Outdoors RV’s new Creek Side floorplan offers family amenities plus four-season comfort
At the risk of painting with too broad a stroke, RVers can generally be classified into two categories: those who enjoy warm-weather respites at full-featured, meticulously manicured RV parks, and those who enjoy year-round adventure in any type of weather, wherever the road may take them — even if that means cutting through the backcountry. La Grande, 
Oregon-based Outdoors RV knows quite a bit about the latter group (though it still relishes the former), as the area’s diverse climate and off-the-beaten-path access has led the manufacturer to make a name for itself in terms of durable, truly four- season trailers. The latest offering, the Creek Side 27BHS, is a family friendly trailer built for the backroads.
There are many RVs on the market that are billed as all-weather trailers. Unfortunately, that often means an upgrade in insulation here and there, with little or no attention paid to the road conditions these vehicles will likely face. Outdoors RV prides itself on the beefy construction of Creek Side trailers, beginning with a custom-built chassis featuring heavy-duty shock absorbers. The trailer’s walls feature aircraft-grade aluminum tubing to make a 2-inch-thick structure. Outside, an HD fiberglass front cap and diamond plate bumper wrap help protect the trailer when the going gets rough.
Smartly appointed galley features ample counterspace and an integrated knife block.
But the real star in the Creek Side — and all Outdoors trailers, for that matter — may well be the four-season construction. The roof has triple-layered insulation wrapped with Astrofoil. The underbelly is fully enclosed, heated front to back and insulated with Astrofoil, which also covers the slideout floor, with an additional wrap around the holding tanks. The luggage doors are 1-inch-thick thermal insulated to guard against freezing in extreme weather.
Now that we’ve established that Outdoors trailers are ready for the outdoors, what’s it like inside? The 27BHS is a dual-entry trailer, with one door opening to the living area, and a second door opening to the rear bathroom. Stepping up into that entry, I immediately noticed an RV tub in the shower, which is a sure sign that the manufacturer has thought things out in terms of its audience (more on that later). The shower itself is roomy enough to get the job done, and the open space in the bathroom — in addition to the porcelain toilet — makes for a comfortable experience overall. Plus, the fact that the door opens into the bathroom means the little ones won’t track dirt throughout the trailer.
Those aforementioned little ones can truly live it up in style in the 27BHS, as two oversized bunks complete with ladder and a curtain for separation are a fun highlight of this trailer. It should be noted there is an exterior access door on the lower bunk, so parents will have to lay down the law so as to avoid any unauthorized late night exploring by curious kiddos.
Master bedroom features attractive, functional nightstands on both sides of the comfortable bed.
Walking past the bunk area, you are immediately hit with a feeling of wide-open space, thanks to the vaulted radius ceiling and extremely open living area. The attractive flooring features a 40 percent thicker wear layer than standard and offers a three-year warranty, yet another nod to the durability of the trailer. Curbside is the sizable galley, with a decent amount of counterspace plus a flip-up extension to expand the work area. Appointments include the usual three-burner stove/range, microwave, plus the not-so-usual extra-large fridge, which Outdoors claims can hold up to 20 percent more food than a standard model. A dual-basin sink with an
Coupled with the rear bunkhouse, the tub in the bathroom is further proof that this floorplan has been designed for RVing families.
upgraded faucet is a nice touch, both aesthetically and in terms of practicality. The solid-surface countertops look absolutely great, and a clever wallpaper backsplash fooled me at first into thinking it was hand-laid tile. Behind the cooktop on the counter is an integrated knife rack, something I questioned at first but soon appreciated immensely.
Across from the galley is the living area, which features seating for seven to 10 people (depending on the number of little ones) thanks to a large U-shape dinette and comfy tri-fold sleeper sofa. Electronic entertainment is offered via a 32-inch swivel 12-volt DC LED TV ($1,192) and the standard DVD/CD/MP3 stereo (which features premium interior/exterior speakers).
The second entry opens in front, with a profile view of the pillared entertainment center; not exactly a wow-factor entrance, but it does the trick.
When the sun goes down, Mom and Dad can hit the hay in the front master bedroom, which features a comfortable pillowtop mattress, for a good night’s sleep. As I have with many other trailers of this type of floorplan, I had trouble with my feet up against the pillared entertainment center, but I’ve come to the conclusion now that it’s not them, it’s me. The bed is flanked by dual nightstands, which are always appreciated, while the room is cordoned off using curtains on both sides of the entertainment center. If you’re looking for total privacy, this configuration is not for you. (But if you have children and/or grandchildren who would use the bunk area — and you’re looking for privacy at all — you may be a bit optimistic.)
Outdoors has outfitted the Creek Side with a variety of surprising niceties, including a roof-mounted solar panel, an extra-large furnace, hookups for an exterior grill and dozens more amenities. From little things like a wall-mounted hair dryer and a rechargeable flashlight, to larger, more substantial add-ons like a power A-frame jack and the insulated skylight in the living room, it’s clear that the Creek Side 27BHS should be seriously considered when shopping for a fun, family friendly trailer that’s built for the long haul.
