good news! There are a number of options.
Your top option for a short bunkhouse is built by KZ RV. They have been making recreational vehicles since 1972. The company’s product lineup includes travel trailers, fifth wheels, and truck campers. KZ vehicles are designed with families in mind and don’t shy away from innovation. Founded in the heart of Amish country in Northern Indiana, the company prioritizes quality.
The KZ RV Sportsmen Classic 180BHSE is the shortest travel trailer with a bunkhouse available on the market today. This particular model of travel trailer is 20 feet and 9 inches in length and has bunk beds placed in the rear of the unit adjacent to the bathroom.
This short travel trailer doesn’t have a lot of extra bells and whistles, but it has everything a family needs in a small trailer. The dinette is contained in a slide out, so you get some extra space in the middle of the trailer when you’re settled in and set up. It folds down for extra sleeping space if you need it.
The bunks near the back of the trailer are partially enclosed, which makes them great for giving kids each some personal space. This trailer is a good option for families of 2-4 people, but it will probably work for 5 or 6 if you don’t mind being cozy!
Choosing a Short Bunkhouse Travel Trailer
When it comes to travel trailers, bigger isn’t always better. There are a number of reasons some families might want to go for a smaller travel trailer.
- They’re light and can be pulled with a wider range of vehicles.
- Smaller RVs are also priced lower and aimed at entry level campers.
- Some drivers also find it easier to maneuver a smaller RV, especially in crowded parks and in urban areas.
- You’ll also have a wider range of options for places to camp, since some sites have rules against RVs that are too large.
- And of course, you can save space at home by parking it on the driveway instead of hauling it to a storage lot every night.
Related article: Campers under 3000 lbs (top 8 picks)
What exactly is a bunkhouse?
A bunkhouse is a separate area with bunk beds, usually in the rear of the RV. Most travel trailer bunkhouses have 2-4 bunks. Some bunkhouses have the bunks in a separate room altogether. In this case, the KZ RV Sportsmen Classic 180BHSE has 2 bunk beds toward the back of the camper, right next to the bathroom.
Bunkhouse travel trailers are great for families with kids because they give each child their own personal space, which isn’t always possible in a camper. Kids can decorate their bunk and use a little of the space for their personal belongings.
A great way to allow your children to make their bunk truly their own is to install hooks, small shelves, and other storage solutions on the wall in their bunk. You can also use magnets and metal strips to make hanging photos or artwork a breeze.
If you have more bunks than kids, you can also bring along friends with you on camping trips!
Cost
The base price of the KZ RV Sportsmen Classic 180BHSE is $17,603. The total cost varies depending on the options you choose and where you buy it.
Kitchen
The kitchen is good-sized and practical. It has a nice, deep sink that is well suited for family life. It comes with a microwave and a two-burner range, plus overhead cabinets.
There’s also an optional 7 cubic foot refrigerator-freezer. If you opt for the refrigerator, it’s located in the space between the bathroom and the kitchen where there would otherwise be a closet.
The kitchen also has ample storage, with several cabinets above and below the counter.
Bathroom
The compact bathroom is pretty minimalist and includes a shower/tub and toilet. It is located near the back bunks to separate it from the main living spaces. Families with younger kids will appreciate that there’s a tub – not just a shower. The easy access right next to the bunks is also a plus, especially at night.
Sleeping
The KZ RV Sportsman Classic 180BHSE has two bunks toward the back of the camper. The bunks are 28-by-75 inches with the back half of the bunks enclosed by the adjacent bathroom wall.
The dinette also folds down for even more sleeping space. A front bedroom area has a larger 54-by-80 inch bed for the parents.
Sportsmen Classic 180BHSE (bunkhouse) Specifications
The base specs may vary based on the options you choose.
UVW: 3,000 lbs.
Hitch Weight: 430 lbs.
GVWR: 3,500 lbs.
MSRP, Base: $17,603
Exterior: 20′ 9″
Exterior Width: 7′
Exterior Height: 9′ 4″
Interior Height: 6′ 6″
Freshwater Cap.: 20 gal.
Gray-Water Cap.: 15 gal.
Black-Water Cap.: 15 gal.
Other Short Travel Trailers with A Bunkhouse
If the KZ RV Sportsmen Classic 180BHSE isn’t quite what you’re looking for, check out some of these other short travel trailers with a bunkhouse:
- The Forest River R-Pod 193 is tiny and sleeps 2-3 people. There are 9 different floor pans available and most of them come in at less than 5000 pounds.
- The Livin Lite Camplite Travel Trailer sleeps 3-6 and has a lot of the same features as full-sized travel trailers. It’s a good option to look at for larger families that want to save on space.
- The Jayco 184BS has a queen sized bed and a slide out for extra space, so you can live a little larger in a small trailer.
Closing Thoughts
Traveling in a short travel trailer with a bunkhouse can be a little more challenging than in a larger R.V., but the benefits are worth it for some families. You can save on space, weight, and fuel, but you’ll still have a functional kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area.
If you’re looking for an exciting way to get into camping that will be fun for your whole family, consider getting a small travel trailer. It may be just the thing you need to get started!
Do you have a short travel trailer with a bunkhouse? If so, we’d love to hear about it. Tell us what you love/don’t love about your model in the comments below!
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David is an accomplished mountain endurance athlete who has completed over 25 ultra marathon races (follow on Strava). He is most proud of his finish at The Drift 100 – a high elevation, 100 mile winter foot race that zigzags along the Continental Divide in Wyoming. In the future he hopes to compete in the ITI 350 and ultimately the full 1,000 mile Iditarod Trail Invitational that follows the same path as the historic dog sled race.