Keystone RV continues delivering travel trailers in a wide variety of sizes and model ranges — with a twist — and the Hideout 28BHS is a perfect example. This is a family oriented trailer that takes the now-familiar bunkhouse concept and ups that design with a pair of stacked full-size beds in the streetside aft corner, replacing the usual smaller bunkbeds.
While it’s not a small trailer, at 32 feet, 6 inches long, it’s fairly lightweight and could ostensibly be handled by a half-ton truck at the higher end of its factory tow rating range.
The 28BHS is priced right at $22,535 including a few “mandatory options” such as the Luxury Package ($1,015), LCD TV ($430), enclosed underbelly ($345), radial tires ($130) and tub surround ($125) that make the trailer that much more livable. We can’t figure out why they call these options if they’re mandatory equipment on this model, but they’re items you would probably order anyway once you realized what life in camp would be like without them.
A few other true options make sense in this trailer as well, including the gas/electric DSI water heater upgrade ($145), the spare tire and carrier ($235), the exterior shower ($130), the 7-gallon LP-gas cylinder upgrade ($120) and four stabilizer jacks ($120).
The trailer looks sharp with its lower-body gray accent color, minimal graphics and tread metal front-end lower-body protective panel. Radius windows and doors plus radius body skirting are nice upscale touches. A dual-battery tray is standard up front, as are the white steel wheels, Dometic power awning and E-Z Lube axles. The standard 13,500-Btu air conditioner with insulated in-ceiling ductwork can be optionally upgraded to a 15,000-Btu model for $235.
A single large streetside slideout opens up the central living area floorspace. Front to back, the slideout houses the hide-a-bed and the large U-shaped dinette. The island-style queen bed is forward with the galley on the midtrailer curbside wall and the bath in the rear curbside corner.
The Keystone Hideout 28BHS may not break any stylistic or decor records, but its interior includes modest but attractive and practical colors and materials. Earth-tone upholstery fabrics complement the carpet, vinyl floor and countertop material colors. This trailer interior seems well suited to the demanding needs of active families in sometimes-rugged camping environments.
A small entertainment island separates the forward master bedroom from the balance of the interior. Storage cabinets and cubbyholes flank the standard LCD TV, which can be rotated from facing the bedroom back toward the living space for group program viewing.
The cook can also enjoy the TV while working in the galley. The L-shaped counter has a generous amount of open working space, and the stainless-steel-trimmed appliances add a classy touch to the area. An overhead L-shaped cabinet extension provides a convenient catchall for those using the main access door.
Additional storage space is modest throughout the unit. Outside, a large pass-through space abuts the forward wall and accesses the underbed area. There are the usual pair of nightstand shirt closets and overhead cabinet at the head of the bed, and storage space in the galley is sufficient for meal-preparation needs. A tall pantry and narrow wardrobe between the refrigerator and bathroom door provide general kitchen or other cargo stowage. The bath, which also has an exterior entry door that allows the space to work as a mudroom, has its usual medicine cabinet and small storage space below the sink.
If this trailer is filled to capacity with sleeping bodies, they’ll likely require a lot of space for personal items.
Occupants have several choices in sleeping spaces. Both the U-shaped dinette and the sofa bed can be reconfigured into beds, plus there are the stacked bunks in back. A short foldaway ladder provides easy access to the upper bunk bed, and the lower unit is a crawl-in space.
There’s enough space in the bath for free movement by virtually any full-size adult. A porcelain foot-operated toilet is standard.
The Hideout represents a classic design of sorts in that it’s built using very old-style but time-proven materials. Wood floor, wall and roof framing are filled with fiberglass insulation. The floor is one-piece 5/8-inch oriented strand board, while the roof uses built-up radius-top trusses supporting a 3/8-inch deck and one-piece EPDM rubber roof. Baked-enamel-finish corrugated aluminum siding wraps the trailer front, sides and back.
This trailer’s extra-large 76-gallon gray, 38-gallon black and 60-gallon freshwater tanks are sized right for a family’s worth of showers and other needs. Enclosed and heated holding tanks encourage all-season use.
Families shopping for a new group-friendly RV at a cost-conscious price point may find the Keystone Hideout 28BHS worth investigating.
Exterior Length 32′ 6″
Exterior Width 8′
Exterior Height 11′ 3″
Interior Height 6′ 10″
Freshwater Cap 60 gal.
Black-/Gray-water Cap 38 gal./76 gal.
LP-Gas Cap 14 gal.
Hitch Weight 720 lb.
GVWR 7,720 lb.
MSRP $22,535
Keystone RV, 574-535-2100, www.keystonerv.com