Outside kitchen - too “blue collar” for a 5th wheel?

[Vladivar]

Ok, so before I get bashed, the title of the post is very tongue in cheek. But it is something we have been thinking about as we visit various shows and look at the possibility of moving up from out 36ft TT to a similar size 5th.

One of the things we love about the TT is the outside kitchen. In fact, in the 3 seasons we have owned our current one, we have only ever used the inside kitchen to boil up some pasta once and microwave leftovers.

So why is it that, with only 1 or 2 exceptions we have seen, 5th wheels never have an outside kitchen???

TV’s, great storage, wet bays - you name it. But no sign of a couple of burners, fridge and sink with hot & cold water.

Do 5th wheel designers have something against outside kitchens - or is it some sort of government conspiracy!!

[cavie]

5th wheels tend to sit higher off the ground I believe.

[A32Deuce]

Good possibility may be because of all the slides 5th wheels have and how high they sit.

[saus]

They are few but if you look hard you will find one. Our 36 foot wildcat came with one.

[ppine]

Marketing is very sophisticated. They make what they can sell.
Compared to fancy hotels, everything about RVs is blue collar. That's why I like it so much.

[bikendan]

The 5th Wheel we're looking to buy, has an outdoor kitchen with fridge, sink and stove.

[5picker]

At a recent R/V show in Tampa, we seen a good many 5th wheel floor plans with outdoor kitchens.

I just have a hard time calling them 'kitchens' with (usually) a single bowl sink, a small two burner cook top and a very small, electric only refrigerator.

No ovens, very limited prep area and poor lighting make them more like a snack area to me.

[SlowrideHD]

I have a portable grill for cooking outside. I can set up anywhere I want to take advantage of where the wind isn't hitting. An outdoor kitchen seems like an unnecessary duplication that takes up a lot of space that I can use for something else. But that's just me and why they make different models to suit everyone's ideas.

[Windjammin]

An outside kitchen was not on my list of must haves when looking for our new rig But the one we selected had it. Now that I have one I love it and would look for one on a new rig if we look for one. The reason is I can grill and cook something on the stove at the same time without needing to go in and out of the trailer.

[Flybob]

We thought we would like an outside kitchen when we were looking. Now that we have one we will never go back. Saves lots of wear and tear RV and keeps the inside bug free.

[speedcat]

We had an outside kitchen on an Outbcak TT. Traded it for a FR Sabre bunkhouse with an outside kitchen. We then traded for a Heartland Landmark Charleston with an outside kitchen and will be "most timing" once the youngest graduates HS in May. Thus the outside kitchen was a definate "want". It is harder to find it as you upgrade in units but they are out there.

[D W]

I think the term "too blue collar" is irrelevant to be categorical. Hell, I've seen folks with million dollar MH's cooking with a dutch oven in fire pits. Looked like a scene from "Wagon Train".

Granted, outdoor kitchens are more prevalent in TT's than in 5er's.

[CaptnJohn]

OS kitchen was one and done, never again. I do have a portable grill.

[NJKris]

Hell, I've seen folks with million dollar MH's cooking with a dutch oven in fire pits. Looked like a scene from "Wagon Train".

that made me laugh.

[KEN9XL]

Flybob - agree with your logic. Outdoor kitchen saves bugs from entering the indoors. We use mainly paper products, so very little clean up or none at all.

5picker - I travel with a portable grill also and only use my frig for beverages. The rest of the area is used as storage.

Only other feature in my outdoor kitchen was a sink. Don't think I have ever used it other than when winterizing.
I have an attachment and connections for a TV outdoors, but have never used that either. We are either socializing with other campers, walking (sightseeing), enjoying campfire, or otherwise.

[grumpyer]

It's bad enuff cooking outside on grill or fire with all the flys & skeeters let alone a whole meal. I do the grill & fire, wife does sides inside . If really buggy we eat inside Have fun

[Volvodriver]

Our 35ROK Sandpiper has the outside kitchen with frig, sink with hot and cold water and nice tv that extends and retracts on rack and pinion system. No burners but use a weber when cook outside. Also has nice storage for supplies. We like it.

Dave

[X96mnn]

Like you my outdoor kitchen is a must. Many 5th wheels do not have them due to the rear living space design and premium put on the inside space. Many 5th wheels that do have them are bunkhouse versions but there are some out there with the kitchens that are not.

[Bob2019]

When sales person showed me a Forester with an OS kitchen, It was not a selling point that interested me. Now that I have it, I love it. It is so nice to be able to wash hands with soap and water (hot) after handling meat and other foods. Drawers and cabinets are there for spices and BBQ tools and paper towels for cleanup. Counter space is great for slow-cookers and paper plates. Unit has 2 electrical outlet a television, a light, and an extra fridge for beverages and other cold food. Only thing I added was a towel bar to the area. If not ready for clean-up right now, just lower the OH door for later. Also nice that you don't have to go in and out of the RV constantly, including family. An OS kitchen is a great feature to have.

[mjones12]

Everyone has different needs. We have never had the need for two kitchens in such a small floorplan. We will always opt for more space rather than a second kitchen.