Dutchmen has a wide selection of travel trailers and fifth-wheels to offer the adventurous traveler out to discover America. Some of the hottest-selling units with the most useful floorplans and features are among Dutchmen’s “half-ton towable” category of travel trailers.
The Dutchmen 202RBS is light enough for most half-ton trucks, yet it has features that will make you feel like you’ve taken a part of your home with you on the road. The 202RBS is defined by a wide-open, single-room layout, with a three-quarter bath and dressing room at the back. A bedroom with a queen mattress is at the head of the trailer, and has windows on both sides of the bed large enough to brighten up the room. The slide-out dining area greatly expands the living space in the 202RBS. It has an oversized U-shaped dinette that’s a comfortable area for four adults to eat or play games. The dinette can be converted into another sleeping space the size of a double bed. The slideout room also has a flush floor to prevent stubbed toes and provide more vertical clearance. With square footage at a premium the entertainment center is placed against the back wall, next to the bathroom door. This location, prepped for a 42-inch flat screen, makes the TV viewable from two-thirds of the dining area and from the bed. In addition to the TV prep, the 202RBS comes standard with an exterior speaker and stereo system control panel, so you can listen to music inside or outside.
Dutchmen 202RBS Bedroom
The master bed was a little short for my height. While it is listed as a queen, the sloping nose of the trailer is also the headboard. As such, your head can’t get all the way to the top of the bed. This six-footer found his heels hanging off the end of the bed. On the other hand, the convertible dinette bed was just long enough for me to be comfortable. The difference is only two inches, 71 inches verses 73 inches in bed length. However, when you’re tall, that can make all the difference when it comes to a good night’s sleep.
The bathroom was surprisingly spacious. This is due to the ergonomic design that placed the toilet on an angle for more space on the sides and front, and a shower that is also angled for the same reason. In addition, the sink is reasonably sized for such a small space. The optional skylight ($116) turns what could be a dark space into a warm and well-lit area.
A cozy kitchen and master bedroom with a queen mattress fill the single-room Dutchmen.
The kitchen was not much smaller than the one in my first apartment, and that was microscopic, but we have to admit it is nicely outfitted, with a standard stovetop and optional oven ($218), fridge-freezer and dual sink. This unit also came with a microwave. The microwave is up and out of the way, and large enough to really cook with. The three-burner stove has enough space for large pots and pans, and the oven is large enough for baking a pie or casserole. All the appliances had black finishes, and matched well with the darker wood cabinets.
As reviewed, our trailer had the optional value-added package ($4,350), which included a power awning, power tongue jack, and power front and rear stabilizers. Other niceties such as keyless entry, 6-gallon gas/electric water heater, aluminum wheels and full window shades are also part of the package.
The dining area will comfortably seat four and converts to a small bed.
Regarding storage, the Dutchmen 202RBS has lots of it, beginning outside with a full pass-through compartment across the nose of the trailer. This compartment can be accessed from either side and from an access hatch next to the master bed. The bed hinges up and is supported by gas struts. Above and beside the master bed headboard are storage cabinets. The slide has storage under the seats and the kitchen area is chock full of cabinets in every conceivable location. Even small undersink spaces are finished inside and fitted with a door for cabinet space. The bath has storage under the sink, a medicine cabinet and a small closet area with cabinet space and drawers, too.
On the liquid side, the 202RBS offers fairly generous capacities for a trailer of this size. It can carry 52 gallons of fresh water and 42 gallons each of black/gray water.
The pass-through storage compartment was large enough to stow just about any lengthy gear you can conceive carrying. The ability to access it from inside the trailer means that food, blankets and other things you might want can be placed where you can reach them without going out into the dark and/or rain. We found the interior layout to be quite user-friendly, and we love all the storage space. The standard 13,500-Btu AC unit impressed us as it quickly cooled down the trailer on a hot day and kept it cold as we entered and exited all day. During our towing exercises, the trailer pulled easily and tracked predictably. It’s also compact enough to make it manageable in smaller campgrounds and parking lots. Overall, we found the Dutchmen 202RBS to be a practical, attractive and comfortable trailer.
Dutchmen 202RBS Floorplan
SPECIFICATIONS:
Ext. Length: 24’
Ext. Width: 8’
Ext. Height: 11’ 4”
Int. Height: 6’ 10”
Freshwater Cap: 52 gal.
Black-/Gray-Water Cap: 42/42 gal.
Hitch Weight: 682 lbs.
Dry Weight: 5,050 lbs.
GVWR: 7,600 lbs.
BASE MRSP: $18,836
Dutchmen Manufacturing Inc., 574-537-0600, www.dutchmen-rv.com
