What tow vehicle are you planning to use? The 14DB is quite a bit lighter and would work better with a small/midsize SUV.
David
Floor space is precious in either model. The increase in size is largely seen in the rear storage where the fridge was in the 14. If floor space is key consider the S models. If not consider the tip out bunk option over the jack knife sofa. Those sofas are no treat to sleep on. But that option would lock you into the 16 IIRC.
[quote source="/post/10709/thread" timestamp="1431460121" author="@whoofit"]Floor space is precious in either model. The increase in size is largely seen in the rear storage where the fridge was in the 14. If floor space is key consider the S models. If not consider the tip out bunk option over the jack knife sofa. Those sofas are no treat to sleep on. But that option would lock you into the 16 IIRC.[/quote][p]I second the motion to get the slideout.[/p][p]
[/p][p]Having a 14DBS, and having thought hard about the 16DBS, the thing for me is, the 16 doesn't give you any more sleeping space. I consider the foldout couch unsleepable, and of course the mini-dinette is too small for anyone over 10 years old.[/p][p]
[/p][p]So it really is no difference between the two, from my perspective, until you go with the 16 BHB, but then you have to convert between bed and dinette, and of course it's a wet bath. Or, you go up to a 21BHS, which is what you'd want if you have 1-2 teenagers.[/p][p]
[/p]
Are the Sofa's that different between the LL Model's?
Mine is the most comfortable Sofa/bed I have ever slept on and my guess also agree.
[p]Judging from your impression of the sofa then yes, most definitely, there are different sofas. I believe the one in the 16DB circa 2013 is made by Atwood. I loved it so much I wanted two so I did this with it.[/p][p]
[/p][p]
(http://i1312.photobucket.com/albums/t521/minuteman1965/DSC01363_zps5jffwyok.jpg)
I have a 13qbb with dinette not a 14 or 16 but here's my take: Get a 16TBS with Dinette. The twin bed/king gives you a nice sleeping arrangement, the slide gives you the floor space, and the dinette gives you surface area. The only downside is sleeping room for a third person but the foldout couch hasn't received much positive sentiment so I don't think you'll really get good sleep space for a third person in that size camper no matter what you do.
If you need to sleep a third adult, I would not get the 16TBS. The sofa-bed is much shorter than in the 16DBS and is too short to sleep lengthwise. When folded out, the mattress in the 16TBS sofa-bed is unsupported in the middle and so it is not usable as a bed. The dinette in the 16TBS would also be too short if made into a bed. The 16 DBS we looked at had a jack-knife sofa that was reasonably comfortable and long enough to sleep length-wise. The 16 DB we looked at had a much narrower jack-knife sofa that I did not try out as a bed. The 14DB or DBS may not have a usable sleeping space for a third adult, at least one that you like. So, if you have to have room for 3 adults and have the tow vehicle for it, I'd go 16DBS with the jack-knife sofa option.
I've got the 16DB. Yes, the sofa is 6 ft long and suitable for an Adult. Its a little too firm for sleeping in my opinion. But the added storage in the back is a plus over the 14 footer. When you fold down the sofa its only a 2 foot wide walkway from the bed to the bathroom.
My trailer is perfect for an adult couple and maybe an occasional child.
[p]Way different.[/p][p]Mine folds up flat against the wall when I am transporting the atv inside.[/p][p]When the Sofa is down for sleeping on it is very nice and comfy, all I need to do is make a portable head post so the pillow stays put.[/p][p]
[/p][p]I only use the sofa bed during the real cold nites as the fold out tent needs insulation. The fix for the foldout tent will be the PopupGizmo and Bunk liners.[/p]
[p]The biggest problem we had with sleeping on the jack knife sofa was the foam densities are different between the seat and back portion. The crevice can be filled, the length and width are long and wide enough. There was still a sufficient but minimal walkway from fore to aft when deployed. But the density thing could not be dialed out so to speak.
Sitting on it was uncomfortable too. Too narrow in the seat portion and the angle of the back was too steep. If Merlin is correct, and from my experience he typically is, then the wider sofa would help some here.[/p][p]
[/p][p]Added to all this your back is turned to one of the most important parts of the trailer. The picture window.... Now, I love the fridge, cabinets under the sink and the countertop in general but not enough to stare at constantly while sitting in the trailer. And the TV is factory mounted at a 90 degree viewing angle from the seating plane. Talk about uncomfortable...[/p]
We have a 16DB and my 14 year old daughter has slept on the sofa without any issues. We put a 4" memory foam mattress on top of it that was cut to size then a cloth sleeping bag on top of that. She found it comfortable.
[quote source="/post/10759/thread" timestamp="1431525316" author="@shonsu"]We have a 16DB and my 14 year old daughter has slept on the sofa without any issues. We put a 4" memory foam mattress on top of it that was cut to size then a cloth sleeping bag on top of that. She found it comfortable.[/quote][p]Good to hear you were able to make the sofa comfortable for her. I can see this scheme for someone young and petite, or as in the case of my 22 y/o son who could sleep on a rock like a rock and has, be doable. [/p][p]
[/p][p]I entertained the notion of removing the sofa altogether and doing as you did with the 4" foam. Probably would have worked fine with the pedestal alone. Quite probably better than the sofa being there at all. But settled on the dinette that will undergo some major revisions this winter to be able to be converted into an 80" comfortable bed. For now we get some mileage from that chopped-up sofa as a no cost solution to several design flaws in the 16DB.[/p][p]
[/p][p]In the meantime our nephew has a place of honor sleeping with us in the queen bed right next to his favorite dog.
[/p]
[quote source="/post/10780/thread" timestamp="1431555794" author="@whoofit"][quote source="/post/10759/thread" timestamp="1431525316" author="@shonsu"]We have a 16DB and my 14 year old daughter has slept on the sofa without any issues. We put a 4" memory foam mattress on top of it that was cut to size then a cloth sleeping bag on top of that. She found it comfortable.[/quote][p]Good to hear you were able to make the sofa comfortable for her. I can see this scheme for someone young and petite, or as in the case of my 22 y/o son who could sleep on a rock like a rock and has, be doable. [/p][p]
[/p][p]I entertained the notion of removing the sofa altogether and doing as you did with the 4" foam. Probably would have worked fine with the pedestal alone. Quite probably better than the sofa being there at all. But settled on the dinette that will undergo some major revisions this winter to be able to be converted into an 80" comfortable bed. For now we get some mileage from that chopped-up sofa as a no cost solution to several design flaws in the 16DB.[/p][p]
[/p][p]In the meantime our nephew has a place of honor sleeping with us in the queen bed right next to his favorite dog.
[/p][/quote]
The next time we go camp my daughter plans on bringing a friend and my wife wants my daughter and her friend to sleep with her in the bed and me to try the sofa. So I'm going to give it a shot. It's not until sometime in July. Now that I think about it maybe I should plug in at home and try it one night on a weekend before then.
Who drives the tow vehicle also chooses the bed.
[quote source="/post/10890/thread" timestamp="1431783446" author="Leslie in Colorado"][div][/div]I have three more questions....
Does anyone know the weight capacity of the fold out bunk that is an option?
Has anyone ever put a cot on the floor in a DBS model with the slide extended out? We are thinking that might be an option for the occasional 3rd adult... we like the compactness of the 14' length, and are thinking this might make the dinette option more of a possibility....
Those of you with the dinette: are you happy you made this choice over the sofa? We like the idea of being able to see out the window comfortably if we are stuck inside but are a little concerned about the foot room under the dinette...
Thank you all again![/quote][p]We have the mini-dinette-ette. The table and seats make a convenient set-down place for whatever is in hand and needs to be...uh...set down somewhere.[/p][p]
[/p][p]We have used it for a few meals when stuck inside during an all-day rain. Though, usually we stray away from the campsite during the day to local attractions anyway, rain or shine (maybe more likely in rain than shine).[/p][p]
[/p][p]It is about like sitting in the finest table for two at Taco Bell. It all depends on your build. For some, legroom can be an issue. For others, well....take a deep breath and consider applying a little butter to the edge of the table.[/p][p]
[/p][p]Having said all that, we are pleased and far prefer it over a sofa bed and portable table that would only take up more space and me no more functional.[/p][p]
[/p][p]Besides, Mrs. Pin doesn't like to sit side by side. She prefers to keep a close eye on me at all times.[/p][p]
[/p]
You know at 14 or even 16 feet compromise is in order. Here's a thought: two folding chairs and a roll out canopy is nice during a rainstorm. And not too claustrophobic.
Personally I go camping to be outside and I like the minimalistic approach of camplite.
[quote source="/post/10890/thread" timestamp="1431783446" author="Leslie in Colorado"][div][/div]I have three more questions....
Does anyone know the weight capacity of the fold out bunk that is an option?
Has anyone ever put a cot on the floor in a DBS model with the slide extended out? We are thinking that might be an option for the occasional 3rd adult... we like the compactness of the 14' length, and are thinking this might make the dinette option more of a possibility....
Those of you with the dinette: are you happy you made this choice over the sofa? We like the idea of being able to see out the window comfortably if we are stuck inside but are a little concerned about the foot room under the dinette...
Thank you all again![/quote]
They have two options, the tip out bunk and the fold down bunk. Which one are you referring to?
Quote from: Leslie in Colorado" timestamp="1431783446" source="/post/10890/thread[div][/div]I have three more questions....
Does anyone know the weight capacity of the fold out bunk that is an option?
Has anyone ever put a cot on the floor in a DBS model with the slide extended out? We are thinking that might be an option for the occasional 3rd adult... we like the compactness of the 14' length, and are thinking this might make the dinette option more of a possibility....
Those of you with the dinette: are you happy you made this choice over the sofa? We like the idea of being able to see out the window comfortably if we are stuck inside but are a little concerned about the foot room under the dinette...
Thank you all again!
I have a 13' model not 14 but I do have the dinette in place of the sofa. I really like the Dinette option, it just a bunch of surface area that I wouldn't otherwise have. It's tight underneath for foot room but usable and I'm 6'3".
[quote timestamp="1432051213" author="@mitch" source="/post/11077/thread"]
Quote from: Leslie in Colorado" timestamp="1431783446" source="/post/10890/thread[div][/div][div][/div]I have three more questions....
Does anyone know the weight capacity of the fold out bunk that is an option?
Has anyone ever put a cot on the floor in a DBS model with the slide extended out? We are thinking that might be an option for the occasional 3rd adult... we like the compactness of the 14' length, and are thinking this might make the dinette option more of a possibility....
Those of you with the dinette: are you happy you made this choice over the sofa? We like the idea of being able to see out the window comfortably if we are stuck inside but are a little concerned about the foot room under the dinette...
Thank you all again!
I have a 13' model not 14 but I do have the dinette in place of the sofa. I really like the Dinette option, it just a bunch of surface area that I wouldn't otherwise have. It's tight underneath for foot room but usable and I'm 6'3". [/quote]6'3" ? Useable ? What, after taking a chop saw to the far seat ?
[quote source="/post/11112/thread" timestamp="1432088862" author="@pinstriper"][quote source="/post/11077/thread" timestamp="1432051213" author="@mitch"]I have a 13' model not 14 but I do have the dinette in place of the sofa. I really like the Dinette option, it just a bunch of surface area that I wouldn't otherwise have. It's tight underneath for foot room but usable and I'm 6'3". [/quote]6'3" ? Useable ? What, after taking a chop saw to the far seat ?
[/quote]I fold well, besides it's not much different from flying in a commercial airplane anymore. They've done their best to make that as miserable as possible.