If you’ve ever stepped inside a fifth wheel bunkhouse, you likely marveled at the space and amenities. The experience may have left you wondering if one is right for you. These roomy RVs offer space for the whole family to spread out or gather together. If your family is like mine, you need both while vacationing with the kids. Learn more about fifth wheel bunkhouses, and check out some top picks.
What is a Fifth Wheel Bunkhouse?
What makes a fifth wheel different from other types of RVs mainly comes down to the towing experience. First, fifth wheels are towed, not driven, which makes them different from motorhomes. However, their interiors may feel similar to large, luxurious motorhomes, depending on the floorplan and amenities.
Like travel trailers, fifth wheel bunkhouses are pulled, but the hitch setup is quite different. Fifth wheels require a special hitch installed directly in the pickup bed. They offer a smooth towing experience, which some RVers prefer.
Now that we are clear on what a fifth wheel is, let’s talk about bunkhouses. A fifth wheel bunkhouse has additional dedicated beds for kids and guests, often set up in a private bunkroom. Sometimes, the bunkrooms offer enough room for the kids to play.
Most fifth wheel bunkhouse floorplans place the bunkhouse at the rear, with a mid-ship kitchen and a front primary bedroom. But like all RVs, the variations are endless, so you might also find fifth wheel bunkhouses with the bunkroom at the front or in the middle. Take a few tours to see what feels right to you!
Our Top 7 Fifth Wheel Campers with Bunkhouse
If you’re in the market for a fifth wheel bunkhouse, here are some top models to put on your list:
Best Small Bunkhouse Fifth Wheel: Keystone Arcadia Select 27SBH
Specs
- Length: 32’3”
- Dry Weight: 7,720 pounds
- Cargo Capacity: 1,780 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: Up to 10
Favorite Feature: “Small” but roomy
While the Keystone Arcadia Select 27SBH is considered small in the world of fifth wheels, it is surprisingly roomy with a substantial sleeping capacity. Thanks to a clever layout, you won’t feel like you are missing anything. Plus, this fifth wheel is easier to tow than a traditional travel trailer of a similar length.
While the bunkroom isn’t large enough for the kids to play in, it can sleep as many as six, thanks to the unique triple-double bunks (three extra-wide beds). The primary bedroom is located at the front of the RV, giving families some separation in this petite fifth wheel. The trailer is not short on amenities, offering a solar power system, a tankless water heater, and other upgrades.
Keystone offers a sister model – the Cougar Sport 2700BH. If you like the floorplan, check out both options to see which design features and amenities you prefer.
Best Front Bunkhouse Fifth Wheel: Shasta Phoenix 370BAF
Specs
- Length: 42’6″
- Dry Weight: 12,421 pounds
- Cargo Capacity: 2,079 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: 5 or more
Favorite Feature: Two full bathrooms
Front bunkhouses are a unique option. The Shasta Phoenix 370BAF places four single bunks and a cube sofa in a spacious layout, creating a cozy, transformable room for the kids to sleep and play in. A rear loft over the primary bedroom adds even more dedicated sleeping space.
A full bathroom nearby is another major plus. It’s rare to find an extra bath, much less a full bath. Not only can the adults avoid sharing a bathroom with the kids, but they can also avoid sharing a sink with each other, thanks to the double sink vanity in the primary bedroom suite.
Outside the bedroom, the mid-ship living space features a tri-fold sofa, theater seating, and a freestanding dining table with room for the whole family. Plus, the spacious kitchen island makes meal prep and clean-up a breeze.
Best Rear Bunkhouse Fifth Wheel: Jayco Eagle HT 29DDB
Specs
- Length: 33’7”
- Dry Weight: 9,040 pounds
- Cargo Capacity: 1,710 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: Up to 8
Favorite Feature: Great standard/optional amenities
At just under 34 feet, the Jayco Eagle HT 29DDB is a “just right” size for many families, especially those new to towing or those who don’t have quite as powerful of a towing vehicle. The open-concept living space feels roomy and saves length by not building floor space into the bunkroom, which features double over double bunks and ample storage.
The Eagle HT 29DDB comes standard with a U-dinette and theater seating in the living room. Swap out the theater seating for the optional tri-fold sofa to add sleeping capacity. Another optional feature adds a griddle and sink to the outside kitchen.
Many details add a luxurious feel, especially for experienced campers who have had units without these upgrades. You’ll likely appreciate the blackout roller shades, a residential-style glass shower door, and an on-demand water heater.
Best Fifth Wheel With Loft Bunkhouse: Dutchmen Eddie Bauer Signature 360LF.
Specs
- Length: 40’9”
- Dry Weight: 11,372 pounds
- Cargo Capacity: 2,628 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: 7
Favorite Feature: Extra fun bunkroom
The Dutchmen Eddie Bauer Signature 360LF is sure to impress from the moment you step through the doors, thanks to the stylish, upgraded interior. The limited edition Eddie Bauer models feature a modern mix of wood tones and gold accents, mirroring trendy residential designs. Amenities include designer furniture, pop up power stations, slide toppers, and more.
Head to the rear to find one of the coolest bunkrooms on the market, featuring a double bed and a sleeping loft with room for two. It has treehouse vibes, thanks to the ladder and loft overlook. Nearby, kids have their own half bath. Parents will also appreciate the double sinks, a huge storage closet in the primary bedroom, and the RV’s tankless water heater.
Best Front Living Bunkhouse Fifth Wheel: Forest River Sabre 37FLL
Specs
- Length: 42’9″
- Dry Weight: 12,008 pounds
- Cargo Capacity: 3,072 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: Up to 9
Favorite Feature: Huge family room
With two tri-fold sofas, a pair of theater seats, and an electric fireplace topped by a large television, the front living room is truly the star of the show in the Forest River Sabre 37FLL. Family movie night in the RV has never been so comfortable!
Parents will enjoy the generous kitchen countertops, the farmhouse sink, and the large fridge with French doors. The “zebra shades” make it easy to let light in while adding privacy.
The kids can take their pick of two sleeping lofts, where they can spread out sleeping mats however they wish. The lofts also have additional storage spaces. Exterior features include a 100-watt solar package, an outside kitchen, and a backup/security camera.
Best Bunkhouse Fifth Wheel For Full-Time Living: Forest River Arctic Wolf 3660SUITE
Specs
- Length: 43’7″
- Dry Weight: 10,828 pounds
- Cargo Capacity: 2,827 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: Up to 8
Favorite Feature: Versatile mid-ship bunkroom
You want plenty of space and privacy for full-time living, and the Forest River Arctic Wolf 3660SUITE truly delivers. As one of the biggest fifth wheel bunkhouses, it offers a roomy, residential-style home on wheels. The rear living room expands, thanks to opposing side slides. It features theater seating, a tri-fold sofa, an electric fireplace, and a ceiling fan.
The unique midship bunkroom gives kids a hang-out space all their own. It features a storage wardrobe, an entertainment center, and a tri-fold sofa topped by a raisable bunk. An elevated loft adds more sleeping or storage capacity outside of the bunkroom, which can give the kids some separation.
Arctic Wolf models also come with amenities designed for year-round camping, including a high-efficiency furnace with 35,000 BTUs, an enclosed underbelly and tanks, a solar power package, and extra insulation. You’ll also find creature comforts like a tankless water heater, light-filtering “zebra shades,” and a residential king bed.
Best Luxury Fifth Wheel Bunkhouse: Keystone Montana High Country 377FL
Specs
- Length: 41’11”
- Dry Weight: 13,513 pounds
- Cargo Capacity: 2,987 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: Up to 8
Favorite Feature: Luxury on wheels
What makes a luxury rig luxurious? Expect to find more robust construction materials, upgraded amenities, and stylish interior decor. The Keystone Montana High Country 377FL has all three. A four-season prep package comes standard and promises to maintain a safe, comfortable interior even when temperatures dip below freezing.
The interior amenities start in the front living room, where you’ll find two hide-a-bed sofas and a pair of power theater seats circled around an electric fireplace. The television tucks away when not in use, revealing a large front window. Imagine looking out on a lake or forest from your cozy living room.
The amenities continue in the kitchen, which features a massive 18-cubic-foot refrigerator and a breakfast bar with solid surface countertops. Retreat to the rear bedroom, where you’ll find a king bed, washer/dryer prep, and plenty of storage. Kids will enjoy the private sleeping loft, which has two bunk mats.
Is a Bunkhouse Fifth Wheel Right For You?
RV manufacturers offer so many unique floorplans because RVers come in many varieties. So, how do you know if a fifth wheel bunkhouse is right for you? Consider these elements:
You Have a Large Family
Large families appreciate the space afforded by fifth wheel campers with bunkhouses. They can often sleep six or more, which means there’s enough room for everyone to have a dedicated bed. No need to break down a dinette each night! Plus, bunkrooms may offer built-in wardrobes, entertainment centers, couches, and desks, making the room useful for more than simply sleeping.
Your Truck Has Plenty of Towing Capacity
While the size of fifth wheel bunkhouses is certainly an advantage while camping, it’s less of an advantage while towing –unless you have a capable tow vehicle. Make sure to carefully check your weight ratings to ensure your truck has sufficient tow capacity and payload capacity. Both are important.
You Need Interior Headroom
If you stand next to a fifth wheel and then a travel trailer at a dealership, you can easily tell that fifth wheels are much taller. These rigs can top out with exterior heights over 13 feet, providing plenty of headroom. You might even find some with lofts, thanks to the height.
You Want Some Privacy While Camping
Due to their length and size, fifth wheel bunkhouses can offer some privacy, especially if the bunks and the primary bedroom are at opposite ends of a 30-to-40-foot RV. Plus, the bunkroom gives kids a place of their own. On long vacations, parents will especially appreciate this feature!
Fifth Wheel Bunkhouse FAQs
Here are some need-to-knows about fifth wheels:
What is the roomiest fifth wheel?
Consider the length, height, and floorplan when looking for the roomiest fifth wheel. With many models to choose from, fifth wheel floorplans over 42 feet will be among the roomiest. Shop for new and used models that top 42 feet.
Is a 5th wheel better than a motorhome for full-time living?
Several factors come into play in deciding between a 5th wheel and a motorhome for full-time living. Some enjoy the experience of driving a motorhome, while others like the flexibility offered by towables. Both have good floorplans and amenities for full-timing. Learn more about full-time RVing.
What is the life expectancy of a fifth wheel camper?
The life expectancy of a fifth wheel camper depends a lot on its construction and maintenance; however, most hold up well for 10 to 20 years. Learn more about how to care for yours on our Learn to RV page.
If you’re interested in other fifth wheels with varied floorplans, enjoy these additional resources:
- Small Fifth Wheel Campers We Love
- 10 Best Toy Hauler RVs for Off-Road Adventure
- What is the Best Luxury Fifth Wheel?
Now that you’ve explored the world of fifth wheel bunkhouses, do you think one would be right for you? If so, which floorplans and amenities caught your eye?
