For many adventurers, the dream of hitting the open road is coupled with the desire for a truly comfortable night's sleep. Gone are the days when "camping" meant sacrificing luxury. Today, travel trailers with king bed slide-out designs are transforming the RV experience, offering spacious master suites that rival residential bedrooms. This comprehensive guide will explore the best options, key features, and everything you need to know about choosing a king bed RV trailer for your next journey.
The Allure of the King Bed Slide Out in Travel Trailers
The inclusion of a king bed slide-out is one of the most sought-after features in modern recreational vehicles.
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The slide-out mechanism extends a portion of the bedroom wall, significantly expanding the interior square footage and allowing for the installation of a generous, residential-sized bed.
Why Choose a Travel Trailer King Bed Slide Out?
- Unmatched Comfort: The primary benefit is the sheer size of the sleeping area. An RV King bed, typically measuring 72" x 80" (compared to an RV Queen at 60" x 80"), offers ample space for couples to stretch out and enjoy a restful night.
- Walk-Around Space: With the bed positioned in a slide-out, floor space is reclaimed, often creating a walk-around king bed configuration. This eliminates the awkward climb over your partner and allows for easier access to nightstands and wardrobes.
- Enhanced Floor Plans: The slide-out allows manufacturers to design more functional and spacious travel trailer floor plans, often incorporating larger closets, dressers, or even a bedroom sitting area.
- Luxury RV Camping Experience: The king bed slide-out feature elevates the overall feel of the travel trailer, delivering a true luxury RV experience on the road.
Top Travel Trailers with King Bed Slide Outs
The market for travel trailers is vast, but several brands and models consistently stand out for their exceptional master suites featuring a king bed slide-out. When searching for the best travel trailers with a king bed slide out, buyers frequently look for models that balance comfort, towing weight, and quality construction.
Popular Models and Manufacturers
Leading manufacturers understand the demand for large, comfortable sleeping arrangements. Here are some of the most popular brands and series known for their king bed slide-out options:
- Keystone RV: Known for models like the Keystone Cougar Half-Ton and Keystone Outback Ultra-Lite, they offer floor plans that include king beds in slide-outs, even in some lighter-weight configurations. For example, the Outback Ultra-Lite 221OURS is known for its rear slide king bed.
- Forest River: Series like the Forest River Flagstaff Super Lite (e.g., the 29RLBS) and various Cherokee lines frequently feature king bed slides, often paired with large rear bathrooms or spacious living areas.
- Jayco: The Jayco White Hawk and Jayco Eagle HT Travel Trailers offer various layouts, including floor plans with a king-sized bed in a slide-out for a more luxurious experience.
- Grand Design: Their Grand Design Transcend Xplor and Grand Design Reflection lines often include king bed slide options, appealing to buyers who value their commitment to quality and customer service.
When browsing, look specifically for terms like "walk-around king bed travel trailer" or "master suite slide out" in the floor plan description.
Key Considerations for King Bed Slide Out RVs
While the prospect of a spacious king bed is enticing, there are practical considerations when purchasing a travel trailer with a slide-out. Understanding these factors is essential for a successful ownership experience.
Towing Capacity and Weight
Adding a slide-out—especially one housing a king bed and associated cabinetry—increases the dry weight and GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of the travel trailer.
- Check Your Tow Vehicle: Before falling in love with a specific model, verify your tow vehicle's towing capacity. Many travel trailers with king bed slides are considered half-ton towable (meaning they can be towed by a large truck like a Ford F-150 or Chevy Silverado 1500), but always check the specific weight ratings.
- Tongue Weight: Be mindful of the hitch weight or tongue weight, as this is crucial for safe towing. The location of the slide-out can impact weight distribution.
Slide Out Mechanics and Maintenance
RV slide-outs operate using various mechanisms (electric, hydraulic, or cable) and, as mechanical parts, require regular maintenance.
- System Reliability: Research the slide-out system used in the model you're considering. The Schwintek slide system is common in lighter RVs, while larger slides might use hydraulic systems.
- Seal Care: The slide-out seals are critical for preventing water leaks. Regular inspection, cleaning, and conditioning of these seals is non-negotiable to protect your investment from moisture damage.
- Operation During Travel: A crucial detail: ensure that you can access the essential areas of your RV, such as the bathroom or refrigerator, even when the bedroom slide-out is retracted for travel or quick roadside stops.
RV King Bed Dimensions
It is important to note that an RV King is typically not the same size as a standard residential king.
The most common RV King mattress dimensions are 72"×80". If you plan on upgrading the mattress, always measure the platform carefully to ensure a proper fit.
Floor Plan Strategies for Maximum Comfort
The location of the king bed slide-out is key to the overall flow and comfort of the travel trailer. Manufacturers employ several design strategies to maximize the benefit of the added space.
Rear Bedroom King Bed Slide Out
In a rear bedroom layout, the master suite is located at the back of the trailer. If this includes a slide-out, it often creates a private oasis.
- Pros: Maximum separation from the living area, often allowing for large windows with scenic views.
- Cons: Can impact towing balance more significantly than a central slide.
Front Bedroom King Bed Slide Out
A front bedroom layout with a slide-out is common, utilizing the tongue end of the trailer for the master suite.
- Pros: Keeps the sleeping area away from the main door and busy areas, often found in smaller or lighter trailers.
- Cons: The front location may limit the size of the bedroom due to the tapered front profile of the trailer.
Couples’ Camper vs. Bunkhouse Models
The king bed slide-out is not limited to one type of RV.
- Couples' Campers: Many couples' travel trailers use the king bed slide-out to dedicate maximum space to the master suite and living room.
- Bunkhouse Models: Some larger bunkhouse travel trailers also feature a king bed slide-out in the main bedroom, offering parents the comfort they desire without sacrificing sleeping space for the kids. This is an excellent solution for family RV camping.
Making the Final Decision: Reviews and Research
Choosing the right travel trailer is a significant investment. Utilizing travel trailers with king bed slide-out reviews and conducting thorough research is paramount.
- Walkthrough Videos: Search for video walkthroughs of king bed slide-out travel trailers on platforms like YouTube. These provide a realistic view of the space and floor plan usability.
- Owner Forums: Engage with online communities to get honest feedback on long-term ownership, maintenance issues, and the reliability of the slide-out mechanism for specific models.
- Dealer Visits: Always try to physically walk through the trailer. Extend and retract the slide-out yourself (if possible) to feel the functionality, and confirm the walk-around king bed is truly comfortable.
Conclusion
The travel trailer with a king bed slide-out represents the pinnacle of comfort and space efficiency in the towable RV market. By thoughtfully expanding the sleeping quarters, these campers ensure that travelers can enjoy the freedom of the open road without ever compromising on a great night's sleep. From understanding the key RV king dimensions to checking your vehicle's towing capacity and diligently maintaining the slide-out system, an informed approach will lead you to the perfect spacious travel trailer to enhance all your future adventures.
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