Calling all Bunkhouse Camper Owners

[Papa Zook]

Does anyone here own a Bunkhouse camper, or have you owned one? I am looking at getting one and want some feedback from current or past owners.

I was touring the Bunkhouse / Bushtec / Trigg factory a couple of weeks ago and I have to say I was impressed with their operation and their campers. I like the quality of construction, the huge storage compartment vs most others and the roominess of the sleeping and dressing areas as well as the options such as the den, cooler access from inside, a/c duct, etc.

I have done lots of research and know there are other good ones out there, so I'm not looking for opinions such as "I have X brand and its better because........" type of posts, just want to hear from current or past Bunkhouse owners only please.

Thanks,
Zook

 

[Papa Zook]

anyone??

 

[bikerbillone]

Yes, me too Zook. I don't have one, but I sure want to look.

 

[Brewster]

We have one and couldn't be happier. We have pulled it behind our trike through 25 states and four years. What we like about it is the fact that we get to sleep in the same bed each night. When it is warm, we pack our air conditioner in the cargo area and it keeps the inside nice and cool. If it is going to be cool or cold, we pack our small heater which keeps the camper nice and toastie. You will loose some mpg by pulling the camper but we still get 30 mpg consistantly. If we are at one campground more than a couple of days, we set up our add a room. I don't think that you will find much difference between a Bunkhouse and an Aspen.

 

[Ozarkryder]

We have a 2001 Bunkhouse LX. They were made by B&F Industries at the time, and I went to Chicago to pick it up. They used a 6 pin electrical connector that was apparently proprietary to the Bunkhouse. I did some re-wiring last year and thought of putting on a common connector, but I would have had to rewire the trike side too, so I left it as is. wouldn't be hard to change it to a different connector, though. It pulls very easily, has a lot of storage inside that is accessible while tent is set up or packed. I made a cooler rack for the tongue, and a stand for the tongue that transforms to a small table next to the cooler. We didn't get options when we bought it, hence some additions we did like the cooler rack, the tongue stand/table and the canopy support.
Some changes over the years:
> Our front canopy is flat, the newer ones are domed with crossed shock cords holding up the dome, 2 tent poles hole up the canopy. I rigged ours to work in much the same way.
> Our trailer has stabilizer jacks on all 4 corners of the trailer body. newer ones have 2 in the rear and 1 on the tongue. I added a handle and a support leg that becomes a small table to the tongue.
> The small canopy over the window by the head of the bed is a flat flap on ours that I hold above the window with 2 tent poles, the newer ones are supported in an arc with a short flexible tent pole.
> We did not get the optional zipper around the screen window at the head of the bed. This is now standard. A camper unzips the window and can easily make the bed By pulling the bedding from the head instead of trying to crawl up on the bed and push the bedding in front the bedmaker.
There is a myriad of options we didn't get, like a spare tire (I carry a can of Fix-A-Flat and a 12" tire is available almost everywhere at Tractor supply, Atwoods, Fleet-Farm etc.) chrome wheels, light bar, and such. the A/C duct was an option, now standard.One of the things I might have gone for if they had offered in 2001 which is standard now is clear zip up windows in the dressing area in addition to the standard window covers. This allows light in and folks can see out if it is rainy, if an air conditioner is run the windows can be uncovered by the fabric covers.
We are looking to get a toy hauler in the next few years, and we have only used this camper 1 or 2 times per year. It may be for sale soon, or we may keep it and use it for taking trips on the trike (as opposed to taking the trike on trips). I suppose it will depend on what we get offered for it.
Anyway, we live about an hour and a half from Eureka Springs. I you wish, it is available for you to check out and play with in June, or anytime you are the the SW MO area.

 

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

Without repeating all of the good info above-
We have a 2005 Bunkhouse that we bought from the factory in Chicago.
It's been on many trips with us and have had no problems,
They sold out to Bushtec a few years ago.
The Bunkhouse and Aspen are basically the same except that the supports for the tent are outside on the Bunkhouse and inside on the Aspen.
The Bunkhouse being outside makes it easier to setup as you don't have to crawl inside.
BTW, The Bunkhouse came out first and then the partners split and Aspen came out.
I did get the swivel hitch, cooler rack, front door awning and chrome wheels on mine.
Need any info, give me a shout.

 

[Papa Zook]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'm looking at the Bunkhouse LX in black with burgundy canvas with pretty much all the bells and whistles including the large den. I'm just wondering if I will use the den that often and I forget if the den is detachable, I think it is. Anyone know?

I have a little Honda EU2000i generator and a small 5k A/C I'd like to use in the summer time, I just don't sleep well in the heat, spoiled I guess. How do they pull loaded? Whats it like to stop? I'm not getting the brake kit based on what I have read about them 'possibly' being dangerous, but never heard of an accident attributed to the brakes on one. Bunkhouse says they sell maybe one in a hundred with the brake kit on it. Thoughts?

 

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

Had this all typed out and lost it so here goes again.
IMO, No need for electric brakes. I had them on my Time Out and never hooked them up.
I have the blue and white one with the smaller front den that attach's the the awning.
We don't use a mattress as we use 2 large sleeping bags that zip together and the bottoms are thick enough to be comfy.
We travel the north state's so we don't use a AC setup.
When we go south it's motels for us.
Any other info, give me a shout.

 

[Papa Zook]

Had this all typed out and lost it so here goes again.
IMO, No need for electric brakes. I had them on my Time Out and never hooked them up.
I have the blue and white one with the smaller front den that attach's the the awning.
We don't use a mattress as we use 2 large sleeping bags that zip together and the bottoms are thick enough to be comfy.
We travel the north state's so we don't use a AC setup.
When we go south it's motels for us.
Any other info, give me a shout.

What would you say your average cruising speed is with the camper in tow?

 

[Papa Zook]

Some give and take with every design. I personally have no problem with the dressing room being on the ground. You walk in and out rather than step up and down into the room, which I like and I will be putting a mat or tarp down when I fold it out anyway. Also, I like the quick tilt up access to the storage area in the bunkhouse and its a LOT of storage too. There's things I like about several campers, like the roll-a-home for example, its a super quick setup, but all things considered the Bunkhouse is my pick.

 

[Ozarkryder]

When I said we use our Bunkhouse 1 or 2 times a year I meant in the last 2 or 3 years. Before that we pulled all over, camped almost every other weekend in riding season here in the Ozarks. We go up north every September running 70 - 75 mph on I-35. The camper pulls like it isn't there. The rig is slightly slower to pull away from standing still, and stopping is a little longer as it is a heavier rig. Never has a problem stopping, no trailer brakes, and we load it up for our 2 week trips to Minnesota. WE usually get about 35mpg or so on the GL1800 Champion 2 up, that goes to about 30 or so with the trailer on the freeway at 70 - 75.

We took it out to the Smokies both times we have been out there, ran the Cherohala Skyway with no problems at all. Closer to home, our ABATE district used to have a rally at Turner Bend on the Pig Trail. One run down to the rally I kept up with some sportbike riders (they probably weren't the most skilled) who were surprised a trike kept up with them, and they were almost mad when we got to the Turner Bend store and they found I was pulling the camper.

 

[Papa Zook]

When I said we use our Bunkhouse 1 or 2 times a year I meant in the last 2 or 3 years. Before that we pulled all over, camped almost every other weekend in riding season here in the Ozarks. We go up north every September running 70 - 75 mph on I-35. The camper pulls like it isn't there. The rig is slightly slower to pull away from standing still, and stopping is a little longer as it is a heavier rig. Never has a problem stopping, no trailer brakes, and we load it up for our 2 week trips to Minnesota. WE usually get about 35mpg or so on the GL1800 Champion 2 up, that goes to about 30 or so with the trailer on the freeway at 70 - 75.

We took it out to the Smokies both times we have been out there, ran the Cherohala Skyway with no problems at all. Closer to home, our ABATE district used to have a rally at Turner Bend on the Pig Trail. One run down to the rally I kept up with some sportbike riders (they probably weren't the most skilled) who were surprised a trike kept up with them, and they were almost mad when we got to the Turner Bend store and they found I was pulling the camper.

Any earwig problems?

 

[Ozarkryder]

LOL - nope, no earwig problems or any other infestations. We have the flat floor, not the rolled up pan the current models have. Never even a problem in heavy rain.

 

[Papa Zook]

LOL - nope, no earwig problems or any other infestations. We have the flat floor, not the rolled up pan the current models have. Never even a problem in heavy rain.

Thanks, I'm relieved.

 

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

We like to run the interstates until we get close to our destination. Never had trouble at speeds up to 80.

As for Time Outs- I had one and use to sell them in the mid 90s.
The main problem with them is that it takes forever to set it up.
I also found out later, that the press board they used for the floor, gets weak and has to be replace over the years.
Also has smaller wheels/tires then most of the rest.
As a side note- I haven't looked at them recently and this may have changed.

 

[Papa Zook]

I was thinking that we may even pull ours with our Chevy Tahoe occasionally. We have relatives in Round Rock, Tx who aren't bikers, but we really like to spend with them. They tent camp a lot from their car, then trail hike, fish, cook out, explore, etc, so we've been thinking we could join them with the Bunkhouse. What do 'yall think? Anyone else pulled their's with a car or truck before?

 

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

When I bought mine, Bunkhouse was located behind the O'Hara Airport. I decided to pick it up with my Chevy truck(about a 300 miles round trip).
I have a few different receivers so I put on one that drops down 4 inches.
Hooked it up and did the lights with a conversion piece.
Off we went back to Kiel, Wi.
Only problem I had was that I couldn't see the small camper ( ever though I have the electric extending mirrors) behind me so I had to keep that in mind.
If you do, you might consider a flag (like they use on bikes) to attach to the camper. At least you could see it was still there!!

 

[Papa Zook]

I think running an ATV type of fiberglass flag pole off the rear (without the flag) would make backing the camper with the Tahoe much more manageable. The wife enjoys riding the trike, but shes not as into it as I am, so the truck option would likely afford more camping opportunities if you know what I mean. It's the "happy wife" thing ya know?

 

[Ozarkryder]

I would occasionally pull the Bunkhouse behind the truck back when I had a Ram 1500. It disappeared back there, and the first time I pulled it I took the tailgate off and could just barely see it. I sort of did as Randy is thinking and used 2 of the ATV poles at the rear corners, also without flags, set up with suction cups on the bottom to hold them on and a bracket attached to the pole that friction fit between the trailer body and the lid to hold them steady at the upper part of the trailer. Very easily removable, but secure and steady at highway speed. Wrapped the top foot or so with red reflector tape, and at night I attached a red glow stick to the top of each one so I knew where the corners were.

I also had a 16' tandem axle utility trailerat the time, and found out that backing the little camper was a lot harder than the big trailer. The short length between the hitch and the wheels made for very quick steering when reversing. 99% of the time I would get as close as I could to the set up spot, unhook and move the Bunhouse manually. It's all a moot point to us as the only vehicle we have now with a hitch is the trike.

 

[34theroad]

I just found this forum and it seems like a good fit for me. I am on my 3rd trike and 2nd camper. I had 2 VW trikes and now own a Cobra (Renegade) trike. I owned a Bunkhouse trailer for a few years and thought it was a good trailer. When I bought my second trailer I bought an Aspen Classic because I thought it was a better fit for me. So far I am very happy with it.

 

[Papa Zook]

I just found this forum and it seems like a good fit for me. I am on my 3rd trike and 2nd camper. I had 2 VW trikes and now own a Cobra (Renegade) trike. I owned a Bunkhouse trailer for a few years and thought it was a good trailer. When I bought my second trailer I bought an Aspen Classic because I thought it was a better fit for me. So far I am very happy with it.

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