Today’s RV review is of the 2025 Brinkley Model I 294 travel trailer. This is a new offering that is, technically, a bunk model trailer, but there is so much to look at in this model that it could almost be a two-part story. Don’t worry, I won’t do that to you.
What I will say is that there are so many posts on the various places I troll online where I read people saying, “Gosh, I wish the RV industry would do XX.” People love to ponder why the RV industry doesn’t make a better product. What I’m here to tell you is that this is that better product.
But, even before delving into the rig, I should share that I just got back from Indiana, where I was looking at some forthcoming RVs, and Brinkley has left a mark. While I used to complain about the silly swoopy graphics in the RV industry such that I even had some designers reach out to me, Brinkley’s simplified, tasteful graphics are being copied by many other builders.
Brinkley absolutely has made an impression on the RV industry, and while the appearance is one area, what’s under the skin is also better.
About that skin, though. The exterior of this trailer is not fiberglass—it’s aluminum. It’s still a laminated build with aluminum studs and Azdel beneath the skin, but the skin itself is a painted aluminum.
What’s under the skin of a Brinkley Model I 294?
If you notice the brake drums of this trailer are red, that’s because they are part of an anti-lock braking system that also includes trailer sway mitigation and adaptive braking. I got to go on a test of the anti-lock braking system for trailers. It was eye-opening and something I feel should be on all towables. But it’s not. It’s here.
This trailer rides on Hankook tires, but the suspension is a leaf spring design with a center dampener. I guess that’s my one complaint about the build of this trailer—I can’t say I’m the world’s biggest fan of leaf spring suspensions.
But there’s no complaining about the underbelly, which is enclosed and heated with tank heaters. There is also a zippered door in the underbelly to access the drive motor for the rack-and-pinion slide. Someone is thinking.
And that same team has plumbed the two gray tanks and the black tank to one dump connection. In addition to the underbelly being enclosed and heated, there’s a nice plastic tube for your stinky slinky—instead of rusting the bumper out from the inside.
Up on the roof, the company is using a sealant that is far less prone to wear and requires much less routine inspection and maintenance. It’s not maintenance-free, but it’s as close as it gets in a towable.
While we’re up here, notice, too, that there is a Furrion Chill Cube A/C system, which I feel is the best new RV air conditioner on the market. There is also a second unit for the bedroom.
More about build quality
There are other aspects of the build of this trailer that make me happy. For example, all the plumbing is PEX wherever possible, and most of the joiners are brass, not plastic. Plus, there is a shut-off for each fixture for both hot and cold, so even if you do have a plumbing issue, it doesn’t mean the end of your adventure.
Inside the RV, the drawers and cabinets are built with dovetail construction rather than just stapled-together, low-grade plywood.
The squared-off windows feature integrated blinds that have a reflective backing on them. But the build of these windows means that you don’t have any tacky valances around them. And, if you look closely, you won’t find nails or staples in the wood surrounding the windows.
Something else I noticed: Many of the household power outlets also incorporate USB-A and USB-C plugs in them. They do this in homes, but this is the first time I’ve seen it done in a travel trailer.
Cool features in the Brinkley Model I 294
I like that there’s a blind over the largest window in this rig that is actually a movie projector screen. Of course, this works with the included projector in the ceiling. You can also take that projector out and use it elsewhere and, yup, it has a built-in battery. Nice.
There is also a cabinet on the road side that incorporates a built-in table that can pull out or collapse into itself. So, it’s just a cabinet the same width as the kitchen cabinet, essentially, when it’s closed up. There are also some drawers in here, including a silverware drawer with the assumption that, when the table is extended, you’ll want to use some forks or something like that.
But you could be of the Medieval Times generation and just eat everything with your hands. I don’t know.
Something interesting: There’s a fireplace below the table, but if you choose to sit at the table, there’s a proximity sensor in the fireplace so you won’t end up with baked legs.
While we’re near the kitchen, note that there is just a three-burner propane stovetop but one that also has a larger burner and a smaller one for simmering. Of course, there’s a convection microwave. Naturally.
Sleeping in the Brinkley Model I 294
This model actually has a double-over-double (48” X 74”) bunk along the back wall of the trailer. We’ve seen this kind of thing before, but not one where they offer a three-panel door that can block the entire bunk area off. So, if you choose to use that for storage, you don’t have to look at how much junk you actually brought with you.
There are also clever storage spaces in the steps that you’d use to access the bunks, which is nice.
On the opposite end of the trailer, the front bedroom features a 66” X 80” Olympic queen bed, and it has a clever twist. If you lift the bed up, there is hanging storage underneath the bed that takes advantage of a well between what are essentially the frame rails on this trailer. There is also storage on either side of the well. It’s a remarkably clever use of space.
There is also hanging storage in a closet at the back of the bedroom and a lot of drawers. A lot.
More details about the Brinkley Model I 294
This rig features a bathroom that bisects the trailer. That bathroom features a shower with a seat and a lot of usable space for those times when nature calls. In other words, you’ll be flushed with joy at the amount of room in here.
For those who like to camp off the grid, this features a 3,000-watt inverter, which could run everything in this trailer with the exception of the second A/C unit. Of course, if that’s your intention, you’ll want plenty of battery reserves.
My thoughts on the Brinkley Model I 294
Quite honestly this is one of the best-made travel trailers I’ve come across. There is so much right with this rig, but the build quality and thoughtful design really set it apart.
Of course, there are a few things I would change. For example, either keep the windshield and put a cover over it, or just get rid of it altogether. I prefer eliminating it, but at least give me a cover option.
But this just shows that the company is paying attention and building something that’s better. Now, I know some people are going to gasp at the MSRP of this trailer, but it’s still much less costly than an Airstream and, quite frankly, I would prefer this trailer to an Airstream any day of the week.
There’s a reason so many of Brinkley’s peers in the RV industry are nervous, and they should be. Or just step up their own game. That’s the beauty of competition.
My thanks to Josh at Bish’s RV for the photos and video in this article.
More about these RV reviews
These RV reviews are written based on information provided by the manufacturers along with our writer’s own research. They are based on information from a single unit and may not reflect your actual experience. Shop your RV and dealership carefully before making a buying decision. They are intended only as a brief overview of the vehicle, not a comprehensive critique, which would require a thorough inspection and/or test drive.
Tony comes to RVtravel.com having worked at an RV dealership and been a lifelong RV enthusiast. He also has written the syndicated Curbside column about cars.
MORE BRINKLEY RV REVIEWS:
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##RVT1205
Oh, wow! A manufacturer that thinks about how things will be used; what a concept! Although I am impressed with the hanging storage under the bed, the attention to functionality that really impressed me is the door to the corner cabinet in the kitchen! Switch out the cooktop to one that has a single propane burner and a single induction burner, and it would be my definition of the perfect trailer!
It’s nice to see a manufacturer actually push the envelope in the rv arena. From AC units with 20 year old designs to the same old designs with only small tweaks, there hasn’t been much motivation to rethink RVing for the major manufacturers in a long time. Maybe now there will be?
Nice, but too long for me. Would also prefer Propane stove.
Perhaps the author should try Outdoors RV, or any other Northwood product built by real folks who care about what they shove out the factory door….not Indiana corporate cracker boxes. There are better alternatives.
If you’ll do a simple search of this site I’ve reviewed Outdoors RV as well as Northwood products and like them very much.
I find it sad that other RV companies think that they can deceive customers into thinking that their RVs are just as good as Brinkley by emulating their paint jobs and minimal graphics.
Nice, but prefer simplicity, lower price, smaller TT, 2-way refrigerator, conventional steps, and a gas stove, We view a TT as a way to get out of the weather, provide a safe place to sleep, rest, clean up and not own moving property that depreciates faster than an automobile. Someone please bring simplicity and quality back to the market.
As another commenter said, try Northwood (Nash), ORV, or Lance for smaller, simpler, and higher-quality in a travel trailer. Still not cheap, but high-quality and cheap are mutually exclusive terms!
Unless you have a time machine, unfortunately, two-way fridges are going to be just a memory.
No indoor access between the bedroom and kitchen with the slides closed means no overnights at a rest area or in a Flying J RV overnight parking space. And no visits to the bathroom while eating lunch beside the highway without stepping out into traffic. All of which we do on every RV trip and why all of our RVs have been fully accessible with the slide (s) closed.
“No deal” for any trailer with leaf springs, a front windshield with cold air flowing down my neck when fall-winter camping, or a walk-through bath that doesn’t have a separate “water closet” for the toilet! Nice features like a smooth, painted, aluminum skin and a pull-out table don’t make up for those deficiencies.
That’s why I share these details.
Thank you for the review, Tony, and the embedded humor, too! I like the two sleeping areas being as removed from one as possible but still inside the RV. I also like the way the table is designed; useful when in use and out of the way when not. The fireplace sensor almost makes too much sense, given the more typical behavior of the industry. The construction is certainly impressive, closely followed by the floorplan choices. Have a great day and safe travels!
Two grey waste tanks and one black. Does dumping require two hose hookups? PITA