22 Feet of Family Fun (and Mild Panic) – We Bought an E-Pro 20BHS Trailer!
We finally did it. After months of scrolling through listings, walking through lots, comparing layouts, and trying to imagine real life inside these tiny rolling homes, we found our match: A used 2022 Forest River Flagstaff E-Pro 20BHS trailer. A mighty 22 feet of family, snacks, and questionable decisions.
This one checked every box on our wishlist. Actually, it checked more than we expected. You know that moment when you see something and go, “Oh. Wow. This is it.” (House shopping. My wedding dress.) That was us!
I’ve included our own photos, the overhead floorplan, and the build diagram so you can see exactly why we fell for it. And if you want to watch the full tour of the empty unit we bought, the YouTube video is at the bottom of the blog 👇
Our Original Wishlist (and how the E-Pro 20BHS trailer delivered)
When we started looking for a trailer, we had a very specific list of must-haves. Something comfortable, practical, small enough to tow easily, but smart enough to feel much bigger inside.
Here’s the list we brought with us to every dealership.
1. Maximizing Living Space
The E-Pro 20BHS trailer layout sold us right away. The slide-out dinette opens the whole trailer up to basically double the living area space, which makes a huge difference on days when we’ll be inside more than out. Room to cook and play! The floorplan just makes sense.
2. Safe Bunks
We wanted proper bunks for our tiny tornadoes, ideally with only one way in and out so we could babyproof a single side. The E-Pro bunks are roomy and sturdy, and the bottom bunk has that super cool lift up feature from the outside. It gives us way more flexibility for gear storage than we expected.
3. Lightweight, but Solidly Built
Weight was a huge consideration. We are towing with an SUV and needed something under 5,000 lbs fully loaded. The E-Pro line is known for being lightweight, even with metal frame construction. The build diagram pretty much sealed the deal for us with superior construction.
4. A Kitchen We Would Actually Use
We wanted covered burners for a flat surface and a deep sink. Ironically, these simple things seemed hard to find in trailer options we had been seeing. Counter space in 154 sq ft matters more than you think! Our E-Pro 20BHS trailer has three burners with a flat glass top, which gives us that work surface we were hoping for, plus a large sink that can handle a full meal cleanup. We also dreamed of having an oven since we use ours at home constantly. This little trailer fit one in too! We truly feel spoiled!
5. Smart Storage
With two kids and a dog, we needed real space for clothes and food. The 20BHS surprised us with a tall and very deep pantry, a proper cutlery drawer (why do so many small trailers only have cabinets instead of drawers?), and two bonus drawers under the dinette and bed for easy access.
A few bungee cords have gone a long way in the overhead bed cabinets too. We can pack a ton of clothes and blankets up there without anything shifting during travel. It feels like a clever way for Forest River to give families storage without adding more weight.
6. A Sink in the Bathroom (Seriously.)
The under 5,000 lb towing capacity category has a huge gap we didn’t know about until we started searching: The E-Pro 20BHS was the FIRST trailer we saw with a sink in the bathroom (YUCK!). Cleverly designed into the corner of the shower, I’m pretty sure I squealed when I saw it.
7. A Bathtub
With two boys who live for muddy puddles and rocks (and a whippet who’s just as enthusiastic about rolling in seagull poop), a bathtub was a must. Sure, we could have resorted to the inflatable pool-in-the-shower trick, but thanks to the E-Pro, we didn’t have to!
8. Airflow and Temperature Controls
Good airflow was high on our wishlist. We really wanted a rooftop fan in the bathroom (to help with condensation, fresh air, and reducing smells), but most of the trailers we looked at only offered it as a pricey upgrade. Having it already included on our E-Pro 20BHS trailer felt like a small victory. We also needed a reliable way to heat and cool the whole trailer. The E-Pro has a rooftop air conditioner and a propane furnace to keep everything comfortable from front to back bunks.
9. Sturdy Stairs
This one might seem small, but it was big for us. I wanted steps that actually braced on the ground and didn’t wobble every time the dog blasted in and out. The E-Pro 20BHS trailer steps come standard with adjustable kickstand feet, and they stay put. No shimmy, no bounce, just solid footing every time. It was one upgrade already made for us!
(10.) BONUS: Upgrades We Didn’t Know We Needed
The unit we bought just kept surprising us with bonus features we probably would have had on a wishlist if we knew they were things! 4 ground stabilizers instead of 2, off-road tires, the TST tire pressure monitoring system, a built-in rail outside for included table and griddle, outdoor sewer hose holder, a TV with built-in DVD player… the list goes on!
(11.) BONUS: Peace of Mind
Something we love about the E-Pro is that it quietly solves problems before they even happen. It comes with space for two batteries and two propane tanks, while most trailers in this size class only gives one of each. With how fast life moves, that backup feels like a little sigh of relief. If one fails or runs out before we get around to fixing it, the trip doesn’t grind to a halt. We can still cook breakfast and keep the lights on to enjoy the whole reason we left home in the first place.
Plus, the trailer already comes with a built-in solar panel, so even on days when we’re not plugged in, we’re still topping things up without thinking about it. It all adds up to a nice peace of mind when we’re out exploring.
Where the E-Pro Missed a Few Marks
Even though we’re pretty smitten with this trailer, there are a couple spots where the layout or features don’t totally match up with how we’d like to camp. None of these are dealbreakers, just the little things you notice once you begin living in a space day after day.
The east-west bed works, but a north-south setup would’ve made getting in and out way less of a shuffle. We’re working on a bed extension idea though!
James is 6’3, so the shower is a bit of a head-tilt situation for him, even with the skylight. However, we’re excited to try out the outdoor shower in the summer! This trailer could have benefitted from an on-demand water heater too, since it turns out 6 gallons of hot water doesn’t make a full kid’s bath.
A small everyday upgrade like a sink with a retractable spray nozzle would make dish duty in a tiny space feel a whole lot smoother. Plus if you are using the stove burners and the sink at the same time, there is absolutely nowhere to balance plates for serving.
Join the Cruise and Parker Adventure!
Thanks for coming with us as we walk through our new little vacation home on wheels. Now we just need to pack it, tow it, and try not to forget anything important. We’re looking forward to the adventures ahead, the lessons we’ll pick up along the way, and sharing the whole messy, wonderful process with you.
If you want to see the trailer in action, we’ve posted a full walkthrough on YouTube 👇. Leave us a like or a comment, say hi, and let us know what questions you have. We would love to hear from families who are on the same journey or dreaming about getting started.
Feel free to reach us from the Contact Form on our home page > https://cruiseandparker.ca/
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YouTube Walkthrough Video:
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