What's a Gaucho?

[SkyePN]

Hi everyone,

Looking at buying a small 3 season trailer, probably a Bigfoot 17 in the near future (needs to fit in a 8' garage over winter)

I see a lot of listings about "Gaucho" model, what does that mean?
Seems to be some kind of bed thing. Is it an option or was it on certain years?

I found the B17 Brochure in the Files section, looks like there's a Standard, Deluxe and Spiritwing model, does it have anything to do with that?

Thanks a bunch, if you have any photos to demonstrate the differences, I'd appreciate it. Maybe there's a page or doc out there that spells out the changes by year, I want to make sure to get what fits my needs best on the 1st try....

Skye

[rgrugg]

I believe a gaucho is an Argentinian cowboy but you probably don't want one of those in a trailer (or maybe you do. I wouldn't know). In RVs it's a type of uncomfortable couch that makes into an uncomfortable bed.

[SkyePN]

Ahh, so it's one of those things where the sofa bottom makes 1/2 of the bed, and the back is doubled up and folds flat to make up the other 1/2 of the bed? With some kind of slide out wood below? Yeah, those are usually pretty uncomfortable in either configuration.

Since it only needs to sleep 2, I assume the dinette "main" bed is more comfortable, but then again it might be nice to not have to break down the table for sleep time. Hmm.

So was this standard on some Bigfoot years/models or was it an option?

Follow up question, are all 80s Bigfoots insulated to some point? I was to use this for 3 seasons, and it gets frosty at night.

[rgrugg]

In our Egg Camper we had a choice. We could have a rear dinette that would make into a bed or we could have a full time bed. We chose the full time bed since the trailer has a two person side dinette. We also chose NOT to get the factory mattress, which was sorta pricey, and bought a much lower priced memory foam mattress from Walmart (under $100 in Michigan).

[Raz]

If the Argentinian cowboy shovels snow that might be kinda handy.

I think you will find that the cushions for the rear dinette and the sofa/gaucho are probably the same thickness' 3"-4". A memory foam topper really helps on the bed. Lots of folks make a make shift table to use the gaucho as a dinette and leave the rear dinette as a permanent bed. Good luck with your search and do come back to show us what you get. Raz

[Bob Miller]

Needs to fit into a 8' Garage?
Standard garage doors are only 7' tall and that rules out almost all of the FGRV's except the Hunter(s), Campsters and a few other similar trailers with small pop-up tops. BTW: The 17.5' Bigfoot is very heavy for it's size.
Best bet, don't depend on what is written, go out and start looking at some.

[Daniel A.]

Different models usually speak to options for the trailer.
Earlier years were much lighter in weight than later years mostly due to changes in things like fridge size, microwave, airconditioner.

My 1991 Deluxe loaded on the road is about 2800 pounds with the manufacture stating 1850 pounds dry weight.

A 2007 is 3100 pounds GVW

Your 8 foot garage will just take it as the unit is that wide with nothing to spare. Mine fits nicely in the carport with a couple of feet clearance on one side, my carport roof is also 9 feet high so I have a foot and a half to play with.
I've not found the beds to be soft but then neither am I.

The inside width of the trailer being much more than others is really nice.
The Bigfoot will definitely use more gas for the TV than others with the extra mass.

[Andrew Gibbens]

I believe if the Argentinian cowboy is on his horse, he won't fit in an 8' garage either.

[Raz]

Originally Posted by Andrew Gibbens

I believe if the Argentinian cowboy is on his horse, he won't fit in an 8' garage either.

That depends on the size of the cowboy and the horse. You've been watching too many westerns

[Deb & Chuck]

The Bigfoot 17 is to tall to fit into a 8ft garage. A Compact Jr or Trails West campster will fit into your garage.
Chuck

[Tom Trostel]

My 1980 Bigfoot 15B17G is a "Standard" model with a gaucho. It is 96" high at its highest point which is above the door (this does not count a roof air conditioner). The gaucho in a Bigfoot is a L shaped couch that makes into a bed. I believe all 17' models in the 1980's had a gaucho and rear bath. The "G" in the model name means gaucho. There is 1" of foam insulation in the ceiling, walls, and floor of all early 17' models. The early models are lighter and I tow mine with a minivan.

1980 Bigfoot :: rear gaucho bed & bunk picture by tomNjo - Photobucket

[Deb & Chuck]

Bigfoot also made a CB=Center Bath in a 17ft.
Chuck