The Heartland Pioneer BH250 is the perfect weekend getaway trailer for the family. With a sleeping capacity of up to eight and enough storage for all, the BH250 is an ideal entry mid-level bunkhouse travel trailer.
It has some great features from the factory, like a power tongue jack, a rear storage rack, and electric stabilizers. However, all RVers eventually customize their unit to meet their unique camping desires. If you’re interested in upgrading, check out our must-have gear for your next trip.
Technician Tip: If you’re interested in making upgrades, but worry you can’t do them yourself, you’d be surprised how easy it can be. Even for the most inexperienced DIYers, most tasks are easily achievable with basic hand tools. However, you can always reach out to a Camping World Service Center if you need help.
Mattress
Nearly all RVs come with some sort of mattress, even if for showroom purposes alone, but they almost always leave much to be desired. The BH250’s mattress is above average, but still not anywhere near what you’d find in your home. If you’re like me and have trouble sleeping at the campground as it is, you’ll likely upgrade your mattress very soon. There’s nothing worse than waking up tired after a poor night’s sleep.
For an upgrade, I like the Brooklyn Bedding Soft-Medium 14″ Dreamfoam Essential Mattress. The Brooklyn Dreamfoam has a memory foam top for comfort and open cell technology for better breathability. It’ll have you looking forward to your bed every night, just like you do at home.
Technician Tip: The bedroom mattress is a queen, which measures 60” wide x 80” long.
Other Mattresses to Consider
Backup Camera
If you were on a tight budget and only looking to upgrade the absolute necessities, a backup camera would be my first recommendation. Backup cameras are a lifesaver, especially for those who don’t frequently tow. Personally, they improved my confidence behind the wheel. The more comfortable I feel, the better time I have, as there is less stress getting to and from the campground.
Although commonly referred to as backup or reverse cameras, they actually serve as observation cameras since they are powered by the running light circuit. In other words, any time you have your running lights on, the camera will be on as well, so they can be used for much more than reversing into a tight campsite or parking space.
We recommend the Trailer Life Pathway 5″ Wireless Backup Camera System. The Pioneer BH250 is pre-wired, which makes for an easy plug-in installation.
Technician Tip: To install, remove the rear cover plate on the camper held in place with four screws. Once these screws are gone, attach the camera to the pre-wired plug and secure it using the same holes as before. Plug the monitor in, and that’s it!
You can also watch this video tutorial for more help with a backup camera installation.
Other Backup Cameras to Consider
Portable Generator
If you find yourself looking to go off-grid, you’ll need a portable generator. A generator provides power to your camper when there is no power pedestal to plug into. It’ll power your essentials like the air conditioner and refrigerator if sized properly. You won’t find many off-grid campers without a generator, and you don’t want to be left out.
A generator is not something you want to cheap out on either. It’ll only cause you headaches in the long run if you do. This is why I recommend the Honda EU3200iAC 50-State Inverter Generator, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more reliable or well-reviewed generator. In order to use your existing shore power cord with this generator, you’ll need an adapter, like the Camco PowerGrip Generator Adapter.
See if the Honda EU3200i is right for you by reading our full generator review.
Other Portable Generators to Consider
Solar
Like a generator, solar helps power your camper when not hooked up to park power. Solar power is great because it does not require any upkeep. Park your camper in the sun and let the panels go to work, charging your batteries.
I recommend the Go Power! 200-Watt Overlander Expansion Kit. The BH250 is prepped for solar, making installation very easy. Simply mount the panel to the roof and connect it to the pre-wired port. If you need more power, no problem, just bridge the panels together.
Other Solar Options to Consider
Surge Protector
You may think you’re protected by plugging your power cord into the campground’s power pedestal. Unfortunately, you’d be wrong. To protect your camper and the expensive electronics inside, you need a surge protector. A surge protector guards your camper against power spikes and drops that can be harmful to your electronics inside.
There’s no better option than the Hughes Autoformer Power Watchdog RV Surge Protector. The Power Watchdog has industry-leading surge protection with wireless capabilities. In other words, you can spend more time with the family and less time worrying about power issues.
Other Surge Protectors to Consider
Shore Power Cord
If you’ve ever struggled with the pesky twist-lock power cords, you’ll appreciate this upgrade. The SmartPlug 30 Amp 30′ Cordset and Inlet plugs straight in and automatically locks in place. In addition to being easy to use, the SmartPlug has more pin contact than a standard power cord which helps to reduce heat build-up and the potential for fires.
Although not a must-have for everyone, if you want to make your camper as safe and as easy to use as possible, you’ll want to consider upgrading your power cord with the SmartPlug.
Bike Rack
Most campers want to take their bikes with them while they travel. The only problem is storage space, which is usually at a premium. Storing bikes inside the trailer or truck bed isn’t an option for many. This is where RV-specific bike racks come into play, as they allow you to take your bikes with you without using valuable space inside your motorhome, towable RV, or tow vehicle.
For the BH250, your best option is the Lippert Jack-It Double Bike Carrier System, which keeps your bikes up and out of the way on the tongue of the trailer’s frame. By storing the bikes on the front of the camper, you won’t have to worry about interference with the rear tailgate storage system.
Toilet
Believe it or not, one of the most popular upgrades for many in their camper is a new toilet. The BH250 comes with a residential-height toilet, which is great because it makes it easier to get up and down. However, the seat is small, and the base is made of plastic which stains very easily. In addition to the stains, it also holds unpleasant smells.
For an upgrade, we recommend switching to the Dometic 320 Series Gravity RV Toilet, which is just like your toilet at home. A residential-height seat, elongated bowl, and ceramic base make the Dometic 320 a must-have upgrade for your BH250.
Technician Tip: The Dometic 320 Series requires a rough-in (distance from the wall to the center of the toilet flange) of 11” or more.
Other Toilets to Consider
Most RVers are constantly tweaking their setup. Whether you’re making changes to tailor your RV to your preferences or upgrade elements that have broken, we hope you’ve found this collection of must-have Heartland Pioneer BH250 upgrades useful.
If there are any other must-have upgrades you feel we missed, let us know in the comments below!
