| User | Post |
|
10:48 am
April 22, 2010
|
Steve
| | San Antonio, TX | |
| Moderator
| posts 193 |
|
|
Hi guys I'm Steve … I'm about to buy my first Sportsman Classic, and right now am torn between getting the 14RB or 16BH. It's just me and my beagle who'll be using it primarily.
The 14RB is almost perfect the way it is, but I do have plans to mod it for more storage. I plan on leaving the table in the bed position and will use a TV table to eat indoors when applicable.
The 16BH has the extra room, but the bunks are worthless to me due to me being a bit too tall to sleep in.
Many of the mods I have planned for both include increasing storage space, replacing all lighting fixtures for low power consumption LED lights, and installing a swivel arm wall mounted 24-26″ TV/computer monitor.
I'm hoping to hear some advice, and ideas or things that were done to re-purpose the bunk areas in the 16BH. Any and all will be appreciated immensely!
Steve
|
http://haven106.blogspot.com
|
|
|
3:54 pm
April 22, 2010
|
smilinjohn
| | Minnesota Prairie | |
| Moderator
| posts 380 |
|
|
Welcome, Steve!
DW and I have the 14RK (all electric/no gas), with Regular Pkge and Air Cond. My height = 6'-0″. We plan to take our dog (about your dog's size) and our cat when camping in the 14RK.
When we were considering the various models, had we not selected the 14RK for it's additional storage and lower cost over the 14RB, I would have voted 16BH for it's extra room in the bathroom compared to the 14RB; and the 16BH has an additional 15″ length (50.7 cu. ft.). Take the '14RB CHALLENGE' — try closing the door while sitting in the 14RB bathroom.
Since the 16BH bunks are primarily behind the axle, not necessarially a good location for storage of heavy stuff, except when camped…….balancing the load is important. From my research and understanding, a good rule of thumb for balancing the load (sway reduction) = one pound behind the axle for each two pounds in front to maintain 10 to 15% tonge weight per gross trailer weight.
There ya go, there's pros and cons for each of the various models. Happy moding.
 John
|
2010 Sportsmen Classic 14RK; 2005 Ford F-150, 5.4L V8; "…..it is always advisable to perceive clearly our ignorance." Charles Darwin
|
|
|
5:39 am
April 23, 2010
|
Steve
| | San Antonio, TX | |
| Moderator
| posts 193 |
|
|
I'll be sure to take the 14RB bathroom challange when I see it this weekend.
I hadn't considered the weight front/over/behind the axle, but this works out fine. One of the upgrades I'm looking at doing is adding a bank of AGM batteries (how many is undetermined at this time) which would go right over the axle and in the compartment that is the lower bunk. I am debating on whether to have the top bunk removed or leave it as a shelf. Most of what I envisioned going into the lower an upper bunk areas are things that would fit into those sterilite drawered type containers. Not everything heavy per se would go into those areas as I might have a guest once in a while and they'll need someplace to sleep.
Thanks
Steve
|
http://haven106.blogspot.com
|
|
|
8:40 am
April 29, 2010
|
Steve
| | San Antonio, TX | |
| Moderator
| posts 193 |
|
|
Ok I took the 14rb bathroom challenge and here's what happened. I can close the door but I have to lean my legs to the left. I thought about this a bit and came to the conclusion that I can just leave the door open. Reason being is it's just going to be me and my beagle living in the thing. We've seen each other do this lots of times so I'm ok with that arrangement.
The real clincher for me is that the bunk beds in the 16 might not be big enough for me length wise. Width wise it won't work for me because of the beagle. My plan in the 14 was to use the table as the bed full time and use a tv table for any indoor meals. I'd eat outside most of the time as is.
The 16′s bunk spaces give me all kinds of storage room, but because I have to watch weight distribution … I may just give up on getting the 16 after all is said and done.
The 14RB is a good amount of space to live in and I've seen east Indian families living in less than half the space of one of these trailers. I'm pretty sure I can make it work for 1 man and beagle.
Steve
|
http://haven106.blogspot.com
|
|
|
10:06 am
April 29, 2010
|
smilinjohn
| | Minnesota Prairie | |
| Moderator
| posts 380 |
|
|
Thanks, Steve for the update. Hope you will continue to keep us posted of your progress.
John
|
2010 Sportsmen Classic 14RK; 2005 Ford F-150, 5.4L V8; "…..it is always advisable to perceive clearly our ignorance." Charles Darwin
|
|
Login
Forum
No Status Selected
Print this Post 
Topic RSS 
Search 