Bunkbeds in an RV?? Yes, please!

May 4, 2020
By: The Lost Road Mag Team

It used to be that traveling across country in a motor home was reserved for empty nest retirees --those folks with nothing but time on their hands and money burning a hole in their pockets.  Now, with the evolution of remote, teleworking technology (freelancers everywhere exclaim a collective 'hallelujah') that's just not the case anymore.  Any simple Google or YouTube search will reveal hundreds of younger families (and you solo travelers) who have taken their dreams a different direction.

They've traded in the American Dream of a two-story house with a white picket fence, two car garage, and a vegetable garden for a home on wheels that takes them anywhere their hearts' desire.  Along with this dream comes the kids often in tow.  Because what's a better home-school lesson?  Instead of reading about Mt. Rushmore, you can just go see it!  Instead of a math lesson on the depths of the Grand Canyon, just go from the peak of the canyon all the way down to the bottom yourself.  Why listen to a science lecture on marine animals when you can see them in their natural habitat?  Families have taken this concept to heart and sold all their belongings to then purchase their home on wheels at a resounding rate.

But this also means RV manufacturers have had to change their floor plans to adapt.  Sure, you're still going to find plenty of motor homes and RVs geared towards couples, but more and more RV designers are including floor plans for those larger families out on the road.  Plus, what's a better challenge than figuring out how to give four people their own space to chill out than this?

For this article, we're going to focus on traditional RV manufacturers that have nailed the "kids in mind" floor plan.  RV manufacturers take note: you can learn a thing or two from those skoolie folks who figured out great options for this floor plan long ago.

Here are some of our favorite Class A and C floor plans for families on the road:

The 2020 Winnebago Forza Model 38W -- This coach.  How we love thee.  Let us count the ways.  From the INSANE amount of charging stations, to the built-in desk for TWO that converts to a bunk bed for the kiddo at night, this thing has it all.  It's living area space is realistically designed for the family that wants to hang out at night on the sectional sofa and watch a movie together on the 50" HDTV with the fireplace going, but still provides enough space throughout for folks to work apart from one another.

The 2020 Winnebago Forza

Mom and dad can feasibly be at the desk space working while the kiddos do their school work in the theater seats with accompanying lap desks, or vice versa.  Got a tween or teen?  They'll probably want to claim the optional studio loft bed over the cab as their own space, and who can blame them?  And the extra storage!  This Forza model offers 228 cu. ft. of exterior storage space!  You can literally bring your entire garage and all your toys with you if you choose.  For you cooks out there -- the kitchen is a beauty.  Corian counters, anyone?  And don't worry--the washer/dryer is in the bathroom.


2020 Jayco Seneca 37L:  While the sofa does the thing where it points towards the kitchen and not at the TV (because RV manufacturers cannot seem to MOVE AWAY from the need to stick a pointless itty bitty dinette in these rides), this one still makes the cut for one of the best floor plans of the year.  The storage is great, and the fridge size (12 cu. ft.) can actually accommodate a family's food needs.  Surprisingly, so many floor plans with bunks still have 8 cu. ft. refrigerators.

The 2020 Jayco Seneca

Additionally, not only do you get two bunks that can each hold 300 pounds WITH a 24" TV in each bunk (hallelujah for no fighting over what to watch, am I right?), but the parents get a KING SIZED BED.  That's a lot to fit into a Class C.  This bad boy also comes with an optional combination washer/dryer, should you be willing to forgo a little wardrobe space (raises hand high).  There's additional kiddo space in the bunk over cab, and that bit of space is sheer beauty, with the incredible panoramic window that provides the person sleeping up there with the ability to go to sleep with the stars and wake up with the sun.  It's worth noting, however, that MSRP on this model is $267,300, so it's not for the budget conscious.  You could easily get a gasoline Class A for less, AND have more space.  But there are plenty of people who don't want the additional space, and like the driving comfort that the Class C provides.

2020 Newmar Canyon Star 3929:  This used to be one of the only Class A toy haulers on the market.  But what used to be a traditional-looking toy hauler with garage has morphed into a motorhome with an actual second room for the kids (something that used to be an impossibility unless you went the fifth wheel route).  The 3929 model is incredibly unique as far as the competition goes (as in: there is no competition here--no other company offers a floorplan like this).

The 2020 Newmar Canyon Star

In addition to a traditional RV living space layout, the master bedroom includes a king bed, then beyond the bedroom in the back of the rig, there's a room with bunk beds, a closet (optional w/d combo unit here), and a HALF BATH for the kids!  The great part about the kids' space being in the very back of the rig is that once they go to bed at night, you don't have to worry about waking them up by walking through their space (a downside of many other bunkhouse floorplans).  This floorplan was clearly designed by exhausted parents.  Bravo, Newmar.

Forest River Sunseeker Classic 3270S:  Looking for a no frills, traditional class C motorhome with bunks?  This is it.  The interior of this model is really light, making it look much more modern than some of its counterparts.  You aren't going to find anything to truly knock your socks off, but the manufacturer has a solid reputation, and the Sunseeker itself is a tried and true favorite.  There's a reason why it's one of their longest running rigs.  It gets the job done, and well.

Interior of the 2020 Forest River Sunseeker Classic 

One thing we sure wish these designers would change is the main living space TV located so high up in the bunk over cab.  It's truly no fun to have to look UP to watch TV after a long day of play.  But they're certainly not the only folks that do it.  Also of note is the price point:  the Forest River Sunseeker is definitely one of the more affordable bunkhouses on the market right now.

2020 Entegra Coach Accolade Model 37L:   This model ALMOST has it all.  If ONLY the placement of the TV/Fireplace weren't perpendicular from the sofa seating.  Why oh WHY do manufacturers continue to do this?  It simply makes no sense.  Not to mention the fact that most families (of which the bunk models appeal to) would much rather have a larger L-shaped sofa experience with a removable table or even a coffee table with a top that pulls up to eating/table level in front of it instead of that pesky dinette.

2020 Entegra Coach Accolade

If you got rid of the dinette setting altogether, replace with a larger living space that can double as a spot to eat, then this Class C would have it all, including the option for a washer/dryer.  Have we mentioned this floorplan includes a king sized bed?  Because it does!  Then there's the 750lb bunk over cab weight capacity that's simply the icing on the cake.  Bravo, Entegra.  You were almost perfect.

The good news is that with more and more families with kids under 18 choosing life on the road, the more options there are available.  2021 looks to include even more bunk models, and we're even seeing some of these RV manufacturers starting to include solar-- not just "solar-ready," but actual solar panels on the roof.  FINALLY.  It's about time.  Future's looking bright for our open road families.