Small Camper: KZ RV Sportsmen Classic 181BH
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In business for nearly 50 years, KZ Recreational Vehicles has gained a solid reputation for being a premier manufacturer of travel trailers, fifth-wheels and toy haulers. The 181BH is the smaller of two bunkhouse trailers among the nine Sportsmen Classic models in this budget-friendly line of compact, ultralightweight travel trailers and toy haulers. With an exterior length just shy of 21 feet and a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 3,500 pounds, the nimble little trailer is easily managed by a host of tow vehicles.
Inside
Sleeps
5
Galley & Storage
The galley suits family needs with a deep sink that’s large enough for filling pots and pitchers, along with a microwave, two-burner cooktop and a centralized cabinet-end electrical control panel. The optional two-way 7-cubic-foot refrigerator-freezer fits curb side between the counter and bathroom.
Storage space is ample for a trailer this size with kitchen cabinets above and below the counter, open areas under the bunks and dinette benches, and a roomy exterior pass-through compartment under the front bed.
Left: The optional two-way 7-cubic-foot refrigerator-freezer takes the place of what would be a pantry/storage closet located between the galley and the bathroom. Center: Plastic pullout bins in the midship galley are a nice touch to maximize storage space while minimizing weight. Right: The bathroom is compact, but it affords an enclosed shower/tub and flush toilet.
Living Area
One of the first things we noticed about the Sportsmen Classic 181BH is the dinette housed in a slideout, which opens up the small trailer and makes more room for family meals, card playing or just lounging after a full day of adventure. The dinette folds down for extra sleeping room midship, next to a pair of 28-by-75-inch bunks at the rear on the street side. A 54-by-80-inch bed for the adults stretches across the front of the trailer with cabinets overhead.
KZ tucked the stand-up shower and flush toilet at the rear of the camper, essentially placing a wall along the back half of the bunk beds. The bunk configuration is nice for kids, and having the bathroom right next door is convenient for late-night trips to the loo. With a 6½-foot-high ceiling, the interior features residential-grade linoleum laid over tongue-and-groove plywood flooring, a 20,000-Btu furnace, and a stereo system with Bluetooth connectivity and USB charging ports.
The adults get to sleep in the 54-by-80-inch bed that fills the front of the 181BH. Overhead cabinets and a pass-through area beneath the bed offer a good amount of storage for a trailer in this class of small ultralights.
Special Features
KZ’s keyed-alike system prevents standard RV keys from opening doors and locks, which is a nice security feature. The Alum-a-Tough roof boasts a 12-year limited warranty. And this Sportsman Classic model comes with an 8,000-Btu Low-Pro air conditioner, power awning, diamond-plated front protection and tinted windows.
Final Thoughts
KZ’s ultralightweight, budget-friendly bunkhouse sleeps five and boasts many amenities found in larger travel trailers
Manufacturer’s Specs
2020 KZ Sportsmen Classic 181BH
Exterior: 20′ 9″
Exterior Width: 7′
Interior Height: 6′ 6″
Exterior Height: 9′ 4″ (without A/C)
Freshwater Cap.: 20 gal.
Gray-Water Cap.: 15 gal.
Black-Water Cap.: 15 gal.
LP-Gas Cap.: 5 gal.
UVW: 3,000 lbs.
Hitch Weight: 430 lbs.
GVWR: 3,500 lbs.
MSRP, Base: $17,603
www.k-zrv.com
