2025 Starcraft Autumn Ridge 26BHS Review

Today’s RV review is of the 2025 Starcraft Autumn Ridge 26BHS. This travel trailer can sleep up to ten people, with two of those getting the privacy of their own bedroom. While this floorplan is rather common, there are a few details that set what the Autumn Ridge 26BHS offers apart.

At a Glance: Autumn Ridge 26BHS

The Autumn Ridge 26BHS is built in the most affordable way travel trailers are constructed. This style is referred to as stick-and-tin, which means that it uses wood framing and an aluminum skin. This is how traditional travel trailers have been built for decades.

Starcraft’s Autumn Ridge 26BHS would be a trailer that I could see families with children preferring. And one big reason for that is all of the sleeping opportunities. This build also has certain benefits, since Starcraft’s parent company, Jayco conducts an extensive predelivery inspection. (Which is pretty unique in the industry.) Starcraft RV also provides a three-year structural warranty, which is longer than that of most companies.

Overall, I gave this a three out of a possible five rating. There are a few things I wish Starcraft had done on the chassis, suspension, kitchen, and bathroom that would be worthwhile upgrades, but all of these are very common components in this price category.

Check the Specs

Sleeping capacity: 10
Dry hitch weight: 750 pounds
Unloaded weight: 5,730 pounds
Cargo carrying: 1,770 pounds
Gross weight: 7,500 pounds
Exterior length: 30 feet 8 inches
Exterior width: 8 feet
Exterior height: 11 feet 1 inch
Interior height: 6 feet 9 inches
Fresh/Gray/Black: 42/32.5/32.5 gallons
Awning length: 16 feet

Features We Love

Stick-and-tin build method makes this an affordable option
Leaf-spring suspension and entry-grade tires
Sleeping for up to 10 individuals
Front bedroom separate from main living space
Double-over-double bunks with privacy curtains and operable windows
USB charging ports at almost all sleeping positions
PVC roof membrane
Taller 6-foot, 9-inch interior height
Shower curtain (instead of a glass door)

Benefits

Simplicity in repair. The aluminum skin with wood framing used in the build of this trailer is not only the most affordable way to build an RV but is also the simplest to repair if there is ever damage from an impact.
PVC roofing. The PVC roof membrane has the advantage of lasting a long time but can also be easily repaired with just simple repair tools available at any hardware store.
Room for a crowd. The double-over-double bunks in the back can mean even adults might be candidates for sleeping in this space so if you bring in-laws (or little outlaws), this could be the place for them.
A little privacy. The front bedroom is built with a sliding door on either side of a permanent wall, so you can close-off the rest of the trailer which might be especially essential with ten people occupying the space by day.
Function over fashion. The shower curtain, as opposed to a glass shower door can also help add a little privacy. Further, with 10 people in one trailer, it’s much easier to replace a damaged shower curtain than it would be a glass shower door.
Great heights. The taller 6-foot, 9-inch interior ceiling height not only offers a more spacious feel to the trailer, but that also translates into greater height in the shower. That makes this model something some taller campers might find more usable.
USBs galore. All these USB charging ports are going to come in handy, particularly if you have younger people traveling with you, as everyone will have a spot to charge their devices overnight.

Challenges

Small oven. This trailer is equipped with an oven but the smaller 17-inch (vertical) oven has a lot of hot spots and very limited space. While you might be able to bake cookies or a pizza (if you’re attentive), that’s about it.
Extra attention to maintenance. Trailers built with aluminum sides and wood framing can last a very long time if properly maintained, but the uneven surfaces of this type of build means that an owner should pay particular attention to the seals around things like windows, doors and other breaches in the exterior. With proper maintenance many of this style of trailer can last decades, but maintenance makes an especially big difference this type of build.
Plastic toilet. The toilet in the model I saw was plastic which means your visit to the bathroom will be a sonic treasure for all the other occupants of the trailer. These toilets also more difficult to keep clean. If you have 12-year-old boys camping with you, they may love it — which could be good or bad depending on your sense of humor.
Vent fan. One the same subject the small vent fan in the bathroom’s greatest accomplishment will be making noise, not eliminating shower steam or odors.
Tires. The entry-grade tires and simple leaf-spring suspension may be fine if you don’t put a lot of miles on this trailer. But I would consider an upgrade of at least the tires if you plan on doing a lot of towing.

Best for

This type of trailer would be great for a larger family that travels within shorter distances. With the affordable, wood-framed aluminum-skinned construction and entry-level tires and suspension, you’ll find the price of these to be quite budget-friendly. With sleeping for up to ten people, this could also accommodate the whole crew.
This might also work for friends going camping as the double-over-double bunks in this can accommodate an adult. So hunting buddies could find this a good choice for a base camp.
Another group who might like this are seasonal campers who have a permanent spot and want something that can accommodate a greater number of people but aren’t as concerned about towing long distances.

Key Areas of RV Trader Reviews

RV Trader asked RV shoppers what was most important to them in their RV buying process. Potential buyers — like you — helped us to identify a list of six key areas that camping and travel enthusiasts always look at when they’re searching for the perfect RV: sleeping space, bathroom, living area, four-season capabilities, and storage space.

The RV Trader team then got to work providing you with an honest and unbiased evaluations. And that’s where I come in. I’m Tony Barthel, RV expert and enthusiast. I provide an honest look at RVs from an RV industry insider perspective. That way, you can learn the good, the bad, and the intriguing about any RVs I review. I inspect each RV with the buyer’s perspective at the forefront. And I always evaluate those six key areas that buyers have told us that they have in mind.

So, that said, let’s take a closer look at the 2025 Starcraft Autumn Ridge 26BHS.

Sleeping Space

Even without folding a couch or converting a dinette, the Autumn Ridge 26BHS has double-over-double bunks in the back. This would certainly be sufficient for one adult and each bunk offers privacy curtains along with household power outlets, a net bag and a window that can open for air flow. This size is intended for two people but, of course, that depends on the people. You could easily sleep a mother-in-law in one of the bunks. And the lower bunk is pretty easy to get in to if she wants to come along for the adventure.

The booth dinette features a table that mounts on two poles which can drop down into a bed and the sofa, too, can jackknife into a bed. Neither of these are going to win awards for comfort. But if your younger campers wish to bring along friends, that might be good enough.

Whomever is making the payments on this is likely going to get the front bedroom. This space features a center wall divider between the chaos in the main living space and the bedroom. There is also a sliding door on either side. So, if you desired, you could close-off the bedroom entirely.

The entrance to the bedroom. As you can see, it’s somewhat separate from the main living area, but you can completely close it off with a sliding door. Note also the wardrobe cabinets above the bed.

A look at the master bedroom, one of the few places with a little privacy. Induction chargers and household power outlets are on both sides of the bed.

Two double bunks add significant sleep space. Note also that they have individual privacy curtains.

Bunks feature netted storage plus outlets for guests.

Bathroom

The bathroom in the Autumn Ridge 26BHS has decent space inside, enough that modest people on your camping adventure can dry off and change clothes in here. As mentioned, I like the shower curtain instead of the more common glass shower door just because this is easier to change if it gets damaged. It also doesn’t feel as confining, and you could even change it based on your decor.

There is some storage in the bathroom here but not a lot. We use microfiber towels, which take very little space and dry very quickly. So, that might be the way to go for owners of this rig.

Something unusual here, too: There’s actually a lock on the bathroom door.

A decent bathroom but with plastic toilet.

Here’s a closer look at the plastic toilet and traditional shower with curtain.

Pleasant design and decent counter top size give this bathroom a nice feel.

Living Area

By my count, the Autumn Ridge 26BHS has sleeping for up to ten, but there’s only seating for six to seven. (Of course, that could depend on how wide the occupants of the jackknife sofa are.) At that, there’s dining space for just four. So, celebrating the great outdoors might be as much necessity as desire.

If your plans are to watch a lot of TV, this might not be the RV for you. The TV faces the middle of the rig, and, as stated, there isn’t enough seating if you fill up every sleeping space. The Autumn Ridge 26BHS doesn’t come with a TV, but I’ve found that lots of people commonly upgrade the TV in their RVs. Usually in pretty short order, too. So, with this model, at least you’re not donating a TV you just got to get a bigger/better version.

A center wall with two sliding doors separates the bedroom from the main living space. It also provides some additional storage space with cabinets.

As seen here, the jackknife sofa and dinette both can provide additional sleeping spots.

Kitchen

The advantage of the 12-volt, DC fridge, as opposed to the propane-electric models of yesteryear, is that these fridges have more storage space for the given cabinet size. They’re also more tolerant of junior. You can see him now — standing there with the door open while he decides which color of magic soda pop he wants this time.

As mentioned, the smaller 17-inch (vertical) oven is not one of my favorites. They cook with a lot of hot spots and offer very limited space.

One standout is that there is an outdoor kitchen in the Autumn Ridge 26BHS. It has a bar-sized mini fridge that also has a rather large drawer. There’s also a mount for a griddle on the bumper, and I suspect that much of the food prep might take place out here.

The galley has a relatively roomy feel to it.

The kitchen in the Starcraft Autumn Ridge 26BHS has three-burner stovetop, microwave, and 17-inch (vertical) oven.

A look inside the 12-volt, DC bottom-freezer fridge.

Nice to have this outside kitchen with larger drawer and adjacent spray port.

Four-Season Capabilities

This camper is a relatively simple model. So, things like a heated and enclosed underbelly, tank heaters, and other items that might extend the camping season aren’t present here. Basically, once it starts to get where there are more than a few hours a day of freezing temperatures, the Autumn Ridge 26BHS is likely going to in storage for a seasonal hibernation.

Storage

One of the advantages of the Autumn Ridge 26BHS may actually be a disadvantage when it comes to storage. Considering how many people can sleep in this model, storage might be a bit tight. While there is a pantry right next to the 12-volt, DC fridge, that could be taken-up with spare clothing, towels, or what not for the people on the adventure.

Under the sink, there are some drawers and a bit of space. But I can imagine that space for stuff is going to be at a premium if you load this fully.

A single front passthrough compartment provides the majority of the outside storage. There is a larger drawer in the outside kitchen, but exterior storage isn’t the strongest suit of this trailer. However, it is configured to sleep a lot of people, so that’s what you get this for.

View into the cargo bay. Note the wood framing.

Cabinets in the main living area. Note the floor vents for the furnace. (Bummer.)

Nice look into the two-deep storage compartments between the bunks and the fridge.

Closing Notes on the Autumn Ridge 26BHS

If you’re a family that gets away a few times a year (pretty common according to KOA’s camping survey) and much of that time is spent fewer than 100 miles from home, this could be a great choice. The price of trailers like the Autumn Ridge 26BHS can be very affordable and many dealerships cut the margins pretty thin. That way, they can sell them affordably because these trailers appeal to families whose RVing addiction is just getting started.

This is also a floorplan that many, many RV companies make. So shopping around might get you some features that might work better for you. I do like Starcraft RV’s warranty and roof build. Also, there are no glaring challenges with this trailer, other than the lousy 17-inch (vertical) oven and noise maker vent fan. But both of those are very common in this price category.

I would say with some attention to seals around windows and doors (and just basic maintenance) that this is a relatively simple trailer. It should hold up for years of use. With all the sleeping space here, it could certainly accommodate larger families. Overall, it’s a decent choice for camping season when the kids want to bring their friends.

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