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A Good Connection

Originally Published in Trailer Life Magazine

 

The Spree Connect lightweight bunkhouse inspires family togetherness in a comfortable, well-appointed trailer

One of the main reasons I became interested in RVing was the opportunity the lifestyle affords to connect with family and friends. Shortly after we had our first child, I could already see that taking extended weekend adventures with my little one was worth its weight in gold. More than 12 years and two more kids later, nothing has changed. We continue to value our RVing trips for the togetherness they provide and always appreciate a trailer that makes five people living in an abbreviated space enjoyable and fulfilling.

Recognizing this need for a family-conscious floorplan that doesn’t scrimp on amenities and makes the most of its available space, KZ offers the Spree Connect C250BHS, a no-nonsense bunkhouse that’s easy to tow and even easier to live in. The C250BHS squeezes a lot of living into a lightweight package, although at first glance, nothing about the trailer’s footprint jumps out at you. The steps under the 14-foot awning lead into an open floorplan with an emphasis on togetherness. That means there aren’t a ton of bells and whistles or electronic gadgets.

The dinette easily accommodates a family of five. At bedtime, it breaks down to sleeping quarters for one adult or two kids.

The dinette easily accommodates a family of five. At bedtime, it breaks down to
sleeping quarters for one adult or two kids.



The C250BHS has been designed on the premise that most of the time will be spent outdoors, perhaps enjoying a meal courtesy of the rear exterior kitchen that’s equipped with a slide-out sink and two-burner cooktop, in addition to a small fridge for chilling the beverages and keeping the steaks cold until grilling time. I was pleasantly surprised such a feature was included standard on a trailer in this configuration, a sign that KZ understands its customers and delivers what the typical buyer for such a floorplan would enjoy.

The BH in the model name tells you this is a bunkhouse, and KZ has selected the popular rear-bunkhouse/front-master-bedroom floorplan that gives parents and kids a sense of their own space. The bedroom up front is tucked away behind a pillared entertainment center, a setup of which I am not a huge fan, but the pillar is flanked by sliding doors on each side that can be shut tight and offer a much better sound barrier than the usual accordion-door closures.

The bed is adorned with a wall-mounted faux-leather headboard and, in a departure from most trailers with this type of floorplan, offers plenty of room for my 6-foot 2-inch frame to stretch out for a comfortable night’s sleep without my feet pinned against the back side of the entertainment center. Dual hanging wardrobes, in addition to the over-bed storage units, are sure to be well used by all occupants.

A pillar that snugs up to the queen bed houses the entertainment center; sliding doors extend from each side for bedroom privacy and an effective sound barrier.

A pillar that snugs up to the queen bed houses the entertainment center; sliding doors extend from each side for bedroom privacy and an effective sound barrier.



The galley area is compact but functional, with a microwave and three-burner stovetop, all more than capable of producing family delights from chicken tenders to macaroni and cheese. The dual-basin galley sink is a bit flimsy and made of plastic, but the high-rise faucet works to counteract the obvious cost-cutting measure. The double-door refrigerator provides 6.3 cubic feet of food storage. There isn’t a ton of counter space here, but that’s par for the course in a trailer this size and not usually a priority among weekend-oriented RVers.

Across from the galley, the dinette is of the U-shaped variety that many an RVing family can appreciate. The five of us had no problem gathering to eat (when the meal wasn’t outside, that is), and there is even enough room for those of my, ahem, rounded build to shimmy to the back of the table. The dinette breaks down into a sizable sleeping space at night, great for two kids or one wide-sleeping adult.

The kids will likely fight over who gets the top bunk in the rear of the trailer, but what those preteen pugilists don’t realize is that, with no ladder, the top bunk is difficult to get into, and access will require some acrobatics and possibly cooperation from the lower-bunk occupant. That’s not even mentioning the disconcerting “Thump!” resulting from the same child dismounting the bunk in the dead of night on the way to the bathroom.

Maple cabinetry, a decorative border and a high-rise faucet perk up the galley.

Maple cabinetry, a decorative border and a high-rise faucet perk up the galley.



We did note that the top bunk appears dark and cavernous, even with the light on; a small window here would have been a wise manufacturing choice. Each bunk has a handy mesh storage net mounted to the wall, which is great for books, small toys, electronics and whatever your kid may dream up.

KZ-Spree-FloorplanThe rear bathroom won’t win any awards for spaciousness, but there is enough elbowroom to get the job done. The toilet is set nearly against the shower enclosure, which severely limits foot space and makes for an uncomfortable sit-down experience. The shower features a small basin tub that’s always handy for washing the extra-little ones, and a medicine cabinet offers a bit of residential comfort.

The tank monitors are positioned near the bathroom sink, which puzzles me. In a family-oriented trailer, I’d like to see the panel and controls in a location not so readily available to precocious little ones who may be apt to play with the buttons and lights until otherwise discovered. But I’m splitting hairs here. I thoroughly enjoyed the Spree Connect C250BHS overall, as it is a family-friendly setup that includes many features I didn’t realize I needed.

A bunkhouse floorplan isn’t for everybody, but then again, it’s not designed for everybody. If you’re looking for a great way to “connect” with the family, this lightweight Spree warrants some serious consideration.

KZ Recreational Vehicles
866-472-5460 | www.kz-rv.com

Special thanks to Crestview RV in Buda, Texas.
512-282-3516 | www.crestviewrv.com


 

Kristopher BunkerKZRV TrailersTrailer Walkthrough

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