Maximize Space: Top Travel Trailer with Loft Bed Options

One of the most engaging aspects of exploring RVs and travel trailers is witnessing the ingenious ways designers maximize every available inch of usable space. Bedroom furniture folds away to reveal dining areas, storage cabinets and closets are cleverly tucked into unexpected spots, and entire sides of the RV expand and contract to adjust space based on needs. When you consider the creativity involved, it’s truly impressive.

Among the most effective methods designers have employed to enhance an RV’s living space are the use of an RV loft or a murphy bed.

RVs with Lofts

Let’s be honest – lofts are simply fun!

Perhaps it’s because they evoke childhood memories of building secret hideouts and cozy reading nooks where we could escape. Maybe it’s the feeling of climbing into a bunk bed or a treehouse. Traditional beds are typically grounded, so when they are elevated, it adds a touch of excitement.

An RV loft is a versatile, elevated space within an RV, often accessed by a ladder or stairs.

These spaces can be an excellent solution for friends traveling together, families embarking on road trips with children, or even couples traveling long-term who require additional storage room.

The design of loft-style RVs is also remarkably practical and clever. Given that RVs are compact and floor space is highly valuable, it makes sense to build vertically rather than horizontally. Space that might otherwise go unused can be effectively utilized with a loft, providing extra sleeping quarters, a lounge area, or storage.

There are numerous options available when searching for RVs featuring lofts. It is certainly advisable to view these options in person to determine which best aligns with your travel style – some designs are more comfortable for adults, while others are ideally suited for families with children. If you’re specifically interested in travel trailers, exploring various models and even brands like eddie bauer travel trailer for sale can give you a broader perspective on available features and layouts.

Whether you’re considering renting a loft-style RV for your upcoming family vacation or planning to purchase your own, we’ve compiled a list of some favorite RVs with lofts to assist you in your decision-making process. Many lofts serve as excellent bunkhouses for kids, offering dedicated sleeping space. If you’re looking for similar dedicated sleeping areas, you might also explore options like a travel trailer with bunk room.

1.) Forest River Cedar Creek Cottage 40CDL

The Forest River Cedar Creek Cottage was specifically engineered with maximum sleeping capacity in mind. The primary sleeping area is located at the rear of the trailer, featuring a bright, white king bedroom complemented by a bunkhouse loft positioned upstairs. This loft is perfectly suited for children, though adults who are comfortable with climbing into a compact area will also find it accommodating. The generously sized loft provides sleeping space for three, ample room for storage, multiple USB outlets, a fan, and blackout shades. The beds are bunk mats – thinner than standard mattresses, but still comfortable with sufficient padding for sleeping.

This RV also includes a large bathroom equipped with a residential-style shower, as well as a well-appointed kitchen featuring an island and a hide-a-bed sofa for additional sleeping space.

Specs

Sleep Capacity: 7

Dry Weight: 11,954 lbs.

GVWR: 13,615 lbs.

Length: 40.5 ft.

MSRP: $112,189

2.) Forest River Sabre 37FLL Fifth Wheel

With the Forest River Sabre, you might genuinely forget you are staying in an RV! The unique layout of this rig creates distinct zones, making it feel more like a traditional home than a confined space. A small hallway at the rear leads to a spacious king bedroom. Adjacent to the bedroom is a short staircase accessing a double-sided loft area, which functions perfectly as a bunkhouse or supplementary storage space. The loft is equipped with windows that allow ample natural light to create a brighter, more “bedroom-like” feel, along with safety rails to prevent anyone from rolling out during the night.

The Sabre 37FLL also features a massive living area (boasting three couches!), a kitchen complete with a deep farm-style sink and a double-door refrigerator, and a bathroom featuring a residential-sized shower.

Specs

Sleep Capacity: 8

Dry Weight: 11,918 lbs.

Length: 42 ft. 9 in.

MSRP: $108,299

3.) Alliance Paradigm 390MP Fifth Wheel

The Alliance Paradigm showcases a distinctive open-concept design, and one feature we particularly admire is the multipurpose room! Located centrally within the rig, this room includes a sofa that converts into a bed, a desk area, windows, and cabinets. This makes it an ideal space for children’s activities, for adults needing to work remotely while traveling, or for hosting an extra guest. Positioned above this room is a small RV loft, which can, again, be utilized for storage or as a sleeping area.

The Alliance Paradigm 390MP also offers a king bedroom with a substantial closet, a beautiful kitchen featuring an island, and a cozy living space with a fireplace, reclining loveseat, and another sleeper sofa.

Specs

Sleep Capacity: 8

Dry Weight: 13,546 lbs.

GWVR: 16,800 lbs

Length: 41 ft. 11 in.

MSRP: $123,479

4.) Jayco North Point 377RLBH Fifth Wheel

Jayco integrates a multitude of excellent features into the North Point trailer. This RV is available in a modern farmhouse or classic cottage interior design and includes a bedroom with a walk-in closet and washer/dryer hookups, a large bathroom with a walk-in shower, a bonus room (equipped with a flip-up bunk, sleeper sofa, desk, and closet!), and a loft area furnished with bunk mats. Similar to the Alliance, the bonus room serves perfectly as an extra bedroom, a playroom, or an office space.

The North Point also offers a spacious kitchen with flip-up butcher block countertops, as well as a clever shoe garage located beneath the interior steps to maintain a clutter-free entryway.

Specs

Sleep Capacity: 11

Dry Weight: 14,410 lbs.

GWVR: 16,995 lbs

Length: 42 ft. 11 in.

MSRP: $132,983

5.) Heartland Bighorn Traveler 37DB

The Bighorn Traveler is exceptionally sleek, open, and airy, with a true farmhouse aesthetic. If you are traveling as a family or with a large group and prioritize privacy, the Bighorn Traveler should be a top consideration. This RV comes equipped with not just one, but TWO bathrooms and bedrooms/sleeping areas! The significant advantage is that they are situated at opposite ends of the rig, meaning if you are traveling with children who want to watch a movie, play a game, or be a bit noisy, they have their own dedicated space to do so. The rear area features double bunks, a sofa, a TV, several cabinets, and a loft located above the bathroom. And since they have their own bathroom, you avoid competing for sink space in the morning!

The Bighorn Traveler also boasts several other impressive features such as a floor-to-ceiling pantry, “barefoot friendly” flooring, an outdoor kitchen, and a “store-more” basement with a triple access door.

Specs

Sleep Capacity: 9

Dry Weight: 12,994 lbs

GWVR: 15,500 lbs

Length: 42 ft. 7-⅜ in.

MSRP: $117,216

6.) Jayco Jay Flight Bungalow 40LOFT

The Jay Flight Bungalow 40LOFT is specifically designed for seasonal living and destination camping, making it an excellent Travel Trailer With Loft Bed capabilities. It is built for extended stays, incorporating residential features throughout and notably tall ceilings to prevent any feeling of being cramped. The main sleeping area is positioned at the rear, featuring a master bedroom with a separate loft space situated above it. The generously sized loft is furnished with two comfortable bunk mats and offers ample room to spread out. If this area is not intended solely for sleeping, it can be used for storage, or since the space is segmented, one half could be used for sleeping and the other for storage. It includes safety rails allowing a view down into the living space, but for darkness or privacy, blackout curtains can be drawn to enclose the area. Understanding different coachmen travel trailer floor plans and comparing them to models like this Jayco can highlight the variety of space-saving designs available.

The Jay Flight Bungalow also features a large kitchen and living area with a four-burner cooktop and oven, a residential refrigerator, dual-sliding tinted entrance doors, a central vacuum system (especially convenient for cleaning crumbs with children!), and linoleum flooring throughout.

Specs

Sleep Capacity: 8

Dry Weight: 11,345 lbs

GWWR: 13,350 lbs

Length: 41 ft.

MSRP: $75,435

Campers with Lofts

In addition to Class A RVs, travel trailers, and 5th wheels with lofts, you can also consider Class C campers that often feature lofts. By definition, Class C campers include a loft area situated above the cab of the truck, which significantly expands the usable space in a relatively small footprint.

Cozy bed with furry coverlet inside an RV loft

7.) Coachmen RV Leprechaun 320 Camper

This camper is available in various floor plans and offers excellent features such as an outdoor camp kitchen and an outdoor entertainment center complete with an LCD TV, stereo, and more. It is equipped with a power awning (essential if you plan on spending considerable time outdoors!) and a spacious bunk loft area located above the cab. Inside, you will find a bedroom with a full-size king or queen bed, a compact but well-appointed kitchen, and a sofa with optional recliners.

8.) Winnebago Minnie Winnie

Winnebagos are widely recognized in the RV community, and for good reason. The company has a long history and is known for producing durable, dependable motorhomes year after year. The Minnie Winnie is suitable for families of varying sizes, offering 6 distinct floor plans. Each floor plan includes an over-the-cab bunk bed, a rear bedroom, and a sofa bed. Minnie Winnies are among the smaller Class C options, but specific floor plans can accommodate up to 8 people and still incorporate a shower and toilet, a kitchen, and a dining area.

9.) Jayco Greyhawk

The Greyhawk Prestige is a larger Class C camper providing ample space and is available in 4 different floor plans. This high-end camper is incredibly roomy, capable of sleeping up to 7 people with a spacious loft area above the cab upfront. The 2023 bunk model even features built-in tablet holders, a thoughtful addition that kids will appreciate! Jayco Greyhawks are also equipped with a master bedroom and bathroom, a kitchen with a countertop extension, a double-door refrigerator, and a jackknife sofa.

10.) Tiffin Wayfarer

The Wayfarer perfectly combines luxury and practicality, making it an ideal choice for couples traveling with a friend or for small families. With 4 floor plans available, each offers a spacious interior featuring leather seats and a sofa, an over-the-cab loft bed, and luxurious touches such as hardwood cabinets, a memory foam mattress, and a skylight in the shower to allow natural light.

11.) Thor Motor Coach Outlaw Toy Hauler

This Class C camper leans towards the larger side, providing plenty of room for occupants and a dedicated garage area in the rear designed for carrying items like bikes, kayaks, and other recreational gear (hence its name, “Toy Hauler”). If you enjoy off-grid camping, this model is certainly worth considering!

In addition to the cab-over bunk in the front, it includes a queen-sized murphy bed located in the garage area that folds up to optimize floor space during the day. The loft area features a TV positioned in the corner, viewable from the living space, as well as a cargo net equipped with USB charging ports for phones or other electronic devices. It also boasts an outdoor patio that folds down from the back, with the garage door serving as a roof to cover the deck area. The kitchen is fully equipped with everything needed, including a pantry, extendable countertops, a large sink, and a 3-burner cooktop.

RVs with Murphy Beds

Murphy beds are ingenious because when not in use, they simply fold away, either into a wall or into a sofa or dinette, thereby freeing up valuable living space for daytime use. An RV or Travel Trailer With Loft Bed options might also offer a murphy bed alternative, providing another effective solution for maximizing space during your travels.

12.) LANCE 2185 Travel Trailer

The Lance 2185 features a super slide dinette that comfortably seats 5 and sleeps 2, along with three bunks suitable for both children and adults. It stands out as a great travel trailer with loft bed-like bunk options and also versatility, ideal for a family or a group of friends on a road trip. The Lance also offers a convertible sofa/Murphy bed option, or you can choose a walk-around queen bed instead. Storage is integrated under bench seats, and the kitchen is equipped with a 3-burner stove, oven, fridge, microwave, and generous counter space.

13.) The Gulf Stream Cruiser 23BHS

Here is an example of a Gulf Stream Cruiser. Its vintage styling makes it a fun travel trailer for hitting the road! It accommodates a surprising number of people for its size, thanks to the clever use of a Murphy bed and a slideout that significantly expands the interior space. The trailer includes a bathroom, bunk beds, and a dinette area featuring a Murphy bed that folds down over the top. You even have the option to remove the table and dine outdoors once you’ve set up camp!

14.) Forest River RV Rockwood Mini Lite 2104S

The Rockwood Mini Lite 2104S features a spacious kitchen equipped with an oven, a pantry, and ample counter space. The dinette area slides out, creating even more room, and conveniently converts into a bed. The bedroom serves a dual purpose as a living room, with the sofa concealing a Murphy bed behind it. Additionally, you’ll find a remarkably spacious bathroom featuring a glass door shower and a linen closet.

15.) The Forest River Salem 280RT

This travel trailer also functions as a toy hauler, featuring a back ramp that can be lowered to serve as a patio area. The garage space includes flip-down sofas that can be used as additional sleeping accommodations at night. The trailer has a pass-through bathroom equipped with a shower, toilet, and sink, and the kitchen area features a slide-out dinette. At the front of the trailer is a sofa with a Murphy bed that conveniently folds out over the sofa.

Murphy Bed Pros and Cons

While Murphy beds are a fantastic solution, they may not be suitable for everyone. Here is a brief overview of the advantages and disadvantages of RVs equipped with Murphy beds:

Pros

The most significant advantage of acquiring or renting an RV with a Murphy bed is the efficient utilization of space that would otherwise remain unused. Murphy beds free up a substantial amount of living area and can potentially allow you to opt for a smaller RV model since less floor space is required for the bed during the day.

Furthermore, unlike convertible beds that fold into dinettes or other functional spaces, you typically don’t need to completely unmake your Murphy bed. You’ll need to remove bulky items like blankets and fluffy comforters, but you can often leave the sheets in place and simply fold the entire assembly up into the wall until it’s needed for sleeping again that evening.

Cons

The main drawback to a Murphy bed is that your dedicated sleeping area is unavailable during the day. If you enjoy napping or relaxing and reading on your bed in the afternoon, you might prefer a different sleeping solution. Some individuals also find that the mattress on a Murphy bed can be less comfortable than a standard mattress, and any attempts to improve the mattress usually involve using a topper that must be stored separately during the day, or potentially altering the mechanism that secures the bed to the wall.

Other Ways to Upgrade Sleeping Space

Beyond lofts and murphy beds, there are several other creative methods you can explore to enhance or add sleeping capacity in an RV, including various types of sofas, dinettes, and bed lifts.

RV Sofa & RV Sofa Sleepers

Your RV sofa is likely one of the most frequently used pieces of furniture in your vehicle. Visitors will naturally gravitate to it, and if you’re traveling with children, they will inevitably sprawl out on it. It may also serve as an impromptu sleeping spot for someone.

Woman reading a book to a child on an RV sofa bed

Jackknife Sofa

The jackknife sofa bed was historically one of the most popular options for RV couch beds. This style of sofa resembles an upholstered bench when in the upright position but can be laid flat by positioning the seat and back side-by-side to create a sleeping surface.

These beds are the most space-efficient in both configurations and are typically lighter than traditional couches. However, they can also be less comfortable in both seating and sleeping positions due to the underlying support bars that form the frame.

Traditional Hide-a-Bed

Another common RV couch option is the traditional hide-a-bed. These feature an RV-style mattress that folds out to become a bed and then neatly tucks back into what appears to be an ordinary RV couch.

This option requires slightly more space than the jackknife style, particularly when deployed as a bed. It is also a considerably heavier couch compared to the jackknife. However, the couch itself tends to be more comfortable for sitting, and depending on the mattress used (such as one with memory foam), the bed can also offer a better sleeping experience.

Inflatable Hide-a-Bed

More recently, inflatable air mattress hide-a-bed sofa options have become available on the market. This type of RV sleeper sofa with an air mattress functions much like a traditional RV hide-a-bed but incorporates an air mattress instead of a conventional mattress, making it significantly lighter in weight.

The primary drawback with this type of RV couch bed is the possibility of the air mattress developing leaks or holes, rendering it unusable.

What to Look for When Buying an RV Sofa Bed

Here are several other important factors to consider if you are planning to purchase a new RV sofa bed:

• Durability
• Size
• Weight
• Comfort
• Appearance
• Ease of cleaning
• Storage options (if any)
• Price
• Warranty

Custom Couches

Since custom couches are made to order, you can naturally have them built to any specific size or dimension you require. You could even get an RV sectional sofa or a custom-length RV sofa bed designed to accommodate individual needs or unique spaces.

The term “custom” might sound expensive, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be!

Consider a DIY project! Building your own custom pull-out couch might seem daunting, but with the abundance of tutorials and videos available today, it’s often not much more complex than assembling flat-pack furniture (which itself is another, simpler and quicker, alternative to the standard factory-produced brown RV couches). Furthermore, never underestimate the impact of a quick DIY solution. Reupholstering your existing couch or finding a pre-owned couch from sources like online marketplaces are budget-friendly and effective ways to make significant changes while adding your personal style.

RV Dinette Bed

RV dinette that converts into a bed space-saving feature

There are other ingenious ways to camouflage an RV bed as well – you can have an RV dinette bed, where your table folds away, and your bed occupies the space where you just had your meal.

An RV table bed is a clever method to utilize all your available space effectively. During the day, the table serves for working, eating, or providing extra seating. At night, it transforms into a bed. Numerous RV table bed systems are available, allowing you to customize features like the style and color of cushions and the color and materials used for the tabletop. And remember, you can also tackle this setup as a DIY project!

RV Bed Lift

Another favorite space-saving hack is incorporating an RV bed lift system. This mechanism allows you to either use the area directly beneath your bed for additional storage or hoist your entire bed completely out of the way, freeing up the space below for other uses.

The 2 Types of RV Bed Lift Systems

The first type of RV bed lift utilizes a system that attaches to your bed frame, enabling it to mechanically lift the mattress upwards, thereby revealing storage space underneath. This is perfect for individuals who are comfortable with the bed remaining in a fixed elevated position but require a larger, supplementary area to store items such as clothing, recreational equipment, toys, etc.

The second type of RV bed lift system is quite remarkable, employing a motorized or pulley system to physically lift your entire bed off the floor, suspending it closer to the roof of your RV. While it might seem exciting to sleep in such an elevated position (unless you have a fear of heights), the primary purpose of this setup is simply to move the bed out of the way when it’s not being used, granting you access to the space in your RV below. Many RV owners choose to lower their mattress onto their dinette, for instance, when it’s time for bed.

If an RV bed lift sounds like a useful contraption you’d like in your RV, there are many places where you can purchase one. Some of the more widely known companies and retailers that come to mind include Lippert Components, HappiJac, Hatch Lift, and Camping World.

You can also search for RV bed lift systems on various websites, where you are likely to find competitive deals.

Temporary Solutions

If you are seeking a less permanent solution than installing additional RV beds, consider adding a foldable camp cot or a hammock. A double bunk cot helps maximize your sleeping arrangements by utilizing the vertical space within your RV, allowing two people to sleep in a relatively compact area, such as the kitchen or doorway. For a more economical option, you can even hang a hammock inside your RV (or outdoors, if you’re feeling more adventurous!). Numerous online videos provide instructions on how to safely install a hammock in an RV.

Storing your RV Bedding

With the addition of more beds, you will need dedicated space to store extra RV bedding, pillows, and blankets. This highlights the importance of staying organized and limiting your belongings to only the essentials.

Large spacesaver vacuum bags are indispensable for storing bulky bedding items in a small RV closet or cabinet. The process is simple: place your blankets or sheets into the bag and use a vacuum cleaner to extract the air. This method can reduce the volume of your bedding by up to 80 percent!

Final Thoughts

Whether you are planning to rent an RV with maximum sleeping capacity for your next adventure or contemplating purchasing one for yourself, we hope this guide has provided you with valuable ideas and helped you narrow down your decision. If you discover the perfect RV or devise a creative space-saving solution, we encourage you to share it!

If you are in the process of considering a purchase, renting through platforms like RVshare can be an excellent way to experience different models before committing to buying.

You can find a wide variety of motorhomes, campers, and travel trailers on platforms like RVshare.com or by downloading their mobile app. You have the ability to filter your search by location, size, and many other criteria, ensuring that regardless of your specific needs or budget, you are likely to find the perfect RV for your travels.

For RVs offering even more extensive space, explore options like two-bedroom travel trailers and front-living fifth wheels.

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