As we are approaching retirement and much anticipated travels, my wife and I are planning to sell our Komfort travel trailer and purchase a new fifth wheel trailer in the next one to three years. Our search has brought us to the Bighorn 3160 Elite as the best match for our wants and needs in an RV. As with many things in life, compromise has been a part of our search for the “right” fifth wheel trailer. While the Bighorn 3160 Elite appears to be the best fit for our needs, a few improvements would eliminate some of the compromises.
Large water and waste tanks are important to us but this is not one of the high points for the Bighorns. I would suggest an increase in the tank capacities, perhaps marketed as part of a “boondocking” package/option or even as a standard feature. A meaningful increase would take the current fresh water tank capacity of about 60 gallons to a new tank capacity of something around 120 to 150 gallons, or more. However, any increase would be a positive change. Currently the two gray and the black water tanks have a 45 gallon capacity each (135 gallons total). Increasing these to 60 gallons each (180 gallons total), or even 75 gallons each (225 gallons total) would be a great improvement. Adding the capability of pumping from either of the two gray water tanks to the other would further enhance the improved capacity as sometimes one gray tank may be almost full while the other still has plenty of capacity. As with the fresh water tank(s), any increase would be a positive change. While the larger tanks, when filled, will add significant weight to the trailer, there is no practical reason for all of these tanks to be full at the same time. Either the fresh water tank(s) or the waste water tanks might be full but not both.
A “boondocking” package might also include upgraded batteries and a solar/inverter feature.
Another suggestion concerns the height of the two main slide rooms. We are particularly interested in the Bighorn 3160 Elite model but this suggestion holds for all “Elite” models with the “Mega Tall Slide” room. This is a great feature giving an open, light and airy feeling to the trailer with the potential for great views from inside the trailer! I would propose you increase the height of the opposite, “kitchen/entertainment” slide to match the “dining/living area” Mega Tall Slide. This would allow for an increase in storage space (cabinets, drawers, etc.) while improving the aesthetics and making the trailer interior more symmetrical, producing a feeling of balance.
These suggestions would further separate Bighorn, as well as other Heartland trailers, from the competition.
Mike Harnden
Large water and waste tanks are important to us but this is not one of the high points for the Bighorns. I would suggest an increase in the tank capacities, perhaps marketed as part of a “boondocking” package/option or even as a standard feature. A meaningful increase would take the current fresh water tank capacity of about 60 gallons to a new tank capacity of something around 120 to 150 gallons, or more. However, any increase would be a positive change. Currently the two gray and the black water tanks have a 45 gallon capacity each (135 gallons total). Increasing these to 60 gallons each (180 gallons total), or even 75 gallons each (225 gallons total) would be a great improvement. Adding the capability of pumping from either of the two gray water tanks to the other would further enhance the improved capacity as sometimes one gray tank may be almost full while the other still has plenty of capacity. As with the fresh water tank(s), any increase would be a positive change. While the larger tanks, when filled, will add significant weight to the trailer, there is no practical reason for all of these tanks to be full at the same time. Either the fresh water tank(s) or the waste water tanks might be full but not both.
A “boondocking” package might also include upgraded batteries and a solar/inverter feature.
Another suggestion concerns the height of the two main slide rooms. We are particularly interested in the Bighorn 3160 Elite model but this suggestion holds for all “Elite” models with the “Mega Tall Slide” room. This is a great feature giving an open, light and airy feeling to the trailer with the potential for great views from inside the trailer! I would propose you increase the height of the opposite, “kitchen/entertainment” slide to match the “dining/living area” Mega Tall Slide. This would allow for an increase in storage space (cabinets, drawers, etc.) while improving the aesthetics and making the trailer interior more symmetrical, producing a feeling of balance.
These suggestions would further separate Bighorn, as well as other Heartland trailers, from the competition.
Mike Harnden
